Emerging Tensions in the Black Sea and the Region’s Importance to the West

An independent research organization promoting new ideas for the advancement of global security, prosperity and freedom.Founded in 1961 by strategist Herman Kahn, Hudson Institute challenges conventional thinking and helps manage strategic transitions to the future through interdisciplinary studies in defense, international relations, economics, health care, technology, culture, and law.Hudson seeks to guide public policy makers and global leaders in government and business through a vigorous program of publications, conferences, and policy briefings and recommendations.Hudson Institute is a 501(c)(3) organization financed by tax deductible contributions from private individuals, corporations, foundations, and by government grants.

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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, will hold a conference on Black Sea regional issues and their importance to both NATO and U.S. security. An expert panel will discuss challenges and opportunities facing the U.S. and its allies in this volatile environment.
 
 
Dr. Seth Cropsey is the director of the Hudson Institute’s Center for American Seapower. He began his career in government at the Defense Department as Assistant to the Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and subsequently served as Deputy Undersecretary of the Navy in the Reagan and Bush administrations.
H.E. George Ciamba is the Secretary of State for Euroatlantic, Bilateral, and Strategic Affairs at the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 2016, Secretary Ciamba served as Special Representative for Economic Diplomacy. From 2012-2016, he served as Secretary of State for European Affairs, promoting Romania's participation in the EU. Previously, he was the Permanent Representative of Romania to the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization. 
Mr. Ben-Oni Ardelean is the vice president of the Foreign Affairs Commission at the Romanian Parliament’s Chamber of Deputies and a member of the Romanian delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. 
Mr. Laurențiu Pachiu is a member of the Advisory Board of Energy Policy Group and a managing partner and founder of Pachiu &amp; Associates. Mr. Pachiu has extensive expertise with policy and legal aspects in the field of energy, oil, and gas and natural resources.
Dr. Cosmin Ioniţă is the director for research programmes at New Strategy Center. His main research interests include the geopolitics in South-East Europe and relations between Russia and Romania.
 
 
Introduction
12:00 pm — 12:10 pm 
Panel Discussion
12:10 pm — 1:30 pm
Audience Q &amp; A
1:30 pm — 2:00 pm
 
 
This event will be live streamed on <A TITLE="Hudson Institute" HREF="http://www.hudson.org" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Hudson's homepage.</A> A light lunch will be available at 11:45 am and the program will begin at noon.

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Emerging Tensions in the Black Sea and the Region’s Importance to the West

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Emerging Tensions in the Black Sea and the Region’s Importance to the West

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