American analyst Edward P. Joseph has warned that any potential withdrawal of U.S. troops from the NATO-led KFOR mission would be a “very serious mistake” with consequences for regional stability.
Speaking in an interview, Joseph—who teaches at Johns Hopkins University—emphasized that such a move could destabilize not only Kosovo but the wider Western Balkans.
“If the United States were to withdraw from KFOR, it would be a very serious mistake, and I hope it will not take that step,” Joseph said. He added that he has already raised the issue with officials from the U.S. State Department and members of Congress.
Joseph also revealed that he has written directly to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging the administration to maintain its military presence in Kosovo.
While noting the unpredictability of U.S. President Donald Trump, Joseph said such a decision cannot be ruled out. However, he stressed that withdrawing troops would risk encouraging instability in a region that remains sensitive to security shifts.
KFOR, led by NATO, has played a crucial role in maintaining peace and security in Kosovo since 1999, and the continued presence of U.S. forces is widely seen as a key component of that mission.
