New Strategy Center and the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), from the United States, organized an event on Wednesday, 8 July, in the Turkish capital, within the “Allies in Ankara” forum, under the theme “From the Arctic to the Black Sea: Critical Infrastructure in the Era of Defense Tech.”

The discussions focused on conventional and hybrid threats to critical infrastructure along NATO’s Eastern Flank, developments in connectivity and energy security, the impact of new technologies, particularly unmanned systems, on military thinking, and the way in which NATO is continuously adapting its deterrence and defence posture.

The event, held in the format of a working lunch, provided a valuable opportunity to discuss the strategic importance of the Black Sea, Romania’s role, and the trilateral cooperation between Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria in protecting freedom of navigation and transport corridors in the Black Sea.

The meeting was moderated by General (ret.) Daniel Petrescu, Member of CEPA’s International Leadership Council and former Chief of the Defence Staff of Romania. The speakers were George Scutaru, CEO of New Strategy Center; Laura Galante, Senior Fellow at CEPA; and Ambassador Tacan Ildem, President of the Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies – EDAM and former Ambassador of Turkey to NATO.

On the margins of the Allies in Ankara forum, George Scutaru, CEO of New Strategy Center, held meetings with experts and officials attending the Ankara gatherings. During these discussions, he presented New Strategy Center’s upcoming events and provided details on the latest security developments in the Black Sea region.

Photo: MSC / Simon