Week in Review: Order Versus Disorder

Biden's Order

US President Joe Biden, at the time U.S. Vice President, addresses the Bosnian parliament during his visit to Sarajevo, 19 May 2009. EPA/STR

An expanded executive order issued by US President Joe Biden on June 8, which threatens sanctions on those deemed to be destabilizing the Western Balkans, has ruffled feathers in the region. Aside from those undermining international stabilization efforts in the region, the order is also directed at officials involved in serious corruption.

But who exactly is the new order aimed at? And, just as importantly, who should be most worried? Our analysis takes a look at what Washington has in mind with this latest move and what may be about to come.

Read more: Biden's Balkans Order Underscores US Concern over Region's Direction (June 22, 2021)

Under Control

Presidential candidate Tomislav Nikolic (R), leader of the opposition Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and his deputy and candidate for Belgrade mayor Aleksandar Vucic (L) aduring the pre-election rally in Belgrade, Serbia, 26 April 2012. General election in Serbia will be held on 06 May 2012. Photo: EPA/SRDJAN SUKI

Since the beginning of the year, public attention in Serbia has in part been focused on a slow-burning political soap-opera within the ruling Serbian Progressive Party, as one of the party's leading figures is slowly removed from important positions within the party and left politically isolated.

So skilfully has this internal feud within the ruling party been handled, that many political observers wonder if there is anything that can truly damage the SNS and its leader, President Aleksandar Vucic. In his opinion piece for Balkan Insight, Milenko Vasovic looks back at the recent...

Continue reading on: