A quiet US withdrawal from the Western Balkans?

Update: 2025-09-05

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With the US focused on Ukraine, the Middle East, and President Trump’s trade deals, it seems the Western Balkans are flying under the radar in Washington. In fact, there are growing concerns in the region about a quiet US withdrawal and what this could mean as countries like Russia, China and Turkey vie for influence. Professor James Ker-Lindsay, who has worked extensively on the EU, the Balkans and Southeast Europe, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at these developments.

You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:

Risky jockeying for position in the Balkans

Serb separatist Dodik defies Bosnian state in government reshuffle

Greece toughens penalties for rejected asylum seekers, speeds up returns

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