Antonio Salandra, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Italy, stared uncomprehendingly at the front page of his newspaper. 'Tsar Dies! shrieked the title, which had almost caused the Italian leader to topple backwards off his chair at first sight. A leader of such power and influence... just gone, in an instant. It reminded him just how powerless human being are.
It also brought forth ideas.
With the Tsar gone, and this 'Regent' in place, the Russians would be severely weakened. Germany and Austria would no doubt be pleased about that, the two Kaisers having been the opponents of Russian influence since the collapse of the Three Emperors' Alliance. The Serbs, in turn, would be deserted by their strongest ally if the Ivans became too destabilised. A window of Italian opportunity in the Balkans had opened.
The newly independent Principality of Albania, just barely held together by an unpopular government, sat waiting across the Adriatic. If Russia was weakened, Serbia would not be secure enough to intervene in Albania if Italy chose to... stabilise the nation by sending military forces. Greece might react, but that was hardly an issue. Simply handing over Northern Epirus would probably satisfy their 'Megali Idea', and avoid British intervention. Austria-Hungary was a non-issue - they were hardly in a position to add yet more resentful Slavs to their Empire.
Salandra blinked, and shook his head. How odd that these thoughts came to him now, alone, without the King or Government around him. Yet the idea was there, and the possibilities were almost endless. If, of course, things went to plan.
protectorate 