The inaugural session of the Romanian Institute for Strategic Studies (RISS) took place at the Palace of Parliament in Bucharest on 9 February 2026 chaired by its Director, Candin Pop. The session was held in cooperation with the Washington DC-based Gold Institute for International Strategy (GIIS) and attended by international and Romanian political strategists.
A range of policy issues were discussed. There was emphasis on the importance of the NATO alliance and the need for the European nations to enhance their defence capabilities more rapidly. This would confirm the continued full commitment of the United States to the Alliance in the face of Russian aggression in Ukraine and the wider threat to the nations of Eastern Europe.
There was concern at the trust of electorates in the functioning of democratic institutions and elections with particular reference to recent Romanian presidential elections where the outcome has been seriously questioned.
There was strong support for nation states and their independent, democratic institutions and concern at the continued centralising influence of the European Commission.
The EU’s policies of environmental transition were seen to be damaging to strategic resilience and economic efficiency and regeneration.
There was spotlight on the fresh strategic significance of the Black Sea in terms of the security and free access of the littoral democracies and as an economic, communications and energy hub.
Contributors at the inaugural session included:
Eli Gold (USA & President GIIS); Adam Lovinger ( USA & GIIS); Dan Dungaciu (ROM & RIIS); Derk Jan Eppink (NL & GIIS); Geoffrey Van Orden (UK & GIIS); Rob Roos (NL & GIIS); Mahmoud Hassanin (EGYPT & GIIS); Sorin Andrei (ROM & RISS); Tiberiu Constantinescu (ROM & RIIS); Julian Cristian Dudulea (ROM & RIIS)
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