1 2015 EISA Conference, Giardini Naxos, Italy Cui prodest? Italy’s questionable involvement in humanitarian operations amid ethical concerns and national interest Andrea Locatelli (andrea1.locatelli@unicatt.it ) Andrea Carati (andrea.carati1@unimi.it ) Section 14 Europe’s Commitment to the Responsibility to Protect in a Changing World Abstract Since the end of the Cold War Italy has taken part in several humanitarian operations. The over-contribution (relative to the Italian GDP and the national defence budget) to multinational missions bears witness of the importance the country attaches to R2P-inspired interventions. The aim of the paper is to investigate on the deep causes that drive such an apparently value-oriented foreign policy course. In doing so, it firstly analyses the Italian contribution to multilateral missions in relative terms (i.e. compared to similar countries and relative to its economic and military weight). The aim is to offer a comprehensive and detailed picture of the Italian investment in UN, EU and NATO operations. Secondly, the paper discusses which domestic-politics factors can explain that contribution: its persistent domestic instability; its exposed geopolitical position; the unstable balance typical of a middle power; the inescapable urge of seeking alliance with a stronger partner. Finally, the paper investigates empirically the Italian participation to some relevant R2P-like operations with a view to assess how these factors shaped the country’s inclination towards humanitarian intervention. DRAFT VERSION. PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE WITHOUT AUTHORS’ CONSENT