Introduction
Understanding Balkan geopolitics requires looking beyond national histories and considering the region’s strategic position between empires, ideologies, and spheres of influence. For centuries, the Balkans have represented a meeting point of civilizations and competing geopolitical interests—from the Ottoman and Habsburg empires to the Cold War rivalry between East and West. The rise and fall of Yugoslavia cannot be understood without placing it within this broader geopolitical framework. These historical dynamics continue to influence political developments in Southeast Europe today.
Balkan Geopolitics and the Legacy of Yugoslavia
Few regions in Europe demonstrate the enduring influence of geopolitics as clearly as this historically complex region of the Balkans, where geography, great-power interests, and competing historical narratives have shaped the rise and fall of the former Yugoslavia.
I was honored to participate in the Winter School of International Relations in Belgrade as a guest lecturer invited by Austin Peay State University (APSU).
During the program, I delivered my lecture From Serbia to Yugoslavia and Back, examining the geopolitical forces that shaped the creation of Yugoslavia, its unique position during the Cold War, and the dynamics that eventually led to its dissolution and the re-emergence of independent states in Southeast Europe. The lecture placed these developments within the broader framework of Balkan geopolitics, where the interests of major powers have historically intersected. These themes are explored in greater detail in my book Yugoslavia: Utopia or Inspiration?.
Following the lecture, Prof. Rudy Baker of the Institute for National Security and Military Studies (INSMS) led an engaging discussion and Q&A session with the students, adding an important interactive dimension to the event.
The program was hosted by the Institute of International Politics and Economics (IIPE), whose Winter School continues to provide an excellent platform for international academic exchange.
It was particularly rewarding to engage with an outstanding group of American and Serbian students whose thoughtful questions made the discussion especially stimulating.
The official announcement of the event can be viewed on the IIPE LinkedIn page.
Keywords: Balkans geopolitics, Yugoslavia history, Winter School of International Relations, Austin Peay State University, IIPE Belgrade.
