| By late 1947, the United States identified the situation in Italy as critical. After years of warfare, the Italian state was left in shambles, unable to meet basic needs in the wake of shortages, strikes and market breakdowns. As a result, the Italian Communist Party, (PCI ) and the Italian Socialist Party (PSI) garnered increased support. With a national election set for April 1948, the US had but half of a year to effect significant change in the Italian nation. Not only did the US ultimately see itself as successful in the suppression of the Communists, but they established a precedent of covert and psychological intervention and the Western military and economic framework as a means to support liberal capitalist democracy in Italy and across Europe. The concept of national security was soon stretched to include American interests around the globe. As the definition of national security grew, so too did the tools and concepts that would ensure it. |
