About #SECUREBLACKSEA
The Black Sea Region (BSR) has long been a focal point of geopolitical competition, shaped by historical rivalries, strategic interests, and evolving security dynamics. In recent years, the region has witnessed growing instability due to escalating tensions, hybrid threats, and the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. These developments have disrupted regional security and posed broader challenges to the European and transatlantic security order. Given NATO’s strategic interest, a reassessment of current frameworks is necessary to address emerging threats and enhance stability.
#SecureBlackSea seeks to examine and propose a future security architecture for the wider Black Sea Region, aligning with NATO’s evolving priorities. Through in-depth analysis of security structures, regional conflicts, and cooperation mechanisms, the project provides evidence-based insights into key threats and potential policy responses. Special attention is given to the intersection of conventional military threats, hybrid warfare, economic security, and geopolitical rivalries.
Project activities include: expert workshops, field research, and data-driven assessments of security risks. It will evaluate existing frameworks and NATO’s role in shaping regional stability. In collaboration with policymakers, experts, and academic institutions, the project facilitates policy dialogues and strategic foresight discussions to identify pathways for strengthened cooperation. These efforts will produce comprehensive policy recommendations aimed at enhancing resilience and building a more cooperative security environment.
Expected outcomes include: a thorough assessment of regional threats, actionable recommendations, and stronger dialogue between NATO and regional stakeholders. Through analytical reports and policy briefs, the project contributes to informed security discourse and practical risk mitigation. By bridging academic and policy communities, it supports long-term strategic planning.
Ultimately, #SecureBlackSea offers a timely, in-depth examination of the evolving security landscape in the BSR. By addressing both traditional and non-traditional challenges, it provides insights to guide NATO’s engagement and contribute to a stable, secure, and cooperative Black Sea region.
Project Team
Stephanie Fenkart, Director of the IIP
Mustafa Aydin, Global Academy, Chairman of the Board, International Relations Council of Turkey (UIK).
Dimitrios Triantaphyllou, Director of the Center for International and European Studies (CIES) at Kadir Has University
Ayça Ergun, Middle East Technical University, Department of Sociology
Nazlı Kazanoğlu, Assistant Professor at İstanbul Nişantaşı Üniversitesi