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Reference News reported on August 27On August 24, the website of the American bimonthly magazine National Interest published an article titled "Italy's Middle Power Dilemma", written by Gabriele Natalizia and Lorenzo Termine, visiting fellows at the Atlantic Council's European Center. The article is excerpted as follows:

In early August, the Italian aircraft carrier Cavour participated in the "Dark 24" military exercise in Australia with France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom. This high-intensity training is designed to enhance interoperability with international allies. After the exercise, the Italian aircraft carrier battle group will head to Guam and Japan, and then will pass through the South China Sea for the first time and head to the Philippines.

These moves reflect a two-track foreign policy expansion initiated under Draghi and accelerated by the Meroni administration, which has expanded Italy’s foreign policy beyond its traditional Atlantic, European and Mediterranean peripheries.

First, Italy is expanding the concept of the "Greater Mediterranean" to include the Sahel region of Africa and the Black Sea, including the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Sea. To this end, Italy has launched the "Matthew Plan", which has launched pilot projects in nine key countries: Algeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique and Tunisia.

Second, Italy’s participation in the Pitch Black 24 exercise shows that, following other European middle powers, Italy is increasingly involved in the Indo-Pacific region. Italy participates in the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) with Japan and the United Kingdom. It did not renew its memorandum of understanding on the Belt and Road Initiative with China, but signed a strategic partnership agreement with Japan and strengthened its relations with India. Italy also strengthened its military presence in the Indo-Pacific region, emphasizing its commitment to the Freedom of Navigation Operations program, although it has not joined the U.S.-led program.