- Moldova is a small country located between the Carpathian Mountains and the Black Sea that has been used as a training ground for Russian intelligence agencies.
- The Russians have used their political influence in the country to engineer the fall of the government.
- Whoever controls Moldova has been able to determine which way the armies can flow.
- The Eastern edge of Moldova, called Transnistra, declared independence in 1992 with Russian sponsorship and has maintained independence ever since.
- Russia has maintained a strong presence in the country and has worked to make sure that the government of Moldova is as non-functional as possible.
- During the Ukraine war, Russia has tried to use Moldova as a wedge either to manipulate refugees coming out of Ukraine or to launch missiles into Ukrainian targets.
- If Ukraine falls, Moldova is the next target.
- If Ukraine wins, Ukrainian or NATO military action against the Russian troops in Transnistra could fold Moldova into the European and the NATO family of countries.
Published February 15, 2023
Visit YouTube to read Peter Zeihan’s original vlog Peter Zeihan – Next on the Chopping Block: Moldova