Bill Overview
Title: Balkans Security Cooperation Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of Defense, with the concurrence of the Department of State, to report on security cooperation between Western Balkan countries and the United States, Russia, China, and NATO. For the purposes of this bill, the Western Balkan countries are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Slovenia. The report must include (1) an assessment of how Western Balkan security cooperation with Russia and China affect the security interests of the United States and NATO; (2) an assessment of the Russian Humanitarian Center in Nis, Serbia, and any influence or coordination it may have with Russian intelligence agencies; and (3) a determination by the State Department on whether any Western Balkan country has conducted a significant transaction with a person that is part of Russia's defense or intelligence sectors.
Sponsors: Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]
Target Audience
Population: People in Western Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Slovenia)
Estimated Size: 10000
- The bill focuses on security cooperation, which involves military and defense sectors. This directly affects both military personnel and governmental bodies responsible for defense in the Western Balkans.
- The Western Balkan countries listed have a combined population of approximately 24 million people.
- The bill will affect political and defense officials in the Western Balkans who engage with international defense and intelligence matters, particularly those dealing with the US, NATO, Russia, and China.
- Given the global security context, changes in cooperation with Russia and China and the US's response can affect economic conditions, security policies, and general well-being for people in these countries.
- The US population interested in foreign policy, security, and defense, as well as those with cultural or familial ties to the Balkans, would be indirectly affected.
Reasoning
- The policy does not have direct economic impacts on the general US population, but it affects specific groups, particularly those with interests or ties to the Balkan region.
- US government personnel stationed in or dealing with the Balkans are directly affected, as this policy relates to their operational areas.
- The budget constraint implies limited direct activities affecting US citizens, mainly in report generation and diplomatic labor.
- Wellbeing scores are likely to change only slightly for those not directly involved in defense roles, but the policy could increase security awareness among interested groups.
- The focus would be on determining indirect and peripheral impacts, such as those felt by the diaspora communities and defense policy analysts.
Simulated Interviews
Policy Analyst (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy provides a much-needed detailed analysis of potentially shifting alliances in the Balkans.
- There is a need for constant monitoring due to the strategic importance of the region.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
University Professor (New York, NY)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The legislation could enhance the curriculum and offer more material for analysis.
- It might indirectly enhance cultural exchanges and academic studies relating to the Balkans.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Lawyer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am concerned about increasing tensions in the region due to new reports.
- However, the focus on transparency is a positive aspect.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired Military Officer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This kind of policy is essential for understanding emerging threats and aligning military strategy.
- It could increase my sense of security regarding US military activities in that region.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
College Student (Boston, MA)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While it sounds important, I don't see how it affects me directly.
- I've learned some about these countries but not in-depth.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Business Consultant (Houston, TX)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This will not directly impact my work but could influence clients' strategies regarding market entry.
- The security situation does influence business interest.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Travel Blogger (Miami, FL)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could mean more interest in the region, potentially boosting tourism.
- Security-related issues are worth noting for travelers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired State Department Official (Seattle, WA)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's critical to monitor changes in the Balkans for US and NATO interests.
- This policy is a move towards more strategic stability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Tech Entrepreneur (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't see a direct impact on tech businesses, but international stability is always beneficial.
- I'm not very involved in geopolitics.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Government Worker (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy aligns with our objectives to track and assess global defense capabilities.
- It reinforces the need for comprehensive situational awareness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1500000 (Low: $1000000, High: $2000000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The geopolitical complexities and potential information sensitivity involved in assessing security cooperation with major global powers.
- Balancing the detailed analysis needed with budget constraints for report production.
- Coordination between the Department of Defense and the State Department must be efficient to minimize costs.