A New U.S. Ambassador for a Changing Partnership?
Eric Wendt presents credentials in Tirana as Albania and the United States look to the next phase of
Today: Sep 29, 2026
Business and Economy
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How a Sanctioned Russian Oligarch’s Business Interests Reached Albanian Public Contracts
Millions of euros flowed to companies linked to Strabag while Oleg Deripaska remained a major shareholder, exposing gaps in Albania’s ability to identify who ultimately benefits from public money Tirana Times, September 17, 2026 – For years, Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska’s economic interests in Albania were largely invisible. They did
September 16: Justice, History and Kosovo’s Statehood
By Sylë Ukshini Tirana Times, Sept. 15, 2026 – The September 16 judgment at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in the trial of former Kosovo
Zelensky Visit to Belgrade: What Could He Learn from Israeli Experience
by Edward P. Joseph Tirana Times, August 21, 2026 – At the NATO Summit in Ankara last month, I had the high honor of
Concrete, Cocaine and Corruption: Albania’s Fragile Growth Model
Albania’s Concrete Economy: How Construction Became the Country’s Dominant Growth Model Tirana Times, July 10, 2026 – A booming construction sector has made Albania
The Cost of Non Enlargement: Why the EU Cannot Afford to Leave the Western Balkans Behind
Tirana Times, June 29, 2026 – For years, the debate on European Union enlargement has been dominated by the presumed costs of admitting new
EU-Western Balkans Summit 2026: New Impetus for the Enlargement Debate?
By Odeta Barbullushi and Marina Vulovic Tirana Times, June 09, 2026 – A new proposal on enlargement was tabled by the French President Emmanuel
Serbia Faces Mounting Scrutiny as Democratic Backsliding Deepens
Serbia could lose €1.36 billion from the EU Growth Plan over rule of law and democratic concerns, according to the European Movement in Serbia.
Do the Balkans really want EU membership?
By Daniel Serwer Tirana Times, March 06, 2026 – While all eyes are on the Iran war, subtle but important changes are taking place
Strategic-Sector Governance Under Stress: The Bankers Petroleum Case and China’s Economic Footprint in Albania
by Nora Ahmeti & Vilson Blloshmi Albania’s investigation into Bankers Petroleum Albania Ltd. is often narrated as a “China case” because the operator has
