Abstract
This thesis seeks to assess the current state of Russian influence in the Balkans. It offers a new lens that breaks down the region across two axes: opportunity for Russian influence, and Russian activity (or effort) designed to generate and expand this influence. Balkan states are divided accordingly. Russia’s relationships with Serbia, Montenegro, and Albania are evaluated as case studies at varying points along these axes, as representatives of states estimated to accompany them in their respective classifications. The Serbia relationship is utilized to represent states in which Russia has an expansive opportunity for influence and responds with significant activity to exploit it. Montenegro represents a category of limited-opportunity states, met with significant influence activity, and demonstrative of unsuccessful influence bids based on either failure or miscalculation. Finally, Albania is utilized to represent a category of low-opportunity states in turn met with minimal influence activity. The aim of this thesis is to evaluate how opportunity for Russian influence arises, how Russia responds to it, and how and in what fashion influence is created therefrom.