Erdogan slams Kosovo PM after sacking interior minister, intelligence chief, for arresting six Turks linked to Gulen
Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj that he will be held accountable for sacking interior minister and intelligence chief over a joint operation by Turkish and Kosovar intelligence services, which resulted in the arrests and extradition of six Turkish nationals suspected of their links …
Albanians clash with police opposing road toll
Thousands of Albania and Kosovo citizens clashed with the police on Saturday protesting against Albania’s toll road. Original post Here
Kosovo President says extradited Turkish nationals suspected of ‘breaching national security’
Kosovo President Hashim Thaci addressing to media on Saturday said that the six arrested and extradited Turkish nationals suspected of their alleged links with Fetullah Gulen, were involved in “illegal activities” and were “threatening national security” of Kosovo. Original post Here
Kosovo to investigate extradition of Turkish nationals
Kosovo Prime Minister announced launching of an investigation into the arrest and extradition of six Turkish citizens over alleged links to schools financed by the Gulen Movement, which Turkish President Erdogan accuses of a failed coup in 2016. Original post Here
Vulin threatening Kosovo President: Thaci will crawl before Serbian Army
Serbia’s Minister of Defence, Aleksandar Vulin, has made an open threat against Kosovo President Hashim Thaci. Vulin said that Kosovo President Thaci during the war “ran before” Serbian Army and next time “he will be crawling before the Serbian Army, if only need be.” Original post Here
Kosovo opposition wants snap election after ruling parties lose majority
Chief of parliamentary group of the opposition party, LDK, Avdullah Hoti, called as scandalous the decision of Kosovo authorities to deport the six Turkish nationals who wre arrested on Thursday suspected of their links with the Gulen movement. Original post Here
Parliament Speaker slams Kosovo PM, President over deportation of Turkish teachers
Kosovo Parliament Speaker and chairman of the ruling party, PDK, Kadri Veseli, said that the Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj and President Hashim Thaci are to be held responsible for the arrest and deportation Turkish nationals for their alleged connection to Fethullah Gulen’s movement. Original post Here
Kosovo PM dismisses Interior minister, intelligence chief over Turkish arrests
Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj dismissed on Friday the minister of Internal Affairs Falmur Sefaj, and the director of the Intelligence Agency, Driton Gashi, after the arrest and extradition to Turkey of six Turkish nationals due to their alleged links to a network run by Fethullah Gulen. Original post Here
Turkish President Erdogan spoke over the phone with Thaci, Vucic
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday spoke over the phone with his counterparts in Serbia and Kosovo to discuss the detention of a Serb politician, Turkish news agency Anadolu Agency (AA) is reporting. Original post Here
Serbian Government refers to Kosovo DPM Hoxhaj as ‘terrorist’
Serbia’s Government Office for Kosovo, has issued a statement targeting Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Enver Hoxhaj, calling him “terrorist.” Original post Here
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 …
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
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here