Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 16, 2026
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. KAYNAK: Balkan Insight
High-Profile Convict Escapes Embarrass Montenegro at Crucial EU Juncture
In the space of a week, a convicted drug trafficker and a former special prosecutor have fled prison sentences in Montenegro, embarrassing the country just as it tries to convince…
When a Home Becomes a School: Recalling Kosovo’s ‘Unique’ Underground Classes
Sixteen years old when his father handed over their house for the underground schooling of Kosovo Albanian children, Fadil Aliu has written a book celebrating the contribution of the parallel…
With No Peace in Sight, Europe’s Ukrainian Refugees Yearn for Home
Four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, some of the Ukrainians who fled the conflict are struggling to integrate in their host countries, while anti-refugee sentiments have risen…
Week in Review: Commitment, Stasis and the Epstein Effect
An unfolding scandal of global proportions combines with eventful developments in the region in our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week. KAYNAK: Balkan Insight
ARTE Europe Weekly: Can Europe Finally Become a Major Space Player?
The European Space Agency recently adopted a record budget and its director is calling for yet more financial support to boost its ambitions further. KAYNAK: Balkan Insight
North Macedonia and US Agree Framework of Deal on Reciprocal Tariffs
North Macedonia hails framework trade deal with US, aimed at easing the effects of the high tariffs that the Trump administration imposed last year. KAYNAK: Balkan Insight
Actress Sues Albanian Govt for Using Her Image for AI ‘Minister’
Actress Anila Bisha told BIRN that her image was used as the face of Albania’s AI-generated public procurements ‘minister’ without proper permission. KAYNAK: Balkan Insight
Turkish Cabinet Reshuffle Portends Tougher Times for Erdogan’s Opponents
Experts fear an even tougher crackdown on opponents of Turkey’s President Erdogan after a change of guard at the justice and interior ministries. KAYNAK: Balkan Insight
Catch-22: Tensions with Croatia Cloud Serbia’s Search for Non-Russian Gas
Analysts say it would be quicker and easier for Serbia to get liquid natural gas from Croatia rather than Greece. But relations between the governments in Belgrade and Zagreb have…