Diplomacy & Defense Think Tank News

C'étaient les troisièmes législatives en 18 mois, et rien ne garantit qu'elles permettent de sortir de la crise. Le mouvement Vetëvendosje du Premier ministre sortant Albin Kurti perd sa majorité absolue. La participation est en chute libre.

- Articles / Elections Kosovo, Kosovo, Politique, Kosovo Vetëvendosje, Courrier des Balkans

« Référendum – l'histoire d'une liberté fictive » : produit par une organisation proche du pouvoir serbe, ce film présente les Monténégrins comme une nation « artificielle » et remet en cause la souveraineté du pays. Podgorica dénonce un contenu haineux et une tentative de déstabilisation politique.

- Articles / Monitor (Monténégro), Indépendance du Monténégro 2006, Vucic, Monténégro, Serbie, Histoire, Relations régionales

« Référendum – l'histoire d'une liberté fictive » : produit par une organisation proche du pouvoir serbe, ce film présente les Monténégrins comme une nation « artificielle » et remet en cause la souveraineté du pays. Podgorica dénonce un contenu haineux et une tentative de déstabilisation politique.

- Articles / Monitor (Monténégro), Indépendance du Monténégro 2006, Vucic, Monténégro, Serbie, Histoire, Relations régionales

Les discussions engagées pour nommer un nouveau haut représentant international en Bosnie-Herzégovine se sont conclues jeudi sans accord.

- Le fil de l'Info / Accords de Dayton, USA Balkans, Bosnie-Herzégovine, Relations internationales, Questions européennes

Der Gastbeitrag von Stefan Bach und Marcel Fratzscher erschien am 5. Juni 2026 im SPIEGEL., Die derzeit wichtigste Frage für die Zukunft Deutschlands – und auch für das Überleben der Bundesregierung – lautet: Findet die Koalition Mut und Kraft, den Menschen in unserem Land moderate Einbußen ihres Wohlstands zuzumuten, um das Land zu reformieren? Es geht um das schnöde Geld: Wird die ...

This edited volume is the outcome of a scholarly initiative examining the impact of recent geopolitical transformations on the evolution of Turkish foreign policy. At a time when the liberal international order is increasingly contested, great-power rivalry is intensifying, and regional conflicts are reshaping global politics, Turkey has emerged as one of the consequential middle powers in its neighbourhood. The contributions brought together in this collection explore both the regional and sectoral dimensions of Turkish foreign policy, offering a multifaceted assessment of the challenges and opportunities confronting Ankara as it seeks to navigate an increasingly fragmented and uncertain international environment. The essays included in this volume were first presented and discussed in two roundtables organized by Turkey’s International Relations Council (Uluslararası İlişkiler Konseyi – UİK) and convened by Prof. Sinem Akgül Açıkmeşe at the 67th Annual Convention of the International Studies Association (ISA), held in Columbus, Ohio, from 22 to 25 March 2026.

The contemporary transformation of the international system, marked by the erosion of the liberal international order, the relative decline of U.S. hegemony, and the proliferation of regional conflicts, has elevated the strategic importance of middle powers. Turkey, situated at the intersection of Europe, the Middle East, and Eurasia, has been particularly affected by the wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran, all of which pose significant challenges to its security, economic, and diplomatic interests. Bringing together contributions from leading scholars of Turkish foreign policy, the collection explores both the regional and sectoral dimensions of Turkey’s evolving international role to an increasingly fragmented and multipolar international environment. Several chapters focus on the regional aspects of Turkish foreign policy, analyzing Turkey’s relations with Iran, Russia, the Gulf states, the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and the Eastern Mediterranean. Other contributions examine key sectoral issues, including the implications of the Iran war for Turkey’s energy policy, defence industry, strategic posture, and mediation capabilities. Taken together, the chapters highlight the opportunities and constraints facing Turkey as it seeks to navigate an increasingly unstable regional and international landscape. The volume argues that Turkey’s future influence will depend on its ability to balance intensifying great-power competition with efforts to promote regional stability, diplomacy, and institutional cooperation. In doing so, it offers broader insights into the evolving role of middle powers in a rapidly changing global order.

Read here the Working paper.

The Indian government is seeking to expand the country’s space programme in order to strengthen national security, promote economic growth and bolster India’s global standing. Its aim is to achieve strategic autonomy in the field of civilian space activities and technological sovereignty in the military sphere. In the area of security policy, India’s quest for sovereign capabilities is a race against time owing to its rivalry with China. But despite improved investment and regulatory conditions, there has not yet been any significant progress towards the development of a robust and competitive space economy. India’s most important strategic partner in the space sector is the US, with which it closely cooperates on trade, security and intelligence matters. In the field of civilian space activities, however, there is a growing interest in cooperation with European actors. India wants to attract more investment into the country, close technology gaps and diversify its partner­ships.

