Hi there, my challenge to all of you is to make Italy strong. She doesn't need to be Great Power of Superpower strong, just a regional, wealthy power that isn't laughed at whenever military history discussions come up. I have one scenario in mind that I want you all to consider and write about, but of course if you have any good suggestions I'm all ears.
My Scenario:
Italy stays the hell out of WW1, regardless of what the Allies or Central Powers promise her. Instead, she takes to importing goods and then exporting them at hugely inflated prices to the Germans and Austrians. The Allies may not like this, but if Italy does this with American goods then the Allies will just have to grin and bear it. Using the money gained by this, she focuses on her domestic troubles and attempts to boost her economy, industry, and colonies.
When war clouds form over Europe in the 1930's*, Italy, seeing how well neutrality worked for her in WW1, stays the hell out of WW2, regardless of what Germany or the Western Allies promise her. She uses her time-tested strategy of cheating Germany out of money by selling her goods on a mark up. She also allows refugees to stay in the country.
This would have the effect of removing the North African/Med theater from the war, I think.
Once it becomes apparent that Germany is going to lose, Italy follows the Turkish route of declaring war on Germany {though in practice she does nothing}, and allows WAllied air crews and troops to move through her country provided they keep well-behaved and buy gifts for the Mrs. back home.**
Now it's the 1950's and Italy is one of the few European countries that wasn't turned into a smoldering ruin. It's rich{er than OTL}, on good terms with the West and still holding it's colonies {though I doubt it would hold Libya for long, in TTL it does not have Ethiopia}. Is this scenario plausible: if so what would Italy do now, if not how would YOU turn Italy into a strong regional power?
*I assume there would still be a WW2.
**They don't need to have this happen, but... why not?
