Everything comes to an end: how the DPS lost power in Montenegro
There was no one single factor that brought the DPS down. As with most tectonic social and political changes, the reality is more complex and... Read More
Kosovo needs an election
Hashim Thaci’s indictment blows apart the politically-motivated diplomacy of the last few months. By David B. Kanin The fix was in. Thaci and Isa... Read More
Pathology or opportunity?
The Bosnian Serb Commission on Srebrenica may well produce the usual ethnic-driven propaganda. It does not have to. By David B. Kanin An announcement... Read More
Church, state, and rock and roll
Montenegro’s controversial law on religion is – unusually for Milo Djukanovic – a poorly thought through mistake. By David B. Kanin My son went... Read More
Communal identities are durable. Civic? Not so much.
The Balkans need activists not wedded to the inertia of Western political ideology. By David B. Kanin Daniel Defoe, author of Robinson Crusoe, was... Read More
Vucic’s plan B should become plan A – treat the EU as it treats you
The latest in the series of broken EU promises and failed EU initiatives stand in sharp contrast to the modest but constructive “mini-Schengen” agreement among... Read More
Of tariffs and statehood
At this point, removing the tariffs against Serbia without recognition by Belgrade would be a serious setback to Kosova’s wobbly sovereignty. By David B.... Read More
Albania’s self-consuming corruption undermining path to EU accession
Albania’s future prosperity and security rest on accession to the EU. To that end, it must take all the necessary social and political measures to... Read More
To prevent brain drain, Kosovo must eradicate corruption
The US and EU “pressure” to fight corruption and deal with the country’s socio-political and economic ailments have largely failed. The US and the EU... Read More
Dveri and the protests in Serbia
Nationalism in Serbia, like in most countries, cannot be reduced to a single current or strand of thought. Where Dveri stands out is in its... Read More
Weaponizing white terrorism – the boomerang effect on the Balkans
Attempts by Balkan nationalists to weaponize links of international terrorism with the Bosnian war have had a boomerang effect. The simplifications are the boomerang; and... Read More
Does Bosnia need a new constitution?
The only way to manage the problems pertaining to constitutional reform is finally to abolish Bosnia’s fourth arm of government, international oversight; encourage the country’s... Read More
The Balkans – the feast feeding Russia’s and Turkey’s hunger
The EU should insist on democratic reforms and adherence to human rights, against which it would accelerate the membership process of Balkan states. This will... Read More
Spinning Russia in the Balkans
Bismarck had warned at the close of the Congress of Berlin in 1878 that the next war in Europe would probably result from “some damn... Read More
Truthful reporting in the Balkans is life-threatening
The Balkan public needs to know that they can rely on the EU’s backing in their battle for human rights and freedom of the press,... Read More
Ghosts of protests past
So far, the current set of weekly street performances in Serbia appear to have as much in common with demonstrations in March 1991 as with... Read More
Macedonia name issue – agreement and disagreement
Maximalist positions for the renaming of the neighbouring state without the use of the term ‘Macedonia’ has always been the equivalent of a unicorn eating... Read More
The Kosovo dialogue – must the show go on?
It is clear that “rallying ‘round the flag” is not a phenomena which is limited to the Kosovo territory, but something which represents a mainstream... Read More
Corruption in the Balkans is impeding EU membership
Addressing the problem of corruption in the Balkans is central to the EU’s geostrategic interests as well as the Balkans’ future wellbeing within the EU... Read More
Paddy Ashdown, Balkan peacemaker
Paddy Ashdown made a real difference. Just one of his many successes in the region was to force through reconstruction of the Old Bridge in... Read More
Partition phobia
The simple assumption that border changes, by necessity, bring horrific consequences is a form of work avoidance, as is the teleological notion that there exists... Read More
The Komšić affair, redux – plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose
Balkan history is replete with examples of how disingenuous political tactics used to establish an ethnic hegemony lead to tragedy. Unfortunately, people who refuse to... Read More
Precedents – entering an unstable era
The lack of consensus regarding what a certain territory makes special (and its corresponding rights especially different comparing to others) is not only a specificum... Read More
Connectivity for Development – taking the highway for economic growth
A panel discussion to promote the regional study, ‘Connectivity for Development – Taking the Highway for Economic Growth’, was organized in Belgrade.
Diploma recognition between Serbia and Kosovo – integration or a palliative measure?
Though diploma recognition is a positive step forward for relations between Belgrade and Pristina, the prospects of an integrated education system in Kosovo remain slim.
