Berlusconi Hedges Bets on Libya Outcome Through NATO Push
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Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s push for NATO to take command of the Libyan no-fly zone shows how Muammar Qaddafi’s former friend is trying to hedge his bets over the civil war in Italy’s one-time colony.
“Italy is in a tight spot; it has the most to lose,” said Nicolo Sartori, an analyst at the Rome-based Institute for International Affairs. “If NATO takes over and things are run from Italy, this can be presented to rebels as proof Italy did its part to help.” In a situation where Qaddafi hangs on to power, Italy can say “it only got involved when the international community rose up,” he said.