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Kosovo gets a step closer to creation of its Army

Minister of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), Rrustem Berisha, has officially proposed today that country’s 2,500-strong civil protection force be transformed into Army of Kosovo. Original post Here

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Great Britain considers land swap dangerous for the region

British Ambassador to Kosovo, Ruairi O’Connell, during a meeting with the leader of Vetevendosje, Albin Kurti, said his country supports sovereignty of Kosovo and every change of border is dangerous not only for Kosovo, but the entire region. Original post Here

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It’s worth discussing swap of Presheva Valley with the north of Kosovo, says President’s advisor

Blerim Shala, political advisor to Kosovo President, Hashim Thaci, talking on final agreement between Kosovo and Serbia said that it is worth discussing with Serbia swapping of Presheva Valley inhabited mainly by Albanians with the north of Kosovo inhabited by Serbs. Original post Here

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Kosovo opposition tells EU’s Mogherini they are against land swap idea

Opposition parties in Kosovo Parliament, LDK, Vetevendosje, PSD and Alaternativa, sent on Wednesday a letter to Federica Mogherini informing the EU foreign policy chief that they are against President Hashim Thaci’s idea on exchange of territories with Serbia. Also they say that current Government has lost its legitimacy to represent …

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European Parliament to vote on visas for Kosovo tomorrow

European Parliament is expected to vote Thursday on the European Commission’s recommendation for visa liberalization for Kosovo, announced European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE). Original post Here

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Thaci says agreement with Vucic does not affect Macedonia

President Hashim Thaci is continuing his tour to neighbouring states to promote the idea of him and Aleksandar Vucic to change the borders of Kosovo. Today he visited Skopje, trying to convince the Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev that his idea would not affect the territories of Macedonia, Albania and …

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Kosovo’s President, Prime Minister urgent visit to Tirana

Sources confirmed to Gazeta Express that President Hashim Thaci and Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj have travelled to Tirana late on Tuesday for an urgent meeting with Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama. The surprise visit comes amidst the debate on land swap with Serbia, a proposal which is being supported by …

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Kosovo's pride at stadium debut

A dream becomes reality for Kosovo’s football community on Monday, when the national team plays the first official international match at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Prishtina – built with the help of UEFA’s HatTrick assistance programme. Original post Here

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Kosovo’s Thaci ‘happy’ with the new negotiation team in dialogue with Serbia

President Hashim Thaci says he is “very happy” with the new negotiation team in dialogue with Serbia appointed by the Government and headed by his political opponent, Fatmir Limaj. Deteriorated relations between Thaci and Limaj after the latter split Thaci’s former party PDK and established an new political entity, have …

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Presheva Valley Albanians want Parliament approve a resolution to join Kosovo

Representatives of the Presheva Valley asked the Parliament of Kosovo to approve a resolution allowing them to join Kosovo. The request was made after political representatives of the three municipalities – Presheva, Medvegja and Bujanoc – met on Monday President Hashim Thaci who is promising them addressing of the “correction …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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‘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

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: January 12, 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

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How Albanian Organized Crime Conquered Europe’s Cocaine Market

On a locked down November afternoon in 2020, as Europe grappled with Covid 19 restrictions, two Albanian men based in Belgium exchanged a handful of encrypted messages. Deciphered years later from the Sky ECC platform, their words captured a watershed moment in Europe’s cocaine trade. A shipment measured not in …

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Port-to-Port: How Albanians Conquered the European Cocaine Market

BIRN reporters trace the rise of Albanian crime gangs to the top of the European cocaine trafficking ladder, from remote parts of Paraguay to European Union ports. Original post Here

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Albania in 2026: Battles With Anti-Graft Prosecutors Risk Slowing EU Progress

Political polarisation and government pressure on the judiciary – sparked by investigations of top politicians – could hinder Albania’s rapid progress towards European Union membership. Original post Here

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Heavy Rains Cause Evacuations and Discontent in Albania

Dramatic situation reported in several towns, while some locals complain of being abandoned. Original post Here

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Albania Under Water: A Return to a Hobbesian State of Nature

TIRANA TIMES, December 6, 2025 – Albania is once again under water. Torrential rains over the past days have triggered massive flooding across almost the entire country, exposing not only the fragility of urban infrastructure but, more fundamentally, the long-term failure of governance. From the northern plains to the southern …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

‘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

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: January 12, 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

News

How Albanian Organized Crime Conquered Europe’s Cocaine Market

On a locked down November afternoon in 2020, as Europe grappled with Covid 19 restrictions, two Albanian men based in Belgium exchanged a handful of encrypted messages. Deciphered years later from the Sky ECC platform, their words captured a watershed moment in Europe’s cocaine trade. A shipment measured not in …

News

Port-to-Port: How Albanians Conquered the European Cocaine Market

BIRN reporters trace the rise of Albanian crime gangs to the top of the European cocaine trafficking ladder, from remote parts of Paraguay to European Union ports. Original post Here

News

Albania in 2026: Battles With Anti-Graft Prosecutors Risk Slowing EU Progress

Political polarisation and government pressure on the judiciary – sparked by investigations of top politicians – could hinder Albania’s rapid progress towards European Union membership. Original post Here

News

Heavy Rains Cause Evacuations and Discontent in Albania

Dramatic situation reported in several towns, while some locals complain of being abandoned. Original post Here

News

Albania Under Water: A Return to a Hobbesian State of Nature

TIRANA TIMES, December 6, 2025 – Albania is once again under water. Torrential rains over the past days have triggered massive flooding across almost the entire country, exposing not only the fragility of urban infrastructure but, more fundamentally, the long-term failure of governance. From the northern plains to the southern …