Italy: Prof. Dr. Alessandro Marrone and Dr. Stefano Silvestri

NATO membership and the bilateral relations with the US are crucial elements in shaping Italian policy concerning tactical nuclear weapons. The Atlantic Alliance is deemed a cornerstone of national security and nuclear sharing is considered an important component of Italy’s participation in it. The US is recognized as a key ally and hosting American tactical nuclear weapons is part of such bilateral relations. There is a broad political consensus on such an overall approach, as proved by the strong continuity of Italy’s nuclear policy despite frequent changes in Italian governments. Rome has ensured Dual Capable Aircraft (DCA) to its military firs with Tornado and now with F-35. While several European countries are buying F-35s, Italy is the only one – beside of course UK, which has its own nuclear deterrent – procuring certified dual capable F-35s to maintain its nuclear sharing role. Moreover, during the post-Cold War period, the US military presence in Italy has increased. American bases, including those hosting tactical nuclear weapons, have been modernized, upgraded, and in some cases enlarged. Such overall continuity on military nuclear policy takes place without much political debate upon it, and governments are keen to stay the course without engaging public opinion.

In Italy there is no official, explicit position in this regard. However, the following points can be made. First, Germany’s participation in nuclear sharing means Italy is not the only major European country to host US tactical nuclear weapons without having its own deterrent. The German contribution embodies collective defence and solidarity, both among Europeans and at transatlantic level, and therefore it helps Rome to stay the course of nuclear sharing. Should Germany abandon this role, anti-nuclear movements in Italy would have a new, strong argument to advocate a similar choice by Rome. Above all, the negative effects of Germany stepping back on European security and NATO would harm Italy’s national security and interests. 

There would be a number of negative and worrying effects. This move would take place while Europe is weakened by the impacts of Covid-19 and the US is dragged into the 2020 presidential electoral campaign, thus creating further room for maneuver for opportunistic adversaries. Moreover, it would happen without any diplomatic bargain with Russia over pan-European security, by ignoring the strategic consequences of INF treaty demise and significant Russian nuclear rearmament. Finally, such a German withdrawal from nuclear sharing would increase the estrangement between the US and a key European ally at a time of strong calls for greater burden sharing by Europe – an estrangement not helpful considering ongoing transatlantic tensions. Overall, this German move would definitively weaken both NATO and European security.