BALKANS MUST REMAIN ALERT OVER ISLAMIST "SLEEPER CELLS"

BELGRADE, MARCH 8 /SRNA/ – The consequences of the conflict in the Middle East will be felt across the entire planet, and the strengthening of Islamic extremism and terrorism is particularly dangerous, which could also affect the Balkans where "sleeper cells" of Islamic extremists exist, former long-time Serbian diplomat Živadin Jovanović told SRNA.

"I believe the Balkans certainly have extremist 'sleepers' and that caution is therefore necessary," he said.

According to him, where such sleeper cells of Islamic extremists exist is best known to the Americans, who are aware of what has occasionally happened in Sarajevo and BiH.

"They know that there have been various reactions, unrest, and threats there. These are not things that occur at the push of a button; rather, as the environment develops and changes, attitudes at the local level change as well," said Jovanović, also the president of the Belgrade Forum for a World of Equals.

He believes that anti-American sentiment will grow and that there is a risk of strengthening Islamic extremism and terrorism.

"How far this could spread and how everything will unfold remains to be seen, but there is reason for serious concern, because it will not remain confined to the Middle East," Jovanović said.

Jovanović assessed that tensions are generally rising and that in such an atmosphere extremism and terrorism based on extremism are also increasing.

"Many factors are unsettled. One must think about these consequences on a daily basis," Jovanović said.

He pointed out that the Middle East, now engulfed in flames, is a region with the largest gas reserves, energy resources, and many strategic minerals, and holds an extremely important geostrategic position because it is where not only US and Islamic world interests intersect, but also those of Russia and China.

"This conflict is practically taking place on Russia’s soft underbelly and in China's immediate neighborhood. It is also a conflict along the Silk Road. Key maritime trade routes have been disrupted," Jovanović said.

He added that the Middle East is a hub of energy resources and some of the most important global transport routes, such as the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait separating Africa and Asia, and the Suez Canal between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, among others.

The first consequence, Jovanović stressed, will be a further increase in global tensions and divisions, disruptions in energy supply, and consequences for the global economy and trade.

"The next consequence is uncertainty about how relations between Islamic and Western civilization will develop. The question is whether differences and mistrust between Islamic and Western civilization will deepen, and how the Islamic population will react," Jovanović said.