Events

After three and half years of independent existence and two nation-wide elections, Kosovo has gained considerable experience with the functioning of institutions that are vital to a democracy, including a free press. Jeta Xharra, Kosovo’s leading investigative journalist and host of “Life in Kosovo” on public television channel RTK, addressed the status of the media and freedom of the press in Kosovo on September 21 from 10-12pm. 

It has been more than six months since the general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and political leaders have shown little initiative in pursuing the dialogue needed for state-level coalition formation. Bosnia and Herzegovina's High Representative, Valentin Inzko, provided his assessment of the country's current political conundrums. 

USIP had a discussion on the challenges facing Kosovo after the snap elections in December 2010. 

This event is rescheduled from its original time on April 20.

A multiethnic panel of distinguished politicians serving in Bosnia-Herzegovina’s three legislatures will offer their views on the current situation, strategies to address existing conflicts, and the domestic and international factors shaping the country’s future.  These factors include the role of the international community, upcoming general elections and the public’s appetite for change, the policies of neighboring countries, and the actions of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s leaders.

Edi Rama, mayor of Tirana and chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania, shared his insights on the real challenges facing Albania’s quest for political, social and economic transformation, how successive governments have contributed to the current democratic deficit and his vision for the future.

In a major diplomatic victory for both countries, Kosovo and Macedonia recently concluded the demarcation of their shared border. This process of diplomacy, cooperation, confidence-building and reconciliation was conducted by a Joint Technical Commission (JTC) comprised of the two state parties and the International Civilian Office (ICO). 

Kosovo, which declared its independence a year and a half ago, is now recognized by 62 other U.N. member states and aims eventually to join the European Union.  What progress is it making in this direction?

Vice President Biden warned politicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina that failure to adhere to the "only real path" ahead could bring a descent into "ethnic chaos." Yet the threat of violence for Bosnia and the corresponding actions that the leaders of Bosnia, the US, and the EU should take are hotly contested.