Italy's claim to great-power status rested on real diplomatic and military weight. In the early Fascist period it possessed an empire, cultivated client states, and acted as a security power in Austria. In this interpretation, Hitler could not move into Austria while Mussolini resisted. Italian soldiers and sailors could perform well, but results varied sharply with the generals and admirals placed over them. Promotions within the navy, air force, and army were often controlled by self-selecting cliques, and Mussolini had to bargain with these establishments. Italy possessed considerable power, but weak command institutions limited how effectively it could be used.
Notable Point · 20:22-23:23
Italy's real leverage hid weak command institutions
Italy possessed genuine interwar diplomatic and military weight, including leverage in Austria, but self-selecting command cliques weakened how that power was used.