Kosovo: Americans’ Home Away from Home
From 2022 through 2024, I worked on a USAID program in Kosovo and had the opportunity to visit Kosovo for work. My experience was delightful: I ate in cozy, upscale restaurants with exceptional cuisine, wandered through lively city squares with striking architecture and deep history, and visited a countryside so picturesque it reminded me of Switzerland. I also experienced extraordinary hospitality: colleagues bringing Balkan delicacies to the office for me to try, and one even hosting me in her hometown for a weekend of exploration.
I was generally familiar with Kosovo’s recent history—the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, the Kosovo War in 1998–1999, and Kosovo’s declaration of independence in 2008. On prior trips to Kosovo, I had seen the statue of former U.S. President Bill Clinton in the capital, Pristina, and noted the large U.S. presence in the country through the State Department and USAID. But it wasn’t until my trip last month to finalize our Democracy Journeys itinerary that I fully grasped the depth of the U.S.’s commitment to Kosovo over the past 30+ years—and why Americans should put Kosovo at the top of their travel list.
Kosovo’s Fight for Independence - and a Turning Point for U.S. Leadership
By the late 1990s, Kosovo’s ethnic Albanian majority had endured a decade of escalating repression under Yugoslav President Slobodan Milošević driven by Serbian nationalism. Beginning in 1989 with the revocation of Kosovo’s autonomous regional status, Milošević’s government repressed Kosovo Albanians through mass firings from public jobs, closure of Albanian-language schools and media, and heavy police and military presence. In response, Kosovars—mostly ethnic Albanians—mounted a remarkable civil, nonviolent resistance movement led by Ibrahim Rugova. Entire Albanian communities in Kosovo organized parallel schools, healthcare systems, and even sports leagues to preserve their language and culture.
By the mid-1990s, reports of human rights abuses against ethnic Albanians were multiplying, and international concern was growing. For the United States, the crisis arrived at a pivotal moment. Western nations—including the U.S.—had failed to act decisively during the genocides in Bosnia (1992–1995) and Rwanda (1994), and President Bill Clinton later spoke openly about his regrets. Determined not to repeat those mistakes, Clinton and his administration viewed Kosovo both as a moral imperative and as part of a broader U.S. commitment to supporting democratic transitions in the post–Cold War world.
The U.S.’s Crucial Support for Kosovo’s Independence
The U.S. signaled its early support well before the violence escalated. In 1992, President George H.W. Bush warned Milošević that “The United States will be prepared to employ military force against the Serbians in Kosovo and in Serbia proper” if conflict broke out. For many Albanians in Kosovo, this was a source of hope—the leader of the free world had acknowledged their struggle.
Despite these warnings, repression only intensified. In response, the Kosovo Liberation Army emerged to resist Milošević’s forces. By 1998, reports of civilian massacres shocked the international community. President Clinton, working with NATO allies, pushed for peace talks in Rambouillet, France, in early 1999. The proposed agreement offered Kosovo autonomy and a NATO peacekeeping presence—but Serbia rejected it outright.
Days later, NATO, led by the U.S., launched a 76-day bombing campaign targeting Serbian military infrastructure in Belgrade and beyond, forcing Milošević to withdraw from Kosovo. It was NATO’s first sustained military operation and the first modern intervention undertaken primarily for humanitarian reasons.
In explaining his decision to the American people, Clinton framed the intervention as a moral responsibility—to stop ethnic cleansing and preserve stability in Europe. Polling at the time reflected widespread support: 62% of Americans backed U.S. involvement in Kosovo (Pew Research).
The U.S.’s Enduring Presence in Kosovo
After the conflict, Kosovo was placed under interim UN administration and received significant aid from Western nations to rebuild its government and economy. On February 17, 2008, Kosovo’s Assembly declared independence, pledging to be a “democratic, secular, and multi-ethnic republic.” Recognition came swiftly from the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Italy, and most EU countries. As of 2025, more than 120 countries recognize Kosovo’s independence, though Serbia, Russia, China, and several others still do not.
Since the war, the U.S. has remained deeply engaged in supporting Kosovo’s security, democracy, and economic development. Indeed, Kosovo is consistently ranked among the top recipients per capita of U.S. foreign aid worldwide. As a small piece of this support, Democracy Journeys’ parent company, Democracy International (DI), recently implemented a municipal governance strengthening project on behalf of the U.S. Government from 2022 to 2025. As I recently met with a former President of Kosovo, a former Minister of Defense, and the Mayor of Kosovo’s second-largest city, Prizren, each of them told stories—some off the record—of how instrumental U.S. support has been to Kosovo’s freedom and development.
An appreciation for the U.S. foreign policy towards Kosovo is not limited to Kosovo’s government officials. At the airport, U.S. travelers are greeted warmly when presenting their passports. You might also find yourself strolling down Bill Clinton Avenue or inspecting a statue that conspicuously resembles Bob Dole or Madeline Albright. It is also common to see the American flag flying next to the Kosovo and Albanian flags.
Why Kosovo as a Travel Destination
So why should Kosovo be at the top of Americans’ lists of places to travel? Besides its incredible culture, compelling ancient and recent history, breathtaking landscapes, and amazing cuisine, Americans have unique access to the heart of Kosovars. As frequent travelers know well, the moments that stick with you from a good trip are those instances where you had insider access to the life and culture of a location—a tour guide who adds dimension to a country’s history with personal anecdotes, a hotel staff who goes out of their way to direct you to a city’s best local restaurants, or stumbling upon a wedding that you are invited to join. For Americans, these opportunities are more available in Kosovo than anywhere else.
On Democracy Journeys’ upcoming Balkans tour, we combine the incredible goodwill of the Kosovar people with our deep local connections to create an unparalleled experience. You will have dinner with former and current political leaders, get exclusive museum tours from their curators, and hear stories of resilience and coexistence from cultural leaders over homemade meals and local drinks. We will walk the streets of historical cities with local guides and will dine off the beaten path at sweet, family-run restaurant in Kosovo’s countryside. Each experience has been carefully curated for you to see, eat, drink, and connect with the very best of Kosovo.
Many of our competitors offer educational tours with international experts—those who have learned the history of the region. We offer tours with the country’s leading voices who have lived and shaped history in real time.
Join us to travel with purpose and experience the warmth of Kosovo’s people and the deep history that binds Kosovo and the United States.
Cheers,