The new U.S. administration will dedicate less attention to the Balkans, but "we can be encouraged" by the selection of Marco Rubio as the new Secretary of State, said Adnan Hadrovic, senior advisor for global security and diplomacy at the Institute for Development Impact and former Bosnian diplomat, in an interview with FENA in Washington.
Hadrovic spoke to FENA as preparations were underway in the U.S. capital for Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20. Construction of stands for the ceremony was ongoing in front of the White House complex, limiting tourist access to the area.
Explaining the foreign policy of the newly elected Republican president, Hadrovic emphasized the importance of understanding Trump's previous policies and additional elements prepared under the “Project 2025” framework, which prioritizes an “America First” approach.
One key shift in policy, he noted, would be unilateralism — withdrawing from multilateral institutions. This does not mean complete withdrawal but rather a reduction in U.S. support for such organizations. Hadrovic specifically highlighted NATO and economic support for the European Union, citing the trade imbalance between the U.S. and the EU, which Trump aims to address.
The administration is also expected to focus more on bilateral agreements, bypassing multilateral institutions. In this context, Europe could face significant challenges.
Hadrović also anticipates that Trump will try to address the issue of Russian aggression in Ukraine. He expressed concern about the solutions “on the table” and their potential impact not only on Ukraine — which may lose parts of its territory — but also on neighboring Moldova, already grappling with the Transnistria issue, and on the Western Balkans.
“Even reopening the topic of changing borders is a very dangerous discussion for the Balkans itself,” Hadrovic warned.
He noted that the new administration will focus less on the Balkans, which could be both an advantage and a disadvantage.
On the other hand, Hadrovic expressed optimism about the appointment of Florida Senator Marco Rubio as the new Secretary of State.
“Rubio is part of the Washington establishment. He has been in Washington circles since 2011, is very knowledgeable about international relations, and served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee,” Hadrovic said, emphasizing that Rubio is well-acquainted with the international stage.
Hadrović described Rubio’s previous statements on the Balkans and Bosnia and Herzegovina as “calming” rather than causing “winds of concern.”
However, he cautioned about who might work under Rubio.
“It’s important for people to understand that Bosnia and Herzegovina will not be high on the list of priorities. Lower-ranking diplomats and officials from the State Department and National Security Council will handle Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Western Balkans. This could be a cause for some concern, though there are no names yet to discuss in detail,” Hadrović concluded in his interview with FENA.
Kakvo je tvoje mišljenje o ovome?
Budi prvi koji će ostaviti komentar!