Balkaninsight.com

While the typical tourist in Croatia heads for such well-known hot spots as Dubrovnik, the islands or Zagreb, a group of enthusiasts is determined to reveal lesser-known parts of country to visitors hankering for a more cultural experience.

The energetic British former high representative to Bosnia, who some accused of authoritarianism, passed away in Britain aged 77.

Thousands of people gathered again on Saturday in the Serbian capital, condemning the government, President Vucic and the country's public broadcasters for failing to carry their viewpoints.

Kosovo rights group says Deputy PM and Foreign Minister used 'sexist and racist' language when describing how Serbia successfully lobbied against Kosovo's membership of Interpol.

If Kosovo’s government is incompetent and corrupt, one might also ask which international backers enabled such people to come to power and – in exchange for their unwavering deference – turned a blind eye to their capture of the state.

The jury is out on whether a mooted political party led by Skenderaj/Srbica mayor Bekim Jashari can mount a serious challenge to the ruling Democratic Party of Kosovo.

After the disappointments of the second part of 2018, it is clear that democracy and transformation have to come from Balkan societies themselves – not as a result of outside pressure.

Dozens of Turks at risk at home from their affiliation with the man accused of mounting a failed coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have found haven in Albania. But ‘brotherly’ ties between Ankara and Tirana keep them on their toes.

Our selection of Premium texts this week seeks to bring reality into focus where governments and peoples often go to extreme lengths to either ignore or avoid it. 

A new interactive map detailing the victims of the Yugoslav wars incorporates the efforts of various documentation centres, locating where human lives were lost all across the former country.

US praises Albania's decision to expel the Iranian ambassador and another diplomat over an alleged 'terrorist plot' that is likely linked to the presence of Iranian dissidents on Albania's territory.

The Belgrade-based Humanitarian Law Centre says Serbia has made little progress in implementing its own national strategy on the prosecution of war crimes.

Concerted US diplomatic offensive appears to be swaying Bulgaria in favour of American F-16 fighter jets over Swedish Gripens.

Small businesses are making good use of Christmas markets and co-work spaces in Sofia to market goods to people who crave niche products that come with a personalized touch.

Russia is a real and growing threat to pro-Western states in Southeast Europe. Ethnic Albanian territories in particular are at-risk and need to develop a coordinated response.

A factory in Albania is churning out millions of allegedly ‘counterfeit’ cigarettes a year, despite a criminal investigation prompted by British customs intelligence.

The ruling party is placing loyalists and ‘recycled’ ex-communists in key positions in the courts before the elections to help it secure a new mandate, experts warn.

A report on freedom of media and safety of journalists in Kosovo published on Wednesday noted 16 cases of attacks against journalists in 2018, two of which were physical.

Former Bosnian Army Fifth Corps commander Atif Dudakovic and 15 subordinates pleaded not guilty to wartime crimes including over 300 murders and the destruction of Serb Orthodox churches.

A French newspaper's interview with former Romanian President Ion Iliescu has caused controversy - which was worsened after he attempted in vain to retract his statements.