Italian Institute of Strategic Studies

What Italian Institute of Strategic Studies does

The Italian Institute of Strategic Studies 'Niccolò Machiavelli' (IISS Machiavelli) is a private, non-profit research institute founded in 2010 and headquartered in Rome at Via Circonvallazione Clodia N. 163/167. It conducts research and provides analysis on strategic studies, geopolitical dynamics, hybrid warfare, cognitive warfare, NATO defense transformation, and Italian military reform. The institute is led by Director Francesco D'Arrigo and is supported by an International Advisory Council of experts drawn from intelligence services, military, and academic backgrounds worldwide. Its primary customer segments are government and military institutions, with secondary audiences in the academic and research community and the corporate security sector.

Name

Italian Institute of Strategic Studies

Legal name

Istituto Italiano di Studi Strategici "Niccolò Machiavelli"

Website

https://strategicstudies.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Italian Institute of Strategic Studies 'Niccolò Machiavelli' is a Rome-based private, non-profit research institute that analyzes hybrid warfare, geopolitics, and defense policy for government, military, academic, and corporate security clients through publications, courses, and consulting.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Strategic Studies and Defense Research Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169), International Affairs (928120)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAIAHAD

Intelligence (Strategic, Tactical & Technical)

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Defense & National Security

SECONDARYBPAIAHAE

Cyber Defense & Information Security (National Security)

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Defense & National Security

SECONDARYBPAIAHAH

Special Operations & Counterterrorism

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Defense & National Security

SECONDARYEDAHAOAB

Defense Universities & Joint Professional Military Education (PME)

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Military Academies & Defense Universities

SECONDARYBPAIAIAH

Security Diplomacy & Defense Cooperation (Arms Control, Counterterrorism)

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Foreign Affairs & Diplomatic Services

Keywords

• Strategic studies research
• Geopolitical analysis services
• Hybrid warfare research
• Defense policy consulting
• Homeland security advisory

Headquarters

HQ city

Rome

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Italian Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) "Niccolò Machiavelli" is a non-profit cultural association and private research institute that delivers strategic studies research, advanced educational courses, homeland security consulting via its GEOS Enterprise division, and strategic advisory services. It also publishes books and ongoing news/analysis updates on hybrid warfare, cognitive warfare, NATO defense transformation, and geopolitical developments for government, military, academic, and corporate audiences.

Product overview

IISS Machiavelli is a strategic studies institute offering advanced courses, research publications, homeland security services (via GEOS Enterprise), and strategic consulting. The organization functions as a platform providing educational programs, expert analysis on geopolitical and defense matters, and publishes specialized books on hybrid warfare and strategic studies. The core offerings include the Research Department, Advanced Courses program, GEOS Enterprise homeland security division, and Strategic Consulting services, supported by regular Updates/news publications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dipartimento di Ricerca (Research Department) Research department conducting studies and analysis on strategic topics including hybrid warfare, geopolitical dynamics, and security threats, producing publications and expert commentary for government, academic, and corporate audiences.
• Advanced Courses (Programs) Educational programs providing advanced courses in strategic studies, homeland security, and related disciplines for professional development of researchers, security professionals, and students.
• GEOS Enterprise (Homeland Security) Homeland security division offering specialized services and research in national security, counterterrorism, and strategic risk analysis for government and institutional clients.
• Strategic Consulting Advisory services providing strategic consulting on defense, security, and geopolitical matters to institutional and private sector clients.
• Comprendere la Guerra Ibrida (Understanding Hybrid Warfare) Published book (October 2024) co-authored by Francesco D'Arrigo and Tommaso Alessandro De Filippo analyzing contemporary hybrid warfare, strategic threats, and geopolitical dynamics facing Italy and Europe, distributed by Mazzanti Libri.
• Minacce Ibride (Hybrid Threats) Published book analyzing geopolitical and economic implications of Trump's second presidential term, examining hybrid threats and strategic dynamics, published by Paesi Edizioni.

Quantifiable outcome

• Published books on hybrid warfare distributed internationally
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mazzanti LibricoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublishing partnership for book 'Comprendere la Guerra Ibrida' co-authored by Francesco D'Arrigo and Tommaso Alessandro De Filippo, distributed through Mazzanti Libri bookstore network and online platforms.
• Paesi EdizionicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublishing partnership for book 'Minacce Ibride' analyzing geopolitical and economic implications of Trump's second term, published by Paesi Edizioni.
• Geopolitika NorwayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational media partnership for publication of geopolitical analysis in Norwegian, featuring articles on NATO, hybrid warfare, and European security.
• Affari ItalianiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerItalian media partnership for publication of strategic analysis and geopolitical commentary by Director Francesco D'Arrigo.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS): London-based global think tank producing authoritative analysis on defence, geopolitical risk, and security — sharing the same 'IISS' acronym and core focus on strategic studies, though with substantially larger scale and global footprint.
• Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI): Milan-based leading Italian think tank on geopolitics, defense, and international economics. The most direct domestic peer, competing for the same Italian government, academic, and media mindshare in strategic studies.
• NATO Defense College: NATO's primary educational institution offering strategic-level defense education and research. Directly comparable in offering advanced courses in strategic studies to military officers and security professionals.

Broad incumbents

• RAND Corporation: US-based global policy research institution producing defense, security, and strategic analysis for governments worldwide. Operates at significantly larger scale and provides overlapping hybrid-warfare and geopolitical analysis.
• Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS): Washington DC-based bipartisan policy research organization covering defense, security, and international affairs. Competes for government and corporate advisory mandates in the same thematic space.
• Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs): London-based international affairs institute producing research on global security, geopolitics, and defense. Overlapping focus on strategic analysis and convening power with governments and corporates.
• German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP): Berlin-based German foreign policy think tank providing policy advice on security, defense, and geopolitics. Comparable research-driven model serving European government clients.
• European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR): Pan-European foreign policy think tank with pan-continental footprint producing analysis on European security, geopolitics, and defense — directly competing for EU-level strategic advisory work.

Emerging players

• Clingendael Institute: Dutch think tank on international affairs offering training, research, and policy advice on security and defense — comparable niche focus and similar combination of courses plus publications.
• Center for a New American Security (CNAS): US-based national security and defense policy research organization. Comparable combination of strategic analysis, publications, and advisory work aimed at defense and government audiences.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/istituto-italiano-di-studi-strategici-niccol-machiavelli

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Italian Institute of Strategic Studies