Author: OctopusInstitute

ISSN ONLINE: 3006-5925, ISSN PRINT: 3006-5917 In 2020, construction commenced on an object known as the “Trinity Church”, as reported by Serbian public sources. This object is situated in Nakëll, Peja, a small structure surrounded by multiple old cemeteries, with easy access to the village’s main road. The property housing the object lacks any substantial protective barriers, allowing unrestricted access to anyone interested. The structure lacks clear identification as a religious building, such as an Orthodox cross. Until recently, it served as a shelter for drug addicts, transients, and homeless individuals. Amid the escalation of tensions in the hybrid war,…

Taulant Elshani senior researcher at the Institute for the Study of Hybrid WarfareOCTOPUS Abstract This study investigates the methods used by Serbia to maintain influence over the Serbian minority in Kosovo, exploring the potential use of these strategies to further Serbia’s regional ambitions in the Western Balkans. The research focuses on various tactics such as media narratives and political maneuvers, aiming to understand their role in Serbia’s strategic goals. By analyzing contemporary practices alongside historical cases, such as Serbia’s narratives during the early 1990s conflicts in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, this study draws parallels to discern behavioral patterns. Additionally,…

The Octopus Institute is actively engaged in monitoring the evolving situation in the WesternBalkans, especially the dynamics in Serbia in the context of Kosovo’s admission to the Council ofEurope. With the approach of this significant diplomatic moment, our analysis indicates that Serbiais intensifying its efforts to obstruct Kosovo’s entry into the Council of Europe.From a political perspective, Serbia is committed to stopping Kosovo’s advancement to theCouncil of Europe by also convincing NATO countries to vote against Kosovo. Serbia hasmanaged to push Montenegro, a country that recognizes the Republic of Kosovo and is a memberof NATO, to vote against Kosovo in…

Іноземні найманці – не дивина на війні. УНІАН дізнався, як росіяни вербують громадян Сербії, що змушує останніх ставати на бік агресора, та чи світить їм покарання у рідній країні.

Taulant Elshanisenior researcher at the Institute for the Study of Hybrid WarfareOCTOPUS Serbia’s unchecked authoritarianism under Vucic, bolstered by Western appeasement, threatens regional stability. A radical shift towards democratisation is imperative for lasting peace in the Balkans. In Serbia, President Aleksandar Vucic’s authoritarian regime has become deeply intertwined with the political and historical trajectory of the Serbian state over the past decades. A significant concentration of power is evident through the control of media and civil society, the suppression of opposition, strong ties with underground networks, and election manipulations (notably those on December 17). Furthermore, connections with dictator Putin, particularly post the invasion of Ukraine,…

The Banjska Terror Attack: International Appeal for Swift Action Against Serbian Aggression It has been four months since Serbia’s aggression against Kosovo through the paramilitary and terrorist attack in Banjska – organized by the highest political and military echelons in Belgrade. The Octopus Institute brings to the attention of the local and international public that Serbia and the regime of Aleksandar Vucic continues to provide state-level protection to the terrorist Milan Radojci¢ and his paramilitary group. The Octopus Institute also emphasizes the need for the international community to increase pressure on Serbia, demanding responsibility for organizing the attack on Kosovo…

Four months have passed since Serbia’s aggression against Kosovo through the paramilitary and terrorist attack in Banjskë – an aggression organized by the highest political and military levels in Belgrade. The Octopus Institute brings back to the attention of the local and international public that Serbia and the regime of Aleksandar Vučić continue to provide state protection to the terrorist Milan Radojić and his paramilitary group. The Octopus Institute also emphasizes the need for the international community to increase pressure on Serbia, seeking accountability for organizing the attack on Kosovo on September 24, 2023. The Kosovo Prosecutor’s Office and other…

Author: Jasmin Mujanovic The Serb nationalist paramilitary attack in Banjska, in northern Kosovo, which resulted in the deaths of one Kosovo police officer and the wounding of two more, represents the most serious instance of violence in the country since the end of the 1999 war and the accompanying NATO intervention. In Banjska we see demonstrative proof that Belgrade has a renewed willingness to use violence to shape political conditions in neighboring states. The direct involvement of Serbian state security services in the attack – through their suspected provision of weapons and munitions, the use of their facilities for the…

Instituti për Studime të Luftës Hibride “Octopus”Institute for Hybrid Warfare Studies “Octopus”Propaganda Mediatike Serbe dhe Ruse në KosovëSerbian and Russian Media Propaganda in Kosovo Autorët/AuthorsAgim MusliuDrejtor / DirectorTaulant ElshaniHulumtues / Researcher Abstrakt Ky hulumtim ekzaminon rolin e dezinformimit medial serb dhe rus në Ballkan, me fokus qëllimet malinje si dhe impaktin e tij negativ në proceset demokratike dhe integruese të vendeve të rajonit. Ky hulumtim fillon me një rishikim të shkurtër historik rreth propagandës serbe, duke njdekur rrugët prapa qysh në ditët e para të fillimit të përhapjes së propagandës serbe. Pastaj diskutohet si gjenerohet propaganda sot në Serbi, duke…

Policy Recommendations from the Octopus Institute Taulant Elshani Researcher 12/01/2024 In Serbia, President Aleksandar Vučić’s authoritarianism has now been consolidated to the extent that it is universally linked to the political and historical fate of the recent decades of the Serbian state. The concentration of power, manifested by media and civil society control, the subjugation of the opposition, strong ties with the underworld, electoral machinations (especially those of December 17th), connections with dictator Putin, and after the invasion of Ukraine, the West’s surprisingly tolerant approach to Serbian authoritarian President Aleksandar Vučić have turned the latter into a reckless political adventurer,…