Romania Political Briefing: Romania’s Strategic Role in European Security..

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Weekly Briefing, Vol. 77. No. 1 (RO) October 2024

 

Romania’s Strategic Role in European Security: Historical Foundations and Contemporary Relevance

Csongor B. Veress

 

 

 

Introduction

In recent years, Romania has emerged as a critical component of NATO’s defense strategy in Eastern Europe, reflecting the shifting dynamics of global security and regional geopolitics. Two recent developments underscore Romania’s growing importance in the alliance.

Firstly, France’s announcement of its intention to deploy thousands of troops to Romania for the upcoming “Dacian Spring 25” military exercise in 2025 marks a significant moment in NATO’s preparations to counter potential threats from Russia.

Secondly, the construction of what will be Europe’s largest NATO military base at Mihail Kogălniceanu Airport in southeast Romania further cements the country’s role as a strategic hub for NATO forces. These events provide a timely context for examining Romania’s evolving role in European security and the importance of understanding the historical roots of its defense policies.

The announcement of France’s military contribution to Romania for Dacian Spring 25 is not an isolated gesture but rather part of a broader NATO initiative aimed at strengthening the alliance’s eastern flank. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, NATO has intensified its military presence in Eastern Europe, with Romania becoming one of the focal points of these efforts.

France, which doubled its military presence in Romania soon after the invasion, has positioned itself as a key player in NATO’s strategy to deter Russian aggression. By sending additional armored vehicles, tanks, and soldiers, France is reinforcing its commitment to Romania’s defense, ensuring that NATO is prepared to respond swiftly to any potential threat from Russia.

The Dacian Spring exercise, set to involve thousands of NATO troops, sends a clear strategic message: the alliance is united, capable, and ready to defend its members, particularly those closest to the frontlines of any future conflict.

This military buildup is emblematic of Romania’s transformation from a peripheral actor in European defense to a central player in NATO’s defense architecture. Romania’s location on NATO’s southeastern border, adjacent to the Black Sea and Russia’s sphere of influence, makes it a crucial site for the alliance’s operations. Exercises like Dacian Spring are not merely military drills but geopolitical statements. They underscore the importance of Romania as a frontline state, crucial to the collective security of the NATO alliance. France’s involvement, as well as the broader NATO initiative, highlights the significance of Romania’s strategic position, which is becoming increasingly vital in the face of rising tensions with Russia.

The second major development, the construction of the largest NATO military base in Europe, further emphasizes Romania’s growing strategic role. The base, located at Mihail Kogălniceanu Airport near the Black Sea, will cover 3,000 hectares and serve as a hub for NATO’s operations in the region. Once completed, it will have the capacity to host up to 10,000 NATO soldiers and their families, making it a critical center for both military and civilian operations. The base will include facilities such as schools, hospitals, and housing, reflecting NATO’s long-term commitment to maintaining a robust military presence in Romania. This massive infrastructure project, estimated to cost 2.5 billion euros, is set to be completed by 2030, and will provide NATO with the logistical and operational capacity needed to respond to any potential threats in the Black Sea region.

The strategic importance of Romania’s Black Sea coastline cannot be overstated. The Black Sea region has long been a focal point of geopolitical tension, particularly following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. Romania’s proximity to Crimea and its location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia make it a key point of access for NATO forces. The Mihail Kogălniceanu base will serve as a vital launching pad for NATO’s defense operations in the region, providing a forward operating base from which NATO can project power and maintain a presence in the Black Sea. The base’s expansion reflects a recognition of the changing security landscape in Eastern Europe and the need for NATO to bolster its defenses in response to Russia’s increasingly aggressive actions.

These contemporary developments also underscore the importance of examining Romania’s historical role in European security, particularly at the beginning of the 20th century. Romania’s current prominence in NATO’s defense strategy is not a recent phenomenon but is rooted in the country’s long history as a strategic actor in European geopolitics. At the beginning of the 20th century, Romania found itself at the crossroads of competing empires, balancing its relations with the Austro-Hungarian, Russian, and Ottoman empires while seeking to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The alliances and security strategies Romania adopted during this period laid the groundwork for its modern defense policies and its eventual integration into the broader European security framework.

Understanding Romania’s role in the European security system at the beginning of the 20th century provides valuable insights into the country’s contemporary security challenges and its evolving role within NATO. Just as Romania navigated the complex web of alliances and rivalries that defined early 20th-century European politics, it now finds itself at the center of NATO’s efforts to defend Europe’s eastern borders. The historical continuity of Romania’s strategic importance, from its early 20th-century alliances to its current role in NATO, highlights the enduring relevance of Romania’s security policies and its significance in the broader context of European defense.

