The podcast covers topics like surviving prison, Putin's influence in Serbia, and geopolitical dynamics in Kosovo. It also delves into the challenges of self-determination, resilience of political prisoners, and complexities of diplomacy with autocratic leaders. The discussion explores nationalist aspirations, military tensions, and the relationship between Kosovo and Serbia.

NATO reinforcements started arriving in Kosovo this week, following violent clashes in majority-Serb north Kosovo in late May. Outbreaks of violence erupted following disputed local elections, which Kosovo Serbs boycotted, allowing ethnic Albanians to take control of councils in northern Kosovo. The unrest comes after an apparent breakthrough in March when Kosovo and Serbia agreed to an EU-backed plan aimed at normalising ties. On the Real Story this week we’ll ask whether the latest crisis endangers those negotiations, and what needs to happen to defuse tensions in both the short and long-term. How do people living and working in North Kosovo deal with the complex issues of ethnic identity that have shaped the region for decades? What is the role of outside players like the United States and European Union? And how has Russia’s invasion of Ukraine changed the West’s approach to the Balkans?Shaun Ley is joined by:Misha Glenny, Rector of the Institute of Human Sciences in Vienna and a former BBC Central Europe Correspondent. Dr Gezim Visoka, Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies in the School of Law and Government at Dublin City UniversityDr Helena Ivanov, visiting fellow in the international relations department at the LSE and an Associate Research Fellow with The Henry Jackson Society, a London-based think tank that advocates the spread of liberal democracy.Also featuring: Albin Kurti, Prime Minister of Kosovo Nemanja Starović, State Secretary, Serbia’s Ministry of Defence Jovana Radosavljevic, Executive Director at the New Social Initiative, a civil society organization based in North Mitrovica Guy Delauney, the BBC’s Balkans CorrespondentImage: Members of the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) stand guard in Zvecan, Kosovo, May 31, 2023. REUTERS/Ognen TeofilovskiProduced by Imogen Wallace and Rozita Riazati

Bill Anderson, CEO von Bayer, analysiert die Auswirkungen der neuen Weltordnung auf Unternehmen und die deutsche Politik. Er diskutiert die strategischen Herausforderungen, die sich aus dem Ukraine-Krieg und den Beziehungen im Balkan ergeben. Albin Kurti, der Premierminister Kosovos, beleuchtet geopolitische Spannungen in der Region und die Notwendigkeit einer stärkeren Kooperation mit den USA und der EU. Beide Gäste bringen wichtige Perspektiven zu den drängenden Fragen der europäischen Sicherheit und der deutschen Verteidigungsstrategie ein.

Albin Kurti, der kosovarische Premierminister und ein Wortakrobat mit einer intellektuellen Prägung, diskutiert über die bevorstehenden Wahlen im Kosovo und seine Chancen auf eine Wiederwahl. Er beleuchtet die anhaltenden Spannungen mit der serbischen Minderheit und die Herausforderungen, die sich aus seinem Umgang mit der Opposition ergeben. Der Podcast wirft auch einen Blick auf die politischen Bewegungen des Kosovo seit den 1990er Jahren und deren Auswirkungen auf die heutige gesellschaftliche Situation.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti talks about currencies, policy, and the refusal to reverse decisions. They also discuss currency concerns and municipal elections, tensions with Serbia, and the need for accountability and support from the European Union and NATO.