Burim Ramadani, the former General Inspector of the Kosovo Intelligence Agency (KIA), has proposed the establishment of a Balkan Smart Defense system involving three Western Balkan countries.
Ramadani suggests that Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia work together to build the Smart Defense system, with the potential for North Macedonia and Montenegro to join later. “Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia should establish the Balkan Smart Defense, and later, North Macedonia and Montenegro should join. Bosnia and Herzegovina would be an active participant in the exchange. This could be the most authentic conceptualization of democratic defense in the Balkans,” Ramadani wrote on Facebook.
He emphasized that this plan is not a substitute for NATO membership but rather a practical aspect of joint response capabilities. According to Ramadani, the creation of this defense system would also facilitate the advancement of the idea of a permanent U.S. presence in Kosovo.
“This is by no means a replacement for our determination to join NATO, but just a practical aspect of a joint response. In fact, this would ease the advancement of the idea for a permanent U.S. presence in Kosovo, which would become the main supporter in responding to crises,” Ramadani added.
The Smart Defense concept involves advanced cooperation between states, exchanging defense capabilities in real time. Ramadani noted that significant work would be needed to establish this defense system.
