Balkans

The Western Balkans is transforming into one of the primary fronts of confrontation between global powers, where Russia’s and Serbia’s hybrid strategies directly challenge the stability and sovereignty of countries in the region. This paper examines the complex dimensions of this hybrid warfare, focusing on recent attacks in Banjska and Zvecan, which signify a deliberate escalation aimed at destabilizing Kosovo. Through the use of demographic manipulations, sabotage of critical infrastructure, and the provocation of ethnic tensions, Russia and Serbia are leveraging the Balkans as a battleground to advance their strategic projects, such as “Srpski Svet” and “Ruski Mir”.

Hybrid warfare has made the transition from being a purely theoretical concern to a multifaceted and pervasive strategy that fundamentally affects the structure of modern societies. It has transcended the boundaries of propaganda and disinformation, by transforming these tools into powerful weapons to influence democratic processes and government decision-making. In this context, the Western Balkans represents a dynamic laboratory where hybrid strategies are clearly manifested, which not only challenge the stability of the region, but also reconfigures its political and social landscape.

The MEK (Mojahedin-e Khalq), a terrorist group that has long engaged in terrorism and sabotage against the Iranian people and government, has in recent years tried to use deceptive advertising and staged conferences in various countries, including Berlin, to portray a different image of itself to the world. These conferences, full of false claims that contradict Iran’s internal realities, not only serve as a platform for spreading lies and distorting facts but also aim to incite public opinion and Western governments against Iran by creating a false image of Iranian society.

Hungary’s military neutrality towards the NATO-Russian proxy war in Ukraine angers the West much more than Serbia’s economic neutrality.

Viktor Orban’s chief of staff Gergely Gulyas confirmed that his country foiled plots by some foreign spy agencies, including those of unnamed nominal NATO allies, to redirect Hungarian-purchased arms and ammo to Ukraine and Africa where they’d respectively be used directly and indirectly against Russia. Hungary remains military neutral in the NATO-Russian dimension of the New Cold War despite going along with the EU’s anti-Russian sanctions. Orban has also recently sought to mediate in Ukraine.

An Italian opposition MP has lambasted the start of the scheme to process migrants in Albania as a fiasco – but locals living near the new facilities are eyeing up potential economic benefits.

The first ship bringing migrants intercepted at sea by Italy’s navy to Albania to facilities intended to shore up the EU country’s external borders docked on Wednesday at the port of Shengjin.

The election of Bujar Spahiu as the new head of the Albanias an Muslim Community was marred by opponents’ allegations that he supports Turkish cleric Fetullah Gulen, who is wanted for arrest by the Ankara government.

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto warned that in addition to the Middle East, there is another front potentially as explosive, which is Kosovo. The interlocutors of Kosovo Online doubt such a scenario but also warn that any radicalization of the situation in the region could lead to new conflicts.

As Bosnia and Herzegovina prepares to take on greater responsibility for migration management, one of the main challenges remains that of guaranteeing people on the move adequate and dignified reception conditions

As Bosnia and Herzegovina prepares to take on greater responsibility in managing migration, one of the main challenges remains ensuring adequate and dignified reception of migrants.