Under Trump’s watch, Kosovo faced a brutal test. Figures like Richard Grenell, Trump’s former envoy and political operative, have positioned themselves alongside Serbian and Russian-aligned interests. Grenell, notorious for blurring diplomacy and self-interest, pushed economic deals that served Serbia’s agenda, often sidelining Kosovo’s needs and undermining its sovereignty. Grenell’s actions fit into a larger playbook of empowering Serbia and appeasing Russia, bolstering Serbia’s influence over Kosovo in a way that gravely threatens its independence. Grenell’s influence didn’t end with his diplomatic role. His ties to far-right elements in Germany, documented affiliations with Serbian business interests, and lobbying on behalf of Balkan figures aligned with Kremlin-backed Serbia point to a diplomat willing to serve anything but peace.

Meanwhile, Berat Buzhala, a former Kosovar politician turned media mogul, has become a political pawn echoing Grenell’s interests. Buzhala’s publications in Kosovo often downplay Serbia’s incursions while magnifying criticisms of Kosovo’s government, amplifying narratives that undermine the country’s sovereignty. His media network has become an instrument for shaping public opinion in a way that aligns with Serbian and Russian interests, casting Kosovo’s government in a negative light while avoiding scrutiny of Serbia’s authoritarianism. His ideological alignment with Grenell reflects a more insidious alliance that serves foreign powers at the expense of Kosovo’s independence and security.

Trump’s support extends beyond the Balkans, aligning with leaders whose governing style echoes autocratic regimes more than democratic principles. Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama has faced damning allegations of ties to organised crime, with recent investigative reports from Rai3, Der Spiegel, The Frontliner, and the Washington Post revealing potential mafia involvement in his administration. Italian journalists have exposed connections between Rama’s administration and organized crime figures, suggesting a government intertwined with illicit networks. Rama has reportedly met with top mafia bosses, allegedly facilitating money laundering and granting favorable contracts in a pattern that jeopardizes Albania’s stability and its aspirations for democratic governance. Trump’s tacit approval of leaders like Rama reflects a foreign policy that props up autocrats and turns a blind eye to corruption, prioritising expediency over democratic values.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, another Trump ally, has staunchly defended Rama despite growing evidence of his mafia connections. Meloni dismissed accusations against Rama as mere propaganda, a dangerously naive stance that aligns Italy’s foreign policy with authoritarian interests in the Balkans. Her unwavering support illustrates a regional policy that elevates political expediency over accountability, amplifying the risks for Albania’s already fragile democratic institutions. Trump’s alignment with leaders like Meloni and Rama underscores a foreign policy that bolsters autocrats at the cost of democratic resilience.

In contrast, the Biden administration, for all its flaws, has shown a semblance of commitment to Kosovo’s sovereignty. However, the approach has often been marred by caution, with figures like Gabriel Escobar and ambassadors Jeffrey Hovenier and Christopher Hill drawing sharp criticism. Their influence has occasionally pressured Kosovo into concessions, further complicating its relationship with Serbia and leaving Albanians wary of U.S. intentions. But Biden’s administration has, at the very least, recognised Kosovo’s right to self-determination, creating a baseline of support that could be further solidified under a Harris administration.

Kamala Harris represents the possibility of a more resolute stance. Harris has indicated a willingness to overhaul the current diplomatic approach, potentially distancing the administration from compromised figures and shifting away from foreign policy steeped in caution. Her promise to address Kremlin-aligned regimes and support independent sovereignty in the Balkans offers Albanians a glimmer of hope. A Harris administration could finally take a firm stance against Serbia’s destabilising influence, signalling a new chapter for Kosovo and a more credible commitment to democracy.

The stakes for Albanian-Americans and for their families in Albania and Kosovo are profound. A vote for Harris is a vote against a Balkan policy that props up autocrats, enables corruption, and endangers Kosovo’s sovereignty. Trump’s record, from his troubling alliances in the Balkans to his endorsement of leaders with mafia ties, threatens to destabilise the region and compromise Kosovo’s hard-won independence.

In this election, the choice is clear. Albanian-Americans must decide if they want to support a foreign policy that protects democracy and sovereignty or one that empowers autocrats and erodes the integrity of the Balkans. Kamala Harris offers a chance to reimagine U.S. involvement in the region, a foreign policy grounded in conviction rather than caution, focused on stability rather than expediency. The path forward isn’t perfect, but it’s a path that stands against corruption, defends sovereignty, and gives Albanians in the U.S. and abroad a reason to hope for a safer, more secure future.