Moldova: Analyzing U.S. and Allied Military Missions
Abstract
The republics of the Former Soviet Union are gaining the increased attention of both civilian policy makers and military planners. However, Moldova is probably the least known of the former republics. Except for the intense focus on Moldova in its brief struggle for independence, then again during the 1992 war for Transnistrian independence, little attention has been paid to this country. It is precisely because the potential problems in Moldova could pose a significant threat to regional security that Moldova should be studied in greater detail. The United States, and CINCEUR in particular, should be concerned with the ethnic conflict between Romanians, Ukrainians and Russians, as well as other minority groups in Moldova, because of the inherent instability ethnic conflict injects into the dynamics of a region. The CINC should also be concerned with the potential terrorist problem of weapons trafficking through Moldova, the Transnistrian problem, human rights violations, particularly trafficking in women, and the KGB s suppression of basic freedoms. Mostly the CINC should use all available tools to prevent Moldova from becoming a failed state. With this in mind then, the United States and its allies may have to conduct military operations in Moldova to maintain stability in the region or at least to resolve conflicts in Moldova before they threaten the security of neighboring states. The United States and NATO could accomplish this through peace operations, humanitarian assistance, counterterrorism, and foreign internal defense.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 04, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA401095
Entities
People
- Steven Sabia
Organizations
- Naval War College