RIVISTA MILITARE 2014 SUNTI ENG

Traduttori: Lia Nardella

RIVISTA MILITARE N.- 1-2014

ENGLISH SUMMARY The Civil War in Syria, by Pietro Batacchi (p. 4).

After four years, the conflict in Syria does not seem to decrease. The peace Conference in Geneva contributed to underline the impasse. Expectations were not so high indeed, due to several postponements that took almost a year. Anyway the situation could not have been different for many reasons. First of all, the opposition, especially the military wing that relies on the field, boycotted the meeting. Moreover, Iran (one of the main actors on the scenario) was even not invited to the Conference. Finally Assad’s resignation, which was a fundamental condition for oppositors to start the transition process, is actually not feasible. On the battlefield there is a substantial stalemate, since no one on both sides can demonstrate its ability to prevail. It seems that this situation will continue in the same way for quite long time.

Uighurs Between Chinese Repression and Will of Independence, by Daniele Cellamare (p. 12).

Nowadays Xinjiang is an autonomous region of Popular Republic of China. During the last twenty years, its importance had an an incredible growth both in economic and political field. The repression that Beijing has adopted for decades against the Uighurs stands in this complex scenario. This population represents the original Xinjiang ethnic minority. Uighurs speak Turkish language and practice Islamic religion. Their aim is to achieve wider autonomy from the central government. They claim even for independence from China due to discriminatory policies implementation and a high level of unemployment. Wide dissatisfaction of the population led to bloody uprisings.

How to Save Money with Pooling & Sharing, by Giuseppe Amato (p. 22).

Armed Forces employment of the of different participating nations in the new operational scenarios drew attention to wasteful duplications and various capacitive gaps. This has driven the European Union member Countries to the Pooling and Sharing, namely the development of complementary capabilities, leveraging standardized and interoperable systems, up to a cooperative approach that enhances the synergy between States and markets.

Strong When it is Needed, by Roberto Forlani (p. 26).

The thesis proposed in this article is that the heavy forces, in their traditional role, will be able to maintain their prerogatives and prove very useful throughout the entire spectrum of conflicts, especially in irregular contexts such as counterinsurgency ones.

Volunteers, an Ethics coming from afar, by Ernesto Bonelli (p. 36).

How not to be struck by the sadness coupled with pride in the look of many soldiers, engaged in international missions, in the face of tragic visions of fallen comrades on the field or the populations to which they bring their work for peace and stability in the area?

Praise of Initiative, by Gianmarco Di Leo (p. 42).

The Army General Staff has recently published the Doctrinal Note on "General Principles and Approach to Land Military Operations" which, however briefly ,lays a new foundation for the re-construction of the overall doctri-nal architecture of the Armed Forces. The Doctrine requires, in fact, a substantial upgrading,

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especially in the light of the constant evolution of NATO and Joint Force Doctrine. Some people may underestimate the importance of maintaining a doctrine continuously adapted to the needs of the organization, but I am sure that even the few pages of this article can demonstrate the usefulness of putting proper attention to development, study and, above all, internalization of Military Doctrine within the Armed Forces. A solid doctrinal basis, as described below, even in the few historical examples proposed, is essential for the efficiency of the units and can be decisive on the battlefield for victory on the tactical field .

Iron Punch, by Generoso Mele (p. 48).

This cycle of exercises planned for 2013 represented a new exciting challenge for the operating units of the 2nd International FOD, used in difficult international scenarios. A moment of professional growth, a real added value in the operational field. An interesting debate about operating procedures and doctrine represented its real strength.

Striker Fired vs Hammer Fired, by Fabio Zampieri (p. 54).

The article outlines the evolution of handguns equipped with the "percussion device for launching" (striker fired pistols), pointing out that this design solution, after an initial abandonment due to technological problems, has been recovered successfully using modern technology and meeting the needs of professional users of firearms.

The article also highlights some of the inherent limitations of launched percussion weapons, making a comparison with a hammer fired pistol of national production. The article reports experiments carried out with weapons owned by the author and contains original photos.

RIVISTA MILITARE N.- 1-2014

Leonardo, the Genius in the Art of War, by Sara Greggi (p. 60).

Behind an evocative and imposing medieval castle on the slopes of Montalbano, and surrounded by a beautiful landscape, with vineyards and olive trees, there is an ancient land full of history. Going through the olive groves and the smells of an old campaign trail, the "green road", it is possible to reach a fifteenthcentury rural residence, typical of the Tuscan countryside. Here, in Anchiano, hamlet of Vinci, on April 15, 1452 was born the greatest genius that humanity has ever known, the synthesis of creativity and science, rationality and feeling: Leonardo.

Chronicle of an Attack, by Antonello Folco Biagini, Alberto Becherelli, Antonello Battaglia (p. 66).

On the occasion of the centenary of World War I, will be published a series of essays by a group of young historians of the University of Rome “Sapienza”, coordinated by Prof. Antonello Folco Biagini.

The aim of the project is to outline the most important issues of a conflict that wrecked the European continent and dragged the world’s leading powers in a crisis that, unexpectedly, lasted for years. The topics covers a long time span: from the geopolitical balances in nineteenth century Europe to the international relations in early twentieth century. The assassination of Sarajevo, casus belli, is the article opening the series. It makes it possible to capture the salient moments immediately preceding the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Habsburg throne, and of his wife Sophia. Insights in the fragile “European concert” on the eve of the conflict, the colonial competition, the various irredentisms, the establishment of nationalisms and the tensions between the

powers, will also be provided. In this contest, special attention will be paid to the political choices, both domestic and foreign, of the Kingdom of Italy in between Triple Alliance and Triple Entente; to the internal debate between interventionists and neutralists; to the military organization; to the decision to go to war.

