Mussolini's foreign policy often resembled running in front of an existing crowd and claiming to lead it. It was opportunistic, performative, and responsive to circumstance. Because the regime lacked a stable strategic direction, Mussolini's foreign policy did not necessarily match his admirals' assumptions. Designers could not know whether cruisers were being built for prestige, a concrete war plan, or impressive comparative specifications. That instability rewarded fast, flashy ships even when their features did not answer Italy's likely Mediterranean missions.
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Mussolini's opportunism destabilized naval requirements
Mussolini's opportunistic foreign policy often diverged from his admirals' assumptions, leaving designers without a consistent answer to what Italian cruisers were meant to accomplish.