This volume focuses on the spotlight on Romania and Moldova two distinct nations that share a
common language history and culture. Romania is a NATO member since 2004 and a fully
integrated nation into the European Union since 2007 while The Republic of Moldova (a former
Soviet republic) is attempting to join both international organizations for security and
development reasons. Ever since the Iron Curtain fell on Europe at the end of World War II the
term Eastern Europe has been used without much regard for the diversity of the region. Given
the geographical proximity perhaps this is an understandable error. However moving forward
into the twenty-first century and considering the highly sensitive geopolitical security and
development issues playing out in the region we believe each nation should be treated with the
unique distinction it deserves. Building a mosaic of the most current research practical
application and policy the authors who represent unique insider perspectives cover a range
of emerging and timely topics from Black Sea security to cultural analyses organizational
development and risk assessment shedding light on social political and economic challenges of
rapid transition in the region while considering the implications for research practice and
policy in other front-line regions around the world.
