Anti-Government Protests Grow In Montenegro, Serbia And Albania

The Independent: Anti-government protests in Montenegro, Serbia and Albania inspire hopes of ‘Balkan Spring’

Eastern European leaders face accusations of corruption and links to organised crime

It all started with a video posted on social media: a secret recording from 2016 that appears to show a well-known local tycoon hand over an envelope containing bundles of cash to a party associate of Montenegro's long-standing leader.

The prominent businessman, a former close friend and confidant of Montenegrin president Milo Djukanovic, released the video late last year in retaliation for charges filed against him for fraud and money laundering, which have prompted him to flee to London to avoid prosecution.

The tycoon, Dusko Knezevic, also gradually released a series of documents accusing the president and his ruling party of corruption, cronyism and abuse of office, claiming he has cashed-in millions of dollars to Mr Djukanovic and his ruling party so the authorities turn a blind eye to his shady business dealings.

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Update: Anti-government protests spread across the Balkans (FOX News/AP)

WNU Editor: A 'Balkan Spring' is needed in these countries. But the establishment that rules these countries will not give up power that easily.

Growing Tensions Between Serbia And Kosovo Over Possible Territory Swap

RFE: Thousands Protest In Kosovo Over Possible Serbia Land Swap

PRISTINA -- Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of the capital of Kosovo on September 29 to protest a possible territory swap with Serbia.

Supporters of Kosovo's opposition Self-Determination Party held banners and national Albanian flags as they marched through Pristina toward Skanderbeg Square, chanting "No bargaining with national land!"

Kosovar President Hashim Thaci has mentioned a "border correction" that would bring southern Serbia's Albanian-dominated Presevo Valley into Kosovo.

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More News On Growing Tensions Between Serbia And Kosovo A Over Possible Territory Swap

Tension flares in Kosovo over possible land swap with Serbia -- ABC News/AP
Thousands in Kosovo Protest Against 'Border Correction' Proposals -- Balkan Insight
Kosovo president visits disputed area after similar visit by Serbian leader -- Reuters
Serbia puts military on high alert over incident involving ‘Kosovo special forces’ -- RT
Serbian Army Put on High Alert Over Pristina's Actions - Reports -- Sputnik
Serbia's President Vucic to Ask Putin for Support Over Situation in Kosovo -- Sputnik

Why Europe Is Stuck In The Balkans

EUFOR Soldiers In the Balkans

From Foreign Policy Blog:

Gerhard Sporl has a fascinating piece in Der Spiegel looking at the EU's open-ended project in the Balkans, particularly Bosnia:

In the Balkans, the EU is trying to pursue a policy that the United States has just abandoned: nation building. Inzko's task is to transform this odd, artificial nation [Bosnia] of four million people into a constitutional state, a market economy and a parliamentary democracy. But while control of Iraq will gradually be handed over to that country's elite, the nations that have been created in the Balkans, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo, remain deeply dependent on the armies of officials, soldiers and skilled personnel brought in by international organizations. There is no timetable for the gradual transfer of power to national governments. In other words, Europe has no exit strategy.

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My Comment: The key phrase in this story is the following ..... no exit strategy.