The Balkans As a ‘Connecting Bridge’ or A ‘Buffer Zone’: A Geostrategic Analysis of the Region’s Position

Zamani M and Kashi LV

Published on: 2025-10-27

Abstract

The Balkan region, as one of the most sensitive geostrategic spaces in Europe, has historically played a dual role between East and West-functioning simultaneously as a “connecting bridge” of civilizations and a “buffer zone” between rival powers. Its geographical position, surrounded by the Adriatic, Aegean, and Black Seas and located near the Middle East and Central Europe, has made the Balkans a constant arena of geopolitical rivalry among global and regional powers. From the Ottoman Empire to the Cold War and the post-Yugoslav era, the region has been a crossroads of competing interests between Russia, the West, and regional actors such as Turkey. This study, adopting a geostrategic approach, aims to analyze the dual nature of the Balkans’ position and its implications for European security order and international relations.

The theoretical framework of this research is grounded in classical geopolitical theories, including the perspectives of Halford Mackinder, Nicholas Spykman, and Saul Cohen. These theories identify the Balkans as part of the “Inner Crescent” or “Rimland,” a zone whose control is vital for maintaining the global balance of power. However, in light of recent transformations in the international system, the concept of a “buffer zone” in the Balkans has evolved. Instead of the rigid ideological boundaries of the Cold War era, the region is now characterized by flexible economic, cultural, and political frontiers. This shift has transformed the Balkans into a fluid geostrategic space where competition and cooperation coexist among major powers.