As European Council President Antonio Costa reiterated during his visit to Sarajevo, enlargement is no longer simply an institutional process. It is a geostrategic investment in Europe’s peace, stability and security. Today’s EU–Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, Montenegro, offers an opportunity to move beyond a narrative that focuses exclusively on what the region must do for the European Union and instead recognise what the Western Balkans already contribute to Europe’s future.

The debate on enlargement is often framed around reforms, conditionality and accession benchmarks. These remain important as enlargement is a process governed by rules including democracy, rule of law, human rights and freedom of press and media among others. Yet the changing geopolitical environment requires a broader perspective. The Western Balkans should increasingly be understood not as passive recipients of European support, but as active contributors to European security, defence readiness, economic resilience and strategic autonomy.

ELIAMEP‘s recent work through the think nea – New Narratives of EU Integration initiative demonstrates that the case for enlargement is no longer solely political. It is also strategic, economic and security-driven.

The Western Balkans Are Already Contributing to Europe’s Security

Europe’s debate on enlargement has remained largely disconnected from its debate on defence. Yet the two can no longer be treated separately. The Western Balkans are increasingly evolving from security consumers into security contributors.

Key trends include:

• Defence spending across the region is rising, with most countries meeting or exceeding NATO benchmarks.
• Western Balkan states are modernising their armed forces and increasing interoperability with European and NATO partners.
• The region has provided meaningful support to Ukraine, including military equipment, ammunition and other forms of assistance.
• Western Balkan personnel continue to contribute to EU, NATO and UN missions through specialised units, trainers, medical teams and peacekeepers.

At a time when Europe faces unprecedented security challenges, these contributions demonstrate political commitment, operational reliability and strategic alignment.

Europe’s Defence Readiness Requires the Western Balkans

The war in Ukraine exposed Europe’s shortages in ammunition production, defence-industrial capacity and supply-chain resilience. The Western Balkans offer concrete solutions.

The region hosts approximately 200 defence-related companies and retains significant industrial capacities inherited from the former Yugoslav defence-industrial complex. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia remain major producers of ammunition and military equipment, while Albania, North Macedonia and others are rebuilding defence-industrial capabilities.

Several strategic advantages stand out:

• Bosnia and Herzegovina possesses substantial artillery shell production capacity with potential for further expansion.
• Regional industries can produce both NATO and Soviet-standard ammunition.
• Production costs are often lower than within the EU.
• Existing facilities can contribute to addressing Europe’s urgent defence-production gaps.

At the same time, non-EU actors are increasingly investing in these sectors. Without stronger European engagement, the EU risks missing an opportunity to integrate the region into its emerging defence ecosystem.

Geography Matters

The Western Balkans are not located on the margins of Europe. They sit at the centre of several critical European transport and security corridors.

The region functions as:

• A land bridge connecting Central Europe, the Eastern flank, Ukraine and the Eastern Mediterranean.
• A key route for military mobility and logistics.
• An important contributor to supply-chain resilience.

In an era where infrastructure, connectivity and mobility have become security issues, the strategic relevance of the Western Balkans has increased significantly.

The Western Balkans Can Strengthen Europe’s Economic Security

The strategic importance of the region extends beyond defence. The Western Balkans possess substantial reserves of critical and strategic raw materials, including copper, aluminium, nickel, antimony, lithium, magnesium, cobalt and rare earth elements. These resources are increasingly important for Europe’s green transition, industrial competitiveness, defence production and economic security.

Yet the current situation reveals a strategic imbalance:

• Raw materials are often exported to China for processing.
• Higher-value products subsequently enter European markets.
• Local value creation remains limited.
• European strategic autonomy remains vulnerable to external dependencies.

A more integrated approach would allow Europe to strengthen supply-chain resilience while supporting economic convergence and industrial development in the region.

Enlargement and Strategic Integration Must Advance Together

The central conclusion emerging from ELIAMEP’s work is straightforward: Europe’s enlargement agenda and Europe’s strategic priorities increasingly overlap.

Whether the issue is defence readiness, military mobility, industrial resilience, critical raw materials, support to Ukraine or supply-chain security, the Western Balkans are already part of the solution. The challenge for the European Union is therefore not whether the region matters strategically, but how quickly existing policies can reflect this reality.

Today’s EU–Western Balkans Summit should reinforce a simple message: enlargement is not only about preparing the Western Balkans for the European Union. It is also about preparing the European Union for the geopolitical realities it faces.

The Western Balkans are not Europe’s periphery. They are an increasingly important part of Europe’s security, resilience and future prosperity. Recognising this reality is essential if enlargement is to fulfil its strategic purpose.