Radicalism in the Western Balkans

Abstract

The countries of the Western Balkans are making progress in implementing the reforms designated by the European Union in the hope of European integration, but the region is still experiencing a negative tendency in socio-economic trends. Social and economic challenges and religious conflicts are still a reality in the region. The outlook is generally uncertain for the population of the Western Balkans, so the people may be sensitive to radicalism. The large muslim population, the mujahideens who arrived in Bosnia in the 1990s, the suggestive role of the Islamic religion, the activities of humanitarian organizations, poor governance, and migratory pressures in recent years are increasing the spread of Islamic radicalism. There are several different conceptions in the literature about radicalism in the Western Balkans. In my study, I would like to give a summary of the causes of the phenomenon, recent events, and the current situation of radicalism in the region.