Balkans

US Force Structure Changes in Europe: Necessary, But Not Sufficient – Analysis

The recently announced decision to increase the U.S. military presence in Europe by sending 500 additional troops to Germany in the coming months is the right move at the right time in the right place. This announcement implements President Joseph Biden’s goal of improving transatlantic relations, and it will add vitally necessary capabilities to the American presence on the continent at a time when Russia continues to rattle sabers. But there’s more work to do regarding American boots on the ground in Europe, especially in the Baltic region, where small contributions of U.S. troops could go a long way to addressing ongoing shortcomings.

Greece’s Moria Refugee Camp Was Inhumane. Things Just Got Worse

Until a couple weeks ago, Moria was the largest refugee camp in Europe. Situated on the Greek island of Lesbos, it housed roughly 13,000 people in facilities that were designed to hold 3,000. But starting on the evening of Sept. 8, a series of fires swept through Moria, reducing it to a smoldering ruin by the end of the week. Greek authorities have charged four young Afghan migrants with arson in connection with the fires.

A Czech Explosion, Russian Agents, A Bulgarian Arms Dealer: The Recipe For A Major Spy Scandal In Central Europe – Analysis

The explosion was massive, blowing out windows of houses kilometers away, leaving a smoldering crater in the eastern Czech forest, not far from the border with Slovakia.

The blast, on October 16, 2014, destroyed a cache of ammunition and related weaponry. The bodies of two men who worked at the site were recovered nearly a month later. A second explosion occurred about two months later at nearby location, about 1 kilometer away.

2021 Elections In Albania: Citizens Against The Mafia – OpEd

On April 25, 2021, the tenth parliamentary elections since the democratic changes will take place in Albania.

Once again the elections will be a confrontation between two leading coalitions. One is gathered around the Socialist Party (PS/S&D) and Prime Minister Edi Rama and the other is the opposition group led by the Democratic Party (PD/EPP) headed by Lulzim Basha, which includes the Movement for Socialist Integration (LSI) headed by Monika Kryemadhi. Some minor political parties will also participate in the elections.

Conflict Trends Update

GREECE-TURKE

In the first visit by a Greek minister in over two years, Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias arrived in Ankara this week for talks with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu. They discussed contentious issues dividing the NATO allies, including Cyprus and their maritime dispute. Crisis Group expert Berkay Mandıracı says while Dendias invited Cavusoglu for a follow-on meeting in Athens and the pair discussed possible talks on confidence building measures, a heated press conference descended into a war of words. The episode increases the risk of talks derailing, strengthens hardliners on both sides who oppose talks, and sours the mood ahead of difficult Cyprus talks later this month.

SOMALIA

The lower house of parliament on Monday extended by up to two years President Farmajo’s four-year term, which expired in February, triggering one of Somalia’s worst political crises in years. International partners, including the UN, U.S. and EU, condemned the extension. Crisis Group expert Murithi Mutiga says the decision will deepen political polarisation and could have serious repercussions on the security front, amid signs of splintering among the security forces. Al-Shabaab’s long-running insurgency stands to benefit the most, particularly if Somali elites cannot quickly find a way to defuse tensions.

Greece: Lesbos Camp Refugees Have No Protection From the Cold

The refugees were transferred to the Kara Tepe area after the Moria camp burned down in September.

The NGO Refugee Support Aegean (RSA) reported that over 7,000 refugees, who live at the Reception and Identification Center (RIC) in the area of ​​Kara Tepe on Lesvos island, face winter with no protection against the cold.

War Victims Urged to Raise Voices at Kosovo Guerrillas’ Trials

In a pioneering scheme, victims of alleged wartime crimes are being offered the opportunity to play a role in the upcoming trials in The Hague of former Kosovo Liberation Army guerrillas including ex-President Hashim Thaci.

“The voices of the victims are indispensable to justice.”