This introductory chapter establishes the foundation for understanding Sardinia’s militarization as a case study in geopolitics, colonial dynamics, and local resistance. It outlines the historical context of US and NATO military activities on the island, governed by the Bilateral Infrastructure Agreement (BIA), and examines Sardinia’s role in global power dynamics during and after the Cold War. The chapter introduces key concepts, including military servitudes and internal colonialism, to frame Sardinia’s transformation into a militarized periphery. It also highlights the interplay between militarization and modernization narratives, which justified the establishment of military bases as engines of progress while masking environmental, economic, and social costs. The chapter previews the book’s methodological framework, including ethnographic fieldwork, institutional document analysis, and content analysis of local press, aimed at deconstructing the rhetoric of modernization and unveiling the impacts of militarization. It emphasizes the intersection of global geopolitics with local realities, setting the stage for an exploration of resistance movements and the challenges posed by military presence. This introduction situates the study within broader discussions of sovereignty, environmental justice, and postcolonial critique, providing a roadmap for the detailed analyses presented in subsequent chapters.