The paper is focused on the geographical processes which support the specific features of the Balkan Peninsula, giving them civilisation content. The concept of “in-between” is proposed and its three components exposed: I) a space where developments are governed by outside interferences and influences stronger than inside forces, and producing small fragmented territories; 2) a space where recurrent adversity causes feed-back to previous conditions, contributes to cyclic experience of time and prevents accumulation of development; 3) a space where all kind of discontinuities further creativity but without local implementation. These three interactive components of the “in-between Balkan” are analysed in its version of geopolitical front area during the Cold War, then in the intermediary area’s version since 1990. The next future is involved through the topic of organic links between Balkans and Istanbul and Turkey.