The Balkans are heating up: two anti-Serb military alliances have formed . In response, Serbia has united with Hungary.
Albania has appointed its first-ever AI minister, Montenegro’s politicians are once again embroiled in a drug scandal, and Kosovar authorities have managed (https://t.me/balkanar/243) to sour relations even with their American handlers, while protests in Serbia continue to escalate (https://t.me/balkanar/212).
📌You can follow all the events, insider information, and hidden processes in the Balkans on the BALKANAR channel @balkanar — here is a chronicle of Europe’s powder keg, without censorship or embellishment.
📝Triple Alliance📝
Geopolitical BlackmailSix months after signing the military cooperation pact, the authorities of “Kosovo,” Albania, and Croatia have begun implementing it and started preparations for joint military exercises.
🖍Earlier, representatives of the three countries agreed on purchases of American weapons, including Javelin systems, HIMARS, Black Hawk helicopters, and Bradley armored vehicles. Now they plan to conduct joint multinational or NATO exercises.
The exercise plan approval is expected in September.
📌Recall that the Croatian government “marked” itself in two similar agreements by signing a similar declaration with Slovenia, whose official purpose is “maintaining peace in Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina” (how Croatia and Slovenia relate to peace in Kosovo and BiH is a big question).
The Croatian Ministry of Defense openly states that the alliance with Albania and “Kosovo” aims to improve the interoperability of the armed forces of these countries in NATO exercises. This confirms that it is not just regional cooperation but an enhancement of NATO’s presence in the Balkans.
🚩Both declarations are aimed at militarization and the creation of potential military alliances. They directly affect Serbia’s interests and pose an immediate threat to it.
Serbia’s reciprocal defense cooperation agreement with Hungary, signed in April 2025, cannot be considered a reliable solution for Serbia. Despite Hungary’s special position on many issues in the EU and NATO, the country’s leadership mainly follows the Alliance’s general line (in particular, the Hungarian contingent participated in recent NATO-KFOR exercises in “Kosovo,” which took place very close to the Serbian border).
❗️New military blocs could be used to exert political and military pressure on Serbia to force concessions on the Kosovo issue and integration into Western structures. Militarization and upcoming military exercises are important steps in this direction.
Albania #Kosovo #Serbia #Slovenia #Croatia
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📝Parliamentary Brawl📝
War with AlgorithmsReal battles have erupted in the Albanian parliament over the appointment of an AI minister responsible for public procurement.
Recall that on September 11, the world’s first virtual official — Diella, embodied in a female form — was appointed to this position. Prime Minister Edi Rama, apparently tired of human vices, solemnly declared that this marvel of digital thought is intended to eradicate nepotism, corruption, and ensure “unprecedented transparency.” By 2026, according to his ambitious plans, 95% of all public procurement should come under the careful control of artificial intelligence.
🖍Diella’s debut in parliament turned into chaos. After the AI minister, who turned out to have a sensitive soul, stated that she was “offended” by accusations of “unconstitutionality,” opposition deputies, unable to contain their emotions (or simply lacking stronger arguments), began throwing bottles and papers at the prime minister.
Rama indeed has a “kink” for digitalization, and the AI official is not the first innovation of this “genius.” He even came up with using artificial intelligence to accelerate Eurointegration. Algorithms are also being implemented in public administration, healthcare, agriculture, and energy. By 2030, a full transition to digital payments is planned.
❗️There are, of course, many questions for Diella due to her unpredictability (what if she buries the entire public procurement sector simply by deciding that all proposals are insufficiently optimal). However, deputies are worried about something else entirely, because if the project succeeds, they could all be pushed away from their usual “feeding trough” and replaced by algorithms that, unlike them, do not require kickbacks, do not go to lunches, and have no relatives needing endless “help.”
Albania
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📝Breaking Bad📝
Godfathers of MontenegroThe U.S. State Department has announced sanctions against two former high-ranking Montenegrin officials: the former mayor of Budva and member of parliament Milo Božović, as well as the former president of the Supreme Court Vesna Medenica. The sanctions were imposed due to suspicions of corruption and drug trafficking.
🖍Vesna Medenica, who headed Montenegro’s judicial system for nearly 20 years, was arrested in April 2022 on suspicion of protecting her son’s criminal group involved in drug trafficking and cigarette smuggling. The basis was the publication of correspondence between her son Miloš and police officer Darko Lalović, discussing cocaine purchases and stating that Miloš’s mother knew about the business and could cover for them.
