Week in Review: Commitment, Stasis and the Epstein Effect
An unfolding scandal of global proportions combines with eventful developments in the region in our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week. Original post Here
Kosovo, Albania Parliaments Adopt Resolutions Seeking Justice for Thaci
MPs in both Kosovo and Albania on Thursday adopted declarations in support of the four former guerilla KLA leaders, including Thaci, whose trial for war crimes in The Hague is coming to an end. Original post Here
Actress Sues Albanian Govt for Using Her Image for AI ‘Minister’
Actress Anila Bisha told BIRN that her image was used as the face of Albania’s AI-generated public procurements ‘minister’ without proper permission. Original post Here
Albania’s AI Facade Cracks While Neighbors Win EU Funds
Tirana Times, February 10, 2026 – Serbia and North Macedonia have secured concrete European Union funding to integrate into Europe’s emerging artificial intelligence infrastructure, while Albania—despite high-profile political messaging around AI—has been left outside the first wave of financed projects. According to the latest map and project list published by …
Behind Albania’s Collapsing Roads: Clientelism and Corruption
Tirana Times, February 12 2026 – The rapid deterioration of newly inaugurated roads and tunnels across Albania has exposed far more than technical shortcomings. What authorities have sought to explain as weather-related damage is increasingly understood as a symptom of deeper governance failures rooted in clientelism, weak oversight, and systemic …
Solar Energy Revolution Comes at a Cost in Rural Albania
Photovoltaic parks are multiplying across Albania as the country aims for ‘energy sovereignty’ – but locals say losing agricultural land to solar panels is a blow to their livelihoods. Original post Here
Albania’s TikTok Ban Expires, But Promised Protections Still Pending
As a one-year ban ends, Albanian authorities say they are still working with TikTok on ‘relevant filters’ to better protect young users of the video-sharing app. Original post Here
Letter From Brussels: The Epstein Effect Hits Europe
In her latest monthly dispatch from Brussels, Gjeraqina Tuhina looks at the ripple-effects of the Jeffrey Epstein saga, while Serbia falls behind on the long march to EU accession. Original post Here
Opposition Takes to the Streets as Corruption Scandal Reaches the Heart of Power
Tirana Times, February 10, 2026 – Thousands of Albanians filled the streets of Tirana on Tuesday evening in a national protest called by the opposition Democratic Party, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, the dismissal of his government, and the establishment of a technical cabinet to lead the …
Balkans Seeing ‘Serious Stagnation’ in Tackling Corruption: Transparency International
As Transparency International releases its latest corruption perception index, the watchdog’s Lidija Prokic tells BIRN that anti-graft drives have faltered across the Western Balkans – in Serbia especially. Original post Here
An unfolding scandal of global proportions combines with eventful developments in the region in our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week. Original post Here
MPs in both Kosovo and Albania on Thursday adopted declarations in support of the four former guerilla KLA leaders, including Thaci, whose trial for war crimes in The Hague is coming to an end. Original post Here
Actress Anila Bisha told BIRN that her image was used as the face of Albania’s AI-generated public procurements ‘minister’ without proper permission. Original post Here
Tirana Times, February 10, 2026 – Serbia and North Macedonia have secured concrete European Union funding to integrate into Europe’s emerging artificial intelligence infrastructure, while Albania—despite high-profile political messaging around AI—has been left outside the first wave of financed projects. According to the latest map and project list published by …
Tirana Times, February 12 2026 – The rapid deterioration of newly inaugurated roads and tunnels across Albania has exposed far more than technical shortcomings. What authorities have sought to explain as weather-related damage is increasingly understood as a symptom of deeper governance failures rooted in clientelism, weak oversight, and systemic …
Photovoltaic parks are multiplying across Albania as the country aims for ‘energy sovereignty’ – but locals say losing agricultural land to solar panels is a blow to their livelihoods. Original post Here
As a one-year ban ends, Albanian authorities say they are still working with TikTok on ‘relevant filters’ to better protect young users of the video-sharing app. Original post Here
In her latest monthly dispatch from Brussels, Gjeraqina Tuhina looks at the ripple-effects of the Jeffrey Epstein saga, while Serbia falls behind on the long march to EU accession. Original post Here
Tirana Times, February 10, 2026 – Thousands of Albanians filled the streets of Tirana on Tuesday evening in a national protest called by the opposition Democratic Party, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, the dismissal of his government, and the establishment of a technical cabinet to lead the …
As Transparency International releases its latest corruption perception index, the watchdog’s Lidija Prokic tells BIRN that anti-graft drives have faltered across the Western Balkans – in Serbia especially. Original post Here