Number 5/2023: The Western Balkans. A bridge from Europe to Europe?

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The ongoing war in Ukraine has brought the debate over Europe’s future back to the Western Balkans region, which not long ago also experienced the brutality of war, massacres and hatred, leading to ethnic cleansing as well as physical devastation. and long-term trauma and division. Indeed, the Balkan wars, fought in the 1990s between the nations of a formerly federal state, are a cruel reminder of the dangers of unchecked ethnic nationalism and what a weapon it can become in the hands of narcissistic leaders. European countries have too often seen the consequences of such emotions.

The creation of the European Community, and then the European Union, was intended to ensure that such violence would never return. Thus, the experience of the Western Balkans and the struggle of their states to integrate into the EU is the story of a Europe which – at the same time is haunted by its often brutal past and – establishing links with others – frees itself from it. So why, some will say, are the states of the region still in the waiting room of the spacious European house? Why have they been there for so long and does the war in Ukraine have an effect on their European journey?

One answer is that past mistakes (also made by the West) have led to an unfavorable status quo and therefore need to be rethought. This is particularly true for the Serbia-Kosovo conflict which clearly requires a fresh look and an approach that would nevertheless be acceptable to both sides. Serbia, in particular, is a country to keep on the radar, mainly because of its population’s weariness with the long and mundane process of EU integration. Failures in this process can easily and effectively be exploited by Russia, which traditionally holds a strong position within the country and continues to promote anti-EU and anti-NATO narratives. But these messages go beyond borders and in many cases even reach established democracies like Slovenia.

All these subjects are addressed in the pages of this issue by our authors specializing in the region and, through their writings, highlight some key developments and phenomena to follow. Their views may differ, but they all show that even though the eyes of the international community are overwhelmingly focused on Ukraine, the story is not yet over in the Western Balkans. The experiences of this region must be treated equally seriously and addressed adequately. Also in Brussels and Washington.

Content

The Western Balkans and Europe

Twenty years later. Revealing the hidden cause of the delay in the European integration of the Western Balkans Antonios Nestoras
Cake Donuts and Western Diplomacy Leon Hartwell
Kosovo-Serbia dialogue. A state of perpetual stagnation Visar Xhambazi
Serbia continues to walk the tightrope Marta Szpala
The (fading) influence of Russia Katarina Tadic
Nationalism remains a powerful force in Bosnia and Herzegovina Hikmet Karčić
Jewish connections in the Balkans and Eastern Europe Adam Balcer
Former Yugoslav nations deserve peace Interview with Gojko Božović

Interviews

Kundera’s warnings still apply A conversation with Samuel Abraham

Tests and analyzes

The Anatomies of Evil Simona Merkinaite
The Kakhovka Dam Explosion, Russia’s Scorched Earth Tactics Zakhar Tropin
No school for the children of Izium Kateryna Pryshchepa
The five towers of the Kremlin Vakhtang Maisaïa
Rethinking Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies in the West Veronica Snoj
The militarization of music in today’s Russia Tatevik Hovhannisian
Slovaks seek a sense of normalcy Michaela Terenzani
A regional player? Nikodem Szczygłowski

Stories and ideas

Orwell’s warning against today’s totalitarianism Luc Harding
The spirit of the Estonian singing tradition Isabelle de Pommereau
Gagauz youth considers their future Madeleine Cuckson
The long exodus William Fleeson
How vulnerable groups live in Belarus in the era of mass repressions Volha Kavalskaya

Art, culture and society

Multilingual and multiple minorities. Who are the Balkan Jews? Katarzyna Taczyńska

History and memory

The Anatomy of Betrayal Ihar Melnikau
The icon and the sarcophagus. Why the Golden Ring is important for the Kremlin in 2023 James C. Pearce