AN ANALYSIS OF SERBIA’S CYBER-POLITICAL HABITAT

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.