According to Pietro Batacchi, the director of Rid – Italian defense magazine, Russia’s recent presence in Libya is not a surprise. Batacchi explains that the objective behind Russia’s naval presence in Libya is to establish a foothold in the North African country or open a naval base in Benghazi, as access to the Mediterranean Sea is a traditional element of Russian foreign policy. This strategic necessity for Russia is due to their geographical location, which requires access to a warm sea for strategic purposes.
Batacchi also suggests that Putin and General Haftar may have an intensifying relationship in Libya, reminiscent of the Soviet Navy’s historical presence in the region. From a foreign policy perspective, Batacchi believes there is little difference between Putin’s Russia and the USSR under Brezhnev. Russia’s increased presence in Cyrenaica reflects a broader shift in Russian foreign policy towards Africa, which has been a key direction since the 2015 Sochi summit.
NATO is closely monitoring the situation and responding with increased naval presence and surveillance. Italy plays a significant role within NATO alliance and has been at the forefront of countering Russian aggression in the Mediterranean. The United States has delegated many Mediterranean tasks to its allies, including Italy, which has taken on a leading role. As Russia continues to assert its presence in the region, competition between Russian fleet and NATO Navy fleet is intensifying, with implications for broader strategic landscape.
Overall, Russia’s growing presence in the Mediterranean Sea represents both an opportunity and challenge for NATO countries like Italy. While it presents an opportunity to strengthen military ties with allies like France and Germany, it also poses a threat from an enemy who seeks control over vital resources and key waterways.
Accordingly, it is important for Italy to maintain close coordination with its NATO allies while also continuing its own efforts to counter Russian aggression through diplomatic channels whenever possible. Additionally, Italy should continue to invest in modernizing its naval capabilities to better defend itself against any potential threats from Moscow or other rogue states seeking control over vital resources.
In conclusion, while Russia’s growing presence in Libya should not come as a surprise given their long history of interest in African countries and their need for access to warm seas for strategic purposes; it poses challenges for both Italy and NATO as they seek balance between diplomacy and military power projection.
