Conference: Rising Radicalism in the Balkans: A Threat for All?

Analytica’s Security Research Fellow Andreja Bogdanovski participated at USAK’s conference on radicalism titled “Rising Radicalism in the Balkans: A Threat for All?” which took place at Ankara University on Thursday, May 21. The conference provided an excellent platform for discussing the various experiences countries from the Western Balkans have in responding to this challenge.

Andreja’s main points focused on the regional achievements in dealing with the foreign fighters phenomenon but also highlighting the dangers of intertwining the response to the rising radicalism with ethno-nationalism which can be counterproductive for the entire region.

A positive development can be seen in the fact that Balkan countries are on the same boat when it comes to standing against radicalism. “These countries are now prohibiting individuals from joining militant groups. The entire region is on board with this,” claimed Andreja Bogdanovski, a senior researcher at Analytica Think-Tank.

More details about the discussion and speakers’ main point can be found on USAK’s website: http://www.usak.org.tr/usak_det.php?id=5&cat=1059&dil=ing#.VWKxUlzfLwx