Regional Implications of Great Power Competition: The Case of the Western Balkans

This paper will discuss the implications of great power competition in the Western Balkans.

This paper will discuss the implications of great power competition in the Western Balkans. The paper contends that the possibility of an intensifying competition in the region risks exacerbating historical enmities and deep-rooted security concerns with a growing potential of regional political, economic and military conflicts. The paper will first introduce the emergence of a competitive global environment and then discuss its potential implications for the region. After presenting actors with their strategic interests, the paper will outline the evolution of competition in the Western Balkans in the fields of economy, politics and security and analyse its potential implications.