Professor Joseph: US withdrawal from KFOR would be premature, arming Serbia endangers stability in the region

American expert on the Balkans, Edward P. Joseph, has warned that any reduction in the US presence in KFOR would be premature and potentially destabilizing for the region.

According to him, although Europe is increasing its capabilities in the field of defense, it still does not have the level of credibility that the United States of America enjoys in the Balkans. Joseph emphasized that precisely this credibility remains a key element for maintaining stability in the region.

In an interview with REL, he also raised concerns about the continued increase in armaments in Serbia, citing the purchase of Chinese supersonic missiles. According to him, it remains unclear what threat these weapons are aimed at, adding that this trend could increase tensions in the region.

“The continued increase in armaments in Serbia – including the purchase of Chinese supersonic missiles – is a serious concern. What threat are these missiles intended to combat?” he asks.

Joseph also criticized the reactions of the authorities in Belgrade to the Joint Security Declaration between Albania, Croatia and Kosovo.

He described these reactions as alarmist and exaggerated, suggesting that they could be used as a justification for increasing armaments and creating an artificial sense of danger within Serbia.

“The constant and exaggerated alarms in Belgrade about the Joint Security Declaration between Albania, Croatia and Kosovo are also worrying, as Belgrade appears to be using it as a pretext to arm itself and artificially create a sense of danger within the country.”