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Suppose that Mussolini’s options for expansion in Europe were closed off for some reason. With Ethiopia subdued and the British and French not showing signs of weakness, what’s left for his New Roman Empire project?

While contemplating this question, I began to wonder if the Italians might take an interest in Pacific possessions. This would bring them into conflict with the Empire of Japan, even if they avoid conflict with the European powers. Another possibility is an Italian attempt to seize the Dutch East Indies. These are complete conjecture—I know of no OTL interest in Italy in the DEI or elsewhere in the Pacific.

But suppose some such interest emerges between 1935 and 1945 in a world where Italy, for some reason or other, cannot expand in Europe. Could the RM even get ships from Italian East Africa to points of interest in the Far East? And could they achieve anything, or would it be a turkey shoot for the Japanese?
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