ABSTRACT
Mussolini's growing megalomania could have been restrained, it has been argued, if he had had a man of stature and integrity as Foreign Minister during those years. Mussolini's growing obsession with Nazi Germany was combined with the knowledge that his commitment in Spain was increasing his dependence on the Germans. Before this though Mussolini had demonstrated his commitment to the anti-Communist cause by joining Germany and Japan in the Anti-Comintern Pact', which was aimed in particular against the Soviet Union and put an end to a period of relatively good relations with Stalin's government. A lack of co-ordination between the armed forces was the main characteristic of defence policy under the Fascists. As far as Austria was concerned, however, the evidence suggests that Mussolini wanted the Anschluss to be delayed, although he conceded that it was probably inevitable. In the end, Mussolini decided to intervene in the war because he could not see a viable alternative.
