Elezi: Cooperation between the KSF and the Iowa National Guard is a sign of the USA's commitment

Cooperation between the KSF and the Iowa National Guard is a clear indicator of the USA's commitment to the development of military capabilities in Kosovo, as well as an opportunity for the KSF to develop professionally, eventually transforming into an army, thereby enabling Kosovo to become a part of NATO, according to security expert Bedri Elezi.

Elezi told Kosovo Online that during the visit of the Iowa National Guard commander, Major General Stephen Osborn, to Kosovo, a joint cooperation plan for 2025/2026 was agreed upon.

"The Kosovo and Iowa partnership program began 13 years ago and continues today, even at the highest professional level. The KSF have made many visits to Iowa, and training sessions between the KSF and the Iowa National Guard have been conducted and are ongoing. The KSF commander visited Iowa in March. The recent visits by the Iowa and KSF commanders are proof that the cooperation between the two countries will continue and that we will see the implementation of planned programs," Elezi stated.

He added that the Iowa National Guard is involved in arming the KSF with light weaponry.

"Iowa has continuously supported the KSF in supplying light weaponry, weapons allowed by international security institutions, especially NATO. We cannot discuss which weapons Iowa has donated, but I believe that in the future, other military resources, including heavy weaponry, which is mainly part of defense organization programs, will be provided from the USA and Iowa," Elezi added.

According to him, Iowa has significantly assisted the KSF in transformative programs, demonstrating that the KSF are "one of the most professional military structures in the region."

"The Iowa National Guard has so far demonstrated exceptional performance in preparing the KSF for transformative programs, so much so that the KSF can be considered one of the most professional military structures in the region. In many field trainings organized by NATO member countries, where the KSF participated, they managed to win international awards and also demonstrated exceptional and highly professional performance," Elezi emphasized.