Europe

Macedonia has been in political limbo for the past two years. The current protests can, at best, achieve a political compromise – the party in power may change, but the abuses for which punishment was called by the population will be forgotten, and Macedonia will move forward as if they never happened.

The Western Balkans have been receiving their fair share of attention from the international media lately. However, such alarmist talk often forgets that this is a region that is still recovering from recent bloodshed – and one that has more to lose than gain from its return.

With the inadequacy of the immediate defensive measures taken by NATO as a result of the Ukraine crisis now clear both in their own terms and in light of Russia's actions in Syria, the alliance has embarked on a build-up that is helping to close the defensive gap.

For the past more than two decades, Bulgaria has sought to have the best of both worlds – and succeeded. When new President Rumen Radev says that good ties with both the West and Russia are not incompatible, the recent history of his country indicates he is right.

Milo Djukanovic created a Montenegro that looks to the West while being governed as in the East; and even with international integration to boast, his political game will only become increasingly difficult for him to play.

Facing a $1 trillion bill to recapitalise its nuclear triad, the US should now seek to assess the purpose for which it is sustaining its nuclear force not just in the context of symbolism, but for the practical value it can provide to the defence of its interests.

On 6 October, the European Union launched its European Border and Coast Guard. But the force is not the solution that will end the migration crisis – it is merely the first step in a long-lasting and highly complex process.

For a brief period after SDSR 2015, it looked like the British Army might be about to enjoy a mini-renaissance. But in a even if it proves possible to drastically improve the mass, readiness and combat support of the deployable force, the planned reforms may do little to solve the deeper problems the Army faces.

In light of its modern history under communist isolationism, it has made admirable progress over less than three decades towards Euro-Atlantic integration. Given the persistent geopolitical importance that the Balkans exerts, Albania’s critical role in the region cannot be overlooked.

Having come a long way internationally in its eight short years of independence, the country now needs to do the same domestically – and show both the international community and its own people that it is ready for the difficult road ahead.