WEAPONIZATION OF RELIGION AS ONE OF THE MAIN HYBRID INSTRUMENTS DIRECTED AGAINST ROMANIANS IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA, UKRAINE AND ROMANIA
WEAPONIZATION OF RELIGION AS ONE OF THE MAIN HYBRID INSTRUMENTS DIRECTED AGAINST ROMANIANS IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA, UKRAINE AND ROMANIA

Author(s): Matei BLĂNARU
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, Social Sciences, Communication studies, Theology and Religion, Security and defense, Sociology of Religion, Hybrid Warfare
Published by: Carol I National Defence University Publishing House
Keywords: weaponization of religion; hybrid threat; geopolitics; Romanians’ identity; Ukraine; the Republic of Moldova.
Summary/Abstract: Religion has long been one of the key hybrid instruments used in geopolitics across the globe, for both defensive and offensive purposes. Thus, failing to recognize the importance of religion in national defense strategies, as an important factor for the society, represents a serious mistake. Yet, unfortunately, decision makers in Romania have failed to acknowledge and properly address this issue for a long time. The scope of this paper is not to investigate the reasons behind thisaspect, but to highlight the importance of religion for Romanians in Romania, in Ukraine and in theRepublic of Moldova, and to highlight the fact that by not addressing properly and responsibly theexpectations and concerns of Romanians by the Romanian decision makers regarding religious rightsand identity paves the way for weaponization of religion mainly by the Russian Federation, but alsoby Ukraine.The weaponization of religion against the interests of the Romanian people has a long history, mainly coming from the USSR and the Russian Federation. This weaponization, together with recent internal political developments in Romania, should highlight the importance of properly and responsibly addressing and cultivating the religious rights and identity of Romanians in Romania, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. Failing to do so will mean that adverse narratives and policies will weaponize religion against the stability, the security and the interests of the Romanian state and people, just as it has happened throughout history.

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