The influence of history in shaping modern Serbian geopolitics

Geopolitics as a scientific discipline in its classic setting brings geography and politics together. However, in addition to the mentioned two sciences, different perspectives were needed for a better understanding and analysis of the problems brought about by geopolitics. Thus, economic, military, historical, legal, sociological perspectives and many others are included in solving complex geopolitical problems. In Serbia, geopolitics appeared due to major state changes, the abandonment of ideological beliefs and the strengthening of nationalism in the 90s of the 20th century. Although at the core of geopolitics are geography and politics, what most drives Serbian geopolitics is the historical factor that is very strong and increasingly present in the country for the last 30 years. The paper will analyze the influence of history on geopolitical decisions and geopolitical events that Serbia went through in that period. Using the historical-geographical and geopolitical method, the cause-and-effect relationships of geopolitical decisions and how they created the geopolitical position of Serbia today will be processed. This method will provide a framework for understanding the intricate connection between Serbian history, the geography of the areas where it takes place, and the contemporary geopolitical position. The method emphasizes the ways in which historical-geographical factors have shaped Serbian geopolitical identity over time. The work consists of three parts, the first one analyzes the determinants that shape Serbia's geopolitical decisions, while the second part analyzes history as a determinant of geopolitics. The focus of the work is the third chapter, which has an emphasis on the analysis of important geopolitical events for Serbia in the 21st century, what significance they have for the Serbian people and for today's Serbian state. The aim of this paper is to present as best as possible the interdependence of Serbian geopolitical decisions and events and historical factors.