Italy’s Role in the Implementation of the Dual-Track Decision

Abstract

This chapter focuses on Italy and the intra-alliance dynamics developed by Italy around the adoption and implementation of the dual-track decision of December 1979. In particular, it describes how, starting from a marginal position, sanctioned by the exclusion of the Italian government from the quadripartite summit held at Guadeloupe in January 1979, Rome managed to heighten its political relevance as an Atlantic partner thanks to its status as a non-nuclear weapon state. In fact, in accepting to deploy the so-called Euromissiles on its territory, Italy not only guaranteed the necessary conditions for West Germany’s accession to that NATO decision; it also actively participated in Western European efforts to overcome the American initial resistance to pursue the arms control track with the same determination devoted to the nuclear build-up.