Romanian Centre for Russian Studies

01/09/2026

On behalf of the Romanian Centre for Russian Studies at the University of Bucharest, at this time of sorrow, we wish to express our heartfelt sympathy to the Royal Family and to the people of Norway. We share the grief of a nation whose history, culture, and intellectual traditions have made such a profound contribution to Europe.
Romania and Norway are bound by longstanding cultural and academic ties, founded on mutual respect and a shared commitment to European values, scholarly dialogue, and international cooperation. These relations have been strengthened over the years through exchanges between universities, research institutions, and cultural organizations in our two countries.
In this regard, we particularly value the cooperation between the University of Bucharest and the Fridtjof Nansen Institute, as well as the collaboration with other Norwegian academic and research partners. These enduring partnership has provided important opportunities for scholarly exchange and joint research, contributing to a deeper understanding of social and political dynamics in Europe and beyond, and an excellent research activity within the broader European and non-European academic community.
The Romanian Center for Russian Studies is especially grateful for the intellectual bridges that have been built through such a cooperation. They embody the conviction that academic and cultural dialogue remains an essential means of bringing nations closer together, even in times of profound difficulty and loss.

The team of the Romanian Centre for Russian Studies,
University of Bucharest

Photo - courtesy of the Norwegian Royal Court

24/08/2026

ISW is seeking an Education Program Manager to advance ISW's mission of educating the next generation of national security leaders!

The Education Program Manager will be responsible for the planning and ex*****on of ISW's Internship Program, assisting the General H. David Petraeus Center for Emerging Leaders throughout the Hertog War Studies Program, and maintaining ISW's vast alumni network.

An ideal candidate possesses 3-5 years of professional experience working in educational programming or in national security, demonstrated experience managing significant projects and programs, and a strong ability to coordinate with ISW's multimedia experts.

Interested in working closely with ISW’s staff, students, interns, and alumni? Apply now: https://understandingwar.bamboohr.com/careers/239

17/08/2026

Infrastructure, investment, procurement and regulation choices in Europe increasingly need to be judged against two basic questions: ‘do they make countries and their societies safer?’, and ‘will they hold up under stress?’.

The latest IISS report, produced in cooperation with the Swedish Defence Research Agency in the context of the inaugural IISS Stockholm Civil Defence Forum, assesses the principal approaches to and challenges for advancing modern civil defence in Europe.

Read the latest research report: https://lnkd.in/d4V4MRuX

14/08/2026

Introducing the ASEEES Cohort Project

The ASEEES Cohort Project brings together first- and second-year doctoral students from across the field for a yearlong series of structured sessions covering a range of topics central to succeeding in graduate school, from crafting a strong CV to writing effective grant proposals.

Participants receive one complimentary year of ASEEES membership and a certificate of participation.

Do you have an incoming or second-year doctoral student? Encourage them to apply by September 5, 2026.

https://buff.ly/cfIAD50

14/08/2026

14/08/2026

We’re looking forward to welcoming all our students back to campus in just one month! And to our alumni and recent graduates, we wish you continued success in Pittsburgh and beyond!

If you’d like a shout out in our Fall Newsletter, please send us a quick DM or email [email protected] by August 14th to tell us about your accomplishments this past spring and summer!

Keep up the good work!

20/07/2026

Julia Joja: Joined the latest episode of Middle East Institute podcast on the Ankara NATO Summit to talk about why renewed US-Iran strikes and Turkey's F-35 push overshadowed the Alliance's unity message, and how Allies missed an opportunity to address the conflicts in Europe and the Middle East in a more cohesive manner. Give it a listen here:
https://www.facebook.com/share/1Dre5qi8vD/

At the recent NATO summit in Ankara, renewed US-Iran strikes and Turkey’s push to rejoin the F-35 stealth fighter program overshadowed the Alliance’s message of unity and a strong European pillar. MEI Senior Fellow Iulia Joja joins host Alistair Taylor to unpack the summit — what it achieved, ...

17/07/2026

Armand Gosu|Romanian historian, academic, and political analyst|Something is happening in Russia, and signs of possible developments as early as this summer are beginning to emerge, notes Professor Armand Goșu in the latest episode of the podcast “About Russia.” In June, Putin’s army suffered more than 39,000 casualties on the front lines, while back home, the fuel shortage is reaching the proportions of a major crisis, with a profound impact on society. At the same time, Crimea has been cut off by the Ukrainians, and Russians are leaving the peninsula in large numbers—the same peninsula where, after 2014, Putin had brought them to colonize it.

Armand Goşu, historian specializing in the former Soviet space explains why even the power circles at the very top of the Russian state are showing signs of exasperation and fatigue. The Economist’s interview with billionaire Melnichenko can be interpreted as a message that the Russian elite is sending to the West: a subtle invitation to negotiate, accompanied by warnings of a devastating collapse should Moscow suffer a humiliating defeat in Ukraine.

We’re talking about the conclusions of the NATO Summit in Ankara—once again, some of which were unfavorable to the Russians, who had hoped Trump would turn the tables on the increasingly close
Russian-Chinese cooperation. China has become the dominant partner in an alliance that is also expanding militarily, as plans by Moscow and Beijing to attack and destroy the Starlink satellite network in the event of a military conflict with the West have been uncovered.

The political crisis in the Republic of Moldova, which erupted amid a corruption scandal, marks an interesting shift in the balance of power. A new prime minister is rising to prominence—a charismatic businessman who could become Maia Sandu’s successor as the main leader of the pro-European bloc.

In this context, the bizarre turmoil that erupted seemingly out of the blue—following a confusing and uninspired statement given by the German ambassador in Chișinău at the end of an interview—also comes under the scrutiny of Professor Goșu.

Despre Rusia cu Armand GoșuCeva se întâmplă în Rusia și încep să ...