Written by: Besa Kabashi-Ramaj
The recent approval by the government of the “National Program for the Comprehensive Defense of the Republic of Kosovo” (3 months before the start of the election campaign) raises serious concerns due to the lack of transparency and alignment with Kosovo’s established defense and security reforms. Since independence, Kosovo has worked closely with the US and NATO to build a professional, agile defense force, with a clear roadmap that includes the creation of a National Guard. The National Guard integrates civilians into the defense and disaster preparedness framework, ensuring readiness for both military and civilian crises.
The ad hoc “comprehensive defense” initiative appears to be a populist move, lacking the strategic rigor of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) transitional plan. This government program threatens to undermine years of methodical defense building supported by allies. Kosovo’s focus should remain on the structured development of its security institutions, rooted in international standards, rather than pursuing politically motivated and ill-conceived initiatives.
The government’s approval of the “National Program for the Comprehensive Defense of the Republic of Kosovo” on September 11 (3 months before the start of the election campaign) raises serious concerns about both its origins and its alignment with Kosovo’s post-independence defense trajectory, which has been meticulously constructed in close cooperation with the US and NATO. There is no clear or specific program supporting this newly approved initiative, leaving significant questions about where it fits into the national security and defense strategy.
Since Kosovo’s independence, the path to security and defense has been one of methodical planning and coordination with our key strategic allies, particularly the US and NATO. This process, reflected in efforts such as the Kosovo Strategic Security Sector Review (KSSR), has identified real threats, capacity gaps, and opportunities for improvement in a structured and internationally recognized framework. This process has created a roadmap that focuses on building an agile, resilient, and highly capable defense force that not only addresses immediate military needs, but also strengthens the state’s resilience through civil preparedness and disaster risk reduction.
A critical component of this trajectory has been the transformation of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into a military force with a defensive mission. This process is not simply about creating military power; it integrates civilians into national security structures through carefully designed mechanisms such as the National Guard. The role of the National Guard is essential – it bridges civilian preparedness with defense preparedness, contributing to both national defense and civilian protection in times of crisis. This development has been part of Kosovo’s broader alignment with NATO standards, reflecting our long-term goal of NATO membership and leveraging our defense partnerships.
In contrast, the “National Comprehensive Defense Program” appears to be a hastily formulated and populist response, lacking transparency and strategic basis. Without a clear program or explanation of how this initiative fits into Kosovo’s long-standing defense reforms, it raises serious concerns that it is simply a politically motivated gesture. The government’s move to adopt such a program appears to bypass well-established, allied-supported processes that have been painstakingly built over years. It risks undermining the credibility of Kosovo’s defense system by introducing vague, populist initiatives without a clear alignment with existing frameworks.
Any serious initiative must be anchored in reality. Kosovo’s defense reform is about creating structures that are effective and aligned with international standards. The KSF transition plan, including the formation of the National Guard, is a prime example of this – integrating civilians into the defense sector in a way that serves the dual purposes of disaster risk reduction and defense preparedness.
This so-called “comprehensive defense” initiative does not appear to have undergone the same rigorous planning or coordination with our strategic partners. In fact, it represents a step away from the structured, data-driven approach that Kosovo has followed in building an agile defense force. Instead, it leans toward populism, presenting a superficial display of defense readiness that fails to take into account the deep work already done under U.S. and NATO guidance.
In conclusion, while defense initiatives are crucial to Kosovo’s sovereignty, they must be rooted in our determined and credible trajectory. The government’s adoption of a vague and unsubstantiated program is not a substitute for the comprehensive, internationally harmonized processes already in place. Kosovo should remain focused on building a professional defense force through the strengthening of the KSF and the creation of the National Guard, rather than pursuing populist gestures that lack substance and strategic merit.
The author is a member of the PDK Presidency and Head of the Department for Defense and National Security of the Cabinet for Good Governance.
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