Each year the essays will be devoted to the correspondent year of war. The fronts of war, the military manoeuvres, the great battles, military health care, psychiatry, the role of women, economics and engineering studies, will not be neglected.

A progressive analysis will accompany the reader in the interpretation of the main events and the major issues.

countless tragedies that it caused, acted on technological development as a powerful engine.

It is no exaggeration to say that the discoveries and innovations that took place between the summer of 1914 and the end of 1918 exceeded by far all those that appeared in the previous half-century (which, in its turn, was a period among the most fruitful in history).

Upon closer inspection, however, in most cases these were neither original contributions nor new creations without a basis, but rather functional improvements and refinements.

The Tuscan Army, by Riccardo Caimmi (p. 72).

After reviewing, in the first part of the study, the organization and the tactics employed by the partisans in Eastern Europe, as well as the basic principles applied by the Wehrmacht within the conduct of counterinsurgency operations at the operational and tactical levels, this second part of the work analyzes the tactics, techniques and procedures adopted by the German Army for counterinsurgency operations.

Moreover, it describes the organization and procedures for the employment of "Jagdkommandos", units specialized for fighting the partisans. These units channeled their operations into an innovative basis as for a regular army, by adopting the same principles of the insurgents.

In the concluding paragraph are illustrated their limits and the reasons for the operational failure of the Wehrmacht in its fight against partisan groups.

Such a failure contributed significantly to the collapse of the German Army on the eastern front, thus opening the way to Berlin for the inexorable and powerful Soviet war machine: the "Red Army".

The history of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, after the fall of the dynasty of the de 'Medici, alternates periods of peace, progress and social harmony with other periods characterized by wars, turmoil and uprisings. The events which the Tuscan Army took a part in during the Lorenese, Napoleonic and Risorgimento ages are little known but deserve, due to their importance, a renewed attention.

Top secret: the fascinating World of Secret Codes, by Vincenzo Junio Valerio Musmeci, Nicola de Maio, Vitantonio Cito, Vittorio Guarriello (p. 80).

The codes and coded messages that made history: from ancient Greece to the Cold War. A journey into the world of secret codes presented by some young students of the Military School “Nunziatella”.

The Engaging Story of Concrete,

by Flavio Russo (p. 88).

The terrible catastrophe that the Great War was, beyond the

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Bandenkampf!, by Gianluca Bonci (p. 92).

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ENGLISH SUMMARY The Day that Farah was back of Afghan People, by Nicola Garzone (p.4).

The Civil War in the Republic of Central Africa, by Daniele Cellamare (p.24).

It is a chronicle of a special day

by Lt. Nicola Garzone. It describes the time when Italians left the advanced base of Farah to the Afghans.

This is an occasion for reflecting upon the work performed by our soldiers. A sort of live evaluation by one of our young officers with a passion for writing.

Since it became independent from France in 1960, the Republic of Central Africa has hardly known a stable government, its political life being mostly marked by military dictatorships and oligarchies. It is a landlocked Country, considered among the world's poorest, despite the presence of uranium, gold, iron and diamonds, which alone are worth about half of the exports. Since September 2012, the Country has been ravaged by a bloody and devastating civil war.

The Libyan Chaos, by Pietro Batacchi (p.10).

Libya today is one of the major threats to regional and international stability and security. The Country is unable to overcome the crisis it was plunged into after the 2011 war and the overthrow of Gaddafi regime. Institutions are not consolidated, wh ile milit ia g r o u ps t h at r e spond to diverse agendas play the lord and master. The result is c h ao s an d in se c u r it y t h r o u ghout the Country, and the last e ve n t s h ave pr o ve n it o n c e again. First the elections of the Constituent Assembly, which was a failure, then the vote of no confidence in the prime minister Ali Zeidan. This was due to the affair of the oil-tanker sailed from the North Korean port of Sidra in the hands of militias with 230,000 barrels of oil on board: the first case of export of oil to Libya by a non-governmental authority.

Somaliland, Safer Thanks to the Italian, by Andrea Di Stasio (p.18).

Somaliland has closed its political transition in 2012 by the establishment of the new Federal Government, thanks to the support of the international community.

After more than 20 years of civil war, and after 12 years of transitional governments , the Country has eventually begun to enjoy some stability.

How Surviving Briefings, by Rosaria Talarico (p.30).

What are the tricks to build an interesting and communicative briefing? The article discusses the most common mistakes to be avoided and the techniques to effectively communicate any content: synthesis, proper use of images and colors, logical construction of the sequence of presentation‌.

Learning on-Line with E-learning. The use of technology in the learning process, (Part One), by Giacomo Massa (p.36).

The purpose of this article is to illustrate the benefits that e-learning and the "Training and Communication Technologies" may provide in the learning process, in order to highlight how the relation between education and technology can be a real added value to the traditional ways of delivery and fruition of knowledge.

Motivated and Satisfied, by Mariano Pizzo (p.40).

To understand motivational aspects can be useful for both 3

those who belong to the Army and those wishing to enter it though a competition. To reflect on motivation is also a way to get to know oneself better. This reflection is necessary, in fact, not only for those who want to make more aware choices, including that of being part of the Army, but also for those, within the Army itself, who want to understand better the motivations that are at the basis of certain attitudes and behaviours.

