mai 10, 2007

Russia and the EU: Quo Vadis? ¹

by George Visan • Analysis, English content, George Visan, International Affairs, Posts by author • Tags: Central and Eastern Europe, EU, European Security and Defense Policy, oil diplomacy, Russian foreign policy, Vladimir Putin

In this article I will argue that EU’s relations with the Russian Federation are at a crossroads, with the latter gaining leverage while the former has trouble finding an adequate response to this challenge.

The differences between two actors stem from two quite different perceptions of world politics and diplomacy. Russia sees international politics from a realist perspective emphasising power politics and strategic cooperation while the EU is advancing a post-Westphalian agenda of international politics based on shared norms and values. These different approaches and understandings of the international system have lead to an impasse in EU-Russian relation.

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mai 3, 2007

Cementing the Alliance: Romania’s Parliament Allows the Deployment of U.S. Forces in the Country ¹⁶

by George Visan • Analysis, English content, George Visan, International Affairs, Posts by author • Tags: Afghanistan, Black Sea, BMD defense, NBC weapons, Romanian foreign policy, Russia, US bases in Romania

Yesterday May 2, 2007, the Romanian Parliament adopted with a comfortable majority a resolution allowing for the stationing of US troops in the country. U.S. forces will use “Mihail Kogalniceanu” air base as well as several Romanian training ranges such as: Babadag, Smardan and Cincu. These troop redeployments are a part of the new basing strategy by the Pentagon which will put U.S. forces near to the theatres of operations of Afghanistan and Iraq, and will allow for far more flexible deployments for American troops around the world. The importance of these bases for U.S operations in the Middle East and Afghanistan is revealed by the forward operating bases status given to them by the Pentagon.

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aprilie 29, 2007

Ballistic Missile Defense: A New Divisive Issue between Russia and NATO ^Răspunde

by George Visan • Analysis, English content, George Visan, International Affairs, Posts by author • Tags: Ballistic Missile Defense, Cold War, euro-atlantic relations, NATO, Russia, Soviet Union, US foreign policy

A new divisive issue between Russia and NATO has come to the fore: the deployment and development of ballistic missile defenses in Europe by the United States in Central Europe.

The debate regarding missile defense is not new. It dates back to the Cold War when the United States used the Strategic Defense Initiative, colloquially known as Star Wars to bankrupt the Soviet Union. Today however ballistic defenses have returned as an issue of international politics when the United States decided to retreat from ABM treaty signed in 1972 and develop this type of strategic defense in order to protect itself from countries like Iran and North Korea – the infamous “rogue states” from the “axis of evil”.

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aprilie 17, 2007

Why Romania Requires a Modern Navy ³

by George Visan • Analysis, English content, George Visan, International Affairs, Posts by author • Tags: Alfred Thayer Mahan, Black Sea, EU, NATO, naval power, Russia, Ukraine

Historically the Romanian Navy was not large but it played an instrumental part in the creation of the modern Romanian state. By maintaining a presence on the shores of the Black Sea as well as patrolling and policing the Danube River, a strategic and economically important European waterway, it maintained the sovereignty and independence of the state. More…

aprilie 9, 2007

A tough Choice for Romania to Make : NATO or EU? ¹

by George Visan • Analysis, English content, George Visan, International Affairs, Posts by author • Tags: EU, European Security and Defense Policy, NATO, Romanian foreign policy

Apparently Romania is faced with a stark choice in terms of its foreign and security policies since it has joined the EU: should it continue with a foreign policy that emphasizes a strong atlanticist commitment or should it take a 180 degree turn towards a foreign policy oriented towards the EU?

I will argue that making such a choice now is senseless and that the Romanian government should develop a foreign policy that will emphasize both its strong NATO commitment (especially cultivating a strong relationship with the United States) as well as trying to better coordinate its foreign policy with EU member countries under the framework of the ESDP.

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