In conclusion, the recent news of France’s troop deployment to Romania and the construction of the largest NATO base in Europe underscore Romania’s critical role in contemporary European security. These developments provide a timely reminder of the importance of Romania’s strategic position and the need to understand its historical role in European defense. By examining Romania’s security policies at the beginning of the 20th century, we can gain a deeper understanding of the country’s current role within NATO and its broader significance in the evolving security landscape of Eastern Europe.

 

Romania’s Role in the European Security Framework at the Start of the 20th Century

At the start of the 20th century, international relations were undergoing a period of disturbance, moving from the balance established in the 17th century toward what could be described as the “end of the European concert”. From the perspective of the “century of nationalities”, political parties in newly formed states focused on national defense, or where applicable, territorial expansion, and the consolidation of armed forces, including a strong navy. A major societal goal was built upon the notion that the nation represented a supreme value, for which all sacrifice was deemed necessary, along with investments to defend the integrity of territories shaped by geographic structure and historical identity. Europe was caught in economic crises that intensified tensions between parties and groups. European powers sought to maintain their own spheres of influence in their colonies, as well as preserve the infrastructure of terrestrial and naval communications.

After gaining independence, Romania underwent spectacular changes, adopting a distinctly European appearance, earning the moniker “the Belgium of the East” from foreign observers. However, the relatively independent foreign policy that had been promoted during the reign of Alexandru Ioan Cuza could no longer be sustained by the 1880s. A new configuration of power had emerged, with Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia playing central roles in this reshaped geopolitical landscape.

The Triple Alliance, established on May 20, 1882, and consisting of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, was a crucial development during this period. Although the alliance was defensive in nature, it was implicitly directed against Russia. This alliance had emerged after the earlier Three Emperors’ League of 1873, which was more consultative in nature, had failed to maintain stability. Meanwhile, diplomatic moves such as the military convention between France and Russia (1892) and a secret agreement between France and Italy (1902) highlighted France’s increasing involvement in European diplomacy. By August 31, 1907, the Triple Entente – a new, more aggressive alliance – was formed between France, Britain, and Russia. The world was now divided into two major military blocs, driven by their own interests, which contributed to the spread of a “war psychosis” across Europe.

Romanian authorities quickly realized that they could no longer exploit the divisions between the great powers. Instead, Romania was now positioned as a key player in maintaining the regional status quo, particularly given the declining influence of the Ottoman Empire. Romania, the most powerful of the small states in Southeastern Europe, assumed a critical role in preserving stability in the region, despite the escalating conflicts between Russia and Germany, which would later lead to the outbreak of World War I in the summer of 1914.

Between 1894 and 1914, the European status quo—maintained by a system of alliances and the readiness of armies—began to crumble. For Romania, the European model provided a framework for understanding and positioning itself within these shifting dynamics. Romanian society, and particularly its elite, aspired to be part of the broader European system, which influenced both its internal development and its foreign policy.

Romania’s foreign policy during this period was primarily shaped by King Carol I, who reigned from 1866 to 1914. As a member of the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen dynasty, Carol I played a key role in Romanian diplomacy, especially in matters concerning national security. His influence was most evident in Romania’s alignment with the Triple Alliance. However, this alignment did not come without its challenges, as Romanian society was deeply influenced by French culture, which made an alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary less popular domestically.

Despite these cultural preferences, Romania’s leaders opted for alignment with the Triple Alliance due to the strategic and economic benefits it provided. Germany and Austria-Hungary were Romania’s most important trading partners and investors at the time. Consequently, on October 18, 1883, Romania signed a bilateral defensive treaty with Austria-Hungary, which was joined by Germany the same day. Despite occasional tensions, Romania’s relations with the Central Powers remained central to its foreign policy in the early 20th century.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Romania’s foreign policy was also shaped by the broader geopolitical situation in the Balkans. Romanian-majority regions such as Basarabia and Transylvania, still under foreign rule, were key objectives for Romanian diplomacy. Yet, given the stability of these regions within the Austro-Hungarian and Russian empires, Romania pursued limited territorial expansion, primarily in Dobrogea, which led to tensions with Bulgaria. Moreover, Romania remained focused on protecting ethnic Romanians living in the Balkan region.

By 1910, the Romanian politician Take Ionescu encapsulated the country’s geopolitical stance: “The place we occupy on the map of Europe is not one that allows us to live without concern… Situated by fate in the Danube Valley, the theater of great disasters, our position is difficult, but it is one of honor. History has made us the vanguard of European civilization against Asiatic invasions. We must hold this position, whether the threat comes from beyond the Danube or beyond the Dniester. This has been, and will remain, our destiny.”

