Strategy of Tension in Italy Neofascist Terrorism and Coup Plots, 1969-1980

The third wave of terrorism in Europe has been the subject of numerous studies after David Rapoport’s theoretical classification, especially as it relates to “New Left/Marxist/Socialist” activity. But one of its components has not hitherto been subject to scholarly investigation: the Italian neo-fascist terrorism that committed indiscriminate massacres as part of an alleged strategy of stoking political tension. There is evidence that members of the intelligence services and security forces contributed to cover-ups and indeed the neo-fascist murders that took place may have been aimed at creating an atmosphere favourable to a coup d’état. While conspiracy theories abound there is little in-depth academic research on the circumstances despite the many sources available to researchers: court rulings, evidence gathered by various parliamentary commissions of enquiry, and recently declassified official documents.

Juan Avilés is Emeritus Professor of Contemporary History in the Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, Madrid. In recent years his research has focused on the history of terrorism in its different manifestations: anarchist, neo-fascist and jihadist. His main books on the subject are: La daga y la dinamita (2013) and Historia del terrorismo yihadista (2017).