AN ANALYSIS OF SERBIA’S CYBER-POLITICAL HABITAT

Begum Burak

Abstract


In the post-Cold War era, new strategies and approaches emerged in both political and security-related issues. Since the late 1990s, the notions such as “cyberspace” ”cyberpolitics” and “cybersecurity” have taken a decisive role in the international political scene and the discourses of state elites. Today, nation-states do not only use military tools to fight terrorism. Cybersecurity instruments are also used, especially in intelligence. This study is an attempt to trace the cyberpolitics practices and cybersecurity policies in one of the Balkan states belonging to the post-communist state group, Serbia. For this attempt, this study will coin a new concept called “Cyber-political habitat”. Serbia has a considerable degree of instability in internal politics. Serbia has witnessed serious protests and social media has been the primary channel through which the protesters gained support. In this regard, the cyber-political habitat of Serbia needs a particular definition and attention. The main objective of the study is to shed light on the sui generis character of Serbia in pursuing the goals related to cyberpolitics and cybersecurity. Serbia as one of the Balkan states is a unique example because despite not being a member of NATO, Serbia has taken important steps in cooperation with NATO in the cyber-security area.

Keywords


Serbia, cyber-security, NATO, post-Cold War era, cyber-political habitat

Full Text:

PDF

References


Andjelkovic, K. (December 25, 2017). Cyber security: New area of cooperation between Serbia and NATO?, retrieved from https://europeanwesternbalkans.com/2017/12/25/cyber-security-new-area-cooperation-serbia-nato/ (14.05.2021).

Bıcakcı, S. (2012). Yeni Savas ve Siber Juvenile Arasında NATO’nun Yeniden Dogusu, Uluslararası Iliskiler, 9/ 34, 205-226

Cassotta, S., & Pettersson, M. (2019). Climate Change, Environmental Threats and Cyber-Threats to Critical Infrastructures in Multi-Regulatory Sustainable Global Approach with Sweden as an Example. Beijing Law Review, 10, 616-642.

Chouri N. (2000). Introduction: CyberPolitics in International Relations,International Political Science Review, Vol 21(3), 243-263

Choucri N. (2012). Cyberpolitics in International Relations, The MIT Press.

Council of Europe iPROCEEDS, (March 11-12, 2019). iPROCEEDS: Assessment of legislation on cybercrime and e-evidence in Serbia, retrieved from https://www.coe.int/en/web/cybercrime/-/iproceeds-assessment-of-legislation-on-cybercrime-and-e-evidence-in-serbia (14.05.2021).

Diplo Foundation Report, (2016). Cybersecurity in the Western Balkans: Policy gaps and cooperation opportunities, retrieved from https://www.diplomacy.edu/sites/default/files/Cybersecurity%20in%20Western%20Balkans.pdf (11.05.2021)

Geers, K. (2008). Cyberspace and the changing nature of warfare, SC Magazine, retrieved from https://ccdcoe.org/library/publications/cyberspace-and-the-changing-nature-of-warfare/ (16.05.2021).

Gibson, W. (1982). Neuromancer, New York, Ace Publishing

Kemp, S. (February 11, 2021). Digital 2021: Serbia, retrieved from https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2021-serbia (14.05.2021)

King, C. (2000). Post-Postcommunism: Transition, Comparison, and the End of “Eastern Europe”. World Politics, 53(1), 143-172.

Laakkonen et.al (2016). The Cold War and environmental history: complementary fields, Cold War History, 4, 377-394.

Milatovic, I. (July 8, 2015). Serbia’s efforts to respond to cyber security threats, retrieved from https://www.osce.org/mission-to-serbia/170361 (12.05.2021).

Moss, T. (April 19, 2013). Is Cyber War the New Cold War?. retrieved from https://thediplomat.com/2013/04/is-cyber-war-the-new-cold-war/ (9.5.2021)

NATO Analysis (April 6, 2021). Relations with Serbia, retrieved from https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_50100.htm (10.05.2021).

NATO News Release (November 23, 2017). NATO trains Serbian civil servants in cyber defence, retrieved from https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/news_149194.htm?selectedLocale=en (14.05.2021)

Olsen, Kelly L. (2008). Cyberspace Domain: A Warfighting Substantiated Operational Environment Imperative. Research paper, Carlisle Barracks, PA: U.S. Army War College.

Pesic J. and Petrovic J. (2020). The Role and the Positioning of the Left in Serbia’s “One of Five Million” Protests. Balkanologie, 15(2), 1-21.

Recknagel, C. (May 22, 2006). Montenegro: Independence Referendum Turns into Cliffhanger, retrieved from https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2006/05/mil-060522-rferl03.htm (10.05.2021)

Rettman, A. (June 28, 2018). Macedonia to join next wave of EU enlargement, retrieved from https://euobserver.com/enlargement/142220 (9.5.2021)

Radoman, J. (2012). Serbia and NATO: From Enemies to (almost) partners, retrieved from https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/144512/nato_and_serbia_(2).pdf (10.05.2021)

Scheneider, D. B. (June 29, 2006), World Briefing | Europe: Montenegro: U.N. Makes It Official, retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/29/world/world-briefing-europe-montenegro-un-makes-it-official.html (10.05.2021)

Sinteza Report, (2014). Impact of Internet on Business in Serbia and Worldwide, published by Singidunum University, retrieved from http://eprints.ugd.edu.mk/10076/1/Sinteza-2014.pdf#page=705 (11.05.2021)

The official web page of Serbian National Internet Domain Registry retrieved from https://www.rnids.rs/en/about-us/cyber-security (15.05.2021)

The Oxford English Dictionary, retrieved from https://www.oed.com/ (9.5.2021)

The US Congressional Research Service Report, (2018). retrieved from https://fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R44955.pdf (10.05.2021)

The World Bank Press Release (December 21, 2020). Serbia Has Undertaken Critical Steps in Cybersecurity, Says First Cybersecurity Capacity Maturity Model Assessment, retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2020/12/21/serbia-has-undertaken-critical-steps-in-cybersecurity-says-first-cybersecurity-capacity-maturity-model-assessment (12.05.2021)

Verton, D. (April 4, 1999). Serbs launch cyberattack on NATO, retrieved from https://fcw.com/articles/1999/04/04/serbs-launch-cyberattack-on-nato.aspx (16.05.2021)

Vilic, V. (2018). International and Serbian legal framework of the right to privacy in cyberspace, MEST Journal, 6(1), 119-131

Yılmaz, M. E. (2008), Alternatives: Turkish Journal of International Relations, Vol. 7, No. 4, 44-58.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.