EU’s comprehensive strategy in the Balkans can be understood asa two-level game given that Balkans as a region is comprised of both EU Member States and candidate countries. Towards its Member States positioned within the Balkans, the EU pursues standard policies that fall within its exclusive competence, while with regards to candidate countries, the EU has developed an approach that will eventually support the gradual integration of the Western Balkans.

The United States of America has developed extensive economic relations with all Balkan countries through investments by American and American owned companies. Economic cooperation is based on American companies investing in industries which are aimed at local markets and/or exports to EU markets. US companies employ hundreds of thousands of employees throughout the Balkans through manufacturing plants, regional headquarters, development centers, service providers etc. Nonetheless, trade between the US and Balkan countries is not that extensive.

Israel ́s security strategy in the Middle East is predominantly influenced by the Prime Minister, the Israeli government and the Ministry of Defence as the main actors. These domestic players are sensitive to the country’s public opinion.[1] Foreign actors with a direct impact on the state ́s security strategy are both its allies (USA, Russia) and its adversaries (Iran, Syria, Lebanon and their proxies).

Turkey’s economic strategy in the Middle East has mainly been export-oriented, coupled with its ambitious diplomatic regional agenda. SMEs known as ‘’Anatolian Tigers’’ have been instrumental for this strategy. Nevertheless, the EU remains its primary trade partner.

Iran’s security strategy in the Middle East has mainly been directed by ruling domestic actors, mostly conservative political leadership led by Ali Khamenei and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Mentioned actors represent a leading force behind the Shia Crescent that stretches through allied territories with presence of Hezbollah and Houthis as well as Shia-led regimes in Iraq and Syria. The crucial determinants of Iran’s security strategy have been both domestic, such as Khomeinism and related spread of the Islamic revolution across the region, and external, such as Sunni-Shia rivalry, Iran-Israel proxy war, or strengthening the role of Russia and Turkey.

The Republic of Serbia is a landlocked Balkan country mostly surrounded by the EU and NATO member states. Being deeply involved in the European Union integration process since the 2000 democratic regime change, Serbia is also keeping very good ties with the Russian Federation and PR China. This is why Serbian foreign policy actions are the best indicators of what occurs among the Balkan states in the short-term future.