Rev Left Radio The Years of Lead in Italy: Strategy of Tension, Operation Gladio, & the Long 1970s
Nov 24, 2025
Delve into Italy's turbulent 'Years of Lead,' exploring the clash of far-left and far-right violence that defined this era. From the 1969 Piazza Fontana bombing to the shocking kidnapping and execution of Aldo Moro, the discussions unveil how deep state tactics fueled a 'strategy of tension' to suppress socialism. The Bologna massacre's implications and the roles of NATO's Operation Gladio reveal an intricate web of political manipulation. Finally, the hosts draw parallels with modern U.S. politics, emphasizing lessons in grassroots organizing and the dangers of political violence.
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Why Italy Mattered In The Cold War
- Postwar Italy's Marshall Plan boom created rapid proletarianization and strong labor power that made the PCI a genuine mass force.
- That mass left presence, combined with Italy's strategic Cold War location, made it a prime target for anti-communist intervention.
Piazza Fontana: The Spark
- The Piazza Fontana bombing in 1969 killed 17 and was blamed on anarchists but was carried out by neo‑fascists like Ordine Nuovo.
- Arrests, illegal interrogations, and the death of Giuseppe Pinelli exposed state collusion and escalated political violence.
Different Violent Strategies On Each Side
- Far‑right terror in the Years of Lead targeted civilians to produce fear and provoke demands for law‑and‑order responses.
- Far‑left groups focused on targeted political violence, not mass civilian attacks, which initially preserved some popular support.