ELN publications feature authoritative research, high-quality analysis, diverse viewpoints and practical recommendations to address current foreign, defence, and security policy challenges.
ELN Senior Associate Fellow Nicholas Williams argues that, even if the EU’s military function in Bosnia has evolved from a deterrent to a reassurance role, the military presence could at some stage become an obstacle to progress towards EU membership.
ELN senior associate fellows offer their predictions and views on the regions and developments to keep a close eye on in 2018.
EU and NATO need to stay engaged in the Western Balkans. They should also heed the warnings on supporting so-called ‘stabilocracies’ and priorities real resilience instead.
Continued engagement from the EU and NATO is necessary support the facilitated Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue.
Dimitar Bechev points out that Russia’s main aim in the Western Balkans is to appear as an equal alternative to European and US influence.
Gorana Grgic discusses what policies we can expect from President Trump in the Western Balkans and what this could mean for the stability of the region.
Fatmir Mediu argues that the Balkans have become a major staging post for ISIS operations in Europe, as a source of recruits, weapons, funding, and as a major transit route. Urgent measures are needed to address this threat.
Florian Bieber and Anastas Vangeli argue that Macedonian Premier Nikola Gruevski’s government has lost all legitimacy in the wake of excessive scandals. EU mediators in the country should now focus on facilitating a transition of power.
Tomasz Żornaczuk argues that Greek obstructionism has caused Macedonia to backtrack on reforms inspired by the promise of EU membership. Żornaczuk concludes that only sustained dialogue with Greece can resuscitate Macedonia’s reforms, and thus the prospect of Euro-Atlantic integration.