Kosovo’s partition part of Putin’s strategic plan, warns US analyst
David Philips, director of the Program on Peace-building and Rights at Columbia University’s Institute for the Study of Human Rights, says the Russian President sees Kosovo as a US project and destabilisation of the country is the way Putin wants to retaliate the US for launching the NATO’s campaign against …
Interpol to vote for Kosovo’s membership despite Serbia’s lobbying
The International law enforcement agency Interpol is set to vote on Kosovo’s membership despite intensive Serbia’s lobbying against it. Police chiefs from around the world gathered in Dubai on Sunday for Interpol’s general assembly and one of the points of the agenda is also voting whether to accept Kosovo as …
Russian Foreign Minister Refutes Thaci: We Support Solution to Kosovo Issue if Serbia Accepts It
Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, said that Moscow will be ready to consider a solution on Kosovo’s issue, in a constructive manner, as long as it is acceptable to Serbia. Original post Here
Turkish Ambassador’s motorcade involved in deadly crash in Kosovo
Four people have been killed following an accident involving the motorcade of Turkish Ambassador to Kosovo and a car near capital Pristina. Ambassador and members of her escort are among those injured. Original post Here
Kosovo ready to join Interpol, says Pacolli
Foreign Minister Behgjet Pacolli says Kosovo has fulfilled all the criteria to become full-fledged member of international security organisations, including Interpol. Original post Here
Serbia shouldn’t be afraid of Kosovo in Interpol, but its unsettled criminal past, says DPM Hoxhaj
Shortly before Interpol General Assembly vote on Kosovo’s membership, deputy Prime Minister Enver Hoxhaj, says that Serbia should not be afraid of Kosovo’s membership into this police organisation. Original post Here
Kosovo Army creation irreversible process, says deputy minister of KSF
Deputy Minister of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), Burim Ramadani, says that by the end of the year the Parliament will approve the package of laws enabling transition of the KSF into Kosovo Army. Original post Here
Kosovo’s Ambassador to US meets Ivanka Trump
Kosovo’s Ambassador to US, Vlora Citaku, met Ivanka Trump, the daughter of US President Donald Trump. Original post Here
Kosovo Government lost legitimacy, says opposition leader
Chief of parliamentary group of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Avdullah Hoti, said that the Parliament of Kosovo is dysfunctional and the country should announce snap elections to restore democratic order. Original post Here
EU unjust towards Kosovo, says Hungarian Foreign Minister
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó who is visiting Pristina today said the European Union is unjust towards Kosovo related to visa liberalisation and said his country will support Kosovo-Serbia agreement. Original post Here
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
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 …
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
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 …
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
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 …
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
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 …
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 …
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 …