In May 2015, the Italian Ministry of Defence published its White Paper for International Security and Defence. In this article, Andrea Gilli, Alessandro R Ungaro and Alessandro Marrone examine the important domestic changes outlined in the document, including those made to the policy-making processes and the internal discussion about strategic issues. The document restricts Italy’s focus to the Euro-Mediterranean region but sees a more active role for its armed forces – if and when necessary. European co-operation is also prioritised, especially with regards to military technology and procurement. It also puts forward reform of the defence ministry aimed at shaping an integrated approach and promotes further jointness, starting from the strengthening of the Joint Operational Command that will take responsibility for any future military operation.
You are here
- Home
- Publications
- RUSI Journal
- Volume: 160
- No: 6
- The Italian White Paper for International Security and Defence

The Italian White Paper for International Security and Defence
Andrea Gilli, Alessandro R Ungaro and Alessandro MarroneRUSI Journal, 1 December 2015
Defence Policy, National Security, Technology, Europe
Support Rusi Research
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Related

New UK Government Initiative to Support High-Risk, High-Reward Military Science Needs Refinement
Commentary, 4 March 2021Trevor Taylor and Rebecca Lucas
The initiative is clearly inspired by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, but the devil will be in the detail.
Tags: Defence, Industries and Society, Defence Spending, UK, Technology
The Budding Alliance Between Lockdown Critics and the Far-Right in Germany
Commentary, 2 March 2021Juliana Suess
Far-right movements are joining hands with coronavirus-deniers and lockdown critics. This is an ominous trend, but it is unlikely to have any serious impact on the upcoming elections.
Tags: Coronavirus, Germany, National Security
FCAS: Is the Franco-German-Spanish Combat Air Programme Really in Trouble?
Commentary, 1 March 2021Justin Bronk
A new European combat aircraft is still likely to emerge from a programme plagued by mismatched national positions, priorities and industrial responsibilities.
Tags: Aerospace, Military Sciences, Germany, France, EuropePages

New UK Government Initiative to Support High-Risk, High-Reward Military Science Needs Refinement
Commentary, 4 March 2021Trevor Taylor and Rebecca Lucas
The initiative is clearly inspired by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, but the devil will be in the detail.
Tags: Defence, Industries and Society, Defence Spending, UK, Technology
The Budding Alliance Between Lockdown Critics and the Far-Right in Germany
Commentary, 2 March 2021Juliana Suess
Far-right movements are joining hands with coronavirus-deniers and lockdown critics. This is an ominous trend, but it is unlikely to have any serious impact on the upcoming elections.
Tags: Coronavirus, Germany, National Security
FCAS: Is the Franco-German-Spanish Combat Air Programme Really in Trouble?
Commentary, 1 March 2021Justin Bronk
A new European combat aircraft is still likely to emerge from a programme plagued by mismatched national positions, priorities and industrial responsibilities.
Tags: Aerospace, Military Sciences, Germany, France, EuropePages

Russian Electronic Warfare, Cyber and Information Operations in Ukraine: Implications for NATO and Security in the Baltic States
RUSI Journal, 24 February 2021Duncan McCrory
Russia's investment in its electronic, cyber and information capabilities should concern NATO states.
Tags: Cyber, RUSI Journal, Russia, Information, Technology
Between a Pandemic and a Hard Brexit: Grand Strategic Thinking in an Age of Nationalism, Renewed Geopolitical Competition and Human Insecurity
RUSI Journal, 24 February 2021William D James
The UK's turbulent domestic situation has implications for how the country faces external threats.
Tags: RUSI Journal, UK, Defence Policy, UK Defence
Book Review: The Grand Strategies of Great Powers
RUSI Journal, 7 February 2021Peter Layton
Peter Layton reviews The Grand Strategies of Great Powers, by Tudor A Onea.
Tags: RUSI Journal, Defence Policy, Global Security IssuesPages
Episode 3: Jan Hall on Finding the Woman for the Job
Multimedia, 12 February 2021In this episode, Jan Hall talks to Karin about her career as one of the UK’s top headhunters, identifying and matching the appropriate people for some of the most demanding executive positions in...
National SecurityEpisode 2: Sir David Lidington on his Life in British Politics
Multimedia, 8 January 2021In this episode, Karin talks to the new Chair of the Institute, the Rt. Hon Sir David Lidington, KCB, CBE. Sir David discusses his career from the early days as a special adviser to eventually...
National SecuritySir Mark Rowley on Policing
Multimedia, 11 December 2020Welcome back to Season Two of our 'In Context' podcast. In this episode, Karin talks to RUSI Distinguished Fellow Sir Mark Rowley QPM. Sir Mark discusses his incredible career in the police force and...
National SecurityPages

New Partnership with the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism
News, 8 June 2018New international research network to examine terrorists' use of internet technologies.
Cyber, Future UK Cyber Security Strategy Project, Terrorism and Conflict, The Global Research Network on Terrorism and Technology, National Security, Technology, Terrorism
Robert Hannigan, former director of GCHQ, becomes RUSI Senior Associate Fellow
News, 4 January 2018RUSI is delighted to announce the appointment of Robert Hannigan CMG as Senior Associate Fellow.
Cyber, Intelligence, Technology
New Video Launched: The New Defence Enterprise
News, 5 May 2016In this short video RUSI explores the increasingly significant role of the commercial sector in modern British defence capabilities. RUSI talks to a number of experts on how private industry is...
Defence, Industries and Society, Defence Spending, UK, Defence Management, Defence Policy, UK DefencePages

RUSI Annual Security Lecture
Events, 24 February 2020Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick delivered the inaugural RUSI Annual Security Lecture.
Tags: Cyber, Organised Crime and Policing, UK, Technology, Europe
Britain in the World
Conference, 10 February 2020This conference explored the UK’s foreign policy priorities post-Brexit and examines its new role in the world.
Tags: RUSI International, UK Integrated Review 2021, Europe
Reflections on D-Day: The Battle for Normandy
Events, 30 May 2019A panel discussion to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the Battle for Normandy.
Tags: United States, UK, History, Europe
Fighting for the soul of Western militaries
New UK Government Initiative to Support High-Risk, High-Reward Military Science Needs Refinement
New Zealand's Indo-Pacific Recalibration