Security in Kosovo amid global unrest

In a reality filled with strong and multiple security challenges, Kosovo's leadership would do well to maintain partnerships and strengthen ties of strategic importance, especially with the United States and NATO countries, says security expert Adrian Steuni.

“Sic was seen in the case of Israel, partnerships and coalitions are vital to the country's defence of”, says Washington-based survey of radicalism and violent extremism.

Speaking of Radio Free EuropeSaturday thus refers to Israel's response, along with its allies of Iran's attack with rockets and fears, at night between April 13th and April 14th.

Stein says that this unprecedented “ ” made the situation in the Middle East and the most unpredictable “” and does not rule out the possibility that it, in one way or another, will also have implications in the Western Balkans.

The region is facing a turbulent situation. There is social political polarization. There have also been direct attacks involving military-level weapons”, Steun says, citing the Banjska case.

In this village in northern Kosovo last September, armed groups of Serbs attacked Kosovo police, killing a policeman.

Kosovo blamed Serbia's state camera for the attack. Even the US said it is investigating Serbian state ties with it.

As Serbia distanced, the former Serbian politician from Kosovo took responsibility, Milan Radojic, who is still at large and has doubts that he is located in Serbia.

As long as the Serbian authorities on their territory have all the exhibitors who participated in that attack do not act, not only to arrest the hands, but also to place responsibility for planners and sponsors of attack, there is a danger that the same persons will commit the same” acts, Steun says.

Furthermore, he adds, “may also have individuals who have not been involved in Banjska's attack, which, if punishment or accountability does not occur, can receive the message that it is OK to do the same '%s1>.

Stein says that “has room for increased vigilance by the international community”, but also “for maintenance and strengthening of key partnerships and alliances” of Kosovo, especially with the United States and NATO.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has long reiterated that Serbia poses a threat to Kosovo's security. A survey released this week by the US International Republican Institute revealed that for half of Balkan citizens, Serbia” is the biggest risk.

But between Kurt and international allies there were some recent disagreements about the use of the dinar in Kosovo, which led to some warnings that Kurt is jeopardising relations with the Allies, even though he insisted on the contrary.

Following Iran's Israeli attack, Kurti gathered the Kosovo Security Council at the meeting, where, as he said, possible implications of developments in the Middle East were discussed in global and regional peace and security.

Kurti's office said the fears Iran used against Israel also possess Serbia, though Serbia's Defence Ministry denied having feared Shahed in a proposal for Radio Free Europe.

But at the risk of a wide regional conflict, with potentially global implications, I also warn Alex Watanka, director of the Programme for Iran at the Middle East Institute.

“We are reaching a point where gloves” are being removed, he tells Radio Free Europe.

It's a conflict between the states of Iran and Israel, and that means a new time”, Vatanka adds.

Tensions between Israel and Iran have been high for years and often covered with a shadowy struggle whether through air, sea, land or cyber attacks.

They escalated after the outbreak of war in Gaza last October. Israel launched a fierce campaign of bombings there after Hamas a group declared terrorist by the United States and other powers, which controls Gaza first attacked Israel.

Military groups, such as Hezbollah and Huth, backed by Iran, constantly attack Israeli territory, while Israel carries out strikes against Iranian figures in the region.

Vatanka says a conventional full fight would be disastrous for both sides and very destabilizing for the world.

As Israel's Defence Force ranks among the world's most powerful armies, Vatanka says Iran has “ka the largest arsenal in the Middle East with fear of rocket”.

“There are, too, thousands of thousands of pro-Iranian militias in countries like: Syria, Lebanon and elsewhere in the region. So Iran is not empty-handed”, says Vatanka.

The impact of this confrontation on distant lands, he says, may at present be more economical, or the shipwreck on the Red Sea.

For months, Huth rebels have been preventing shipping to the Suez Canal, the fastest sea route between Asia and Europe, and through which it exceeds about 15 percent of global sea trade.

Free Europe Radio has reported in January that this crisis has also had an impact on Kosovo, raising the prices of some products.

Stetun says that in such a situation, it is important that defence capacities within Kosovo are added.

The concern comes when you see that certain circles within certain countries tend to benefit from such global security situations to take destabilising action”, Steun says, taking Serbia as an example.

For security in Kosovo, along with local institutions, the peacekeeping mission NATO, KFOR.

Last week, supreme commander of NATO for Europe, General Christopher Cavoli, blamed Russia for inciting interethnic tensions in the Balkans and said Serbia is allegedly involved in these influential operations.

He said he has authorised sending more NATO troops to Kosovo, but also to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This week, the US Senate Foreign Affairs Commission adopted a bill aimed at adding US engagement to the Western Balkans, while the chairman of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson, speaking in support of aid to Ukraine, said that if Putin is allowed, he could also go to the Balkans”.

Steun also emphasises the importance of an agreement on normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia, while saying that “the attention and capacities of key security countries are put under pressure when there are so many fire havens to be extinguished by a limited number of fire fighters”.