THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN ROMANIA TODAY

Romanian education is a great system that carries out a complex but extremely important process for our society. It seems to work but there is a lot to change even wherethings are seemingly going well. A complete analysis brings to our attention a tumultuous picture of the problems faced by education in Romania in an attempt to fully fulfill the social objective it has assumed. Education is changing with the evolution of technologies, society is changing every day, the global economy needs other skills and the world now needs much more complex things than 20 years ago. The question is, how can education be changed quickly and effectively? In general, the change in education is very difficult, but in order to complete such a process, a real and concrete analysis of what we have now is needed.Keywords: Romania, education, sistem, skills ,economy, educational reforms, Bologna Process, academic mobility, institutional autonomy

COMBINING SOFT POWER WITH THE GEOPOLITICAL APPROACH - HOW DIFFICULT IS FOR THE EU TO CHANGE ITS ATTITUDE?

After gradually evolving from an economic project to a political one, European Union leaders declare nowadays that it is time to go forward and to build a geopolitical actor on the international stage. This paper does make an account on the current stage of relevant geopolitical actors and how they view EU. In order to address this issue, EU have to focus more on its soft power instruments, like multilateralism and the promotion of democracy, rule of law and human rights, and also climate change, apart from hard power instruments like trade, security and defense, cybersecurity and data privacy.Keywords: democracy, European Union, geopolitics, human rights, multilateralism, rule of law, soft power.

TRANSATLANTIC RELATIONS AND GEOPOLITICAL FRAGILITY IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN REGION

The landmasses of the USA and EU which are on the opposing sides of the Atlantic Ocean have come into focus once again, socially and culturally linked ideals, such asdemocracy and human rights were always the backbone in the transatlantic relationship along with the joint commitments for free-market capitalism which were entrenched within theinterests of the two major partners. The transatlantic relationship is reportedly plagued by difficulties. Since the establishment of NATO in 1949, transatlantic relationship has been at thecentre of discussions for the United States and Europe. It keeps the two regions working together to combat the challenges in the world where there are conflicts. Common Institutionsand Shared Identity are the core principles which unites the two regions. From relations with Russia and China to the policies on Iran and Syria's weapons control and climate change,transatlantic relations have arisen on world affairs today. On the other hand the geopolitical dynamics with the recent discoveries of significant natural gas deposits in the EastMediterranean region in the offshores of Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Israel has become a hot spot for energy extraction. With the discovery of Eastern Mediterranean's natural gas fields likeTamar, Leviathan, Zohr and Aphrodite, and it has made transformative effect on the region. Energy is going to be crucial for future economic development in the Eastern Mediterraneanregion. The recent gas discoveries have been anticipated as offering an impetus for new levels of energy cooperation, as well as generating space for a larger power base and solidifyingstability in the region.Keywords: EU, USA, NATO, East-Mediterranean Sea, Russia, China, Energy, Security

NICOLAE TITULESCU: THE LINK BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN SECURITY AND THE INTERNATIONAL SECURITY. THE HERITAGE OF A POLITICAL VISION AND CONSTRUCTION.

The author evokes Nicolae Titulescu’ personality, thought and actions in favor of strengthening the multilateral cooperation for peace and security during the interwar period.To him – a profound democratic and visionary spirit with a solid legal, philosophical, and political background, and a considerable international experience – the long-lasting Peacemeans nothing if not built on the only foundation suited to support it – Security. But in his view, security has always been closely linked to the manifestation of sovereignty of independent states and national identity. In conclusion, Titulescu’s political stance, his remarkable diplomatic work aiming at setting up a solid European and international security system able to deter the aggressor, bring peace and raise trust among nations, continue to be a stimulative example and an appeal still valid in its fundamental nature for the necessary and constructive steps to be taken in order to give meaning and continuity to our lives in the Third Millennium when we have to face so many crucial existential challenges.Keywords: Nicolae Titulescu, Romania, Europe, Great Powers, Latin America, League of Nations, peace, European and International Security, alliances, The Little Entente, The BalkanPact.

