Businessman Artur Shehu breaks his silence: I am a long-time land owner in Zvërnec, I don't know the investors at all
Albanian businessman Artur Shehu spoke on the Opinion show...
Albanian businessman Artur Shehu spoke on the Opinion show...

At the end of November, the National Security Strategy (NSS-2025) was published, a comprehensive product of National Security Institutions, Agencies, Institutes and Experts, bearing the signature and name of the 47th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump.
The Strategy - 2025 demonstrates a strong turn in American policy, as it formalizes President Trump's vision and determination as well as the objectives of Official Washington on the use of instruments of power to protect sovereignty and develop the national and geopolitical interests of the United States.
Five geostrategic messages that we can derive from the /Trump – 2025 Strategy:
First of all, beyond the commonalities, e.g. with the Trump /1-2017 Strategy, what makes the SSK - 2025 special is the vision, approach, dedication and determination of President Trump-2 to make: "America great again" (in Albanian, even stronger), or an unrivaled, invincible and deadly superpower for any state or hostile Alliance that would dare to threaten the territorial sovereignty (completely impossible) or geopolitical interests of the USA!
Trump-2's Commitment No. 1 is also confirmed: "will save/heal the US from the Deep State; facade democracy, the state captured by the corruption of high-ranking officials; the army of leftist bureaucrats and the interests of philanthropists who have invaded (not only/authorized) the American state", but who continue to hold in handcuffs the EU countries, the Balkans, including the Republic of Albania and Kosovo.
Secondly, this strategy confirms the Americans' faith in President Trump-2's project: "US interests above all, Americans first"! Therefore, its sub-priorities are: “revitalizing the free economy; prioritizing economic interests in any international engagement, including contributions to peace; border security (by any means/price, building a digital wall, using military force against illegal immigrants, etc.); re-establishing hegemony in the field of scientific research, AI, energy, the fight against international crime, narco-terrorism, drug cartels”.
Third, the Trump-2 approach is in line: “peace (imposed) through force”, i.e. maintaining the role of the unrivaled military superpower of the US, including nuclear power, cyber, Artificial Intelligence (AI), etc. Suffice it to mention the designation of the Pentagon as the “Minister of War”: increasing defense spending to about $1 trillion (2 times more than the 31 NATO countries and 50% of Russia’s GDP), investments in AI, space force, etc.
As an example, we mention the "most successful attack in human history" that the US military power (37 hours of flight, 6 B-2 aircraft costing $2 billion each; 12 GBU-57 bombs with 14 tons each; dozens of Tomahawk missiles and 125 F-35 aircraft) carried out against the nuclear bases of the Ayatollah of Iran, who in his 36 years of rule threatened Israel and all civilization: "with extermination from the face of the earth"! Thus, this attack also remains as a message of the destructive power of the US against bloody dictators, or those who are humiliated by the power of the All-Power (Putin, Kim Jong, etc.), if they dare to attack any of the 32 members.
The Trump-2 strategy is not so much about values, nor about promoting democracy, nor about the tradition that Europeans have taken for granted the US's contributions to peace and security over a century. In fact, this strategy focuses on exposing unrivaled power and privatizing American interests. More clearly stated: “the era when the US contributed to peace and security for free has ended!
Fourth, while still remaining dependent on the US strategic guarantee, (especially from (non)nuclear power), by 2027 Europe needs to: “develop capacities to take on the burden of responsibility for conventional defense against any opposing power”. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the US held a critical weight in guaranteeing security, in the fight against Milosevic, NATO enlargement programs, etc., this strategy confirms that: “America is neither leaving NATO nor abandoning the EU, but demands that Europe develop/take responsibility without illusions”!
In addition (5th) (!) redefining the conditions for re-establishing dialogue and strategic stability with Russia (condition no. 1 peace in Ukraine); (!!) relations with China will be dominated by economic interests as well as preventing military confrontation for Taiwan; (!!!) and in the Middle East with the consolidation of peace, as long as they do not threaten but cement American supremacy and interests not only in the Region.
Five strategic findings & recommendations for the Republic of Albania and Kosovo from reading the Trump Strategy - 2025:
1) The era of strategic guarantees from the US is over, as this strategy demonstrates a tectonic shift in American geopolitics, with consequences in Europe, especially in the Balkans where the American presence remains of decisive importance. Thus, the message of this strategy is clear: "in a New Order, where instead of values, interests "remain the only cards", it is not enough to have Allies, but countries must develop the capacities capable of exercising responsibilities in the field of defense"!
2) Albania and Kosovo indeed have different statuses but inseparable destinies and interests. Of course, Kosovo is more effective since its very existence is the result of the contribution and military power of the USA/NATO. SSK-2025 makes it even clearer that Kosovo cannot be based eternally on the presence of the USA/NATO, i.e. as a gift (for granted). As for the protection of sovereignty and the geopolitical status quo, Kosovo will be able to achieve them only by further strengthening the dialogue and strategic cooperation with the USA to modernize the Security and Defense System.
3) While for Albania, a NATO member and EU aspirant, the essential question arising from this strategy is not “who are you with” (?), but “what does it offer” (?). Unfortunately, facade pluralism, (c)constitutional imbalances, endemic corruption, etc. have shaken the faith of Albanians in functional democracy.
However, "applauding the historic increase in the defense budget for 2026" (2.12% or €600 million, the largest in the last 35 years), I find the target towards 5% of GDP, in addition to being a request from President Trump, as well as international legitimacy (US/NATO/EU) and a historic opportunity to expose military power in defense of national integrity and interests. So, 5%, or over €1.2 billion for the procurement of latest generation weapons and systems that increase defense capabilities as well as deterrence/retaliation measures against any country that threatens the territorial sovereignty and geopolitical interests of the Republic of Albania.
4) Of course, an in-depth analysis of the SSK -2025 requires the engagement of state factors and elite expertise, while the establishment of a "wise group" with widely accepted personalities, who, beyond partisan bargaining, bow to National interests and state responsibilities to implement the Platform: "2-Sovereign States 1-Single Nation", which does not threaten but contributes as a rational balance for peaceful coexistence and Euro-Atlantic integration of the Region.
Finally (5), this strategy promotes Americans' trust in "the unrivaled and deadly military power of the USA and Trump's strong leadership"! On the other hand, it serves as an alarm bell for NATO/EU, Balkan countries, including the Republic of Albania/Kosovo, to take on the burden within the Alliance and develop national responsibilities, so that: "not War but Peace, global order, the values ??of civilization and democracy triumph over neo-Fascists, neo-Stalinists, neo-Milosevics, terrorist states and organizations"!
*Author: General ® Piro Ahmetaj:
Senior Expert on National Security and Defense,
the Balkans and relations with the USA/NATO
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