Only Eternal Interests: Russia and the United States' Struggle for Energy Pipelines in the Western Balkans The Western Balkans – including Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, and Kosovo ("Serbia refuses to recognize it") – have a population of approximately 16 million, less than half of Poland's population. Significant progress remains challenging to achieve in the region after almost three decades of armed conflict. Although the European Union (EU) is the most active external participant, all countries except Kosovo are either EU members or have candidate status for EU membership. Energy diversification is crucial for all countries in the region, particularly for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and is seen as an important factor in reducing Russian influence. A major project in this regard is the construction of the "Southern Gas Interconnector," which will connect the liquefied natural gas terminal on the island of Krk in Croatia with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The "Southern Gas Interconnector" will significantly weaken Russian influence, as the existing pipeline infrastructure only provides access to Russian gas via the "Friendship Pipeline." Meanwhile, last year, the United States signed an 'Energy Strategic Cooperation Agreement' with Serbia. This agreement is expected to expand investment opportunities for U.S. companies in Serbia's energy sector, promote American commercial participation, and further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries. The situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is worrying, as pro-Russian leader Milorad Dodik, often referred to as the "new Karadzic," is seeking the secession of the Republika Srpska, which occupies 49% of the country's territory, aiming to establish a South Ossetia in the Balkans, following Russia's familiar geopolitical script. It is worth recalling that on June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo, triggering World War I. From this perspective, the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot be underestimated, and the deployment of more EU Althea forces highlights the growing security risks locally. In the current circumstances, ensuring regional energy connectivity and security is critical, but the integration of energy systems continues to progress slowly. Source: The National Interest Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1828271691341828/ Disclaimer: This article solely represents the views of the author.