Balkan Insight

16/01/2026

On the eighth anniversary of the murder of Serb opposition politician Oliver Ivanovic, commemorations were held in both Kosovo and Serbia – but questions about who organised and carried out the crime remain unanswered.

16/01/2026

Donald Trump wants the world's largest island to become American. Located at a strategic crossroads and rich in natural resources, Greenland is nevertheless part of the Kingdom of Denmark and a European overseas territory. While Greenlanders dream of independence, Europe is reacting to American threats.

Watch the video: https://balkaninsight.com/2026/01/16/arte-europe-weekly-trump-wants-greenland-what-can-europe-do-about-it/

16/01/2026

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 of what 2026 holds in store.

Check out our :

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 of what 2026 holds in store.

16/01/2026

🇧🇦 | A Bosnian court has extended custody for another month for the former director of the Tuzla Retirement Home, where a fire in November killed 17 people and left more than 30 seriously injured.

Ex-director Mirsad Bakalovic and his associate Zinaida Razic Halilovic are accused of acting as accomplices in serious crimes endangering the safety of people and property. Bakalovic is also suspected of abuse of office.

Background 👇

Prosecutors in Tuzla have opened an investigation into two senior officials of the Tuzla retirement home where a deadly fire in November claimed 17 lives.

16/01/2026

Rights organisations hail acquittal of 24 humanitarian workers who took part in migrant rescue operations in Greece, slating the trial as ‘an attempt to criminalise solidarity and demonise humanitarian organisations’.
Read more:

Rights organisations hail acquittal of 24 humanitarian workers who took part in migrant rescue operations in Greece, slating the trial as ‘an attempt to criminalise solidarity and demonise humanitarian organisations’.

16/01/2026

Far-right demonstrators in Bucharest shouted slogans against a law that has tightened the penalties on supporters of fascist and racist movements – even though its implementation has been patchy.

Read more:

Far-right demonstrators in Bucharest shouted slogans against a law that has tightened the penalties on supporters of fascist and racist movements – even though its implementation has been patchy.

16/01/2026

Opinion articles under the pseudonym ‘Endri Kajsiu’ have for years promoted pro-government narratives in the Albanian media – leading some to wonder if the author could even be the prime minister.

Read more:

Opinion articles under the pseudonym ‘Endri Kajsiu’ have for years promoted pro-government narratives in the Albanian media – leading some to wonder if the author could even be the prime minister.

16/01/2026

Vetevendosje’s recent election win might end Kosovo’s political gridlock but the country must step up reforms and adapt to a more turbulent world, experts warn.

Read more:

Vetevendosje’s recent election win might end Kosovo’s political gridlock but the country must step up reforms and adapt to a more turbulent world, experts warn.

16/01/2026

Dzemila Hodzic thought she had buried her brother 30 years ago – but now knows the grave did not contain his remains. She is not the only one to suffer the same trauma.

16/01/2026

Elsewhere, Hungary sets general election date for April 12; new Czech government faces interminable vote of confidence; and Poland successfully repels largest cyberattack on energy infrastructure in years.

15/01/2026

As a young man in the 1990s, Vladan Lausevic saw his beloved football club in the town of Teslic ripped apart by inter-ethnic conflict, leading him on a path of discovery about the power of politics and identity.

Read the opinion:

As a young man in the 1990s, Vladan Lausevic saw his beloved football club in the town of Teslic ripped apart by inter-ethnic conflict, leading him on a path of discovery about the power of politics and identity.

15/01/2026

The US president’s combative demands to take over Greenland have spooked EU diplomats and NATO leaders this month. In Kosovo meanwhile, Vetevendosje’s victory means the European bloc will have to get used to working with Albin Kurti seriously.

Read more:

The US president’s combative demands to take over Greenland have spooked EU diplomats and NATO leaders this month. In Kosovo meanwhile, Vetevendosje’s victory means the European bloc will have to get used to working with Albin Kurti seriously.