Italy's decision not to take part in the strikes launched by Washington and London against Houthi rebel positions in Yemen is causing discussion. Keeping - for now - Rome out of the coalition that has begun bombing from the Red Sea, there are at least two orders of reasons. The first one is diplomatic, and the second one is procedural. Sources close to the Farnesina point out that Italy has always carved out a regional "mediator" role that allows it to "dialogue with everyone", even on behalf of the Atlanticist forces. One example is the channel that has remained open with Tehran or Lebanon even in the most extreme moments of tension in the Middle East. In this case, the reasoning is reinforced by the role of G7 presidents judged to be an additional responsibility in the mission of "preventing a rise in the level of tension in the region". The biggest "stumbling block" to direct participation, however, remains the Constitution. For an intervention by the Armed Forces in the territory of a sovereign country to materialize, there is in fact a need for parliamentary authorization, which can come only when two conditions are met: following a UN Security Council resolution or at the explicit request of the state government, in this case Yemen. Unlike the United Kingdom, where it is the Minister of Defense who makes such decisions, Rome seems to be bound by a constitutional principle.
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