Romania (Transatlantic Today) – NATO’s air facility in Constanta, southeast Romania, has been expanded and modernized, demonstrating Romania’s growing strategic significance to both the US and NATO. The US-run naval station in Deveselu and Mihail Kogalniceanu, which will eventually house over 10,000 military personnel and their families, highlight Romania’s critical position in the alliance’s Black Sea strategy, according to local expert Ronald H. Linden in The Hill.
Romania has a stronger strategic position now that the geopolitical conditions, which include the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine and tense relations with Turkey, have occurred. Romania’s democratic reliability was initially questioned, but in the 1990s, Romania started to integrate with Western institutions. Further enhancing its strategic significance, Romania’s participation in the multinational forces in Afghanistan following September 11, 2001 cleared the path for its 2004 admission to NATO.
Romania’s Role in Countering Russian Aggression
According to Centraleuropeantimes, Romania faces complex threats from Russian aggression, sharing a 330-mile border with Ukraine. Russia’s seizure of key Ukrainian ports has complicated security dynamics in the Black Sea. The Montreux Convention, limiting naval capabilities of non-Black Sea states, adds to these challenges. However, Ukraine’s use of drones and short-range missiles highlights the strategic importance of Romania’s Black Sea bases for NATO’s surveillance and intelligence operations.
Economically, Romania has become vital for Ukraine, facilitating grain exports through its ports amidst Russian blockades. Despite the associated risks, Romania’s support for NATO and Ukraine remains strong. Domestically, Romania has maintained political stability, with its centre-right and centre-left parties cooperating to counter anti-EU and anti-NATO factions, and has been commended by the European Commission for its legal reforms.
Potential Regional Instability
The most significant potential threat lies in Moldova becoming a second Belarus, dominated by Russia. Moldova’s pro-Western government, led by President Maia Sandu, seeks EU membership and closer NATO ties despite Russian influence in Transnistria. A Russia-dominated Moldova could destabilize the region further, increasing refugee flows and turning Romania’s border into a flashpoint.
Constanta, Romania’s fourth largest city and main Black Sea port, is now a focal point for US military presence, reflecting new geopolitical shifts. The robust US military presence in Romania signifies an emerging era of strategic cooperation and shared security interests in the Black Sea region.
