Britain, 'Brexit' and the Balkans

A British decision to leave the European Union (in what has become known as a potential ‘Brexit’) could have a significant effect on the UK's relationship with the Western Balkans, argues James Ker-Lindsay. It would almost certainly reduce the country's influence over Bosnia and Herzegovina and its ability to shape the process of engagement between Serbia and Kosovo. At the same time, the UK would gain no material advantage in terms of its ability to handle other regional issues that may have a direct or indirect effect on Britain, such as illegal migration and the flow of fighters from the Balkans into Syria.