The EU’s Montenegro dilemma
Following a recent dispute over a $1 billion loan to Montenegro, the EU has an opportunity to take a more systematic approach to the growing Chinese presence in the Western Balkans
Western Balkans
How Macron can strengthen the EU in the Western Balkans
France has blocked progress on enlargement in the Western Balkans. In the Biden era, Emmanuel Macron should think again about bringing the region into the EU
Kosovo snap election: A chance for action
The results of this week’s election could be transformative for Kosovo – but the challenges facing its new leaders are daunting
How to advance a European solution to Bulgaria’s and North Macedonia’s dispute
North Macedonia was on a seemingly good track towards EU accession, until Bulgaria’s objection in November. But it is not too late to break the deadlock
China goes granular: Beijing’s multi-level approach to the Western Balkans
China’s granular engagement with the Western Balkans is inconspicuous, has the capacity to exploit differences between national policies, and can harness local entrepreneurship to develop ties with the country
Twin crises: Political dysfunction in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue
Regardless of the result of the US election, it is up to the EU to show robust leadership and gain credibility in the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia
The voting dead: Why electoral fraud in Bosnia should matter to the EU
Voter fraud and voter intimidation appear in many forms in Bosnia, and are becoming especially visible ahead of upcoming local elections in November
Serbia’s 5G deal with Washington: The art of muddling through
There is no obvious reason why Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic would turn his back on a relationship with China from which he draws a great deal of political capital
What Montenegro’s future government means for the Western Balkans
Supporters of Western integration for Montenegro may look hopefully at the smallest – and pro-European – member of the new coalition. But wider forces are likely to overwhelm it.
Hashim Thaci should resign
The indictment for war crimes against Kosovo President Hassim Thaci helpfully upends the poorly conceived US initiative to reconcile Serbia and Kosovo. But it fatally delegitimates Kosovo’s current leadership.