Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 9, 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
North Macedonia Needs to Stub Out Its Nicotine Habit: Health Official
With nearly half of North Macedonia’s adult population smoking, the Health Ministry is pushing for a tougher anti-smoking law, causing uproar. But Marija Andonovska, head of the Institute of Public…
We Were Always Here: The Balkans Should Honour Its LGBTQ+ Pioneers
Balkan LGBTQ+ people, both in the region and in the diaspora, are often told that their identities are incompatible. It’s time to hear a different story – and learn more…
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 2, 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
North Macedonia ‘Risks Decriminalising Common Forms of Graft’
Proposed changes to North Macedonia’s Criminal Code will, if adopted, set back the fight against corruption, says Sabina Fakic of the Centre for Civil Communications. KAYNAK: Balkan Insight
Letter from Washington: Trump Scores Big on Small Balkan Playing Field
Keen to show loyalty to the US president, some Balkan states signed up to Donald Trump’s contentious ‘Board of Peace’. Others, meanwhile, are looking to the US for new business…
Environmental Crime in North Macedonia and Serbia Too Often Unpunished
A lack of training, capacity and legislative reform are conspiring to let perpetrators of environmental crime in Serbia and North Macedonia off the hook. KAYNAK: Balkan Insight
North Macedonia in 2026: Govt’s Unchallenged Power Will Test its Maturity
The VMRO DPMNE-led government will dominate internal politics, with no elections scheduled this year – but progress abroad, with the stalled EU integration process, is far from certain. KAYNAK: Balkan…
Week in Review: Hopes, Dreams and Reality Checks in 2026
As the new year gets off to a cold start in the region, our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories takes a look at the high expectations and sobering realities…
North Macedonia Village Carnival Mixes Ancient Tradition With Modern Satire
Part pagan ritual and part political satire, one of the most famous village festivals in the Balkans, the Vevcani carnival, goes ahead in North Macedonia on Tuesday and Wednesday. KAYNAK:…