Geopolitically Mapping the Western Balkans
- Clingendael researchers developed an interactive geopolitical mapping of the Western Balkans, highlighting relationships with key regional and global powers
- Geopolitical rivalries between the EU, US, China, Russia, Türkiye, and others both shape and reflect Western Balkan disputes and alliances
- A firmer EU stance on foreign influence undermining democracy would strengthen resilience in the Western Balkans
A Tale of Merchants, Missionaries and Miracles
To understand how global geopolitical power shifts affect the Western Balkans, this policy brief provides an interactive geopolitical mapping of the region based on a newly developed Clingendael Institute methodology. Drawing on an extensive expert survey that yielded 85 responses, the brief lays out political relations and economic, security and social interactions between the countries of the Western Balkans, influential regional actors, and great powers, thereby identifying key regional dynamics. Finally, the brief assesses the ramifications of geopolitical dynamics in the Western Balkans for the European Union approach towards the region. Recommendations for the EU include taking a firmer stance towards Western Balkan countries and EU Member States who enable unwarranted foreign influence undermining democracy and stability in the region.
Click on the lines in the right-hand column and read about the relationships in the left-hand column.
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