Global Challenges
Global Challenges
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
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS IN SOUTH-EAST EUROPE: THE WAY AHEAD
The Sofia Security Forum and the Media Program South East Europe of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation organized on 11 of December 2025 a regional conference to exchange knowledge, identify gaps, and chart a path forward for building stronger, more coherent, and more resilient Strategic communications ecosystems in SEE. In an age of rapid digital transformation, geopolitical volatility, and intensified information warfare, strategic communications (StratCom) has become an indispensable component of national resilience, democratic governance, and regional stability. Countries of South-East Europe (SEE) face a unique combination of challenges: low public trust in institutions, fragmented media environments, disinformation campaigns, and limited inter-institutional coordination. While progress has been made driven by EU, NATO, and donor-supported initiatives strategic communications capacities remain uneven, and often reactive rather than proactive. The conference launched a long-term project aimed at strengthening the role of Strategic Communications in SEE to overcome the above problems.
Event
Global Challenges
Balkans and Black Sea
NAVIGATING THROUGH TURBULENT TIMES: THE NEW DYNAMIC IN THE GLOBAL PEACE AND SECURITY LANDSCAPE
The Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP), the Embassy of Switzerland in Sofia, and the Sofia Security Forum organized an engaging discussion titled “NAVIGATING THROUGH TURBULENT TIMES: THE NEW DYNAMIC IN THE GLOBAL PEACE AND SECURITY LANDSCAPE.” The event took place on 6 June 2025 at the Central Military Club in Sofia and marked the 30th anniversary of the GCSP. The GCSP is an international foundation dedicated to advancing global cooperation, security, and peace. It stands as a leading platform in the international security arena, bringing together diverse actors through inclusive dialogue, executive education, and the exchange of ideas. Our guest speaker, Dr. Jean-Marc Rickli, Head of Global and Emerging Risks and Founder and Director of the Polymath Initiative at GCSP, presented an analysis of global trends and connected scientific developments to their impact on security, defence, international affairs, our societies, and individuals. A comprehensive approach like this is essential to understand potential risks and threats, raise awareness among decision-makers, and take necessary measures.
Event
Global Challenges
Security and Defense
Cyber Security and New Technologies
EUROPEAN SECURITY ARCHITECTURE IN CRISIS?
The material contains two articles: "European Security Autonomy - Can Europe be Independent of the US in the Field of Defense?" and "China's New Economic and Strategic Approach to the EU", which were presented by the authors at a conference held on April 15, 2025 at Sofia University.
Тодор Михайлов, Симеон Крушев, Николай Славков, Илияна Аризанова, Вергиния Петрова, Йоанна Огнянова, Кристина Минчева, Ива Веселинова
Article
Global Challenges
Security and Defense
European Union
NATO
"EUROPEAN SECURITY ARCHITECTURE IN CRISIS?"
On April 15, 2025, a roundtable discussion titled “Is the European Security Architecture in Crisis?” was held in the “Egg” Hall at Sofia University’s Rectorate. The event was co-organized by the Master's Program in International Security at the Faculty of Law, led by Associate Professor Dr. Mira Kaneva, and the Master's Program in Crises, Conflicts, and Diplomacy in Global Politics at the Faculty of History, led by Associate Professor Dr. Boris Stoyanov. Special guest speakers included Yordan Bozhilov, Chairman of the Sofia Security Forum and former Deputy Minister of Defense, who outlined the future of European security architecture through the lens of Bulgaria; Dr. Plamen Dimitrov from the Bulgarian Geopolitical Society, who analyzed European security between Putin’s revisionism and Trump’s unpredictability; and Associate Professor Dr. Hristo Hristov, an EU Law lecturer at the Faculty of Law, who discussed the prospects for strengthening the EU's defense readiness. In the second part of the discussion, two student teams from the International Security Master's Program presented the results of their group research. Todor Mihaylov introduced the report “Autonomy in European Security – Can Europe Become Independent from the U.S. in Defense?”, co-authored with Simeon Krushev and Nikolay Slavkov. Their analysis focused on Europe’s dependency in key military capabilities, NATO’s role, options for enhancing EU defense autonomy, and the future of transatlantic relations. Verginia Petrova presented the report “China’s New Economic and Strategic Approach to Europe”, prepared with Iva Veselinova, Kristina Mincheva, and Yoanna Ognyanova. The report examined challenges to the EU's economic resilience, digital security, and strategic autonomy, and proposed a model of selective partnership with China. Their presentations sparked lively debate among students from both master’s programs, doctoral candidates in International Relations Denitsa Kovacheva and Nikola Peykov, and other guests. Discussions focused on security threats in the Black Sea region and the Western Balkans, the global commitments of the U.S. and EU, and hybrid threats such as algorithmic radicalization and anti-democratic propaganda.
Event
Global Challenges
Security and Defense
European Union
SECURITY RISKS AND CHALLENGES IN THE BLACK SEA REGION
Talking points for the EU Institute for Strategic Studies
Yordan Bozhilov
Brief
Global Challenges
Balkans and Black Sea
Security and Defense
European Union
NATO