Tanya Domi, professor at the Harriman Institute at Columbia University, specialized in international and public affairs, with a focus in human rights in the Western Balkans, post-conflict development and conflict-related sexual violence, was this Saturday’s guest on the Inside Albania podcast hosted by journalist Alice Taylor.
Analyzing the United States foreign policy, especially towards the Western Balkans, Domi criticized the current president for failing to treat the Western Balkans more seriously.
Domi expressed concern that a possible secession in Bosnia and Hercegovina and Republika Srpska might trigger a reaction in Kosovo as well.
“There was an opportunity to reset the [Balkans] strategy when Joe Biden was elected and it failed to take place. The efforts have been less than ambitious and I am trying to be kind. There is going to be a meeting between Biden and the Chancellor of Germany very soon and that’s another opportunity to talk about the Balkans, the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, the situation in Bosnia, that are really in a chronic state of crisis. If [President of Republika Srpska, Milorad] Dodik does something in attempts to secede in Bosnia, we believe that that will trigger a dynamic in Kosovo, and perhaps moves by the Serbs into Kosovo, God only knows what could happen. There’s a lot of concern about U.S. foreign policy in general because it has been very weak and the EU partnership has not produced much constructive advance,” explained Domi.
Seeing Kosovo still under measures from the West, following last year’s tensions in the northern part of the country, Domi expressed disappointment, while applauding Kosovo’s efforts to addressing problems within the country.
“In this criticism of Kosovo, at times I find I’m exasperated with that because I do think that Kosovo has yielded to democratic practices and has really attempted to address some of the major problems, including corruption. I give a lot of credit to President [Vjosa] Osmani and Prime Minister [Albin] Kurti. I think they are the bright light in Southeastern Europe to be quite frank,” elaborated Domi.
At the possible return of Donald Trump as United States president, and threats to sacrifice NATO allies to Russia, Domi sees potential dangerous situations not only in the Western Balkans, but also throughout the entirety of Europe.
“I think Trump is a real threat to the world. I think one of the first moves he would make if elected would be pulling the U.S. out of NATO and we know the consequences there with the ongoing war in Ukraine. I take a man his word. He is an abomination and what’s more troubling to me than his own words, is the reaction from his own party, where they dismiss what he says. Lindsey Graham, who has been a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee most of his career, has completely capitulated to Trump. This is very disturbing in terms of domestic policies within the United States, but certainly I can understand why Europe is very disturbed by these comments. He just says whatever comes out of his mind. There are really threatening circumstances in Europe with Ukraine and a very precarious situation in the Balkans,” concluded Domi.
