Removing Mussolini before an American war

The Italian non-declaration branch depends on removing Mussolini before he can act. His race to announce the war makes a sudden decision to hold back inconsistent with the behavior described earlier. Italian troops were committed to Operation Barbarossa, whose progress had fallen short of expectations, while Operation Crusader added pressure in North Africa. The king, Senate factions and professional officers provide the proposed means of changing the government. The armed services' existing loyalty to the crown is central to that possibility. One suggested reason for Mussolini's speed is that opponents could have acted against him if they learned his intention in time.