From Partner to Ally -- Romania's Interest and War on Terrorism

摘要

Romania, as a country located at the junction of four areas -- Central Europe, Southeast Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Black Sea-Caucasus- Central Asia -- has a strategic national security policy directly influenced by its geographical location. The important transformation in Romania's status that occurred with its NATO and European Union memberships suggests that a reevaluation of Romania's national interests and security strategy is in order. Romania's regional security policy is based on the strategic capability it possesses because of its access to the Danube River and the Black Sea, but the protection of its regional interests is based on relations with the two major players in the Black Sea-Caucasus area: the European Union and the United States. Romanian interests in the region will be protected if the Strategic Partnership it has with the United States is maintained. To realize this goal, Romania must continue to be an active participant in the Global War on Terrorism. This paper analyzes Romania's and the United States' interests in the Black Sea-Caucasus region, the major actors in this region, and what Romania needs to do to protect its interests.