As NATO recalibrates its presence and the EU seeks to assert strategic autonomy through initiatives like Readiness 2030, the region faces renewed challenges—from emerging military alignments and rising defense investments to competing narratives such as the “Serbian world.” With this round table we aim to explore whether these trends signal a deeper geopolitical shift or a continuation of long-standing tensions, with particular attention to Kosovo’s role in shaping stability, the implications for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the renewed engagement of external actors.
Questions to be discussed by the round table:
- What is now the role of NATO in the region, and that of the EU?
- What is the importance of Readiness 2030 (Rearm EU) for the Western Balkans?
- New military “alliances” in the region – only narrative or something more?
- Growth of investment in defense (new weapons systems) in the region
- Challenge posed by the “Serbian world” narrative
- Latest developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina: a new role for the US?