US rebalancing towards the Asia-Pacific region and the Air-Sea Battle: the implications for Europe and Italy

The United States continues to be the only country capable of influencing the strategic framework in various regions of the world through their own choices. It is therefore useful to analyse the American debate on the military approach to the Asia-Pacific region, currently focused on the concept of Air-Sea Battle. However, this debate should be seen in the light of two main caveat: military procurement is a rigid and long-term process, especially in times of declining defence budgets; given the different levels of resources and ambition, the implications for the European members of Nato, such as Italy, are indirect – but by no means insignificant.