The Syrian Crisis: A Challenge to the Black Sea Stability

CIES Policy Brief (Center for International and European Studies) No. 2, Feb 2014

by Igor Delanoë *

The Syrian crisis has shaken the Levant region for nearly three years now. Located a few hundred miles from Syria, the Black Sea region may be concerned by a possible spillover of the conflict. The Black Sea region remains characterized by a real potential for conflicts, and the risk that the Syrian crisis may fuel local instability is high. This paper assesses the security challenges to stability of the Black Sea emanating from the Syrian conflict through an analysis of issues raised by the resumption of activity of Russia’s Black Sea fleet, by the displacement of people from the Levant to the Black Sea area, and by the ongoing energy competition.

* Igor Delanoë holds a PhD in modern and contemporary history from the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis in Nice (France).

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