CONSIDERATIONS ON THE POLICIES OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION TO ACHIEVE NATIONAL INTERESTS IN ITS NEAR ABROAD

The policies of the Russian Federation in its near abroad have been constantly changing. Taking into account this consideration, it is important to know what were thedetermining factors that influenced the policy orientation of the Russian Federation in the pursuit of national interests in those areas. In this context, are analyzed the policies through which the Russian Federation projects national interests in its near abroad such as “hard power”, which include military operations (the involvement of Russian troops as“peacekeeping forces” in the Republic of Moldova, Georgia and Tajikistan; stationing of large units and units on the territory of the former union republics; economic sanctions, etc.). In tandem with “hard power” policies, the Russian Federation also uses “soft power” policies (promoting the Russian language and culture, strengthening the presence of the Russian Federation in the information space, supporting the Russian diaspora).Keywords: policies, national interests, “hard power”, “soft power”, economic sanctions, military operations.

COURTS MARTIAL AND THE CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE OF THE ROMANIAN ARMY IN WORLD WAR ONE

The century that passed over the memories of the Great War, as it was called in the era, should allow all of us, no matter what side we had chosen at that time, to think on allaspects of the day-by-day life in the frontline. And to admit as well, that not all the soldiers and officers who had taken part in, were heroes. They were normal people, with hearts and feelings, trapped in an abnormal environment, fighting for their side of “King and Country” against all destructive means of the industrial war. So, it was of great importance to maintain a proper discipline among those troops which were sent day after day in slaughter attacks. And for this reason, was used the military justice and the Code of military justice, named differently by country, but having the same role: to support the war effort. One of the supportive elements was the preemptive effect, the deterrence of any potential act of breaking the discipline. Equally counted the way this contribution came into effect.Keywords: military justice; discipline; court martial; world war; war effort.

THE UNEXPLOITED POTENTIAL OF RELATIONS WITH INDONESIA, A LONG-TERM GEOSTRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

Trade and investment exchanges between Romania and Indonesia are almost nonexistent. However, Indonesia, the largest economy within the Association of Southeast AsianNations (ASEAN) and also a country on a gradually rise, consolidated and visible on the global stage, being considered the sixth emerging economy in the world, represents the premises for the exploitation of the special economic potential that can outline a geostrategic construction of the Romanian-Indonesian bilateral relations.Keywords: EU, Indonesia, Romania, ASEAN, trade, bilateral relations, strategic partnership

US-ROMANIAN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP – PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

Based on 140 years of diplomatic relations made permanent and on almost 180 years of trade agreements, the US-Romanian relations evolved depending on the historicalcircumstances. Relations have grown stronger and more complex, to become permanent and eventually instrumentalized. The emergence of new diplomatic cooperation tools meant the professionalization and institutionalization of US-Romanian bilateral relations. July 11, 1997 – the launching date of the Strategic Partnership – is a historical turning point in the relations of the two countries, which has been beneficial for both stakeholders.Keywords: Strategic Partnership; United States of America; Romania; bilateral relations; pillars; trust; loyalty; cooperation.

THE POWER OF STATES AS THE BASIS FOR PROMOTING NATIONAL INTERESTS IN THE SYSTEM OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

The exercise of national power by each state is an accepted reality of international relations. Its individual power and distribution is one of the major determinants of a state'sbehaviour in international relations. However, the unlimited use of power by states can be a source of war, anarchy and chaos in international relations. State power, its estimates and measurement tools have always been a matter of interest to political and military leaders, who needed fairly objective parameters to make decisions with fundamental implications for the evolution and behaviour of states in the system of international relations. These issues of state power are the focus of this article.Keywords: power, elements of power, determinants of power, national interests, international relations, quantification of state power.

HMONG. THE SECRET ARMY

This article aims to analyze the role of the Hmong population in the Indochina conflict. US President Dwight D. Eisenhower considered Laos a buffer state according to theDominion Theory and as such much more strategically important than Vietnam. To avoid the fall of Laos under communism and thus the spread of communism in the region, Eisenhower turned to the services of the C.I.A., because he could not intervene officially in Laos without violating the Geneva Convention.Keywords: Indochina; Laos; Vietnam; war; United States of America; Hmong, Central Intelligence Agency.