The Balkans were never left to settle their own affairs in a vacuum. For centuries, the region served as a chessboard for the :
The path forward for the Balkans lies in transcending the narrow nationalism of the past in favor of regional cooperation. However, as long as history is used as a weapon and external powers use the region as a proxy, the "Powder Keg" remains a delicate piece of the European puzzle. The Balkans: Nationalism, War and the Great Pow...
cast itself as the protector of Orthodox Christians and Slavs, seeking access to warm-water ports. The Balkans were never left to settle their
Today, the region exists in a state of "frozen peace." While the guns are silent, the underlying issues remain. The influence of the Great Powers has shifted; now, the vie for economic and political sway. cast itself as the protector of Orthodox Christians
viewed Balkan nationalism as an existential threat to its multi-ethnic empire.