China’s ambitious strategy of mega-investments, debt-driven influence, and technology projects is creating a spiral of dependency across the Balkan states with smaller economies. The region’s critical transport corridors — such as Corridor 10 — risk becoming tools of economic leverage and potential threats to NATO’s military mobility. Without solid guarantees for transparency, proper maintenance, and sustainable debt servicing, both the Balkans and Europe face not only financial risks, but also profound strategic vulnerabilities.