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June 30, 2019
China’s Serbian Proxy Highlights How Beijing Captures Elites
Beijing’s close cooperation with former Serbian foreign minister Vuk Jeremic is a textbook example of the way it uses non-Chinese actors and entities to advance its ambitious strategic goals.
by Filip Jirous
Originally published by Balkan Insight
June 27, 2019
Balkans Should Beware of Putin’s Night-Time Bikers
The Night Wolves may call themselves a humanitarian and religious organization – but their mix of Orthodox Christianity and Slavic nationalism has the potential to cause trouble in a fragile, war-scarred region.
by Nicole Ely
Originally published by Balkan Insight
June 14, 2019
Turkish Aid Pays Dividends for Erdogan in Bosnia
A strategy of strengthening political ties while using development aid to raise its visibility is bearing fruit for Ankara in Bosnia.
Originally published by Balkan Insight
May 24, 2019
How can the EU Offset increased Chinese Investment in Serbia?
The article discusses the overall Chinese influence in the Western Balkans, its relationship with Serbia, and possible ways in which the EU can keep Serbia firmly in its camp.
by Ryan Day
Originally published by the EWB
February 4, 2019
TurkStream Tightens Kremlin’s Grip Over Balkan Energy
The new natural gas pipeline running from the Black Sea to Turkey forms part of a ring of Russian-centred power networks that will leave European states ever more dependent on Russia for energy.
by Daniel Heler
Originally published by BIRN
November 12, 2018
Russia, North Kosovo and Kosovo Serbs: What are the connections?
Kosovo represents an experimental site of international politics. Thus, it is not surprising that Russia has been presented there factually and even more in symbolical terms.
by Daniel Heler
Originally published by the European Western Balkans
October 29, 2018
Sand Heavier than Soil: UAE Venture on Agricultural Land in Serbia
Starting from 2012, one of the important foreign partners of Serbia have become the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with its ruling dynasty, Al Nahyan.
by Vanja Dolapčev
Originally published by the European Western Balkans
July 23, 2018
Kosovo Has Forgiven Turkey’s Interference Too Easily
Kosovo may rely in part on Turkish goodwill – but it should not have forgotten so rapidly the recent, secretive and highly controversial deportation of six Turks from the country.
Originally published by BIRN
June 27, 2019
China in the Balkans: Neutral business partner or a foreign power?
China’s engagement in international politics has intensified in recent years, especially since Xi Jinping became the general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party. The Western Balkans are no exception.
by Filip Jirous
Originally published by European Western Balkans
June 27, 2019
China Shopping Spree Belgrade Way
In almost every quarter of Belgrade and even in most of the small Serbian towns you can find at least one “Kineska robna kuća” – Chinese store, an institution providing locals with all necessary goods ranging from fashion to brooms.
by Daniel Heler
June 21, 2019
Brussels’ Balkan Policy Resembles Bad Version of Eurovision
The EU’s relationship to would-be members in the region is worryingly like the famous song contest – in which the award of points often has no clear connection to singers’ performances.
by Ivan Nikolovski
Originally published by Balkan Insight
May 31, 2019
Europe Must Speak with One Voice on North Macedonia
Europe’s mixed signals on North Macedonia’s future EU membership risk reversing the progress that has been made. The lack of harmony between strategies may also weaken the EU’s credibility among the generally pro-EU citizens.
by Ivan Nikolovski
Originally published by Balkan Insight
May 16, 2019
BiH: Foreign investors came with political goals
What is the role if foreign investors in the failed Bosnian privatization? The text elaborates on the previous article by exploring negative and positive aspects of foreign investments.
by Stepan Santrucek
Originally published by BIRN
December 24, 2018
The Bear never sleeps: The Position of the Serbian-Russian Humanitarian Centre in Niš
Although operating for more than six years already, the status and the activities of the Serbian-Russian Humanitarian Centre remain under the veil of mystery and doubted by many.
by Vanja Dolapčev
Originally published by the European Western Balkans
November 9, 2018
Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and the Russian Factor: Opportunity for Cheap Points
The negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina sponsored by the Brussels have been recently turning from a dialogue into rather two monologues.
by Daniel Heler
Originally published by the European Western Balkans
September 20, 2018
Lavrov Visit Adds to Tensions in Bosnia’s Elections
The visit by Russia’s top diplomat may have a major impact on Bosnia’s political scene, coming amidst an especially heated pre-election campaign.
by Srećko Latal
Originally published by BIRN
July 12, 2018
Summit Season Brings Cold Shower for Balkan EU Hopes
Europe and America say they are increasingly concerned over the role of outside powers in the Balkans. But it is their actions – or inaction - that is pushing the region away from Euro-Atlantic integration and into the arms of others.
by Srećko Latal
Originally published by BIRN
June 27, 2019
Russia Still Has Cards to Play in North Macedonia
Despite its failure to keep VMRO DPMNE in power – or obstruct NATO membership – the Kremlin remains a ‘player’ in North Macedonia thanks to its new role as patron of Macedonian ethnic nationalism.
by Ivan Nikolovski
Originally published by Balkan Insight
June 14, 2019
Much-loved Soaps Polish Turkey’s Image in Balkans
Turkey’s ever-popular soap operas are helping to improve the country’s shaky image in the Balkan region – through some tap into a kind of Ottoman nostalgia that has concerning implications.
by Nicole Ely
Originally published by Balkan Insight
May 29, 2019
Chinese Coal Investments Raise Concerns about EU Environmental Standards
Trillions of dollars from Beijing for updating coal facilities in Western Balkans put the EU in a difficult position in regard to enforcing environmental standards
by Nicole Ely
Originally published by the EWB
May 16, 2019
Failed Privatisation is to Blame for Bosnians’ Exodus
If Bosnians are leaving the country in such large numbers, it is partly because of a mismanaged privatisation process, which from the start allowed foreign political and domestic ethnic interests to prevail.
by Stepan Santrucek
Originally published by BIRN
April 16, 2019
Controversial Chinese motorway the largest Montenegrin project since independence
The film "Silk Road" by Montenegrin Centre for Investigative Journalism provides a critical analysis of Chinese loans to Montenegro and poses serious questions, most of which are avoided by local politicians.
by Hana Semanić
Originally published by the European Western Balkans
December 13, 2018
Serbian Guns Have Consequences for Balkans and Beyond
Serbia’s military industry build-up brings money and has the potential to reshape the country´s strategic position in the Balkans – although it also creates the danger of a regional arms race.
by Daniel Heler
Originally published by BIRN
October 30, 2018
Russia uses the Serbia-Kosovo dispute to assert its influence in the WB
The WB have once again become the battlefield of the great powers since Russia has lately started using this region to position itself as a superpower more assertively.
by Adelina Hasani
Originally published by the European Western Balkans
September 7, 2018
The Reluctant West is Needed in the Balkans
With undemocratic powers hustling for influence in the Western Balkans, the region needs EU and US commitment – but Brussels and Washington seem reluctant to offer it wholeheartedly.
by Adnan Huskić
Originally published by BIRN
June 22, 2018
Name deal, EU, NATO, and Russian meddling: Will “North Macedonia” get past Russia?
Upholding the prefix “North” is dependent on the Macedonian citizens’ ability to shield themselves from Russia’s disinformation operations.
Originally published by the European Western Balkans