The recent ministerial visits underscored this commitment. The development of this industry has clear geopolitical implications, which can be relevant not only for Italy but also for the US. First and foremost, the emphasis is on strengthening Italy’s transatlantic synergies in this field, which is growing in significance due to the increasing recognition of space as a new crucial operational domain by NATO, but also represents a potential partner for many countries in Africa and the Mediterranean that need support on space activities.

On top of commercial and industrial considerations, the geopolitical logic of Italy’s development as a space actor is of particular relevance for the United States, as—if Rome continues to strengthen its space capabilities—it could provide robust help to Washington to cope with the risks and the challenges coming from this domain.

Dario Cristiani is a Senior Resident Fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. Opinions expressed are solely of the author and do not express the views or opinions of the German Marshall Fund.

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