WE DON'T NEED TEN ANTI-DRON SYSTEMS, BUT A SINGLE SYSTEM TO COMBAT HYBRID ATTACKS
A drone entered Bulgarian territory without being detected in time and crashed into a field. There were no casualties or infrastructure damage, but the incident raised a question that is much more important than the origin of the specific drone: is Bulgaria ready to act in a similar or significantly more complex situation in the future?
Йордан Божилов
Article
Global Challenges
Bulgarian Foreign Policy
Security and Defense
THE MIDDLE CORRIDOR: DOES BULGARIA HAVE A CHANCE TO BECOME ONE OF THE DOORS OF EUROPE?
While Turkey and Romania are already vying to become the European gateways to the Middle Corridor, Bulgaria is almost absent from the conversation. This is strange, because geography gives us some of the best positions along the entire route.
Йордан Божилов, Мадлен Пачева
Article
Global Challenges
Bulgarian Foreign Policy
European Union
THE BLACK SEA SECURITY DILEMMA: ESCALATION RISKS IN A FRAGMENTED STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENT
Russia’s war against Ukraine, now in its fourth year, threatens not only Ukraine but the whole Euro-Atlantic security. The Black Sea region is exposed to a wide range of risks and threats which, combined with weak regional cooperation, EU and NATO’s shortfalls in the area create possibilities for escalation. The dynamics in the development of the transatlantic relations lead toward greater uncertainty. The Black Sea is no longer a peripheral theatre but a strategic testing ground where hybrid pressure, alliance cohesion, and nuclear deterrence intersect.
Yordan Bozhilov
Article
Global Challenges
Balkans and Black Sea
Security and Defense
NATO
REINVENTING THE TRANSATLANTIC RELATIONSHIP: THE US AND CANADA STRATEGIES TOWARD THE CRIMEA CRISIS
The Transatlantic relationship in the eve of the Crimea crisis Published in Security in the Black Sea region – shared challenges, sustainable future
Nevena Mandadjieva
Article
Global Challenges
NATO
STRENGTHENING SECURITY AND RESILIENCE IN THE BLACK SEA REGION
The document examines the security risks in the Black Sea and the measures that need to be taken at the national, regional and alliance levels to build resilience. The focus is on the protection of critical maritime infrastructure. The material was developed on the basis of a round table organized by the Sofia Security Forum and the New Strategy Center on September 19, 2025, with the participation of high-ranking representatives of various ministries from Bulgaria and Romania.
Yordan Bozhilov
Article
Balkans and Black Sea
Security and Defense
European Union
NATO
CAN DEFENSE SPENDING STIMULATE ECONOMIC GROWTH?
Europe is sharply increasing its defense spending. But can these expenditures contribute to economic growth in addition to building defense capabilities? The article was written for Mediapool
Йордан Божилов
Article
Security and Defense
European Union