Manouvre: Art or Science? by Gianmarco Di Leo (p.48).

Penetration, infiltration, outflanking, envelopment, encirclement. Definitions of the various forms of manoeuvre are clear, but their execution is deceptively simple. In fact, as Clausewitz noted, in war the simplest thing is difficult.

To facilitate understanding, the Army General Staff has recently completed the development of the doctrinal note "The manoeuvre of ground forces". There are different ways to manoeuvre, that is to combine fire and movement on the battlefield in order to achieve a po sit io n o f advan t ag e o n the opponent. Besides, new forms of manoeuvre such as the non-linear ones have been introduced. This topic is frequently neglected in schools but is crucial to the Commanders at all levels, because who is in the best position often wins the battle.

Safer with the Carco (Combined Arms Route Clearance Operations, by Salvatore Milana (p.52).

Employment of the "Route Clearance Package" (RCP) has allowed national contingents in Afghanistan to operate with some degree of safety.

With the transformation of the ISAF mission, the concept of

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employment of the RCP structure has evolved as an essential factor for the control of carriageways: the "Combined Arms Route Clearance Operations” (CARCO).

The small Sized Portuguese Army of the Twenty-fist Century,

by Giuliano Da Frè (p.56).

Among the NATO land components, the Portuguese Army is the most peripheral and small in size. However, it possesses a number of features providing a valuable contribution to Alliance's operations and UN missions. This is due to the experience it has accumulated in the controversial colonial counterinsurgency campaigns in Africa and, after 1990, to its growing involvement in international peacekeeping missions, from the Balkans to Afghanistan, which led to its reorganization. Notwithstanding this, it still has problems related to lack of funds for upgrading weapon systems, which caused either cutting or deleting of programs.

The Disciplinary Proceedings of the Corps, by Salvatore Vullo (p.62).

"Be punished! " Here are the latest developments in disciplinary proceedings, between procedural guarantees and peculiarities of an institution whose specificity is recognized by the law. The Commander, in his capacity as military judge, must ensure the right balance between legal guarantees and duties.

The out-of-tune Concert that Brought to War, by Antonello Folco Biagini, Alberto Becherelli, Antonello Battaglia (p.64).

The article belongs to the series of essays wrote for the centenary of the Great War by a group of young historians from

“Sapienza” university, coordinated by Professor Biagini. It will highlight the long-simmering tensions that were going to explode with the assassination in Sarajevo, revealing the fragility of that "European concert". Alongside the international causes of the conflict, those relating to domestic politics and the ideological climate of European Countries have also to be considered.

The Trench, the Raincoat for the Trench, by Flavio Russo (p.72).

Since ancient times, many innovations in technology have been brought in thanks to demands arising from the battlefield.

The soldier’s need to protect itself from severe weather conditions has set up a cult of our time: the trench coat. Used by British soldiers in the trenches of the Great War, it soon became an evergreen garment.

The Great War of embedded Journalist, by Danilo Moriero (p.78).

The relationship between the military and journalists is a lovehate one. The "embedded" reporter, an information professional integrated with fighting forces, is present today in the various theatres of operation.

What was the position of Italian embedded journalism on the front of the Great War? Had it the means to "see" what was happening and, especially, did it influence public opinion? The article proposed here will try to answer these questions.

We have been Playing them for fifty Years, by Giovanni De Socio, (p.90).

2014 is a special year for the orchestral and administrative staff of the National Army Band as it marks the 50th anniversary

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of the establishment of the department. On 1 February 1964, at the "Macao" barracks of Castro Pretorio in Rome, in fact, military musicians from all over Italy were summoned to form the new orchestral ensemble.

This date sanctioned the beginning of a new journey of milit ar y lif e an d c u lt u r e . Sin c e then, the Band has established itself as the only professional musical ensemble representative of the Army in the major national and international celebrations. the Fogs of the Law, Some Reflections, by Andrea Piovera, (p.100).

The article considers a British study dealing with the growing influence that the law is acquiring on the conduct of military operations, also tactical ones, and which briefly aroused even the national media attention. Then it explores the possibilit y t h at law an d war may find, within the structure and consciousness of a democratic state, the ability of living together without causing irreparable lacerations. The interpretation of the problem is carried out in a Clausewitzian key and wants to be a starting point for critical reflection on the theme. Its ambition is to outline possible solutions and to stimulate reflections from other people.

The Revival of the International Role of Japan in the Light of the New National Security Strategy,

by Francesca Manenti (p.105).

The repeal of the historic ban on export of weapon systems, approved by the Japanese government last April, has brought international attention to the reform project that Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is trying to implement in the field of defence policy and national security.

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ENGLISH SUMMARY Afghanistan, a Future without NATO,

by Pietro Batacchi (p. 4).

At the end of 2014, NATO ISAF mission will also come t o an end.

Afghanistan is facing this long process of transition with many problems still unsolved and some timid hope due to the successful participation in the recent presidential elections. In the past year, the election date characterized political debate in the Country and there are many doubts about the succession of Karzai. The new President will have to determine the nature of the relationship Afghanistan must have with both the international community and its cumbersome neighbours, from Pakistan to Iran.

Western Education in Nigeria, by Daniele Cellamare (p. 10).

