The Balkans and Turkey- News and Discussions

[Deliorman]

I think that we need a thread where we can share news and discuss the current and historical events on the Balkans: a region with big historical significance for all Turks and Turkey. A region where millions of Muslims and Turks continue to live to this day too. A region which is the ancestral land of tens if millions of Turkish citizens.

We have many members here who are living on the Balkans too so a lot of infos shared will be directly from the source too.

Let’s keep the discussion clean from insults and trolling.

 

[KediKesenFare3]

I love Bosniaks. They are the most loyal, lovely, kind and well-mannered people of the entire Balkan peninsula. I just adore them. But I like Sandzaklija the most, those guys are on a different level.

Personally, I'm very absorbed in Balkan topics. I have friends and relatives from the region.

 

[Ansu fati]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1279480285307027456

the sandzak region(in serbia) is hit hard by the covid-19 crisis
Thank you so much Turkey for the help during this global health crisis

 

[CAN_TR]

Two of my grandparents are Turkish immigrants from Macedonia and Yugoslavia, i grew up with those people here in Austria, my fiancee is from Bosnia. I love their Börek, Cevape the drinkable gasoline (Rakija) and Bosnia btw is a stunning country with hands down one of the most beautiful nature and landscapes i've ever seen.
My advise for every Turkish member instead visiting Italy, Spain or France... go to Bosnia you will not regret it and even find traces from our history. It's different but also familiar.

 

[Nein]

My grandmother was born in Bulgaria she is a Bulgarian Turk of course not a Pomak.

One day I hope to Visit Bosnia!!

 

[bosanski vojnik]

Mass protests in front of Serbian parliament in Belgrade:

https://rt.com/news/494101-serbia-belgrade-lockdown-protest/

https://twitter.com/x/status/1280638113799376896

Funny thing about these protests is that most participants are far right hooligans who are opposed to the current Serbian president Vucic (who himself is right wing) and are opposed to his plans to negotiate with the EU over recognition of Kosovo and other things like media freedoms, unfair elections etc..

The EU - being the useless organisation that they are have labelled Vucic's Serbia a front runner for accession in the Balkans despite the fact that Serbia has little media freedom for opposition parties, is effectively a one party state right now as Vucic's SNS party command more than 2/3 majority in parliament and it's last elections were boycotted by the opposition and were held under major irregularities.

I hate to say it but the Serbian far-right has a point. The EU will support any dictator as long as they do their bidding. Whilst Erdogan & Turkey on the other hand have effectively been frozen out of any EU accession or integration process despite the fact that Serbia right now has become a much more authoritarian state than Turkey.

Rumour has it that Russia may be behind these protests (Probably upset that Vucic is not clinical enough for them). The SVR and GRU have become more active in the balkans during the last 4 years or so and the usual pro-Russian commentators have all come out in support of these protests.

It will be interesting to see where this leads to..

 

[Deliorman]

It will be good to have some music in the thread too.

 

[kartal1]

Mass protests in front of Serbian parliament in Belgrade:

https://rt.com/news/494101-serbia-belgrade-lockdown-protest/

https://twitter.com/x/status/1280638113799376896

Funny thing about these protests is that most participants are far right hooligans who are opposed to the current Serbian president Vucic (who himself is right wing) and are opposed to his plans to negotiate with the EU over recognition of Kosovo and other things like media freedoms, unfair elections etc..

The EU - being the useless organisation that they are have labelled Vucic's Serbia a front runner for accession in the Balkans despite the fact that Serbia has little media freedom for opposition parties, is effectively a one party state right now as Vucic's SNS party command more than 2/3 majority in parliament and it's last elections were boycotted by the opposition and were held under major irregularities.

I hate to say it but the Serbian far-right has a point. The EU will support any dictator as long as they do their bidding. Whilst Erdogan & Turkey on the other hand have effectively been frozen out of any EU accession or integration process despite the fact that Serbia right now has become a much more authoritarian state than Turkey.

Rumour has it that Russia may be behind these protests (Probably upset that Vucic is not clinical enough for them). The SVR and GRU have become more active in the balkans during the last 4 years or so and the usual pro-Russian commentators have all come out in support of these protests.

It will be interesting to see where this leads to..

The Russian schemes don't have an end. As you said in the last 4 years some things have happened on the Balkans and the normal people don't even have a clue about what really is happening under Russian control. Bulgaria is also a part of the Russian plans on the Balkans and even arrests were made against their espionage networks. What is the situation in Bosnia bro? Is there something of concern?

 

[KediKesenFare3]

A Turkish village in Macedonia

 

[bosanski vojnik]

I love Bosniaks. They are the most loyal, lovely, kind and well-mannered people of the entire Balkan peninsula. I just adore them. But I like Sandzaklija the most, those guys are on a different level.

Personally, I'm very absorbed in Balkan topics. I have friends and relatives from the region.

The Russian schemes don't have an end. As you said in the last 4 years some things have happened on the Balkans and the normal people don't even have a clue about what really is happening under Russian control. Bulgaria is also a part of the Russian plans on the Balkans and even arrests were made against their espionage networks. What is the situation in Bosnia bro? Is there something of concern?

Yes somewhat...

The Russian GRU have been active in the Serb region of Bosnia in the past and Russia has been stepping diplomatic pressure on BiH over NATO integration.

https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/bosnia-battleground-nato-russia-190627202133942.html

Russia actively supports Bosnian-Serb separatism and in some cases Bosnian-Croat as well. The Bosnian-Serb de facto leader has been a frequent visitor to Putin in Moscow during the last few years. He has threatened Serb succession from BiH many times.

