Montenegro’s foreign policy evolution: Caught between Serbia and the west

This article examines Montenegro?s political and foreign policy transformation between 1997 and 2000, focusing on its gradual shift from alignment with Serbia toward its independent international orientation. The hypothesis is that this shift was driven by internal political changes and Montenegro?s evolving identity as a distinct political actor, shaped by key regional events, such as the Kosovo issue and the NATO intervention. The research is grounded in three theoretical frameworks: constructivism, which highlights the role of identity and political narrative in shaping foreign policy; federalism, which explains internal tensions within the federation; and small state theory, which analyzes how small navigate regional conflicts to assert autonomy. The objective is to understand how domestic and international factors interacted to redefine Montenegro?s diplomatic behavior and strategic choices. A qualitative historical analytical methodology is employed, using primary and secondary sources to trace this evolution. The research demonstrates that Montenegro?s shift was not merely reactive, but part of a broader redefinition of its identity and foreign policy, laying the foundation for its future path toward statehood and international recognition.