Tag Archives: NATO

Note asupra unui război I Răspunde

by • Analysis, George Visan, International Affairs, Posts by author, War and Politics • Tags: , , , , ,

Războiul început pe 7 august 2008 în Caucaz între Georgia şi Rusia reprezintă un punct de cotitură pentru politica internaţională post-Război Rece. Ordinea politică de după sfârşitul Războiului Rece caracterizată prin momentul unipolar american şi prin speranţa creeării unui sistem internaţional dominat de valori liberale s-a încheiat „oficial”.

Scopul acestui articol este să analizeze semnificaţia războiului Ruso-Georgian, ce aparent tocmai s-a încheiat, dintr-o dublă perspectivă, regională şi sistemică.

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What type of ally is Romania? 1

by • Analysis, English content, George Visan, International Affairs, Posts by author • Tags: , , , , , , ,

A recent article titled “A Tale of Two Allies” which was published in the American newspaper Christian Science Monitor has sparked furore in the Romanian media. In brief the article accompanied in the electronic edition of the Christian Science Monitor by an interview with A. Wess Mitchell, Director of Research at the Center for European Policy Analysis in Washington D.C. analyzes the way in which the United States of America deals with its allies in Europe. The article basically argues, using Poland and Romania as examples, that the United States of America classifies its allies in two categories: mature allies-partners which do not require coaxing, as the article argues and another category (which I call it allies of opportunity, since the article fails to give a proper category) with which the United States has a relation based on reciprocity.

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Romania’s Draft Foreign Policy “Strategy”: Does it really provide a Coherent Action Plan for Romania’s Diplomacy? 1

by • Analysis, English content, George Visan, International Affairs, Posts by author • Tags: , , , , , , ,

This is the second instalment from the series of articles regarding Romanian foreign policy I promised I will publish on this blog. In this article I will discuss and comment the draft 10 year foreign policy strategy which has been recently published by the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Actually the word strategy does not properly describe the document – it is more a list of priorities and objectives for Romania’s diplomacy for the next ten years. In this respect the word strategy is a misnomer – but for practical purposes, I will refer to it as a strategy (the document is meant to ignite a public debate concerning Romania’s foreign policy in the next decade).

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Major Issues in Romania’s Foreign Policy Răspunde

by • Analysis, English content, George Visan, International Affairs, Posts by author • Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

This article is the first in a series of articles that I will publish on this blog dealing with Romania’s foreign policy. In this article I will outline the major international issues Romania’s foreign policy has to deal with in the international system. I will provide a brief description of these major issues and I will comment them according to their relevance. The other articles in the series will deal with the new draft ten year foreign policy strategy which has just been published by the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with the cohesiveness and coherence of Romania’s foreign policy – with a major emphasis on the relations between the branches of the executive and internal political conflicts. The issues are divided according to their importance, relevance and urgency.

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The Liberal Internationalist agenda (II) Răspunde

by • Analysis, English content, International Affairs, Octavian Manea, Posts by author, Theoria • Tags: , , , , , , , ,

In its basic sense the doctrine of integration argues for a global consensus or a global compact that will define the threats and the challenges of the new era and, very important, will define new rules for the management of the international system.

First the new rules regulating the post 9/11 international system should be developed around new core concepts-conditional sovereignty, responsibility to protect, responsibility to prevent, that should become the pillars of a new doctrine of international community responsibility (along the directions developed in the so-called Blair Doctrine articulated in the 22nd April 1999 speech).

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How much of a threat is Russia for Romania? Răspunde

by • Analysis, English content, George Visan, International Affairs, Posts by author • Tags: , , , , , , , ,

As a result of the unilateral suspension of the CFE Treaty by Russia on July 14, 2007, the Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Adrian Cioroianu, was summoned by Parliament to explain how this decision will affect Romania’s relations with Russia. During his testimony in front of the parliamentary commissions, Adrian Cioroianu stated that Russia does not represent a threat to Romania. This article will analyze the validity of this statement in the light of recent courses of action and policy statements made by Romanian and Russian state officials.

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Russia Asserts Itself as a Great Power Again Răspunde

by • Analysis, English content, George Visan, International Affairs, Posts by author • Tags: , , , , , , ,

After the debacle of the Soviet Union in 1991 and its dissolution, the loss of its sphere of influence in Central an Eastern Europe, the economic and political woes of the 1990’s as well as lowed failures in its foreign and security policies (the 1999 NATO intervention in Kosovo and the First Chechen War), Russia has begun quite forcefully to assert itself again as a great power in the international system. It has become evident that Russia under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin is no longer the sick man of Europe, but on the contrary we are now dealing with a different Russia, one that has managed to put an end to its internal instability, has become quite prosperous and has an active foreign policy that befits a great power.

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Romania and Russia: conflict and cooperation 1

by • Analysis, English content, George Visan, International Affairs, Posts by author • Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

This article will deal with the current status of relations between Romania and Russia. I will argue that although there are issues when cooperation can occur between the two states, the opportunities for conflict far outweigh them.

One thing that must be cleared from the beginning is that the relation between the two countries is and was asymmetrical. This relationship is and has been asymmetrical because it involves a great power or a medium power (depending on the timeline) and a small power. Today Russia can be catalogued as an aspiring great power while Romania remains a small power (with a good prospect of becoming a regional power).

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Turcia este un stat laic. Ce va urma? 3

by • Analysis, Cosmin Carbunaru, International Affairs, Posts by author • Tags: , , , , , , ,

De cateva zile pe toate siturile de stiri ni se arata situatia politica confuza a Turciei – lupta dintre sustinatorii statului laic si cei ai partidului islamist. Propunerea partidului islamist de alegere a ministrului de externe, Abdulah Gul, un islamist convins, în funcţia de preşedinte, a starnit moblizare politica a adversarilor islamismului, cat si amenintari din partea armatei ca va interveni pentru a stopa orice incearcare de schimbare a status-quo-ului. In cele din urma aceasta alegere a fost blocată de Curtea Constituţională, care a motivat că ar fi încălcată separaţia dintre religie şi politica. Opoziţia a boicotat votul din Parlament pentru a face imposibilă alegerea lui Abdulah Gul în postul de preşedinte. Criza este in curs si pentru depasirea acesteia este nevoie de alegeri anticipate in iunie.

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

by • Analysis, English content, George Visan, International Affairs, Posts by author • Tags: , , , , , ,

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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Why Romania Requires a Modern Navy 3

by • Analysis, English content, George Visan, International Affairs, Posts by author • Tags: , , , , , ,

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…

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

by • Analysis, English content, George Visan, International Affairs, Posts by author • Tags: , , ,

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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