Between East and West: Navigating alliances in the Western Balkans
The Western Balkans, shaped by conflict and shifting alliances, remain geopolitically significant in a fast-changing world. A survey conducted by the International Republican Institute (IRI) highlights the fragmented nature of public opinion across the region. While some states lean West, others align more with Russia and China. ELN Visiting Fellow, Dr Leon Hartwell, writes that anti-Western propaganda is deepening these divisions, further complicating EU and NATO integration. He emphasises the need for a more strategic and coordinated Western approach in response.