Read the Report – NATO faces a worsening security environment defined by Russia’s growing willingness to challenge the West and a Europe whole, free, and at peace. In this new geo-political context the Black Sea region is one of the central friction zones between Russia and NATO. While the Alliance has recently pledged to protect its eastern flank against aggression, overall capacity challenges have resulted in little increased presence in the Black Sea. “A NATO Strategy for Security in the Black Sea Region” takes stock of the security and defense challenges in the broader region and offers operational and policy recommendations for NATO to address security in the Black Sea region.
160613-N-FQ994-275 BLACK SEA (June 13, 2016) Romanian navy ships NMS Contraamiral Horia Macellariu (F-265), front, and Lastaunul (F-190) conduct a passing exercise with USS Porter (DDG 78) in the Black Sea. Porter, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is conducting a routine patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Robert S. Price/Released)
