Phil Cain

Following a violent struggle for control of two checkpoints on the Kosovo-Serbia border, the immediate danger of an escalating crisis has been averted. But while the European Union scolded Pristina for resorting to violence, the U.S. merely expressed "regret" that the action was "not coordinated with the international community." The cost has been to reinforce the message that violence delivers results. more

On Jan. 1, the same day Hungary began its six-month EU presidency, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government introduced a law requiring "balanced" media coverage and instituting registration requirements for those disseminating information. The international furor over the new law threatens Hungary's chances of making the most of its EU presidency, while offering hope to a weakened opposition. more

Turkey has become increasingly assertive in the Western Balkans in recent years, with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan saying last week that his country would be happy to mediate in bilateral talks between Kosovo and Serbia. While Turkish involvement in the region is welcomed in many quarters, some say Ankara may be overplaying its hand -- especially in disputes that recall the Ottoman Empire's legacy.
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This past spring, the international community put discussions about the future of Bosnia, a country crippled by institutional dysfunction, on ice until after the upcoming elections on Oct. 3. But even should the election's winners have the will to address the gridlock that blocks effective governance, they will not have the power. The best that can be hoped for is that the country's profound political frustrations continue to be expressed peacefully. more

GRAZ, Austria -- The recent advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, that Kosovo's declaration of independence in February 2008 was legal, was a defeat for Serbia. But it also offered an opportunity for Serbia to start maneuvering out of the impasse into which its intransigence led. There are signs it is taking this chance. more

ZAGREB, Croatia -- Croatian voters face a stark choice this Sunday when they go to the polls to elect a new president, between the Social Democrat, Ivo Josipovic, and the former Social Democrat and Zagreb's mayor, Milan Bandic. The outcome of the election will serve as a litmus test of the country's European aspirations, and could have an impact on regional stability. more

GRAZ, Austria -- Austria's far right, riding high on its recent national election success, is conducting one of the most hate-filled election campaigns in recent memory in a bid for EU Parliament seats. Jews, Muslims and non-European foreigners have all been maligned, while far-right supporters have expressed their loyalty to the cause by using the outlawed Nazi salute. more

Two weeks ago, newspapers across the Balkans reported that the governments of Albania and Croatia had agreed to build a 1,500-megawatt power station. But according to Tomislav Mazal, an advisor to Croatia's head negotiator on the issue, the only agreement pending in the next few days concerns the formation of a 10-person group, with five members from each country, to carry out a feasibility study. more

SARAJEVO, Bosnia -- The newly appointed High Representative for Bosnia takes office as the country's finances are on the verge of meltdown, making the need for an arbiter to break the stalemate of the country's dysfuntional political system more urgent than ever. The acceptance of the continued need for the position is a sign of how vital its role as political tie-breaker has become to the divided country. more

GRACANICA, Kosovo -- A year after Kosovo declared independence, there has been no mass exodus of the Serb minority -- or worse -- as some critics feared. In fact, tension in the Serb enclaves has lessened and there is hope of further normalization, even in the restive North. The heartland of Serb resistance to Kosovo independence was not expected to be this calm this time last year. more

Slovenia's decision to effectively block Croatia's entry to the EU on the basis of an unresolved border dispute represents a dangerous precedent that could damage the chances of other accession hopefuls in southeast Europe. Unlike previous instances of obstructionism, where the start of negotiations was blocked, Slovenia introduced the minor territorial dispute after the negotiation process was already under way. more

Radovan Karadzic has been arrested after eluding justice for 12 years. Karadzic's famous self-regard prevented him from accepting the cautious obscurity most would think appropriate for Europe's most wanted man. Instead, he transformed himself into mystic healer called "Dr. Dragan Dabic." Now his cover is blown, and he faces five charges of committing crimes against humanity; three of violating the laws or customs of war; and one of grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions on the conduct of war. more

Today (June 15) the government of Kosovo will enforce the territory's constitution, which aims to pass authority over the territory from the U.N. to the EU. On Thursday, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon sent a letter to Kosovo's President Fatmir Sejdiu setting out the U.N.'s post-constitution plans. But the secretary general's attempt to square the constitutional move with international law won't prevent institutional conflict, de facto partition and prolonged insecurity over Kosovo's status. more

PRISTINA, Kosovo -- Kosovo, the separatist province of Serbia, is making nervous preparations for a
declaration of independence on Sunday. more

BELGRADE, Serbia -- The two leading contenders in Serbia's presidential election are mixing their messages on Europe, Russia and nationalism. Campaign posters across the country show President Boris Tadic, a pro-European, in front of the national flag. The tricolor, however, is difficult to spot on nationalist Tomislav Nikolic's posters. Instead, he is telling all he is a lifelong pro-European, despite also saying that EU membership will have to wait until Serbia's sovereignty over Kosovo is assured.
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After emerging victorious from a Nov. 11 runoff against Christian democrat first-round winner Alojz Peterle -- prime minister when the country declared independence in 1991, and the favorite of the center-right government of Janez Jansa -- left-leaning Danilo Turk will become Slovenia's next president. Turk's first year as president will be an important one. Starting on Jan. 1, the country of 2 million people will take on the rotating six-month presidency of the EU. more

PRISTINA and MITROVICA, Kosovo -- Kosovo will make a unilateral declaration of independence within days of the delivery of a report to the U.N. on Dec. 10, according to the breakaway Serbian province's prime minister, Agim Ceku. But what then? Kosovo has declared independence twice before, but only secured the recognition of neighboring Albania. But the province's prime minister is confident that the situation will be different this time. There will be "a wave" of official recognition, he says.
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