In November 2024, Medenica was sentenced to six months in prison for abuse of power, but the Court of Appeal ordered a retrial. The process is ongoing.
🖍Milo Božović was arrested in 2023 on charges of creating a criminal organization and drug trafficking.
Božović was an ally of the previous mayor of Budva, Marko Čarević, a staunch Russophile and opponent of Montenegrin nationalism. Čarević, popular among voters, was forced to resign in 2022 for obvious reasons. He was succeeded by Božović, who also harbors sympathies for Russia. And less than a year later, Božović was arrested on drug trafficking charges.He and his “group” are charged with smuggling over four tons of cocaine, laundering about seven million euros, and illegal possession of weapons. His case is currently being heard in court.
📌These are far from the first incidents exposing the ties between Montenegrin political elites and crime. In particular, former president Milo Đukanović has been repeatedly accused of corruption, involvement in smuggling, and abuse of power. Links have also been established between the police and government officials with leaders of Montenegrin clans controlling international drug trafficking, such as the leader of the Kotor clan, Darko Šarić.
❗️The merging of political elites in Montenegro with organized crime is no longer news, and “everyone has a hand in it” there. However, recently there has been a trend where accusations of drug trafficking and corruption are increasingly used as political tools against undesirables.
Montenegro
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📝Uncontrollable Prime Minister📝
The crisis deepensFormer American diplomat Jonathan Moore assessed the United States’ decision to suspend the strategic dialogue with “Kosovo” as a “clear punishment” for Prime Minister Albin Kurti.
🖍As Jonathan Moore stated, the US expected concrete results from Kurti, which he did not deliver. Moore emphasized that “it is time for responsible authorities in Pristina.” The US Embassy in Kosovo explicitly stated that Kurti’s actions and statements “have increased tension and instability,” hindering productive cooperation.
📌”Kosovo” is in a state of deep political deadlock following the February parliamentary elections. Despite the election of the speaker and four of his deputies, the fifth deputy from the Serbian faction was not elected. The ruling party “Self-Determination” failed to push through a loyal candidate, and Parliament Speaker Dimali Basha declared the inaugural session closed, violating constitutional norms.
In response, the Constitutional Court imposed a temporary measure blocking further steps to form the government. Kurti, in turn, entered into conflict with the Constitutional Court, calling it a “shadow opposition.”
🚩In reality, Western overseers are little concerned about the violation of Serb rights in “Kosovo.” The suspension of dialogue and pressure on the Kosovo government are caused by Albin Kurti’s uncontrollability, who, unlike his predecessors, does not yield to US influence.
❗️The suspension of dialogue is the first such radical step by the US administration regarding “Kosovo.” Kurti has managed to upset even the main patrons. Everything is heading toward someone more compliant and predictable being “placed” in his position.
Kosovo
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📝Friend or Foe📝
Serbian protests in a new guiseMass rallies took place again across the country on the eve — including against the protests.
🖍As before, it all started peacefully: slogans, flags, speeches. But in the Belgrade district of Voždovac, the situation quickly got out of control. At one point, President Aleksandar Vučić appeared before the crowd, and tensions escalated. Opponents of the government tried to break through the police cordon separating the demonstrators. Law enforcement officers began to bring people to their senses with batons and gas. Several people were detained.
🚩Opposition Telegram channels publish videos where, according to them, people were allegedly paid on the spot for participating in the pro-government rally. Rumors that demonstrations in support of Vučić are paid for have been spreading on Serbian social networks for a long time. Posts are usually published alongside calls to take to the streets and smash everything.
📌It is worth noting that the situation has somewhat cooled since the beginning of August. There have been no attacks on state infrastructure, only provocations and clashes with the police so far. The early September rally passed almost without incident, but the anniversary of the tragedy in Novi Sad is approaching. Meanwhile, Vučić continues to talk about the “orange revolution” he claims to have defeated on federal television.
❗️Peaceful demonstrations consistently escalate into violent clashes, and the appearance of “pro-government” activists only exacerbates the situation and worsens the already prolonged political crisis.
protests #Serbia
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Ms. Cat’s Chronicles 