The Black Sea has historically been a meeting place of imperial ambitions and lucrative trade. For most of recorded history, the Black Sea has been a strategic hinge and remains so today. Russia has annexed Crimea and supports an ongoing insurgency in Ukraine’s southeast—where fighting continues between the Ukrainian government and Russian-backed forces. Moscow provides military and political assistance to the breakaway regions of Transnistria in Moldova and Abkhazia in Georgia. Russia is increasing the size of its Black Sea Fleet and Russian aircraft continue to harass American naval vessels in the Black Sea as part of concerted efforts to pressure NATO from the Baltics to the Mediterranean.
Three NATO countries—Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey—have Black Sea coastlines, and face the prospect of Russia’s expanding military presence. Across Central and East Europe, NATO has responded to Russia with measures designed to reinforce alliance coordination. In both Bulgaria and Romania, the alliance has set up local NATO commands. Romania is home to part of a NATO missile shield, Bulgaria has RAF fighters stationed there, and both countries will host U.S. troop rotations in 2017.
On May 18, Hudson Institute, in cooperation with the Romanian research institute New Strategy Center, held a conference on Black Sea regional issues and their importance to both NATO and U.S. security. An expert panel discussed challenges and opportunities facing the U.S. and its allies in this volatile environment.
Join Hudson Institute for a conference with leaders from industry, government, academia, and defense to discuss the latest developments in the US-China AI competition.
Join House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (AL-03) for a fireside discussion with Senior Fellow Nadia Schadlow on Congress’s role in revitalizing America’s defense industrial base.
Please join Hudson Institute for a special address on the current state-of-play by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who will join remotely, followed by a question-and-answer session on the war with Hudson Institute President and CEO John Walters.
Bill Frauenhofer, executive director for semiconductor investment and innovation at the US Department of Commerce, will join Hudson Institute Senior Fellow David Feith for an invitation-only fireside chat on semiconductor onshoring and the role of government capital in strengthening America’s technological and industrial leadership.
