Western Balkans Center to Convene Experts on Kosovo-U.S. Relations

A quarter century after the 1999 NATO intervention, Kosovo—Europe’s newest state—has matured politically and earned broader international acceptance. Yet U.S. policy has often prioritized the external status and negotiations with Serbia over the internal rule of law and anticorruption, even as Kosovo’s democracy has strengthened and public demand for good governance has grown.

In this timely conversation, Professors Mieczysław P. Boduszyński and Victor Peskin present their new analysis on how Washington can move from treating Kosovo as a protégé to engaging it as a partner.

They examine the evolution of U.S.-Kosovo relations, the rise of Vetëvendosje, points of friction in the north, and the implications of the EU-led dialogue—including debates around the Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities. The authors outline a pragmatic recalibration: aligning U.S. policy with rule-of-law reforms, applying consistent standards to both Pristina and Belgrade, deepening engagement with civil society and independent media, and supporting creative, sovereignty-respecting solutions that also safeguard minority rights. They also highlight steps the U.S. can take with European partners to advance Kosovo’s regional and international integration. 

Why attend 

Understand the shift from tutelage to partnership in U.S.-Kosovo relations. 

Engage the policy debate on rule-of-law, anticorruption, and the EU-led dialogue. 

Hear concrete recommendations for a more balanced, stability-enhancing U.S. approach.  

Opening Remarks

Dr. Emina Muzaferija