New Strategy Center participated in the Moldova Security Forum 2026, held on 8–9 October in Chișinău, as a partner in organizing the plenary session “Strengthening Defence Cooperation for a More Resilient Eastern Flank”, moderated by George Scutaru, Director General of New Strategy Center.

The discussion focused on strengthening defence cooperation and the resilience of the Eastern Flank, highlighting the need for a unified strategic vision stretching from the Arctic to the Mediterranean. The strategic importance of the Black Sea region for European security was also emphasized, taking into account existing energy and connectivity projects. In this context, Romania’s firm commitment to protecting its critical infrastructure and strategic interests, including within its Exclusive Economic Zone in the Black Sea, was highlighted. Discussions also addressed the Republic of Moldova’s efforts to modernize its defence capabilities and strengthen institutional resilience in the face of Russia’s hybrid threats.

 

Participants stressed the need for a firmer, better coordinated and more integrated response from countries in the region and their Western partners to the security challenges posed by the Russian Federation.

The plenary session brought together senior officials and international security and defence experts: H.E. Anatolie Nosatîi, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Moldova; H.E. Radu Miruță, Acting Minister of National Defence of Romania; Ian Brzezinski, Resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Europe and NATO Policy; Oana Popescu-Zamfir, Senior Research Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), United Kingdom; and Fredrik Wesslau, Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).

On the sidelines of the forum, on 7 October, the volume “Black Swans in the Black Sea”, published by New Strategy Center and edited by Lieutenant General (ret.) Ben Hodges and George Scutaru, was also launched in Chișinău.

The volume brings together 17 analyses addressing threats and scenarios with the potential to significantly impact the stability of the Black Sea region and European security, contributing to a better understanding of the challenges arising from geopolitical competition in the region. The project brought together 19 authors from Romania, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Türkiye, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Georgia. The volume was first presented in Bucharest on 11 May, on the sidelines of the Black Sea and Balkans Security Forum. This New Strategy Center editorial project is part of its continued efforts to promote the strategic relevance of the Black Sea.