Security Challenges in the Western Balkans
Briefing delivered to the Counter-Kleptocracy Caucus
Belgrade
Vučić Welcomes Zelensky in Serbia: Turning Point or Tactical Gambit?
On Saturday, Volodymyr Zelensky made his first official visit to Serbia, a country long seen as one of Russia’s closest European partners. For some in the West, it was proof that Serbian President Aleksandar...
Op-eds
Why the OSCE Shouldn’t Meet in Serbia
The OSCE’s recent decision to hold its 2027 meeting in Belgrade will reward Serbia for its democratic backsliding and pro-authoritarian foreign policy.
Op-eds
Serbia and Georgia aren’t our friends — They’re authoritarian regimes courting Trump
When autocrats seek legitimacy, they often travel in pairs. Such was the case when Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic traveled to Tbilisi in June. While this was the first visit by a Serbian...
Op-eds
China’s beachhead in the Balkans
Serbia is playing a dangerous game with the West. While the European Union and the United States are pursuing a partnership with and EU membership for Serbia, Serbia is cultivating a rapidly...
Op-eds
Hungary, Slovakia, and Serbia chose Tehran over Trump
The leaders of Slovakia, Hungary, and Serbia have long touted their loyalty to President Donald Trump, courting Washington’s conservative wing. But when Trump launched his war...
Op-eds
Trump should reject Serbia sanctions waiver request
Serbia and Russia are lobbying frantically for a reprieve from U.S. sanctions on Serbia’s oil and gas company, NIS, which Washington targeted due to its majority Russian ownership. Belgrade...
Op-eds
Russia Accuses Serbia of Betrayal
Despite the traditional rhetoric of Slavic brothers united in common cause, Serbia continues to look out for its own interest, knowing Moscow is willing to sacrifice the Serbs.
Op-eds
What to Do About Fico and Vučić in Moscow
The leaders of Slovakia and Serbia both went to Moscow to celebrate Victory Day with Putin – despite EU warnings not to. How can Brussels discourage further collaboration?
Op-eds
Serbian and Russian Orthodox Churches Unite Against West
As part of Russia’s plan to undermine cohesion in Europe, it hopes to pull Serbia away from its path toward the EU by emphasizing traditional Orthodox ties.
Op-eds
Serbia’s Future Hangs in the Balance
Serbia’s anti-corruption movement has reached new heights: a demonstration in Belgrade this March yielded hundreds of thousands of peaceful protestors and marked the largest demonstration in Serbia since the monumental 1990s protests against the tyrannical Milošević regime.
Op-eds
‘Dancing with the Dragon’
“Dancing with the Dragon” by Patrick Jenevein offers a deeply insightful exploration of China’s business landscape from the 1990s to today, presented through the eyes of an American businessman entrenched...
Op-eds
Iran is Creeping into the International Arms Market
Almost overnight, Iran has positioned itself as a weapons exporter to rogue regimes around the world.
Op-eds
The bonds that bind: Our adversarial sovereign bond habit
No one is obligated to help China fund its war machine. The decision to buy Chinese sovereign bonds should reside with informed investors, Elaine Dezenski and Joshua Birenbaum write.
Op-eds
Russia’s Second Front in Europe
The West Must Stop Putin From Provoking Conflict in the Balkans
Op-eds
Athens Declaration Unites Southern Europe Behind Ukraine
President Zelensky's trip to Athens this week proved to be pivotal in advancing Ukraine's longtime objectives of moving towards EU membership.
Op-eds
Is Russia Now Weaponizing Music?
Russia has resorted to a wide range of tactics to keep nations within its orbit. Now it’s taken to using music to win over foreign public support.
Op-eds
Zelensky Calls Meeting with Serbian President ‘Fruitful’
Tensions between Ukraine and Serbia have been high, with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic saying on Aug. 10 that 'If Ukraine recognizes Kosovo’s independence, it will lose everything in one day.'
Op-eds
The Russia-Serbia Nexus – EU Has to Step Up and Do its Part
“The West must do a better job of imposing costs on destructive Balkan actors. But to do so effectively, the West must act as one.”
Op-eds
Time to Stop Disruptive Russian-Serbian Machinations in the Balkans
While most of the West focuses on the war in Ukraine, Moscow and Belgrade are fueling the fires over Kosovo on eve of sensitive historic anniversary.