In a move that predictably led to increased tensions between Kosovo’s ethnic Albanian majority and its ethnic Serbian minority, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti recently installed ethnic Albanian mayors in four Serbian-majority towns in northern Kosovo after the ethnic Serbians boycotted the elections.
Violence and road blockages ensued, starting at the end of May that to date have led to injuries in dozens of United Nations peacekeeping members and even more locals. As a result, NATO has increased the number of peacekeeping forces in Kosovo in an attempt to prevent further violence.
Kurti’s actions brought quick condemnation from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and French President Emmanuel Macron that he had fomented an unnecessary crisis. And in the latest attempt to calm the stormy waters, former President Bill Clinton, largely credited for ending the Kosovo war nearly 25 years ago, has traveled to the Balkans once again in the hopes of restoring order.