However ultimatums from the Bosnian-Serbs mean nothing without direct military, economic and political support from Belgrade. As bad as the current Serbian regime is they are quiet reluctant to get directly involved but that could all change given the fact that America under trump is very unpredictable on the world stage.

If America does leave the region it would spell disaster as the EU will be ineffective and too divided to help Bosnia, Kosovo & Montenegro. The 3 countries who are at most risk from Serb separatist movements.

 

[kartal1]

Yes somewhat...

The Russian GRU have been active in the Serb region of Bosnia in the past and Russia has been stepping diplomatic pressure on BiH over NATO integration.

https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/bosnia-battleground-nato-russia-190627202133942.html

Russia actively supports Bosnian-Serb separatism and in some cases Bosnian-Croat as well. The Bosnian-Serb de facto leader has been a frequent visitor to Putin in Moscow during the last few years. He has threatened Serb succession from BiH many times.

However ultimatums from the Bosnian-Serbs mean nothing without direct military, economic and political support from Belgrade. As bad as the current Serbian regime is they are quiet reluctant to get directly involved but that could all change given the fact that America under trump is very unpredictable on the world stage.

If America does leave the region it would spell disaster as the EU will be ineffective and too divided to help Bosnia, Kosovo & Montenegro. The 3 countries who are at most risk from Serb separatist movements.

Thank you for your insight.

 

[Saithan]

How much cooperation does Bosnia have with TSK. I mean, IMO your entire cadre should be educated and prepared with support from TSK.

 

[Ansu fati]

Yes somewhat...

The Russian GRU have been active in the Serb region of Bosnia in the past and Russia has been stepping diplomatic pressure on BiH over NATO integration.

https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/bosnia-battleground-nato-russia-190627202133942.html

Russia actively supports Bosnian-Serb separatism and in some cases Bosnian-Croat as well. The Bosnian-Serb de facto leader has been a frequent visitor to Putin in Moscow during the last few years. He has threatened Serb succession from BiH many times.

However ultimatums from the Bosnian-Serbs mean nothing without direct military, economic and political support from Belgrade. As bad as the current Serbian regime is they are quiet reluctant to get directly involved but that could all change given the fact that America under trump is very unpredictable on the world stage.

If America does leave the region it would spell disaster as the EU will be ineffective and too divided to help Bosnia, Kosovo & Montenegro. The 3 countries who are at most risk from Serb separatist movements.

agree with everything you said just to add that Macedonia is in danger of losing territory to albanians as a direct “compensation” if north kosovo is part of any exchange deal

 

[bosanski vojnik]

How much cooperation does Bosnia have with TSK. I mean, IMO your entire cadre should be educated and prepared with support from TSK.

Bosnian Armed Forces officers and pilots train in NATO countries. In recent years training of officers in Turkey has intensified.

However at this moment in time training is least of my concerns. I would like to see Bosnian Arms Industry and Military co-operate more in developing and purchasing of weapons. However due to the fact that Bosnia is effectively a divided country politically the Serbs and Croats have veto power and would most likely stop such a purchase. If it was up to me I would go ahead with such arms purchases and let them try and stop it but unfortunately Bosniak political leaders today lack balls of the previous generation.

Here are some area's where I believe Bosnia and Turkey should work on:

Upgrading M60A3 TTS to M60TM

Assist in development of indigenous Truck mounted 155mm howitzer (Bosnia already has this in prototype phase however the project has stalled and I guess needs outside funding and know how in order to reach production capability)

Purchase T-300 kasirga mlrs

Upgrade current BM-21/APR 40 systems and improve max range to 40km

purchase Hawk phase iii medium range sam missile batteries

purchase Hisar A low range sam batteries

purchase Korkut SPAAG

purchase Bayraktar TB2

purchase AS532 Cougar Utility helicopter

This should cover Bosnian defence needs for at least the next 10 years...

 

[Saithan]

Bosnian Armed Forces officers and pilots train in NATO countries. In recent years training of officers in Turkey has intensified.

However at this moment in time training is least of my concerns. I would like to see Bosnian Arms Industry and Military co-operate more in developing and purchasing of weapons. However due to the fact that Bosnia is effectively a divided country politically the Serbs and Croats have veto power and would most likely stop such a purchase. If it was up to me I would go ahead with such arms purchases and let them try and stop it but unfortunately Bosniak political leaders today lack balls of the previous generation.

Here are some area's where I believe Bosnia and Turkey should work on:

Upgrading M60A3 TTS to M60TM

Assist in development of indigenous Truck mounted 155mm howitzer (Bosnia already has this in prototype phase however the project has stalled and I guess needs outside funding and know how in order to reach production capability)

Purchase T-300 kasirga mlrs

Upgrade current BM-21/APR 40 systems and improve max range to 40km

purchase Hawk phase iii medium range sam missile batteries

purchase Hisar A low range sam batteries

purchase Korkut SPAAG

purchase Bayraktar TB2


This should cover Bosnian defence needs for at least the next 10 years

I think the constitution is the real problem. While serb and croat got their own land. Bosnia is divided with veto rights. Only option imo is Turkish financed schools history, and culture. And financially backed family planning. Investments and job opportunities.