Geopolitical elements in strategic documents in the field of security and defense of the Republic of Serbia

The National Security Strategy of the Republic of Serbia and the Defense Strategy of the Republic of Serbia are the most important strategic documents providing guidelines for creating security and defense policy in order to protect national interests. The objective of this paper is to identify potential geopolitical dimensions of the national security and defense system by analyzing these strategic documents. Thus, four groups of problems with geopolitical elements can be discussed. These are: relations with neighboring countries, relations with the great powers, the issue of Kosovo and Metohija, participation in international operations and potential membership of Serbia in NATO. These challenges have been primarily considered in relation to the main efforts of the Republic of Serbia in the future, especially when it comes to the continuation of European integration and membership in the European Union. Serbia, as the state in transition, is at the crossroads of the interests of the great powers, which in conditions of multipolarity and unpredictability of events can be particularly challenging for its national security