alternatehistory.com

Hypothetically, say Italy accepts Britain and France's offers for neutrality in 1940 and receives a few smaller colonies (Djubuti, Cypress, and Somiland are strong possibilities) and some shares in the Suez canal. Without Italy in the war the allies launch Dday in 43 instead of 44. Italy, seeing that Germany is effectively finished, joins the allies in exchange for a seat on the UN security council. With the Western front being reopened a year early and Italy joining the war, the Germans are defeated by mid 44.

I don't consider this a terribly probable scenario, but I was just thinking about it and thought it might be an interesting what if.

Under this scenario, where is the Iron Curtain likely to fall? Not as far West as in OTL I assume.

How would the war in the Pacific go with the war in Europe over a year earlier?

A surviving, victorious fascist Italy would have a few serious implications.

Would fascism be discredited?

Would Italy join NATO?

Italy would have a large presence in the Middle East and a strong incentive to keep Libya. How would they likely go about conducting policy in the Middle East? Could they hold Libya and it's oil? How is the Israel-Arab conflict effected?

Assuming the Soviets don't go as far into Western Europe as they originally did, and with another European great power intact, would Russia look anywhere near as intimidating?
Top