REPATRIATION OF MIGRANTS TO ISIS: THE EXPERIENCE OF FOUR STATES FROM THE WESTERN BALKANS

Abstract

This article is about the repatriation of migrants to ISIS by four countries of the Western Balkans: Albania, BiH, Kosovo and Republic of North Macedonia. The main research question is: under which conditions States are prone to repatriate their nationals in ISIS? It is argued that the likelihood of undertaking such a step is higher where there is a constellation of strong internal (number of migrants, secular-oriented Muslim population, government messages, suitable legislation, interinstitutional and intersectoral cooperation, participation of civil society) and external incentives (desire to prove oneself as a reliable international partner, membership in international organizations, international cooperation in repatriation operations).