The influence and expansionist drive of China in Serbia and the threat to Western security
Join us for a timely webinar with Miroslav Ivica Emejdi, German Senior Police Commissioner and security policy expert, as he explores China’s growing influence and expansionist ambitions in Serbia—and why it matters for Western security.
Drawing on his recent book, Emejdi will explain how the Balkans are often misunderstood or overlooked by Western policymakers and have become a key battleground where Beijing, Moscow, and Brussels compete for power and strategic direction.
He will discuss how historical miscalculations and slow Western responses have allowed rivals to gain ground, and why Serbia—an EU accession candidate—is far more important than many realize. With insights recognized by senior European and UN officials, Emejdi offers a clear warning: understanding Serbia’s geopolitical role is essential to safeguarding the West’s ability to meet future global challenges.
This is a must-attend program for anyone interested in global affairs, European security, or great-power competition.
Thursday, January 15, 2026 I 12:00pm – 1:00pm
* Webinar Event *
Featured Speaker: Miroslav Ivica Emejdi (German Senior Police Chief Commissioner)
Miroslav Ivica Emejdi is a Senior Police Chief Commissioner in Germany with long-standing experience in state security, counterterrorism, and the fight against organized crime. Over two decades of service, he has worked in specialized units addressing extremism, politically motivated violence, and international law enforcement cooperation.
In recognition of his role in the investigation following the 2011 Islamist terrorist attack that targeted U.S. Air Force Airmen, he received a personal commendation from the four-star General commanding U.S. Air Forces in Europe.
International Engagement
Emejdi is an alumnus of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). He has also been a featured speaker at national and international security institutions, including intelligence services, and at a multinational counterterrorism forum hosted by U.S. Army Europe. His career reflects a strong transatlantic dimension and a deep engagement at the intersection of European and American security concerns.
Author and Analyst
He is the author of ‘Key Country Serbia – How Misjudgments Weaken the West’ (ibidem / Columbia University Press, forthcoming 2026). The book analyzes Serbia and the wider Western Balkans as pivotal but often underestimated regions in Western security architecture, highlighting how Russian and Chinese influence challenge Western strategies. He is also working on a forthcoming book on the Albanian Mafia and its transnational connections, including links to Latin America, United States and Europe’s security architecture. His work analyzes how overlooked regions and criminal networks shape the stability of the West. He has also been interviewed by Germany’s leading professional journal on criminology.
Areas of Expertise
Emejdi’s expertise covers geopolitics, transnational organized crime, and the strategic competition of great powers. His analyses connect ground-level security realities with broader strategic questions facing NATO, the European Union, and the United States. In his presentations, he emphasizes why close transatlantic cooperation is indispensable in addressing these challenges.
Featured Moderator: Mark Reese (President & CEO, Suhbat LLC)
Mark Reese is a Central Asia specialist with 30 years of experience, having spent a significant amount of time in the region. As a Peace Corps volunteer in 1994, he witnessed the immediate turmoil of the post-Soviet era and the emergence of new states where leaders tried to chart new paths. He’s currently focused on teaching and education development in Central Asia and the United States.
His passions also extend to sharing Uzbeki literature with the world, presenting several works to Nashville during the Southern Festival of Books in early October. His effort to promote the Uzbek language and culture, including his English translation of Oʻtkan Kunlar, earned him Uzbekistan’s Presidential Order of Doʻstlik.
Previously, Mark led translation and cultural advisement activities for government and private industry clients in Afghanistan and the United States. As Founding Director for the Center for Regional Studies at the United States Naval Academy, he developed a comprehensive midshipman education program.