Draft:Dr. Savo Kentera

Dr. Savo Kentera

Born: 02. May 1976

Nationality: Montenegrin

Occupation: Lawyer, Security expert, former Director of the National Security Agency (ANB) of Montenegro, President of the Atlantic Council of Montenegro

Early Life and Education

Savo Kentera is a Montenegrin security expert with a career spanning over two decades in international security and intelligence management. He finished Law school and holds advanced degrees in international relations and security studies, with academic stints at prestigious institutions such as Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government, the UK Defence Academy, and King's College London. His work has been widely recognized for its focus on counter-terrorism, NATO policies, and the fight against disinformation.

Career

President of the Atlantic Council of Montenegro

Savo Kentera is the founder of the Atlantic Council of Montenegro. Since 2008, Kentera has served as the president of the Atlantic Council of Montenegro (ACM), an organization dedicated to promoting Euro-Atlantic values, especially NATO integration and international security. Under his leadership, the Atlantic Council has expanded its scope to include various initiatives such as the Digital Forensic Center (DFC), which focuses on detecting and countering disinformation campaigns, particularly those linked to Russian influence in the Balkans​.

In his role at the Atlantic Council, Kentera has spearheaded several high-profile conferences, workshops, and policy initiatives that engage Montenegro’s government, NATO allies, and regional partners on issues of security and defense. The Council's work, particularly through the DFC, has been instrumental in monitoring and exposing disinformation campaigns that aim to destabilize Montenegro and the broader Balkan region​. He also established the To Be Secure Forum (2BS Forum), leading political-security Forum in South East Europe. .

Director of the National Security Agency (ANB)

Kentera was appointed as the acting director of Montenegro’s National Security Agency (ANB) in May 2022, following the dismissal of his predecessor. His tenure was marked by significant efforts to overhaul the agency and align its operations with NATO security standards.

In one of the most prominent actions during his leadership, Kentera led a major operation in collaboration with Western intelligence agencies, resulting in the expulsion of 28 Russian and Serbian intelligence operatives from Montenegro. This action was viewed as a critical step in reducing foreign influence, especially amid growing concerns about Russian interference in the Balkans following the invasion of Ukraine​

However, Kentera’s tenure was short-lived, as he was controversially dismissed by the Montenegrin government in October 2022. His removal came shortly after the spy expulsion, sparking widespread speculation about the political motivations behind the decision. Some analysts viewed his dismissal as a concession to pro-Russian and pro-Serbian factions within the Montenegrin political landscape​. Russian ambassador to Montenegro Vladislav Vladislavovich Maslenikov stated after this operation that "Montenegro will regret because of this operation." Few days later, on October 7 (Putin's B-day), Kentera was dismissed while speaking at the NATO conference together with the Director of the Croatian Secret Service.

Controversies and Dismissal

Kentera’s removal from the ANB was accompanied by a swirl of controversy. Prime Minister Dritan Abazović, who initially appointed him, cited a shift in Kentera’s focus towards political activities, suggesting that Kentera had started acting more like a politician than a security professional. Abazović also indicated dissatisfaction with Kentera’s management of intelligence operations, though specific failings were not publicly detailed​

In addition, Kentera faced criticism from pro-Russian and pro-Serbian political figures, who accused him of being too closely aligned with Western intelligence agencies. These figures claimed that Kentera's actions were detrimental to Montenegro’s sovereignty, a narrative pushed by politicians opposed to Montenegro’s NATO membership.​

Despite these accusations, many in the Montenegrin public and international security circles viewed his dismissal as politically motivated, potentially driven by forces sympathetic to Russian and Serbian interests. His work in curbing foreign intelligence influence was widely praised by Western partners, particularly within NATO​

International Cooperation and NATO Involvement

Kentera has been a staunch advocate for Montenegro’s integration into NATO and for strengthening the country’s ties with Western institutions. His work at the Atlantic Council and the ANB has emphasized the importance of countering foreign influence, especially in the context of Russian efforts to exert control in the Balkans. Through his involvement in various international forums, including speaking engagements and contributions to policy research, Kentera has advocated for stronger regional security cooperation and the importance of Euro-Atlantic integration​

Publications and Research

Kentera has contributed to numerous academic and policy papers on international security, NATO integration, and counter-terrorism. He has collaborated with international think tanks, universities, and policy institutes to address emerging security challenges in the Balkans. His research has focused on countering violent extremism, the role of NATO in Southeastern Europe, and the impact of Russian disinformation campaigns. Some of his work has been published in collaboration with organizations such as the Harvard Kennedy School, the Digital Forensic Center, and NATO-affiliated institutions​

Public Image and Legacy

Savo Kentera remains a polarizing figure in Montenegrin politics. While many view him as a defender of Western values and a critical player in Montenegro’s fight against foreign influence, particularly from Russia and Serbia, others criticize him for his close ties to Western intelligence agencies. His removal from the ANB has left lingering questions about the future of Montenegro’s intelligence services and their capacity to resist foreign interference​

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References

   "Savo Kentera - NATO Advocate and Security Expert," Vijesti, October 2022.
   "Expulsion of Russian Spies from Montenegro: A Key Victory for Kentera," Vijesti, 2022.
   Abazović, Dritan, "On the Dismissal of Savo Kentera," Vijesti, October 2022.
   Atlantic Council of Montenegro - Reports on Disinformation Campaigns, 2021-2022.