Chapter 12: Conceptualizing Reintegration of Former Combatants and Their Families Returned From Conflict Countries in North Macedonia

The task of combating extremism and preventing future radicalization is a pressing concern for many nations across the globe. A country's ability to develop, maintain, monitor, and enhance such programs is crucial to the success of its counterterrorism strategy. The repatriation of citizens from conflict zones is an emerging trend, and it carries with it a significant obligation to equip returnees with the necessary tools to desist from criminal activities and lead law-abiding lives. Social reintegration programs are designed to address the multifaceted challenges that individuals face when they return to society after being involved in extremist activities or conflict zones. Such programs encompass a range of interventions, including social, economic, psychological, and cultural support, aimed at facilitating the transition from radicalization to mainstream society. By providing individuals with a sense of belonging and purpose, social reintegration programs help to reduce the risk of recidivism and radicalization. Reintegration is a subject matter that has been examined through the prism of many disciplines, including transnational migration, criminology, psychology, and sociology. In the context of transnational migration, reintegration is defined by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as the “re-inclusion or re-incorporation of a migrant into the society of his/her country of origin and a process that requires adjusting to a new life, reconnecting with family and friends, and making plans for the future.” As such, the research aims to critically evaluate the existing body of knowledge about reintegration strategies in the Western Balkans, with a specific focus on the case of North Macedonia.