

Serbia Is Where the East and West Collide Politically
Sep 4, 2025
Filip Balunović, a Research Fellow at the Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory in Belgrade, dives into Serbia's current turmoil. He discusses the powerful student-led protests against a looming autocratic government, highlighting their courage and use of social media. The conversation shifts to Serbia's delicate balance between Eastern and Western powers, revealing challenges like corruption and infrastructural failures. Balunović also connects global authoritarianism to local frustrations, shedding light on the urgent need for reform in Serbian governance.
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Serbia As A Geopolitical Pivot
- Serbia acts as a geopolitical pivot, leveraging both Eastern and Western powers for strategic and economic gains.
- President Vučić balances Russian, Chinese, EU, and U.S. interests while claiming sovereignty to domestic audiences.
Resource Deals Favor Foreign Powers
- Global actors pursue Serbia's resources like lithium and energy for strategic advantage.
- Citizens pay the price as political deals prioritize external investors over public welfare.
Corruption Undermines Public Safety
- Corruption and fast infrastructure projects erode trust and risk lives, exemplified by the railway canopy collapse.
- A culture of prioritizing business deals over expertise deepens societal skepticism and fear.