Foreign Fighters and the Far-Right in South-Eastern Europe
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| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Type | Chapter of a book |
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| Description | This chapter explores the involvement of foreign fighters (FFs) from South-Eastern Europe (SEE) in armed conflicts, with a particular focus on those motivated by far-right ideologies. Excluding jihadist fighters, the analysis centers on individuals from SEE countries – including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania and Serbia – who have participated in conflicts beyond their national borders. The study traces historical precedents from the Spanish Civil War to the Yugoslav wars and examines how nationalist, ideological and kinship ties have driven participation in more recent conflicts, particularly in Ukraine. It categorises fighters by motivation, including ideological militants, adventure seekers and veterans with historical grievances. The chapter also highlights the growing influence of transnational extremist networks and the use of social media for recruitment. Through interviews and case studies, it reveals the complexity of motivations and the blurred line between ideological fighters and mercenaries. Finally, the chapter provides a comparative overview of national legal frameworks governing the prosecution of FFs, noting disparities in enforcement, with some countries being more willing to pursue jihadist returnees than their far-right counterparts. The chapter underscores the multicausal nature of foreign fighter mobilisation and the challenges it poses to regional and international security. |
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