The Boko Haram Islamist group’s atrocities against the Christian community are going on in the Country. Although the government removed all military leaders in charge of combating the phenomenon and launched a new offensive against it, the terrorist group was able to consolidate its alliances and to accentuate religious violence throughout the region.

The Blood of the Congo, by Filippo Maria Bonci (p. 14).

With an estimated population of about 66 million people, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of the poorest Countries in the world and it is heavily dependent on international aid despite its enormous natural wealth. The violent and bloody inter-ethnic civil wars have been added to those against regular armies of neighbouring Countries and gangs of fierce criminals.

The Durand Line, a Border existing only for the GPS, by Franco Del Favero (p. 20).

Established in 1893 to put an end to decades of conflict that, in many circumstances, saw Her Majesty’s forces succumb, this controversial border between Afghanistan and Pakistan seems to become more and more evanescent.

From the outset, it was ignored by indigenous people, who had seen their lands suddenly and artificially divided.

Today the attitude of the United States towards the border has changed. The strategic plan of President Obama, known as “Af-Pak”, regards this international division as superseded and sees Afghanistan and Pakistan as part of the same problem.

15,000 people outside Libya. Italy has committed to train 2,000 as well as England, the U.S. 8,000. In late August 2013 Turkey also joined with the proposal to train 3,000 men.

The mission assigned to the Italian Army is “To provide support in basic infantry training for the Libyan security forces in order to contribute to the stabilization of the Country”.

Prime Minister Erdoğan and the current political Situation in Turkey, by Arduino Paniccia (p. 26).

The Civil Military Cooperation as Anthropological Space, by Giovanni Ercolani (p. 42).

During the last decade, Turkey’s foreign policy has seen a radical transformation, more active tones and a significant shift of its centre of gravity.

Up to the end of the century, it was mainly focused on strengthening relations with the West and especially Europe. In the last years its policy has been directed mainly to the Middle East.

Consequently, a great political split occurred in the Country between those who are faithful to the idea of the “Kemalist” secular Republic and the advocates of the neo-Ottoman Islam.

The eastward displacement of the Turkish centre of gravity remains an indisputable fact, as well as the desire to make Turkey a reference point for the Middle Eastern Muslim world. Nonetheless, Turkish leadership is well aware that it cannot afford moving apart from NATO and EU.

Through intellectual contribution to anthropological work, this article provides a new cultural approach to CIMIC Operations in the new operational contexts. It gives a definition of CIMIC operations and of anthropological place.

Moreover, it shows how the New NATO Strategic Concept (2010) includes the use of CIMIC Operations, that are ruled

by NATO CIMIC doctrine, and how possible future scenarios appear as “Multiple Stress Zones”. These are framed as CIMIC operations, in their totality, and seen as an Anthropological Space. The article highlights, therefore, the need to have anthropologists working within the Anthropological Space, represented by CIMIC operations in their totality.

Security Force Assistance - “Coorte” Operation for the Training of Libyan Units, by Cesare Marinelli (p. 32).

This article is a follow up to “Learning on-line with e-learning”, published on “Rivista Militare” no.2/2014, in which historical development of distance education and e-learning are outlined.

The training/technology combination is a tool that reinforces traditional teaching, which today is strongly oriented to the quality of educational processes. It integrates them and allows us to pursue the educational objective in an innovative, modern, and, at the same time, practical and effective manner.

The proposed project, in the light of these considerations, fits into an advanced information and technological context, with the ambition to exploit its potential for training purposes.

The proposed solution provides a further response to the growing need to

The “Security Force Assistance” mission has the aim to conduct a series of activities that improve or directly support the development of local military forces of a Country by increasing their capacity of sustainable defence against internal and external threats to stability and security.

In June 2013, on the sidelines of the G8 summit in Lough Erne, Northern Ireland, the project “G8 compact” was launched, in which the UK, USA and ITA committed to provide, among other things, training aid to the Libyan government.

The project involves training of about

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E-Learning Training. A Project for the Army, part II, by Marco Poddi (p. 46).

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make Advanced Training of Army personnel increasingly flexible, in step with the times and financially viable.

The Electronic Marketplace, by Armando Sullo (p. 50).

Digital marketing is one of the buying tools included in the program of rationalization of purchases for the Public Administration (PA) in which the PA can make purchases below the EU threshold value.

It is an area of virtual meeting between the PA demand and the market offer through transactional purchasing instruments by a catalogue and trading, an aggregation of application services to accelerate the information exchange and conclude transactions.

DRONES • Drones: Pros and Cons, by Michele Pierri (p. 54).

• Drones of the Italian Army, by Fabrizio Argiolas, Vincenzo Spanò, Alessandro Di Rella (p.

56).

This study on drones is composed of two articles. The first examines the pros and cons of using them in the light of international experiences and analyses made by major Military and Strategic Studies Institutes. The second article, by 41° “Cordenons” Rgt., makes the point about the situation of drones employment both within the Army in Operating Theatres.

The Young Croatian Army - The Hrvatska Vojska of the XXI Century, a “young Recruit” valuable for the NATO, by Giuliano Da Frè (p. 60).

Croatia joined NATO in 2009. This led its Army (Hrvatska Vojska) to transition to professionalisation and employment in multinational missions, also high risky ones as in Afghanistan. The transition was handled by young but experienced Cadres.

Today the Croatian Army has 15,000 effectives (2,000 of whom are volunteers on short term service) and more than

8,000 reservists ready for employment, which are recalled on duty for 30 days a year. They are all incorporated in military units characterized by high mobility, versatility and technological capacity, according to the NATO doctrine. Major operating pieces are three Brigade Headquarters, created in 2007 and dependent on the General Headquarters in Karlovac.

