Moldova's Frozen Conflict (w/ Daniel Runde)

Moldova's Frozen Conflict (w/ Daniel Runde)

From In the National Interest by Center for the National Interest

September 30, 2025 · 23 min · Season 2 · Episode 11

About this episode

This episode discusses the implications of Moldova's recent parliamentary elections and the potential for transforming Transnistria's political alignment.

Sunday’s parliamentary elections in Moldova delivered a clear victory for the pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), led by sitting President Maia Sandu. Can economic incentives and Western investment now help transform Moldova's breakaway region of Transnistria from a Russia-leaning outpost into a partner in reconstruction and EU integration? Do the election results signal that the enclave’s oligarchs and younger voters are shifting toward Europe? And what options remain for Vladimir Putin as his traditional levers of influence in the region slip away? In this episode, Jacob Heilbrunn speaks with Daniel Runde, a senior adviser at BGR Group and author of The American Imperative: Reclaiming Global Leadership Through Soft Power (Bombardier Books, 2023). Runde previously served as a senior vice president at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and has advised the U.S. government, foreign ministries, international bodies, and Fortune 500 firms.

People in this episode

Host: Jacob Heilbrunn

Guest: Daniel Runde

Topics covered

  • Moldova elections
  • Transnistria
  • EU integration
  • Russian influence
  • Western investment
  • political shifts

Keywords

  • Moldova
  • Transnistria
  • elections
  • EU
  • Russia
  • politics
  • Daniel Runde
  • Maia Sandu
  • Western investment

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BGR Group, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Party of Action and Solidarity

Books & works: The American Imperative: Reclaiming Global Leadership Through Soft Power

Places: Moldova, Transnistria, Russia

More episodes of In the National Interest

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the In the National Interest podcast page.