Autori Vari
Ed.Mursia, Milan 2018
pp. 210
In this volume ten experts deal, from various points of view, with the sea, its importance and the economic activities connected to it, focusing above all on the Mediterranean Sea, which is "One of the most interesting sea basins for the security and stability of the world scenario", scenario changed profoundly compared to the Cold War, because, due to the advent of powers that, like China, have started to influence the area, it is no longer represented by US-USSR bipolarism. On the other hand, the US has started to reduce its military interventions "In crisis theaters of little immediate relevance to American national interests", while China, with the Silk Road, tries to get to Europe and the Mediterranean, with a strong interest in the ports of Genoa, Savona, Trieste and Venice, with the latter being indicated as the European terminal of the Via of the Maritime Silk. There is therefore in place "A geopolitical restructuring of the areas that the United States seem to be interested in managing with less intensity" , like that of the Mediterranean.
Italy, for its part, "It can be defined as a maritime country, not so much for the length of its coasts, or for the number of its ports, or the size of the merchant or fishing marina, but how much because the greater part of the Italian economic system depends on the navigability of the sea . " In fact, due to the lack of raw materials, Italy is forced to look for them anywhere in the world. We, therefore, "We are strongly interested in the stability of international relations because our economic system is founded on the opening of borders and on the free movement of goods, largely by sea." Diplomacies and Defense, therefore, must work closely together for peacekeeping, fact that "Entails the need to guarantee continuity in the strategic projection capability of our military apparatus, even away from home." For this "Expenditure on foreign policy and defense policy should be seen more as investment than simple costs."
As "Part of the gas needed by Italy comes through submarine pipelines from North Africa" and all the liquefied gas imported into Italy arrives by sea, to meet national energy needs it is necessary to guarantee the safety of underwater pipelines, sea routes and protect ships from piracy attacks, including cyber attacks. Moreover, in maritime transport, Italy has one of the main fleets in the world: the third of the large countries gathered in the G20 and, in this context, an important role is played by the ports and motorways of the sea, as "Maritime mode is the best transport solution in terms of benefits for the community." But in addition to the logistical point of view, the sea must also be considered for the food resources it provides and for the tidal energy. "The global value of tidal energy is estimated at around € 200 billion. [...] It is estimated that if less than 0,1% of the ocean's available energy could be captured and converted into electricity, current global demand of energy would be satisfied more than five times. "
Given, therefore, the importance of the sea, it is useful to have a parameter that measures the maritime potential of a nation. In this case, the Geographical Maritime Index (IGM) helps us, which also allows us to compare the willingness of nations to invest in the Navy with respect to their geographic maritime position. From the study presented in this volume it is seen that, unfortunately, Italy, among the great European nations, is the one that invests less on the Navy.
Gianlorenzo Capano
