Renewed geopolitical tensions and security policy implications for small states in Southeast Europe
The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and the subsequent war have precipitated profound transformations in defense and security frameworks across Europe and globally. The resurgence of military threats to both national and international security has reinstated the prominence of military dimension of security – an aspect that had been increasingly overshadowed by non-traditional security challenges in the early 21st century. In this context, a critical question emerges: Are we witnessing a renewed trend toward the militarization of security policies among various actors, including states, international organizations, and alliances? This paper explores this question within the specific context of Southeast Europe, analyzing strategic security documents and defense-related developments across the region. It begins by briefly engaging with small states theory to elucidate the structural and strategic factors influencing the security policy choices of these countries. Subsequently, the paper examines intra-regional dynamics that shape security trends and interactions in Southeast Europe, highlighting the interplay between domestic and regional factors in the evolution of security strategies.
Ružica Jakešević
Ružica Jakešević is an associate professor at the Department of International Relations and Security Studies, Faculty of Political Science, University of Zagreb. Her research interests are within the disciplines of IR and security studies, including theoretical approaches to security, traditional and contemporary security challenges, national security systems and policies, and their development in national and international context. Additionally, these interests include research of international organizations and alliances, regional security complexes, as well as security aspects of ethnic relations and migration.