The course examines the historical evolution of strategy, analysing how states and military actors have developed, organised and employed military power from the twentieth century to the present. Students acquire the tools to understand the foundations of national strategy, the main trajectories of defence policy development, and the political‑military dynamics that influence strategic decision‑making.
The course also provides a theoretical framework for interpreting the relationship between political objectives, military means and strategic outcomes, with particular reference to the Italian case and the transformations of contemporary conflicts. Through the study of key concepts and historical cases, students develop the ability to critically assess the evolution of military strategies and security policies in a comparative perspective.