Research Article

Beyond Infrastructure: Nuclear Security and Regulatory Alignment in the Balkans (2015–2025)

Number: 29 September 21, 2026
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Beyond Infrastructure: Nuclear Security and Regulatory Alignment in the Balkans (2015–2025)

Abstract

This article explores how nuclear security has acquired a distinct and increasingly regulatory character in the Balkans between 2015 and 2025. Rather than being driven by military competition or strategic rivalry, nuclear security in the region has evolved primarily through institutional coordination, regulatory preparedness, and sustained engagement with international norms. While much of the existing literature approaches the Balkans through the perspective of energy geopolitics and infrastructure-centered security concerns, this study draws attention to a quieter but consequential transformation taking place in the regulatory domain. Focusing on Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia, the article demonstrates that nuclear security follows different national trajectories shaped by uneven nuclear infrastructure and varying institutional capacities. Bulgaria and Romania reflect continuity-oriented approaches grounded in the oversight of operating nuclear facilities, whereas Serbia engages with nuclear security in a precautionary and forward-looking manner despite the absence of nuclear power infrastructure. Türkiye occupies a distinct position within this regional landscape. Its approach is informed by direct regulatory and operational experience, yet it remains oriented toward internal institutional consolidation rather than outward power projection.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This study is based exclusively on publicly available documents and literature and does not involve human participants, personal data, or experimental procedures. Therefore, ethical approval was not required. The research was conducted in accordance with the principles of research integrity and publication ethics. The author declares no conflict of interest. Quillbot which is a aı program was used solely for language editing, improving the clarity of expression, refining English word choice, and correcting grammar, spelling, punctuation, and spacing. The author takes full responsibility for the content, analysis, interpretations, and conclusions presented in this manuscript.

References

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  2. Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Agency. (2025). National report of the Republic of Bulgaria under the Convention on Nuclear Safety. Sofia: Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Agency.
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  5. Buzan, B. & Wæver, O. (2003) Regions and powers: The structure of international security. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  6. Checkel, J. T. (2005) International institutions and socialization in Europe: Introduction and framework. International Organization 59(4), 801–826. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0020818305050289.
  7. Duffey, R. B. & Zio, E. (2015) Analytical methods for nuclear risk assessment. Cham: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-04159-2.
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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

European and Region Studies, Political Theory and Political Philosophy, Political Science Methodology, International Foundation, International Politics, Political Science (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Publication Date

September 21, 2026

Submission Date

July 9, 2026

Acceptance Date

September 21, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 29

APA
Akın, B. (2026). Beyond Infrastructure: Nuclear Security and Regulatory Alignment in the Balkans (2015–2025). ASSAM Uluslararası Hakemli Dergi, 29, 193-210. https://doi.org/10.58724/assam.1990896
AMA
1.Akın B. Beyond Infrastructure: Nuclear Security and Regulatory Alignment in the Balkans (2015–2025). ASSAM-UHAD. 2026;(29):193-210. doi:10.58724/assam.1990896
Chicago
Akın, Bahar. 2026. “Beyond Infrastructure: Nuclear Security and Regulatory Alignment in the Balkans (2015–2025)”. ASSAM Uluslararası Hakemli Dergi, nos. 29: 193-210. https://doi.org/10.58724/assam.1990896.
EndNote
Akın B (September 1, 2026) Beyond Infrastructure: Nuclear Security and Regulatory Alignment in the Balkans (2015–2025). ASSAM Uluslararası Hakemli Dergi 29 193–210.
IEEE
[1]B. Akın, “Beyond Infrastructure: Nuclear Security and Regulatory Alignment in the Balkans (2015–2025)”, ASSAM-UHAD, no. 29, pp. 193–210, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.58724/assam.1990896.
ISNAD
Akın, Bahar. “Beyond Infrastructure: Nuclear Security and Regulatory Alignment in the Balkans (2015–2025)”. ASSAM Uluslararası Hakemli Dergi. 29 (September 1, 2026): 193-210. https://doi.org/10.58724/assam.1990896.
JAMA
1.Akın B. Beyond Infrastructure: Nuclear Security and Regulatory Alignment in the Balkans (2015–2025). ASSAM-UHAD. 2026;:193–210.
MLA
Akın, Bahar. “Beyond Infrastructure: Nuclear Security and Regulatory Alignment in the Balkans (2015–2025)”. ASSAM Uluslararası Hakemli Dergi, no. 29, Sept. 2026, pp. 193-10, doi:10.58724/assam.1990896.
Vancouver
1.Bahar Akın. Beyond Infrastructure: Nuclear Security and Regulatory Alignment in the Balkans (2015–2025). ASSAM-UHAD. 2026 Sep. 1;(29):193-210. doi:10.58724/assam.1990896

ASSAM-UHAD is an internationally indexed peer-reviewed journal published in April and November.