Si vis pacem... 9 parabellum - History and Curiosities of the World’s most popular Ammunition, by Andrea Beltramo (p. 66).

The father of the world’s most famous ammunition spoke Italian as second language.

Georg Luger (1849-1923) spent his childhood in Italy, then returned with his family to Austria and studied at the Wiener Handelsakademie. From 1867 to the end of 1871 he served in the Army and left it with the rank of Lieutenant of the Reserve. Then he began his job as bank clerk in Vienna.

The term Parabellum is derived from the Latin “Si vis pacem, para bellum” (“If you want peace, prepare for war”), but in this case the word Parabellum comes from the fact that the telegraphic address of the Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken was “Parabellum Str. Berlin”.

Russian’s Success and Failure in Afghanistan, by Massimo Iacopi (p. 72).

On December 25, 1979, Moscow unleashed the main phase of “Chtorm 333” Operation (“storm” in Russian).

Five armoured Divisions invaded Afghanistan with the task to seize the regime’s control levers and then support the “Sovietization” of the Country.

Ten years later, the Red Army was forced to retreat, but it had not been really beaten, as evidenced by its successful retreat, certainly a very complex military operation.

The Soviets deliberately used their weapons in a disproportionate manner, mocking and despising Afghan’s traditions. In so doing they contributed to increase Afghan’s capacity to resist and fight for freedom.

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Libyan Troops. Training during the Reconquest (1922-1931), by Federica Saini Fasanotti (p. 78).

At the end of the Peace Conference of Paris, between 1919 and 1920, very little of the Libyan territories, conquered in the war of 1911-12 against the Ottoman Empire, was left in the hands of the Italian Royal Army. The most distant outposts and the cities had been lost under the overwhelming thrust of the mujaheddin and their duar. With the rise of fascism, at the end of 1922, the Italian foreign policy took on even more resolute features and the colonization of Libya became one of the cornerstones of Mussolini’s expansionist policy.

Italy between the Triple Alliance and the Entente, by Antonello Folco Biagini, Roberto Sciarrone, Antonello Battaglia (p. 84).

With the Congress of Berlin in 1878 and the alliances among the major European powers, there was a long period of peace in Europe. It ended with the Balkan wars and the First World War. The German Empire, former promoter of continental balance, became eager to compete with the major powers and left its Bismarckian isolation in order to embark on a power policy that dragged Europe into the war. Thus, between 1914 and 1918, Europe was theatre of the First World War. The clash saw as protagonists all the great continental powers, while Risorgimental claims and nationalism constituted friction elements on the fringe of it.

5th AVES “RIGEL” - Two Souls that coexist, by Francesca Cannataro, Valentina Cosco (p. 98).

AB-205 and A-129 “Mangusta” Combat, the two aircraft of the Italian Army Aviation are two hearts beating in one body inside the military airport “Francesco Baracca” in Casarsa della Delizia, home to the 5th Aves “Rigel” Rgt.. For four days Francesca Cannataro, reporter, and Valentina Cosco, photojournalist, have lived with pilots and military personnel constituting the double soul of the Regiment that works and “flies” in the Friulan skies. Now they are telling us their experience.

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ENGLISH SUMMARY Egypt and the New Presidency, by Daniele Cellamare (p. 4) General al-Sisi is leading Egypt comforming to a new Constitution which introduced relevant elements for the democratic development of the Country. The opposition, led by the Muslim Brotherhood, is challenging both democratic development and funding received from foreign Countries, as well as the role played by the military, responsible for the removal of President Morsi and for the proWestern shift. Nonetheless, the fight against Islamist movements seems to be the trump card.

The Competition in Asia, by Pietro Batacchi (p. 10) By now, Asia has become the most important geopolitical chessboard at the global level due to enormous and diverse competitive dynamics crossing it.

According to many observers, the current situation in Asia remembers the one of early twentieth century Europe, where competition among various actors, and the naval arms race between Germany and the UK, although the two Countries were bound by strong trade relations, led to the explosion of World War I. Bulgaria Today, by Arduino Paniccia (p. 16) Bulgaria is a member of the

Balkan Battle Group and Bulgarian military personnel has participated and participates in international and NATO missions. Although it is one of the poorest countries in the European Union, it has carried out a strong foreign policy of Westernization over the last 25 years, among a lot of difficulties.

This policy has recently suffered a setback due to the current crisis in Ukraine.

Contradictions in Mozambique, by Filippo Maria Bonci (p. 20) Twenty years have passed since the Italian military intervention and the peace agreement signed in Rome and now tensions between the Government and the Renamo are again present. The historic opposition movement is claiming a different distribution of economic resources and higher forms of democracy. Owing to this delicate institutional situation, political conflicts and social tensions are increasing in the Country.

Training and Assistance Missions Abroad. New Insights,

by Manlio Scopigno (p. 26) In Afghanistan, the transformation of Regional Command West (RC-W) into Train Advise and Assist Command West (TAAC-W) has challenged the “Sassari� Brigade staff to develop structures and procedures 8

that come into line with the new tasks.

SWOT Analysis. Analysis System in a Crisis Area, by Francesco Suma (p. 34) Strategic planning is an indispensable technical and conceptual activity. It is unthinkable to undertake any enterprise whatsoever without a previous understanding of the environment. The SWOT method, by analysing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, can be of great help during the Situational Understanding phase.

