
A PARADIGMIC SHIFT – FROM FAR-FETCHED LABELLING TO DOWN-TO EARTH REASONING
Even before Russia’s invasion in Ukraine approx. eight months ago, there has been some conventional wisdom that the war can be explained through the prism of the first debate in IR theory, i.e. Realism vs. Idealism. As far as Kremlin’s transgressions of Kyiv’s sovereignty have been the stepping stones of an escalating crisis since the Crimea’s annexation in 2014, it is taken for granted that the explanatory potential of the first debate remains valid. This paper, however, argues that the dynamics of the warfare peels off the superficial layer of explanation and bares the deeply rooted behavioral drivers and structural factors.
Mira Kaneva, PhD
Article
Global Challenges
Security and Defense

MATCHING RISK ASSESSMENT AND CAPABILITIES: CHALLENGES TO CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN MEMBER STATES
The Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries have a specific perception of risks and threats and hence unique views on how to guarantee their security. This is particularly relevant with regard to their attitudes towards Russia. This article was written for the Martens Centre for European Studies
Yordan Bozhilov, President of Sofia Security Forum
Article
Security and Defense
European Union
NATO

ON THE SEMANTICS OF THE BALKANS
The meaning of the term "Balkans" - derivative concepts and mental constructions
Yordan Bozhilov - President of the Sofia Security forum
Article
Balkans and Black Sea

CLASSIC AND HYBRID CHALLENGES IN THE BLACK SEA REGION
Security Challenges in the Black Sea Region - Analysis of Authors from Romania, Turkey and Bulgaria.
Ambassador Sergiu CELAC, MG (Ret.) Leonardo DINU, Mr. George SCUTARU, Ms. Maria ION, Dr. Murat ASLAN, Mr. Yordan BOZHILOV, Mr. Martin SOKOLOV
Article
Balkans and Black Sea

THE WESTERN BALKANS: ANCHORED IN THE PAST OR MOVING FORWARD TOWARDS A EUROPEAN FUTURE
What are the challenges for the Western Balkans on their European Integration
Yordan Bozhilov, President of SSF
Article
Balkans and Black Sea
European Union

THE US-IRANIAN CLASH IN THE MIDDLE EAST - READING THROUGH THE PRISM OF REALISM
US-Iran relations around and after the assassination of Iranian General Soleimani in 2020 through the prisms of realism and neorealism, phenomena and theoretical concepts.
Yana Ghazi, Intern at SSF
Article
Security and Defense