Foreign Policy Forum

Time for Action in the Western Balkans: Policy Prescriptions for American Diplomacy

The Western Balkans—Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Albania, and Serbia—are re-emerging as a region of stagnation and instability due to poor governance, tense relations between ethnic groups and neighboring states, and the malign influence of outside forces—notably Russia. A recent report by the National Committee on American Foreign Policy and the EastWest Institute highlights the need for immediate, decisive action by the US and the EU to head off these negative dynamics. The report’s authors, Frank G. Wisner, Thomas Graham, Jonathan Levitsky, and Cameron Munter, all veterans of US diplomacy in the Balkans, present a strategy for the United States and Europe, working in a revitalized partnership, to forestall a downward spiral in the Western Balkans that could lead to potentially fractured states, widespread instability, and possible violent strife on Europe’s borders.

Moderated by Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairman, Munich Security Conference; and Trustee, American Academy in Berlin. With Jonathan E. Levitsky, Partner, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP; Cameron Munter, Chief Executive Officer and President, EastWest Institute; and Frank G. Wisner, International Affairs Advisor, Squire Patton Boggs

Generously supported by Daimler-Fonds