AHC: Royal Yugoslavia survives to present

Goodness knows.

Join the Axis - stick with it. Defeat in 1945 to the WESTERN Allies (not the Soviets) sees the government overthrown and replaced with a constitutional monarchy.

Soviet Union survives to the present day and the constant threat from them (and their bordering puppet states) sees the country stick together out of fear of the Reds (and the American troops stationed in the place).

Pretty far fetched.....
 
You'd need to avoid the inter-ethnic bloodbaths of the Axis occupation, and the communist takeover. And both are consequences of the well-intentioned but misguided coup of 1941. Prince Paul's/Cvetkovic-Macek regime would need to enact its 1939-41 policies in a smarter way, in order to preserve more popularity and discourage the plotters.

First, to reduce Croatian separatism and general discontent, it needs to federalize (as per OTL's 1939 agreement); and to enshrine the new order in a new constitution, so people know it's not just a temporary arrangement. Then, to avoid alienating the Serbian population, it needs to crack down on abuses of minorities in autonomous Croatia and complete the federalization.

Temporarily joining the Axis is another necessity, however unpopular it might be. Yugoslavia should play hard to get until it secures OTL's terms - that the Axis can't demand military assistance or right of passage from Yugoslavia. It'd be smart to keep secretly cooperating with France and Great Britain, but only with great care, so the Nazis don't discover it like they did in OTL. Then, when the opportunity arises, switch sides and join the Allies. This probably allows Yugoslavia to stay a monarchy and firmly on the western side of any iron curtains.

Of course, Yugoslavia might fall apart later anyway, but it's a lot less likely.
 
You have three options.

Yugoslavia stay out of the war. It signs the Tripartite Pact, there is no coup, and it never declares war on the Allies. Given the fragility of the Yugoslavs, Hitler just may tolerate a beneficial neutrality. Options remain for Yugoslav declaration of war on Germany in late 1944 or 1945.

Yugoslavia is allied to Germany and declares war on Allies. However, Tito neither gains power by war's end, and the Western Allies are successful enough in Italy to occupy Yugoslavia.

OTL except the Royalist Chetniks get better PR than Tito's Communists; the Eest backs Chetniks; AND Yugoslavia is liberated by Western Allies.

None of these options are realistic, but the one with the best chance is the first. If Yugoslavia enters the war on either side, chances are the Soviets will occupy the country before the Western Allies do. The first option is a slim reed, but it's the only option Yugoslavia has.

Once Hitler is stuck in Russia, Yugoslavia's period of danger is likely over. While Hitler could still invade and destroy Yugoslavia, he would prefer not to waste divert resources to do so. If Yugoslavia plays a long game, it could avoid the war until the very end.
 
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