Through an analysis of empirical and non-empirical literature, this review examines treatment of the topic of Islamist radicalisation and violent extremism in the Western Balkans. This literature indicates that regional wars which took place from 1991 to 2001, along with poverty, national and ethnic tensions and the presence of significant indigenous Muslim populations, have been harnessed by Middle Eastern charities in their proselytization and recruitment efforts. Though these organisations are not necessarily involved in radicalisation that leads to violence, Salafi proselytization is always introduced to contextualise the discussion of Salafi-jihadism –an ideology that has inspired terrorism and has driven foreign fighters to depart from Western Balkans countries for Syrian and Iraqi battlefields.

Thus, authors examining the Western Balkans as a source for foreign fighters inevitably discuss Salafism as a radicalising belief system that has taken hold in some parts of the region at tracting increasing numbers of supporters; moreover, there are various drivers of violent extremism that involve those who are disillusioned by numerous complex domestic, regional and international challenges. The sense of persecution many radicalised individuals feel, combined with numerous factors of radicalisation –such as the habit of converts to withdraw from their former social circles – makes research difficult on two fronts; first, as far as gaining access to participants, and second, in trusting the honesty of individuals who do participate. As such, primary accounts of radicalisation by people who have been radicalised remain rare, and efforts focused on developing a psychological profile of a person likely to be radicalised, or likely to be recruited into committing violence, have failed to fully materialise or to inform an effective intervention model.

This review explores the debate on terminology in this field, and the uncritical use of ‘radicalisation’ and ‘extremism,’ and calls for the establishment and use of terminology and benchmarks for Western Balkans countries that are suitable to the region’s cultural, religious, and political specificities. Some key drivers of radicalisation are examined as well, including: social exclusion and poverty, foreign influences, online platforms, prisons, and previous criminality. In analysing narratives of radicalisation, the review shows that extremist groups use sophisticated forms of proselytisation but avoid open calls for violence. These narratives feature lifestyle prescriptions that restrict women and their freedoms and even address intimate behaviour, and discuss the suffering of Muslims around the world. This review also considers the foreign fighter phenomenon as it relates to the Western Balkans and gives special attention to gendered aspects of radicalisation in the region. Finally, this review concludes by identifying gaps in knowledge and research, the most glaring of which is the absence of empirical research mentioned above. The available literature also fails to address the role and position of women in Salafism and in radicalisation processes (and perhaps in de-radicalisation initiatives). Furthermore, there is a lack of systematic research on how recruitment takes place in particular spaces, such as in online forums and in prisons.