War Won’t Be Coming Back To The Balkans

{
  "authors": [
    "Dimitar Bechev"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
    "Carnegie Europe"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "ctw",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Europe",
  "programAffiliation": "EP",
  "programs": [
    "Europe"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "Russia",
    "Eastern Europe",
    "Ukraine",
    "Iran"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Security"
  ]
}

In The Media

Carnegie Europe

War Won’t Be Coming Back To The Balkans

Yet the situation is not as dire as it may appear. The risks are real. But the overriding interest of the region’s politicians remains clinging to power. While Russia has an incentive to open a second front against the West, its partners and fellow travellers in the Balkans have much to lose from an escalation.

By Dimitar Bechev

Published on Mar 24, 2022

War on the Rocks

About the Author

Dimitar Bechev

Senior Fellow, Carnegie Europe

Dimitar Bechev is a senior fellow at Carnegie Europe, where he focuses on EU enlargement, the Western Balkans, and Eastern Europe.

Recent Work

Commentary
How NATO Became Anchored in the Black Sea
- Dimitar Bechev
Commentary
Reviving Kosovo-Serbia Normalization Talks
- +1
  Miloš Pavković, Fitim Gashi, Iliriana Gjoni, …

Security Russia Eastern Europe Ukraine Iran

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center

Article
From Hormuz to the Maghreb: The Geopolitical Reach of a Gulf Crisis
Morocco and Algeria, each in its own way, are having to navigate the global economic fallout of the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran.
Yasmine Zarhloule
Commentary
Diwan
Kurdish Rebel Groups Are Wary of Tehran’s Next Move
Following its deal with the United States, Iran may act against Iraq-based dissidents.
Wladimir van Wilgenburg
Commentary
Diwan
World Cup 2026: A Middle East and North Africa Primer
This will be the region’s most representative tournament, amid broad changes in its footballing landscape.
Issam Kayssi
Commentary
Diwan
Corrupted by Absolute Power
In an interview, Marc Lynch discusses his new book decrying the post-1990 U.S.-dominated order in the Middle East.
Michael Young
Commentary
Diwan
Why Does the Middle East Suffer “Forever Wars”?
Because perpetual conflict enhances control, offers economic benefits, and allows leaders to ignore popular preferences.
Angie Omar

War Won’t Be Coming Back To The Balkans