II. International British Congress on Interdisciplinary Scientific Research & Practices
EMERGING POWERS IN THE WESTERN BALKANS: CHALLENGES AND EXPECTATİONS THROUGH A NEOREALIST LENS
Yayıncı:
Liberty Publications
This study investigates the influence of emerging powers—specifically China, Russia, and Turkey—in the Western Balkans, focusing on the challenges and expectations arising from their increasing presence in the region. Adopting a neorealist perspective, the research explores how the strategic competition among these actors and traditional Western powers (e.g., the EU and the US) shapes the political, economic, and security dynamics of the Western Balkans. It examines key mechanisms through which emerging powers exert influence, including economic investments, political alliances, and cultural diplomacy, juxtaposed with the strategic interests of the region's states in maintaining sovereignty and balancing external pressures. The analysis highlights the vulnerabilities of Western Balkan states in the context of their transitional democracies and fragile economies, making them attractive arenas for geopolitical rivalry. The study concludes by discussing the potential trajectories of power dynamics in the region, underscoring the implications for regional stability and integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures. This work contributes to understanding the interplay between emerging and traditional powers in contested regions within a realist framework.