Operations in urbanized Areas,

by Giuseppe Tempesta (p. 42) Villages and cities are the most frequent and complex battlegrounds. This article aims to ananalyze the main characteristics of military operations in urban environments. In particular, it examines some of the lessons learned from recent operations in urbanized contexts, highlighting, from a combined arms standpoint, both the particular role played by the armoured component and the benefits derived from an integrated use of heavy and light units.

Emic Approach in CIMIC Operations, by Federico Prizzi (p. 50) After the experiences gained by the Multinational CIMIC Group

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(MNCG) in the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon, it was noted that CIMIC approach to Liaison Activity has undergone a significant evolution in recent years. The CIMIC Operator is a professional soldier who lives firsthand the rapid changes of contemporary geopolitical scenarios that NATO General Staffs have to confront.

The basic Training of Officers of the Transmission Service,

by Angelo Tuccillo, Matteo Marti (p. 56) Telematic technologies evolve more and more rapidly, so that the specialist staff of the Army has to cope with demanding challenges in the updating field and these require adequate basic skills.

Treaty of the Triple Alliance.

The Austro-Hungarian declaration of war on Serbia, therefore, did not compel Italy to intervene.

“libretta rossa“, due to the unusual colour of its cover.

Ta pum or pum ta? Rifle mod.

‘91 vs Manlicher Rifle mod. 1895,

by Andrea Beltramo (p. 84)

X-Ray, by Flavio Russo (p. 70) About the end of 1800, German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, professor at the University of Würzburg, accidentally discovered some enigmatic radiant emissions. In a subsequent experiment on 8 November 1895, Röntgen, moving the screen with his hand, suddenly saw the image of his skeleton appear over there. In May 1896, in Naples military hospital, the first X-rays were performed on two wounded soldiers, but is was only after 1908 that the discovery began to be cautiously implemented all over the world.

Armed Neutrality? The Conditions of the Italian Royal Army, by Antonello Folco Biagini, Antonello Battaglia (p. 64)

Italian Legislation about Tactics during the Period of Neutrality (July 1914 - May 1915),

by Filippo Cappellano (p. 74)

With the declaration of war by Austria-Hungary on Serbia, World War I broke out, exactly one month after Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s assassination. Due to its neutrality, Rome was soon accused of not being scrupulously faithful to the Triple Alliance, although the Central Powers were keeping the Kingdom of Italy ignorant of their plots. Furthermore, Rome’s neutrality had been provided for in Article 4 of the

Between 1910 and 1913, under the direction of General Alberto Pollio, the Italian Army completely reworked its tactical employment regulation. Also General Luigi Cadorna, starting from July 1914, distinguished himself for his job of updating tactical criteria, succeeding in issuing six new regulations before Italy went to war. The most well-known among them is certainly “Frontal Attack and Tactical Instruction”, also known as 9

For the centenary of the Great War it may be interesting to compare individual weapons that equipped the troops of the Kingdom of Italy and of the AustroHungarian Empire. This is not just a list of technical data because, through it, it is possible to highlight the personality of the inventors of those weapons as well as the technological capabilities and operational needs of the time.

Alexander the Great: the Maneouver on the Hydaspes, by Andrea Frediani (p. 90) The great Macedonian could always suit circumstances to his favourite tactic: the hammer and the anvil. He immobilized the enemy’s army between an anvil, represented by his phalanx, which advanced frontally, and a hammer, formed by his heavy cavalry, which he himself led and by which he invested the enemy’s side deployment. Alexander used this strategy in his three field battles against the Persian Empire: on the Granicus, at Issus and at Gaugamela. On the Hydaspes, he also took advantage of the surprise element.

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ENGLISH SUMMARY Instability in the Sahel, by Pietro Batacchi (p. 4).

The region is crossed by a chronic instability originating from ethnic tensions between Arab and Berber populations in the North and African black population in the South. Jihadist groups who take advantage from the weakness of the central power can ground here their activities by exploiting funds generated by illegal trafficking. The Sahel, in fact, is traditionally an area crossed by trafficking and smuggling of all kinds: human beings, cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, as well as the kidnapping business. Now the international community and particularly the United States and France have begun to take an interest in this area.

The new Face of al Shabaab,

by Filippo Maria Bonci (p. 10).

The Islamist militant group al Shabaab, which seemed confined to limited rural areas, now might even be able to challenge not only Somalia but also the entire region of the Horn of Africa. The Somali government, although supported by troops from neighbouring countries, is unable to effectively counter the spreading of the phenomenon.

South Sudan: a still torn Country, by Daniele Cellamare (p. 16).

Despite pressure by the international community, a violent civil war is still going on in the country. Nearly two million refugees are unable to find a safe haven, while devastation of structures of international organizations such as hospitals and shelters happens continuously. Negotiations between the parties are still stranded in the quicksands of a future transitional government

and national unity.

The Western Frontier of Romania, by Arduino Paniccia (p. 20).

Romania is in the forefront as for the Ukrainian crisis, being adjacent to this country, and has clearly championed its cause, despite relations between the two countries have been anything but idyllic in the past. Moreover, relations with Moldova are difficult.

Moldovans are in fact ethnically and linguistically very similar to Romanian, but they represent just 70% of the population of the State; the other 30% being made up of equal parts of Ukrainians, Russians and other ethnic minorities.

This could re-create, on a smaller scale, a clash similar to the Ukrainian one, also due to the intricate situation of Transnistria.

