’Balkanization’ and the Euro-Atlantic Processes of the (Western) Balkans

This book explores how ’balkanization’ as a discourse underpins the policies of the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) toward the Western Balkans. It shows how EU and NATO policies have emerged from, and led to, the constant reinvention of the unity of the West through ’balkanizing’ the region and illustrates how this dynamic is maintained by and instrumentalized for the political elites. Through a genealogical analysis that stretches from the Balkans Wars to more recent events such as North Macedonia’s change of name in 2018, the author shows how Western policies have aimed at recreating the united West on the back of the ’broken’ Balkans. The book will appeal to scholars and students of Southeast Europe, International Relations, Political Science, Peace and Conflict Studies and History.

Liridona Veliu Ashiku is a faculty member at the Department of Political Science, Loyola University Chicago (LUC), and a researcher in Politics and International Relations, holding a PhD from Dublin City University. She is renowned for her specialization in ’balkanization’, democratic transitions in post-socialist societies, and socio-spatial segregation. Veliu Ashiku is multilingual, and fluent in Albanian, Macedonian, and English. Her professional journey includes significant roles such as a Researcher at the Kroc Institute, University of Notre Dame, the Institute for Racial Justice at Luc etc. A key highlight of her career is her 2018 publication, ＂#Balkanization: A Critical Study of Otherness through Twitter＂. Veliu Ashiku’s contributions to the academic world are not limited to research; she is also a recognized educator, imparting her knowledge and expertise through teaching. Based in Chicago, IL, she continues to drive impactful research and educational endeavors.