Lunic: No one with common sense wants war in the Western Balkans

Nikola Lunic, Executive Director of the Council for Strategic Policies, stated that despite the serious security context in which the region currently finds itself, there is no real potential for a new armed conflict in the Western Balkans.

"We can never ignore the Balkans in terms of security. Even the U.S. intelligence community assessed this year that ethnic incidents could occur in the Western Balkans," Lunic told Kosovo Online.

Nikola Lunic believes that the statement made by Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, comparing Kosovo to a potential front similar to those in the Middle East, is exaggerated.

"The Italian minister's statement is a bit overblown because, simply put, there is no potential for war in the Western Balkans. No one has the capability, nor will there be a war. This is due to the region's demographic situation. Although some politicians maintain the nationalist rhetoric of the 1990s, aimed at mobilizing the population, young people are very explicit in rejecting such ideas," Lunic pointed out.

He emphasized that this is evident from the widespread issue of voluntary military service in the entire region, a trend that has been particularly pronounced in Croatia.

Lunic also mentioned that Kosovo's Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, should be more concerned with the growing exodus of young people leaving Kosovo.

"In the years just before the suspension of mandatory military service in Croatia, 80 to 90 percent of young people cited conscientious objection. Kurti would do better and be more effective for society in Kosovo if he focused on the exodus currently happening, with ethnic Albanians leaving in search of a better life. This is a clear message to politicians in Kosovo," Lunic said.

He stressed that everyone in the Western Balkans is oriented toward peace, stability, and the future.

"The youth and everyone in the Western Balkans want peace, stability, and a secure future," Lunic concluded.