Intercultural Communication and Civil-military Cooperation. A new tactical Approach with strategic Goals, by Claudio Bertolotti (p. 24).

In a world that is closely interconnected, the success of the Civil and Military Cooperation (CIMIC) in areas of crisis or “post-conflict” operations also depends on the effectiveness of cross-cultural communications.

Communication and collaboration among different subjects require a constructive approach, without misunderstandings that may have repercussions on the operators’ security.

Non-Kinetic Activities of the Mission in Kosovo, by Antonio Marti (p. 30).

The article describes the new role of the Kosovo Force after the NATO mission transition to a “minimum force”. In this framework, non-kinetic activities 10

are taking on a growing importance for the fulfilment of the tasks of the Joint Regional Detachment, and particularly of the Liaison Monitoring Team.

Aptitude Assessment of the Candidate. Technical and ethical Aspects, by Alessandro Pinti and Mariano Pizzo (p. 36).

The article focuses on the organization and functioning of the attitudinal Department and on the process of the evaluation of the candidate, explaining the difference between clinical assessment and aptitude assessment, in order to avoid dangerous fantasies and false expectations by the candidates themselves.

Inseparability of Military Intelligence from Manoeuvre Component, by Giorgio Napoletano (p. 42).

Since the times of the Cold War, the historian Sherman Kent estimated that 85% of information available for decision makers came from the so-called “open sources”. With the advent of the new technologies, some experts argue that the percentage has grown to 98%. What really did change, however, is the balance between the so-called “sensitive” information, characterized by secrecy classification, and “open sources” information. The purpose of this article is to point out the crucial importance of their role in the development of intelligence in support of the decisionmaking process.

Getting over the Obstacle, by Gianmarco Di Leo (p. 48).

Rivers to ford, moats to overcome, Frisian horses, dragon’s teeth, minefields and booby traps can be used to stop, channel

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and unravel the progression of a terrestrial operation. “Forcing and overcoming the obstacle”, with the utmost speed, represents one of the most complex tactical activities and it generally requires a strong integration of men and materials. Only with a prolonged intensive training, in fact, we can learn how to avoid mistakes during operations.

analysed here to obtain a comprehensive historical overview of the topic and to reconstruct its legislative evolution through legal and regulatory references.

Upgrading Leadership, by Leo Ferrante (p. 52).

The essence of the problem is to reconsider the Italian position in the light of Austrian expansionistic policy. Instead of the usual picture showing ambitious minorities against obedient masses, here is presented a much more multi-faceted scenario, in which the war, its preparation and its initial performance was the turning point for the development of ideas and political actions that will be fundamental for the Italian history of the twentieth century.

In the light of his personal experience in the field of the Art of Command, the author examines some of the qualities and virtues possessed by great commanders of the past. Leadership can be made more effective by exercise, and our hierarchical and functional organization is still considered the most suitable for modern armies, including the Italian one. The author traces the path that will lead him through a series of articles illustrating several practical ways of exercising leadership taking advantage of the Pareto Principle or 80/20 law.

A 129 D “Mangusta”, by Marcello Cosolo (p. 56).

The A-129 Mangusta flew for the first time 31 years ago. Since then the aircraft has undergone continuous enhancement thanks to experiences gained in Operating Theatres such as Somaliland, former Yugoslavia, Iraq, Afghanistan, where it was successfully employed. This has shown that, even in the presence of constant hardship and budget cuts, it is possible to maintain an efficient, modern and updated weapon system.

Extra-judicial Foreclosure, by Sebastiano La Piscopia (p. 58).

Ancient and rare documents are

1914: Interventionism and Neutrality in Italy, by Antonello Folco Biagini, Antonello Battaglia, Roberto Reali (p. 62).

Reconstructive plastic Surgery, by Flavio Russo (p. 68).

Science and technology have always had a major evolutionary impulse in conjunction with great wars that decimated humanity. Although in the past there are traces of reconstructive techniques, it is with the Great War, because of the devastating injuries and mutilations produced by increasingly lethal artilleries, that plastic surgery explodes in all its potentialies.

Lawrence of Arabia: a Guerrilla-warfare Expert, by Andrea Frediani (p. 72).

Thomas Edward Lawrence (1888-1935), better known as Lawrence of Arabia, was a clever guerrilla commander of World War I. Assigned to information services, he collaborated both in the preparation of 11

Arabian Peninsula revolt against the Ottoman Empire and in support of the British offensive in Palestine, as well as operating as military adviser for Feisal (son of Sherif Hussein of Mecca). He made the most of the Bedouins’ mobility in the desert and its leadership encouraged the cohesion of Hejaz tribes. It was above all thanks to him that they were finally able to act in concert against the Turks.

The Origins of Sniping in Italy, by Luigi Scollo (p. 74).

Operations in Lebanon and Somalia before and more recently in Iraq and Afghanistan have produced a greater awareness about the importance of snipers, whose activity is part of the broader concept of Force Protection.

The Army has made significant progress in a few years in this area, in terms of doctrine, training, equipment, at a very low cost. Snipers are not very “conspicuous”, but they are really effective if used properly.

The Walwal Incident, 1934: a casus belli, by Claudio Bencivenga (p. 82).

The author sheds light on the well-known Abyssinia Crisis.

