“During the 75th NATO anniversary and latest NATO summit in July, the alliance renewed its Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) policy, with implications for Balkan countries both inside the alliance (Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia) and outside of it (Bosnia-Herzegovina [BiH], Kosovo, and Serbia). Two countries that aspire to join NATO – BiH and Kosovo – have faced challenges wrought by the gendered legacy of war, but recent advancements suggest a promising path forward. In this moment of renewed interest in the WPS agenda, implementing further WPS reforms can provide NATO hopefuls with strategic advantage in their efforts to join the alliance.”