American discovery of the Western Balkans: Endangered by increased violence

2024-03-12 08:12:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The US report on the Western Balkans states that during 2024, the region may face an increasing risk of localized inter-ethnic violence.

"Nationalist leaders are likely to inflame tensions for their own political advantage, and external actors will incite and exploit ethnic differences. to expand or protect their regional influence, or to hinder the further integration of the Balkans into the EU or Euro-Atlantic institutions", the report states.

It mentions as examples the events in Banjska in September, where "clashes between Serb nationalists and Kosovar authorities caused deaths and injuries, including injuries to NATO peacekeepers, in 2023", as well as the provocative actions of the leader of the Bosnian Serbs, Milorad Dodik.

US intelligence agencies said on Monday that the US faces an "increasingly fragile world order", strained by great power competition, international challenges and regional conflicts.

These conclusions are part of an annual report by the heads of these agencies, which were presented to a session of the US Senate.

"An ambitious but troubled China, a confrontational Russia, several regional powers, such as Iran, and non-state actors are challenging the long-standing rules of the international system, as well as the United States' preeminence within it," the agency's annual threat report said. world covering the developments of 2023.

"Hamas' attack against Israel in October 2023 and Israel's retaliatory military campaign in Gaza have increased tensions throughout the region, as factors acting on behalf of Iran and its partners act against the US and Israel, as in support of HAMAS as well as to put pressure on the United States", the report states.

The Director of American National Intelligence, Avril Haines, said before the Senate that it is "difficult to imagine how Ukraine can keep the territory it regained, without further assistance from the United States."

It also said there was a massive increase in cyber attacks in 2023, 74 percent more than in 2022.

"Over the past decade, an erosion of democracy around the world, challenges in US relations with allies, and challenges to international norms have made it more difficult for the US and its allies to address global issues, creating more too many opportunities for irresponsible governments and groups to act with impunity," the report said.

The report details the threats in different parts of the world./ Voa