Thread by @BrankoMilan

(Long thread)
The reasons why and how Balkan countries enter NATO are never discussed in the Western press. Even their membership is not mentioned.
Here are the reasons.
Montenegro has been run for 35y by the same (let's be polite) autocrat.He was first a Serbian nationalist but

in the past 20y has developed great affinity for democracy & the USA. Some people say that the affinity is due to his being involved in the smuggling of cigarettes and perhaps even of some more serious Colombian wares. Good businessman he has became very rich. If he does not do

what the US tells him to, he might end like Noriega or the former president of Honduras who was just arrested, by the USA, on similar charges, two days ago. So MNE president wants to be nice and join NATO. Much better to go to fancy conferences than to be in jail.

Macedonia joined because it faces a split country between Macedonians and Albanians. In the case a greater Albania being created which would include all territories w/an Albanian majority (Albania,Kosovo) it could technically include a half of Macedonia too with the Alb majority.

But if Macedonia is in NATO the change of borders would be very difficult. So the country is unlikely to break up.
Now,
Montenegro joined w/o a popular referendum which would have (polls were saying) gone the wrong way. So, they decided to skip it. People would not mind.

Macedonia joined with a referendum with a bizarre Q: there was no clear pro- or anti-NATO vote, but only a vote in favor *jointly* for 1 NATO, 2 EU, 3 Agreement w/Greece. So, you had to be for or against *all*. Very clever. They could have added:

4 Do you love your parents? NATO would have then gained 100% of the vote.
The turnout was 36% of the eligible voters.
That's how NATO expands in the Balkans.