The President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella has convened the Supreme Defense Council for Friday 13 March at 10:00 am, with the aim of discussing the war in Iran and the Middle East and the effects on international security. But what does this state body do and why has it only been assembled now, more than a week after the start of the conflict between the USA, Israel and Iran?
The Council, established in 1950, meets at least twice a year and is responsible for examining fundamental decisions regarding national security and functions as a means of liaison between the Head of State, the Government and military leaders for the organization and coordination of activities relating to the defense of Italy.
The President of the Republic – who, as such, is also Head of the Armed Forces – has called an extraordinary convocation of the Supreme Defense Council, which normally meets at least twice a year. Be careful, however: this does not imply any risk of Italy’s involvement in the conflict in the Middle East. And, although a second Iranian missile was intercepted in Turkish airspace, not even NATO could force our country to go to war.
Mattarella will then bring the body together to discuss in depth, together with members of the government, the current geopolitical situation, the effects of the crisis in the Middle East and the possible use of US military bases in Italy.
Functions of the Supreme Defense Council: when it was established and its members
The Supreme Defense Council is a body of constitutional importance, formally established with law no. 624 of 28 July 1950 (a rule now merged into the Military Order Code).
Its task is fundamental: it deals with examining general problems, both of a political and technical nature, which concern national security and defence.
More generally, the Supreme Defense Council functions as the main instrument through which the Head of State (who is also the Head of the Armed Forces) acquires knowledge of the Government’s orientations on security and defense matters, in order to be able to adequately carry out the complex role of balance and guarantee that the Constitution attributes to it.
It is no coincidence that this body is made up of:
- The President of the Republic, who leads and presides over the Supreme Defense Council.
- The President of the Council of Ministers, who performs the functions of Vice President.
- The Minister of Foreign Affairs.
- The Minister of the Interior.
- The Minister of Economy and Finance.
- The Minister of Defense.
- The Chief of Defense Staff.
Generally, the Undersecretary of State for the Presidency of the Council and the Secretaries of the Quirinale also participate in the meetings. Among other things, depending on the gravity of the situation, the Head of State may also request the participation of other ministers, the Chiefs of Staff of the various Armed Forces, the General Commander of the Carabinieri, the President of the Council of State, or experts with particular expertise in the scientific, industrial or economic fields.
What does the convening of the Council mean and what happens now
In short, the Supreme Defense Council was created as a liaison body between the President of the Republic, the Council of Ministers and the defense leaders, with the aim of evaluating what actions to take regarding national security and defense in the event of international crises, such as the current one.
It is no coincidence that the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella urgently convened the Supreme Defense Council to discuss «War in Iran and the Middle East. Analysis of the international situation and the effects of the ongoing crisis”. As mentioned, however, this decision in no way means that Italy is evaluating a possible involvement in the conflict in the Middle East: simply, the convocation represents the State’s formal response to coordinate the political, military and economic vision in the face of a scenario of global instability, which obviously requires a common evaluation of all the highest national defense authorities.
Among other things, it is not the first time that the President has organized emergency meetings of this body: during his mandates, in fact, Sergio Mattarella has convened the Supreme Defense Council around twenty times, of which 3 last year alone: the first time in March, to discuss space threats and European defence, the second in May, for a discussion on European rearmament and Italy’s participation in NATO initiatives, and the last time in November, to discuss economic and military support for Kiev.
