FLASH
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American diplomacy no longer interferes in the old games of Albanian politics...
The two dominant figures of Albanian politics, Edi Rama and Sali Berisha; one prime minister in office for 12 years and the other leader of the opposition Democratic Party, have been abandoned by official American diplomacy. Although in different positions, both share the same fate: one is ignored, the other declared “non grata.”
Apart from Ilir Meta, who has been in detention since October 2024, Rama and Berisha have been waiting for months for a signal from the administration of President Donald Trump, elected in November 2024. Each of them hopes to receive a sign of support from the White House. However, as confirmed by the developments so far, this expectation has also turned out to be an illusion.
Both leaders have been involved in active lobbying: Edi Rama through shady connections to secure a photo or meeting with President Trump, while Sali Berisha through a $6 million lobbying contract to lift the sanctions imposed on him by the US. However, neither effort has yielded concrete results.
Recently, a directive from Secretary of State Marco Rubio has excluded the US embassy in Tirana from any involvement in political positions towards parties or their leaders. This decision constitutes a clear rejection of both and neutralizes any influence they may seek in the name of proximity to Washington.
The US administration has not had any formal contact with the Albanian government since Trump's election. Even for the victory in the May 11 elections, the US did not mention Edi Rama at all in its official congratulations, contenting itself with a statement about the electoral process.
On the other hand, Sali Berisha's lobbying through the company "Continental Strategy LLC", funded by Nuredin Seci's "Make Albania Great Again" foundation, has also failed. Berisha continues to be on the US State Department blacklist, despite propaganda that his name would be cleared with the arrival of the new administration.
Prime Minister Rama has attempted to portray the situation differently. In a statement made shortly after Trump’s election, he announced “big news” that would dispel any doubts about relations with the US. Instead, Albanians saw only a government decision to declare Trump’s son-in-law a “Strategic Investor” in the resort project on the island of Sazan. This act, more than any other, was perceived as an attempt to buy political favor in the White House through the family business.
The failed lobbying was also confirmed at the Munich Security Conference in February 2025, where Rama failed to exchange any greetings with Vice President JD Vance. In fact, Trump administration officials were instructed to avoid any contact with him. The same situation was repeated at the NATO summit in June, where Rama's request for a photo or meeting with President Trump was again rejected.
For Sali Berisha, the propaganda for "removing the no-woman" has ended. His status remains unchanged, despite the million-dollar lobbying contract. Officially, Berisha is still persona non grata for the US and there is no signal from Washington about a review of the decision.
In essence, the international profile of Albania's two political "rulers" is so tarnished that neither billions in lobbying, nor island donations, nor luxury permits for family resorts are able to clean it. American policy has closed the cycle with them; it has left Albania in the hands of its citizens to judge their own future./ Pamphlet
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