ISLAMIC RADICALISM AND EXTREMISM AS A THREAT TO THE REGIONAL SECURITY OF THE WESTERN BALKANS

Abstract

The paper analyzes Islamist radicalism and extremism as a security threat to the
countries of the Western Balkans. Thanks to its geostrategic and multinational characteristics
this area has perfect predispositions for the spread of Islamist radicalism and extremism.
The authors will show how Islamist radicalism spreads, what are its manifestations and how
much of a security threat it objectively represents for the observed region. We will present
an account of the development and goals of Islamist radicalism and extremism through the
analysis of historical facts from the war in Yugoslavia in the nineties of the last century, the
arrival of foreign fighters, the establishment of Wahhabi communities and the departure of
people to foreign battlefields. The purpose of this paper is to confirm that this security threat
is not only a threat to the Western Balkans, but to the whole of Europe and beyond. The
Balkans should only be the center and base of further Islamist activity towards other countries,
all with the aim of spreading Sharia law and radical Islam. 

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