Monday Briefing from the Balkans: January 19, 2026
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
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 …
TIRANA, September 7 – A powerful wildfire that swept through the Levan area of Fier in recent days has left homes scorched, olive groves burned and large areas of land blackened. Footage obtained by RTSH shows the extent of the damage across the affected territory. Large areas have been reduced …
TIRANA, September 7 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koca has highlighted the importance of vocational education as a concrete opportunity for young people to prepare for the labour market and build their professional future. In a social media post, Koca shared messages from Ema and Belkisa, two students who have …
TIRANA, September 7 – Six homes and long-standing olive trees were destroyed by the wildfire that swept through the hills of Himara on September 4, Mayor Vangjel Tavo said. He added that no one was killed or injured. In a television interview, Tavo said the fire started at around 19:40 …
TIRANA, September 7 – New lending to agriculture increased by 23% in the first seven months of 2026, reaching ALL 1.38 billion, according to data from the Bank of Albania. At the end of July, the agricultural loan portfolio reached ALL 6.83 billion, up 9.3% from a year earlier. Agricultural …
TIRANA, September 7 – The Institute of Geosciences expects a high wildfire risk today and Tuesday across 10 Albanian regions. Air temperatures could reach 34 C. The institute says the risk will remain high in Shkodër, Lezha, Dibër, Durrës, Tirana, Elbasan, Fier, Berat, Vlora and Gjirokastër this afternoon and on …
After more than two days off Instagram, Euronews Albania’s official account has been restored and is once again accessible to the public. The restoration comes after extensive efforts and ongoing communication with Meta, while the issue that led to the suspension of the account continues to be under investigation by …
As anti-government demonstrations in Tirana reach the 100-day mark, four experts discuss how significant the impact on Albanian politics and society will be. 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
TIRANA, September 7 – A total of 20 wildfire hotspots were reported across Albania on Monday, according to the Ministry of Defense. Eleven remain active, while seven are under monitoring and two have been fully extinguished. Local civil protection structures are working with the Armed Forces to control the fires. …
TIRANA, September 7 – A total of 20 wildfire hotspots were reported across Albania on Monday, according to the Ministry of Defense. Eleven remain active, while seven are under monitoring and two have been fully extinguished. Local civil protection structures are working with the Armed Forces to control the fires. …