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Mihail Naydenov is a defense, national and international security expert. He has been a civilian expert at the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense since 2001. His areas of expertise include defense policy, analysis, NATO, EU/CSDP, speech-writing and conduct of Strategic Defense Reviews. Mihail also serves as a member of the Governing Board of the Atlantic Council of Bulgaria.
Bulgaria in the Black Sea: Defending against Russian hybrid warfare
As a NATO and EU member, Bulgaria has consistently been a target of the Kremlin’s hybrid warfare. Moscow is pursuing a calculated and well-planned policy aimed at influencing domestic politics in Bulgaria, with a view of preventing the country from becoming a robust NATO regional security provider. This is especially important for the build-up of the Alliance’s presence in the Black Sea.
Opportunities for a stronger NATO in the Black Sea under Biden
The foreign policy priorities of President Joe Biden suggest greater commitment to NATO Allies and decisive steps to counter Russian subversion in Europe.
NATO and its Eastern Flank: Challenges of a post-COVID environment
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg recently urged that the current health crisis should not become a security crisis. To stay secure in the years to come, the Alliance must become more resilient and ready to meet the challenges of a post-COVID environment. This is especially true for the most vulnerable part of the Alliance – its Central and Eastern European (former Communist) member countries.