Along a disputed border, between November and December 1934, the Italian colonial troops and irregular Ethiopian troops clashed in a bloody skirmish that saw the first ones reject an enormously superior number of opponents. This clash in the Ogaden for possession of a border town, valuable for the presence of numerous wells, was the little known as well as little studied prelude to the Second ItalianEthiopian war, i.e. the “conquest of the Empire”.

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ENGLISH SUMMARY Libya "still in Chaos", by fense industry has so far Daniele Cellamare (p. 6). represented an exception within the general process Although civil war has en- of economic integration of d e d , t h e c o u n t r y h a s n o t the Old Continent. In the generally recognized politi- f i e l d o f d e f e n s e , i n f a c t , cal institutions yet and se- specificities and national curity forces are unable to sensitivities are still prevaicontrol the territory. ling.

Tribal militias and jihadist formations collaborate with criminal organizations and The Rise of China, by Anthere is still no Constitu- tonio Ciabattini Leonardi tion. (p. 24).

Moldova, a Country bet- In Beijing the exceptional ween East and West, by economic growth is geneArduino Paniccia (p. 14). rating deep reforms, by now unavoidable, in both Within Moldova, the region domestic and foreign poliof Transnistria is a de facto cy. It is desirable that this independent state, which, is a long-term trend for the f o l l o w i n g t h e e x a m p l e o f future of this great country, C r i m e a , o n M a r c h 1 8 , indispensable partner for 2014, asked to be annexed the solution of world prot o t h e R u s s i a n R e p u b l i c . blems.

The situation is particularly thorny for the Moldovan g o v e r n m e n t s i n c e t h e The “Dual Use� Capacity country depends so heavily of the Engineers Corps. o n e n e r g y s u p p l i e s f r o m Tenacious, Tireless and power plants built in Tran- Modest, a Protagonist in snistria during the Soviet Peace and War, by Pietro period.

Tornabene, Fabio Liuzzi About 2,000 Russian sol- (p. 32). diers are still stationed on its territory.

The Engineers Corps has a dual capacity so that it can intervene at any time, on The European Defense In- the whole Italian territory, dustry. A difficult integra- in support of national comtion, by Pietro Batacchi m u n i t y, a s d e m o n s t r a t e d (p. 18). during emergencies and natural disasters that have Integration of European de- hit the country in recent ye12

ars. When it is impossible to handle an emergency by ordinary structures, the last resort is represented by the Armed Forces.

Lessons Learned and Military History. A Wise and Inseparable Bond, by Gianmarco Di Leo (p. 38).

Knowing the theory of military art is not enough to ensure victory.

History is the largest reservoir of lessons learned that can be exploited to avoid m i s t a k e s i n b a t t l e . Yo u must study the "why" and "how" of a success or a failure, not the details of battles and military campaigns. The risk, however, is to prepare an Army to combat the latest war rather than the next one. You must then also update lessons learned.

Aeromobility and Airmobile Infantry. An evolutionary Concept, by Marco Poddi (p. 44).

The decision to form an Airmobile Brigade gave and gives the Army a potential / ability strongly oriented to innovation and modernity of resource use.

It realizes synergistic interaction between Airmobile Infantry units and Army

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Aviation helicopters units and has to be seen as part of land operations.

The Anthropological Profile of CIMIC Military Personnel, by António Evaristo (p. 50).

Cooperation and coordination between military components and humanitarian ones are essential for peacekeeping operations.

Humanitarian personnel must have cooperative relations with the military in order to carry out their rescue functions. The challenge is to develop, enhance and sustain this relationship.

The Army of Estonia and its Ghosts, by Giuliano Da Frè (p. 64).

With a Russian-speaking minority of 25% of the population, Estonia has territorial disputes along the border with Russia, as it is small and located in a vulnerable strategic position.

Therefore, it needs to develop alliances at multiple levels with both the other Baltic States and the European Union as well as with the NATO and to allocate considerable resources to the defense.

The Estonian Army, which lacks a heavy component, is currently undergoing a radical reorganization.

The Army: a Job Pro- The Art of Command: spect for the Future, by T h e i n q u i r i n g C o m m a n Gino Bacci (p. 54). d e r, b y L e o F e r r a n t e (p. 70).

The article aims to illustrate the development of se- The inquiring Commander lection tests provided for is a Commander who asks admission to military trai- q u e s t i o n s t o h i m s e l f a n d n i n g i n s t i t u t i o n s a n d f o r to his staff. enrollment in the various In this article are suggeroles of the Army. sted some very useful T h e p u r p o s e i s t o g u i d e questions and how these the candidate along the should be addressed to w a y o f s e l e c t i o n , l e a - the staff. ving the individual maxi- Commanders who ask m u m a u t o n o m y t o c h o o - questions are more effecs e t h e b e s t m e t h o d t o tive than those who only deal with it. give orders.

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1914. The first Military Operations, by Antonello Folco Biagini, Antonello Battaglia, Alessandro Vagnini (p. 80).

In 1914, when the “Guns of August” roared, Europe was transformed in a huge battlefield in a few days.

The first to be opened was the front of Serbia.

On the western front, the French initially underestimated the magnitude of the encircling planned by Berlin, then reacted with the British.

On the eastern front, the Austro-Hungarian forces and their German allies faced the Russian Army.

In autumn the Ottoman Empire also went to war.

Winter brought a stagnation of operations on all fronts.

Bra goes to War, by Flavio Russo (p. 90).

With the men at the front and the necessity of war production, women entered every area of working life.

In this scenario the invention of bra was very important as it facilitated the backbreaking work in factories.