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House Foreign Affairs subcommittee calls for renewed U.S. engagement in the Western Balkans
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Summary
A House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee hearing urged stronger U.S. engagement in the Western Balkans to counter Russian and Chinese influence, criticized recent sanction removals, and called for continued support for Kosovo’s security and EU/NATO accession paths.
WASHINGTON — Members of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe and three outside experts on Thursday pressed for more assertive U.S. policy in the Western Balkans, warning that Russia, China and regional corruption are eroding stability and that recent U.S. choices have reduced American leverage.
Chairman Self opened the hearing by saying the session’s goal was to “promote balance in the Balkans” and highlighted Serbia’s unresolved relationship with Kosovo and a stalled 2023 Ohrid agreement. He said Bosnia is facing a deteriorating situation and raised concern that the Office of the High Representative (OHR) has recently used legally questionable authorities more frequently.
Ranking Member Rep. Keating underlined the Dayton Peace Accords’ continuing role in underpinning Bosnia’s sovereignty and urged the United States to sustain support for Dayton-era institutions. Keating also said he reintroduced the bipartisan Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act to codify sanctions on bad actors and expand people-to-people ties.
Witnesses Max Premerac of the Heritage Foundation, Luke Coffey of the Hudson Institute and Edward P. Joseph of the Foreign Policy Institute urged a mix of diplomatic, economic and security tools. Premerac testified that Bosnia “is a failed state” and argued the United States should prioritize commercial engagement and political ambassadors to pull the region toward the West. Coffey cautioned against “scrapping Dayton,” saying the peace agreement, while imperfect, has prevented renewed large‑scale violence. Joseph recommended using leverage to push Belgrade to choose a Euro‑Atlantic orientation and suggested pathways to NATO for Kosovo.
Much of the hearing focused on the diplomatic consequences of recent U.S. decisions. Members repeatedly criticized the administration’s removal of sanctions on Milorad Dodik and associated affiliates, saying the action reduced U.S. leverage over a key destabilizing actor in Republika Srpska. "By prematurely giving up our leverage over Dodik, we incentivize this long‑standing malefactor," Edward P. Joseph said.
Lawmakers and panelists also raised concerns about Chinese infrastructure and loans in the region. Representative Kim cited more than €30,000,000,000 in Chinese investment across the Western Balkans and asked witnesses about the risks of political dependency and unsustainable debt. Witnesses recommended strong commercial alternatives through U.S. development finance tools and renewed information programs to counter malign influence.
On Kosovo, witnesses and members noted an election crisis and the need for the United States to sustain military and economic support. Several panelists said any comprehensive regional deal should address recognition and security, and they backed continued assistance to professionalize the Kosovo security force.
Representative Davidson and other members linked defense posture and rotational brigade decisions in places such as Romania to U.S. credibility in Europe. Lawmakers also flagged cuts to independent broadcasting programs (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) as a strategic communications gap.
The hearing closed with members asking for additional written answers for the record. No votes were taken; the committee adjourned without formal action.