The Balkan region, often referred to as the “powder keg of Europe”, experienced growing unrest as Christian populations revolted against Ottoman rule. The Balkan Wars of 1912-1913, in which Balkan states sought to seize Ottoman territories, significantly heightened regional tensions. While Romania did not engage directly in the initial conflicts, it played a decisive role in ending the Second Balkan War and securing a favorable position through the Peace Treaty of Bucharest (1913).

The Balkan Wars underscored the volatile security situation in Southeastern Europe, foreshadowing the larger global conflict of World War I. Romania’s active participation in the treaty negotiations reaffirmed its growing influence in regional security and demonstrated its capacity to act as a stabilizing force in the Balkans.

In conclusion, at the beginning of the 20th century, Romania’s position within the European security system was shaped by its alliances with the Central Powers and its active participation in regional diplomacy. Romania’s foreign policy, driven by a desire to maintain its independence and territorial integrity, was defined by a careful balancing act between competing great powers. As European tensions escalated, Romania found itself increasingly at the center of a complex web of alliances and regional conflicts, setting the stage for its involvement in World War I.

 

Romania in the European Security System During the First World War

The period preceding the First World War in Europe appeared to be free of significant military tensions that could lead to major powers deploying armed forces into hostile territories. This time was often described as the “calm before the storm”. The First World War (1914–1918), also known as the “Great War”, erupted within a context of political, economic, and regional antagonisms, coupled with collective mentalities, dividing Europe into two main coalitions: the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Turkey, later joined by Bulgaria) and the Allied Powers (France, Great Britain, Russia, Italy, Japan, and later, in 1917, the United States along with 28 other states). With the exception of Spain, the Netherlands, the Scandinavian countries, and Switzerland, nearly all the great European powers were drawn into the conflict.
Although the primary military actions took place in Europe, the conflict gradually gained global resonance, with secondary military operations in the Far East, the Near East, Africa, and the Pacific. The clash between Germany and Great Britain, in particular, led to the involvement of numerous other nations. Germany’s primary objectives included weakening Great Britain, as well as France and Russia, while consolidating its and Austria-Hungary’s influence in the Balkans and the Near East. Even Japan, motivated by territorial ambitions in the Far East, aligned itself with the Allies to seize German holdings in the region.
Romania’s position was marked by neutrality at the outset of the war, despite being a member of the Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary. The decision to remain neutral stemmed from Romania’s strategic calculation that its national interests could be best served by waiting for the opportune moment to enter the war. King Carol I, a staunch advocate of Romania’s alliance with the Central Powers, encountered significant opposition within Romania, and his death in 1914 cleared the way for a potential shift in foreign policy. However, Romania officially maintained its neutrality until 1916.
During this period of neutrality, Romanian leaders, particularly Prime Minister Ion I.C. Brătianu, engaged in complex diplomatic negotiations with both the Central Powers and the Entente. Brătianu sought to secure the best possible terms for Romania, focusing on the nation’s territorial ambitions, particularly in Transylvania, a region under Austro-Hungarian control with a large Romanian-speaking population. Brătianu’s priority was to unify all Romanian-speaking territories under one state, a long-held national aspiration.
Although Romania’s political elite was divided on the issue of neutrality versus alignment with the Central Powers or the Entente, a majority leaned towards the Entente. This was driven by the belief that aligning with Russia, France, and Great Britain would offer Romania the best chance of achieving its national objectives. While some voices advocated for maintaining the alliance with the Central Powers, the broader political climate in Romania favored a shift towards the Entente, particularly as it became clear that the Allies were offering more favorable terms for Romania’s territorial ambitions.
In August 1916, after two years of neutrality, Romania entered the war on the side of the Entente Powers. This decision was formalized through the signing of two conventions (one political and one military) with Great Britain, France, Russia, and Italy in Bucharest. These conventions guaranteed Romania’s territorial claims, particularly in Transylvania, in exchange for its military support. The decision to join the Entente reflected Romania’s desire to realize the goal of national unification and to secure a favorable position in the post-war settlement.
Prime Minister Brătianu’s argument for Romania’s entry into the war emphasized the moral imperative of national unity and the necessity of capitalizing on the momentous opportunity presented by the war. Brătianu argued that Romania’s neutrality could no longer serve its national interests and that the time had come for Romania to take action to achieve its territorial ambitions. Initially, Romania’s military campaign in Transylvania was met with success, as Romanian forces made significant advances into Austro-Hungarian territory.
However, Romania’s military successes were short-lived. The Central Powers quickly launched a counteroffensive, which resulted in the occupation of much of Romania, including its capital, Bucharest, by the end of 1916. Despite these setbacks, Romania continued to fight alongside the Entente, and its involvement contributed to the broader effort to weaken the Central Powers.
The year 1917 marked a turning point in the war, not only for Romania but for the entire Eastern Front. Following the Bolshevik Revolution, Russia withdrew from the war, leaving Romania isolated and vulnerable. The collapse of the Russian front forced Romania into a difficult position, and in 1918, Romania was compelled to sign a separate peace treaty with the Central Powers. The Treaty of Bucharest (May 7, 1918) imposed harsh terms on Romania, including territorial concessions and economic exploitation by the Central Powers. However, the treaty was nullified later that year following the defeat of the Central Powers.
Despite the hardships endured during the war, Romania emerged as one of the main beneficiaries of the post-war settlement. The treaties concluded at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919 recognized Romania’s sovereignty over Transylvania, Bukovina, and Bessarabia, leading to the creation of Greater Romania. The unification of these Romanian-speaking territories was a significant achievement for Romania, fulfilling the national aspirations that had driven its involvement in the war.
Romania’s experience during the First World War highlights the complex interplay of diplomacy, military strategy, and national interests that shaped its role in the European (in)security system. The country’s neutrality, followed by its eventual entry into the war on the side of the Entente, was driven by a careful calculation of Romania’s national interests and its desire to achieve territorial expansion and unification. The signing of the Bucharest conventions in 1916 and Romania’s participation in the war were pivotal moments in its history, laying the foundation for the creation of Greater Romania.
In conclusion, Romania’s role in the First World War reflects its strategic position within the European (in)security system of the time. The country’s diplomatic maneuvers, military engagements, and ultimate success in achieving its territorial ambitions underscore the importance of understanding Romania’s involvement in the war as a critical aspect of its national and European security. The First World War was a defining moment in Romania’s history, marking the realization of national unification and cementing its place within the broader European geopolitical framework.

