Yugoslav nations, held the power to be a decisive factor in the destruction of the old socialist order of“brotherhood and unity of equal nations and nationalities”(Komšić, 2016:16). After the turbulent decade of the 1990s and the fall of Slobodan Miloshe­vic’s regime in 2000, Serbia entered a period of relative stability, character­ized on one hand by the beginning of democratization and, on the other, by the development of increasingly profound divisions within its society. Some sociological research on the consciousness of Serbian citizens(ex­cluding Kosovo and Metohija) has shown that the transition process af­ter 2000, which by definition also involves changes in cultural patterns, is accompanied by cultural-value divides along the following dimensions: a) traditionalism – modernism; b) liberalism – conservatism; c) pro-reform – anti-reform orientation; d) authoritarianism – non-authoritarianism; and so on(Pantić, 2003:95-129). As Jovan Komšić states in his research,“ the divisions are clearly expressed in relation to key issues concerning the demo­cratic definition of national identity, as well as the character of the state and political order”(Komšić, 2016:11). The evolving political landscape in these regions reflects a complex inter­play between re-traditionalization and modernization, resulting in a hybrid societal model characterized by semi-formed state structures and a blend of community and societal elements. Following the upheavals of the 1990s and the fall of Miloshevic, Serbia has experienced a period of relative sta­bility marked by democratization, yet deep societal divisions persist along lines of traditionalism versus modernism, liberalism versus conservatism, and reformist versus conservative orientations. These internal divides reveal that national identity and the character of the state remain contested ter­rains, shaped by a lingering tension between the desire for rooted cultural values and the pressures of political change. Ultimately, this ongoing pro­cess underscores the fragility and complexity of Serbia’s journey toward a cohesive national identity, highlighting the enduring influence of historical narratives and societal cleavages in shaping its future trajectory. Defining National Interests National interests can generally be viewed as values and goals oriented to­wards the development of the national community and are closely related to national security( Stanarević, 2018). In this context, national interests represent the clearly defined intentions of the state, based on which the 82 NATIONAL SECURITY CULTURES- A VIEW FROM THE BALKANS