National security environment of the Republic of Moldova: risks and threats

URL: https://dspace.academy.police.md/national-security-environment-of-the-republic-of-moldova-risks-and-threats/

Data: 2026

This article analyzes the complex process of genesis and evolution of the Republic of Moldova’s law enforcement and security structures (Ministry of Internal Affairs, National Army, Intelligence and Security Service, and the State Protection and Guard Service) during the 1990-2026 period. The study highlights how the national security architecture was shaped not merely through administrative reforms, but primarily as a critical response to the secessionist conflicts in Transnistria and political tensions in TAU Gagauzia. The paper traces the transition from the reactive legislation of the 1990s toward a modern normative framework, culminating in the 2023 National Security Strategy, which introduces the concept of hybrid resilience. Particular attention is paid to the taxonomy of contemporary threats, demonstrating how factors such as systemic corruption, energy blackmail, and external electoral interference undermine territorial integrity and internal systemic stability. In conclusion, the article argues that the security of the Republic of Moldova has evolved from a military- centric paradigm toward an integrated security model, where the success of security institutions increasingly depends on their capacity to protect democratic processes against asymmetric and transborder challenges within a volatile geopolitical context.