 

Conclusion

Romania’s evolving role in European security, both historically and in contemporary times, illustrates the nation’s strategic significance in a region marked by geopolitical tension. By examining Romania’s involvement in European defense strategies over the course of the 20th and 21st centuries, it becomes evident that the country has consistently positioned itself as a key player at critical junctures of European history. From its participation in complex alliances during the early 20th century, leading up to the First World War, to its current status as a vital member of NATO, Romania’s geopolitical location and security priorities have played an enduring role in shaping the broader regional and international order.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Romania’s position was heavily influenced by its relationships with the great powers of Europe, particularly Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia. Caught between competing empires, Romania adeptly balanced its foreign policy, initially through its alignment with the Central Powers in the Triple Alliance and later, as the global political climate shifted, by siding with the Entente during the First World War. This shift reflected Romania’s ability to leverage international alliances for the purpose of achieving national objectives, particularly the unification of Romanian-speaking territories, a long-standing national goal that was finally realized with the formation of Greater Romania after the war.

Romania’s role in the First World War, as well as its involvement in the diplomatic and military maneuvers of the time, showcases the importance of national self-interest in determining foreign policy. The country’s careful neutrality during the first years of the war allowed it to negotiate terms that would ultimately result in significant territorial gains. Romania’s decision to join the Entente in 1916, formalized by the Bucharest conventions, was driven by a pragmatic recognition of the opportunity to unify Transylvania and other Romanian-majority regions with the Romanian state. While Romania faced considerable challenges, including military occupation by the Central Powers and a forced armistice, its post-war gains demonstrated the strategic value of its alliances and decisions.

In the contemporary context, Romania continues to serve as a cornerstone of European security through its active participation in NATO. The recent construction of the largest NATO base in Europe at Mihail Kogălniceanu and the announcement of France’s commitment to station thousands of troops in Romania as part of the Dacian Spring military exercise underscore Romania’s strategic importance. Positioned at the southeastern edge of NATO’s territory and adjacent to the Black Sea, Romania plays a critical role in defending against potential threats, particularly from Russia, whose actions in Ukraine and Crimea have reignited concerns about regional stability.

The continuity of Romania’s security strategies, from its early 20th-century diplomatic efforts to its present-day contributions to NATO, highlights the country’s enduring relevance in European defense. Romania’s location, bridging Western Europe and the increasingly volatile eastern frontiers, places it at the forefront of both regional and global security discussions. As NATO continues to bolster its eastern defenses in response to rising tensions with Russia, Romania’s importance as a strategic military hub will only grow.

In conclusion, Romania’s historical and contemporary roles in the European security framework are inextricably linked, reflecting a consistent emphasis on national security, territorial integrity, and strategic alliances. Romania’s participation in global security efforts, from its involvement in World War I to its current position within NATO, highlights the country’s ability to navigate complex international relationships and secure its national interests. Understanding Romania’s role within these larger systems of security not only provides insight into the country’s past but also illuminates its future trajectory as a vital actor in European and global defense strategies. The lessons of history, from Romania’s shifting alliances during the early 20th century to its current military commitments, demonstrate that Romania’s position in European security is not just a reflection of its geography, but a testament to its enduring strategic relevance.

 

 

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