America’s Warning on Drug Cartels: Why Europe’s Silence in Albania Matters
The United States has once again issued an unusually clear and public warning about the threat posed by Albanian organized crime groups and their links to Latin American drug cartels, framing the issue not only as a criminal challenge but as a direct risk to Albania’s national security and economic …
Week in Review: Hopes, Dreams and Reality Checks in 2026
As the new year gets off to a cold start in the region, our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories takes a look at the high expectations and sobering realities of what 2026 holds in store. Original post Here
Albania’s Fiscal Peace Sparks Concern
Critics warn of deepening inequality, impunity and potential money-laundering exposure. Tirana Times, January 16,2025 – Albania’s newly adopted “fiscal peace” package framed by the government as a reset of relations between businesses and the tax authorities, has sparked sharp criticism from economists, business associations, the opposition and international observers. Although …
Albanian Mystery ‘Journalist’ Sparks Suspicion with Pro-Govt Articles
Opinion articles under the pseudonym ‘Endri Kajsiu’ have for years promoted pro-government narratives in the Albanian media – leading some to wonder if the author could even be the prime minister. Original post Here
Albanian Banks Brace for Rising Bad Loans
Tirana Times, January 15, 2026 – Albania’s banking sector enters 2026 with growing caution, as banks operating in the country anticipate an increase in non performing loans despite strong demand for credit. According to the latest CESEE Banking Lending Survey conducted by the European Investment Bank for the second half …
Trump Visa Freeze Sparks Blame Game in Albania
After the US paused visa processing for 75 countries, including Albania, the opposition in Tirana has accused the government of getting the country put on Trump’s “blacklist”. Original post Here
U.S. designates Muslim Brotherhood branches as terrorist organizations
Saudi Arabia welcomes Washington’s decision and reaffirms joint stance against extremism Tirana Times, January, 14, 2026 – The United States has officially designated branches of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon as terrorist organizations, marking a major shift in Washington’s approach toward political Islamist movements. The announcement immediately drew …
Washington suspends visas for Albania
Albania included among weak or failing states despite being a NATO member Tirana, Tirana Times, 14 January 2026 – Washington’s decision to suspend U.S. visa processing for Albania, effective January 21 and for an indefinite period, marks one of the strongest diplomatic signals sent to Tirana in years. Albania has …
NATO Values as Security Infrastructure: Evidence From Student Conversations
In the Western Balkans, “security” is rarely an abstract concept. It is encountered as a lived condition, shaped by memory, geography and a persistent awareness that stability can erode when trust is thin. Security, in this context, is not discussed only in strategic documents or institutional language, but reasoned through …
‘Fiscal Peace’: Albanian Amnesty for Tax-Dodging Businesses Branded Unfair and Opaque
Albania’s government is poised to waive business tax debts more than a decade old, as part of what it says is a reset in relations between the tax authorities and businesses. Critics say it is unfair on those who have played by the rules. Original post Here
Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania has entered the final stage of its European journey. He called it the most important moment in the country’s path toward the European Union. First, Rama spoke in episode 21 of season six of the podcast FLASIM. He reviewed the main events of the …
Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani Hoxha, met Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti on Sunday. First, they discussed practical steps to deepen cooperation between Albania and Kosovo. They said strong political ties should bring more direct results for citizens in both countries. Next, Hoxha said they stressed …
Albania’s Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha began his first official visit to Kosovo on Sunday. First, he met Albulena Haxhiu, Speaker of Parliament and acting president of Kosovo. Hoxha wished Haxhiu success in her constitutional duties. He also praised her role in protecting democratic standards and supporting the work of institutions. …
Prime Minister Edi Rama on Sunday honored former volleyball player and coach Kreshnik Tartari and praised his outstanding contribution to Albanian sport. Rama shared a message on social media after Tartari passed away at the age of 83. He called Tartari a legend of Albanian sport and praised his years …
KF Egnatia secured the Abissnet Superiore title on Saturday night, winning the Albanian championship for a third consecutive season. Egnatia defeated FC Dinamo City 2–0 at Elbasan Arena to seal the title. The Rrogozhinë side scored both goals in the first half. Albaneze opened the scoring from the penalty spot …
Glauk Konjufca, First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Kosovo, said that coordination between Kosovo and Albania is a natural and smooth process in international relations. He made the remarks during a joint press conference in Prishtina together with Albania’s Foreign Minister Igli Hasani Hoxha. First, Konjufca emphasized that …
Ferit Hoxha said Albania will not tolerate any violation of Kosovo’s security during his first official visit to Kosovo in his current role. He made the statement during a joint press conference in Prishtina with Kosovo Foreign Minister Glauk Konjufca. First, Hoxha described Albania and Kosovo as a strategic partnership …
Prime Minister Edi Rama described May 26 as a historic date, as Albania completed the phase of opening the chapters of its EU accession negotiations and entered the final phase of closing them. Speaking on his podcast “Flasim” (“Let’s Talk”), Rama said that this achievement represents a certification of the …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–header-height)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”cad5cd8e-5b87-40b2-8f87-a6827d2c76d0″ data-turn-id-container=”cad5cd8e-5b87-40b2-8f87-a6827d2c76d0″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-11″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> Just 15 kilometers from the city of Pogradec, the village of Peshkëpia is experiencing some of the most difficult years in its history. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:0981fa6a-3e79-4791-b704-0147d0641e3c-5″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:0981fa6a-3e79-4791-b704-0147d0641e3c-5″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-12″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> Once home to around 800 residents, the …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:0981fa6a-3e79-4791-b704-0147d0641e3c-1″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:0981fa6a-3e79-4791-b704-0147d0641e3c-1″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-4″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> “Kosovo is a priority of Albania’s foreign policy,” declared Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, in Pristina alongside his counterpart, Glauk Konjufca. “Kosovo is an absolute priority of our foreign policy. It is a clear and unchanging …