US Targets Iran Linked Cyber Network as Albania Emerges as Key Victim
Tirana Times, March 17, 2026 – The United States has moved to dismantle a cyber network linked to Iran’s intelligence apparatus, seizing four domains used for hacking operations, disinformation campaigns and threats, in a case that places Albania at the center of a broader geopolitical confrontation. The U.S. Department of …
Albania Draws a Red Line on Iran
Parliament’s decision to label Tehran a state sponsor of terrorism formalizes a break years in the making and reflects a broad Albanian consensus that Iran has become a direct security threat Tirana Times, March 18, 2026 – Albania has taken one of its toughest political steps yet against Iran, with …
Europe’s Next Enlargement: Why Berlin, Paris and The Hague Could Decide the Fate of the Western Balkans
TIRANA TIMES, March 19, 2026 – The European Union’s enlargement debate has entered a new and unusually sensitive phase. What initially appeared to be a Brussels-driven discussion about how to accelerate Ukraine’s accession has quickly evolved into a broader political reckoning inside key member states over the future shape, pace, …
Albanian MPs Adopt Resolution Declaring Iran ‘State Sponsor of Terrorism’
Ruling Socialist Party MPs aiming to support the US on the Iran war push through resolution – but opposition MPs boycott the vote they claim was staged ‘for the personal agenda of the Prime Minister’. Original post Here
Building a Trusted Health Tourism Ecosystem: Albania’s Next Competitive Advantage
by Professor Alaa Garad Tirana Times, March 17, 2026 – There are countries you visit, and there are countries you remember. Albania is rapidly becoming the latter. I began writing this article before travelling to Albania, drawing on the country’s remarkable tourism growth and the strategic opportunities it presents. Yet …
‘Cruel, Sadistic’: Albanian Communist State’s Killings of Escapees Still Mostly Unpunished
In the final years of Albania’s communist dictatorship, the authorities shot dozens of citizens trying to flee the country – and most of the attempts to bring the killers to justice have met obstruction and incompetence. Original post Here
Major Cocaine Heist Reveals Albanian Links to Swedish Drug Trade
The theft of a shipment of cocaine that was smuggled from Costa Rica to Sweden exposed the role of Albanian criminal groups in the international logistics of the drug trade, as well as the challenges in holding them accountable. Original post Here
Iran-Linked Hackers’ Fresh Strike on Albania Highlights Continued Negligence
A new cyberattack by Iran-linked Homeland Justice group targeting Albania’s parliament revealed the continued vulnerability of state digital systems and failures to implement basic security measures. Original post Here
Week in Review: The Wheel of Fortune
Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the changing fortunes, power dynamics and neighbourly relations of countries and actors in South-east Europe. Original post Here
Parliament Blocks Balluku Arrest and Puts Justice on Trial
TIRANA, March 12, 2026 – Albania’s Parliament, dominated by Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Socialist Party, has refused to authorize the arrest of former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, blocking a request by the Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime, SPAK, and triggering one of the gravest confrontations yet between …
TIRANA, September 5 – The US Embassy and EU Ambassador to Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa have paid tribute to Mother Teresa, highlighting her humanitarian legacy and message of service, solidarity and inclusion. Moreira de Sousa recalled one of Mother Teresa’s best-known messages, saying that people may not all do …
TIRANA, September 5 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha received new European Union Ambassador to Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa for their first meeting. The two officials discussed Albania’s progress towards European Union membership. During the meeting, Hoxha stressed the importance of maintaining the pace and momentum …
The Association of Albanian Journalists (UGSH) has reacted following the blocking of access to Euronews Albania’s official Instagram page, expressing concern over the situation and calling for immediate clarification. In its statement,UGSH emphasized that the inability to access the media outlet’s account on one of the main platforms used to …
The Union of Albanian Journalists (UGSH) has reacted to the problems affecting access to Euronews Albania’s official Instagram page, describing the situation as an alarm for freedom of communication and access to information. In a public statement, UGSH said that the inability to access the media outlet’s Instagram page constitutes …
The Association of European Journalists, Albanian Section (AEJ), has condemned Meta’s closure of Euronews Albania’s Instagram page, describing the decision as unprecedented and unacceptable. In a statement, the AEJ said the page had been shut down without any official explanation from Meta. “The Association of European Journalists, Albanian Section, strongly …
TIRANA, September 5 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania does not necessarily need veto power to take part in European processes and discussions. He spoke about Albania’s European Union perspective and the rise of nationalist trends in several European countries. Speaking at the “Intelligence on the World, Europe and …
Euronews Albania’s Instagram page is no longer accessible, raising further alarm over what has been happening to Albanian accounts on social media in recent days. Without any prior notice or warning, Euronews Albania woke up today to find its Instagram page displaying the message: “User not found.” Just last night, …
Just hours after MEP Sandro Gozi spoke in the Euronews Albania studio about the shutdown of Albanian Instagram accounts and called for transparency from Meta, Euronews Albania’s own page is no longer accessible on the platform. Last night, appearing as a guest on the program “Review,” Gozi addressed the wave …
The European Democrats have reacted to the suspension of Euronews Albania’s Instagram account, expressing solidarity and calling on Meta to intervene immediately. In a statement posted on X, they described the timing of the suspension as “deeply concerning”, as it came just hours after the programme “Review”, hosted by journalist …
TIRANA, September 5 – The wildfire situation in Levan, Fier, was much calmer on Friday evening, Defense Minister Ermal Nufi said after visiting the area. Nufi said teams were monitoring two fire hotspots. They are checking the areas again on Saturday morning from the ground and, most likely, from the …