Imeri: I don't expect Bondsteel to close; Kosovo will be expected to spend more on security forces

Political analyst Visar Imeri does not believe that the new U.S. administration will work toward closing the Bondsteel base in Kosovo, but he notes that this will largely depend on the overall policy of newly elected President Donald Trump.

Regarding the presence of KFOR in Kosovo, Imeri emphasizes that all NATO member states agree it is still necessary, particularly following the events in Banjska, after which the countries contributing to KFOR increased the number of troops in the mission.

On the potential impact of Bondsteel's closure on the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), Imeri explains that the KSF has entered the second phase of its transformation "into the Kosovo Army," a plan initiated during Trump's presidency.

"The Kosovo Army was established during President Trump's first term, when Mr. Haradinaj was the Prime Minister of Kosovo. From that perspective, it’s clear that the Trump administration is most interested in ensuring that all countries spend more on their defense forces, and I think this will influence Kosovo as well. Kosovo will be expected to spend more on its security forces," Imeri said.

As for foreign policy, Imeri remarked that Trump is not drastically different from other American presidents, even though his approach, style, and decision-making process are completely distinct.

"When it comes to Kosovo, we know that Trump was one of the first presidents to send a letter to Serbian President Vucic and then-President of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi, stating that the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia should end with mutual recognition. I believe that will once again be the policy of Trump's administration. How it will be implemented on the ground depends on what happens here," Imeri explained.

However, he added that he does not expect and hopes there will not be significant changes in U.S. policy toward the region, as the region, in his view, is still not entirely stable.

"The region will face more problems if the policy adopted seeks quick solutions as the best resolution. In this sense, I think we may see something slightly different from the new administration compared to Biden's administration," Imeri concluded.