iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Sokol Lleshi @sokol-lleshi.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

"Thiel does not want to save the West but transcend it; liberal values are to be tolerated as the best means for advancing technology through the free market only until something better comes along." libertiesjournal.com/online-artic...

libertiesjournal.com

Our Straussian Techocracy

The Silicon Valley elites funding the New Right believe it is much more difficult to be cynically correct than idealistically wrong. This is central to the worldview of figures such as Peter Thiel, El...

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Sokol Lleshi @sokol-lleshi.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

www.ft.com/content/fad8... Fitzcarraldo (named after Werner Herzog's movie) the coolest and the most sophisticated publishing house

ft.com

Fitzcarraldo – inside the chicest publisher on earth

Jacques Testard is transforming our reading habits, one blue book at a time

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Cas Mudde @casmudde.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

This is an excellent first analysis of the Saxony-Anhalt elections by Julius Kölzer! My main takeaways regarding the AfD. - it is the biggest party across the state - it is strongest in rural areas - it benefitted the most from high turnout

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Sokol Lleshi @sokol-lleshi.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

www.tiranatimes.com/western-balk... A sort of political manifesto for transformative change in the Western Balkans published at the leading English-language newspaper in Albania.

tiranatimes.com

The Western Balkans' Right to Democracy Depends on the EU Enlargement - Tirana Times

by Sokol Lleshi, Assistant Professor of Political Science, University of New York Tirana

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Sokol Lleshi @sokol-lleshi.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

To deal with weak domestic political accountability and a yawning gap between citizens and political elites in the Western Balkans, this policy paper suggests the EU can help enforce an externally induced accountability. You can access the policy paper here : tiranaobservatory.com/2026/07/29/c...

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Sokol Lleshi @sokol-lleshi.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Vol.5(2) of the International Journal of Balkan Studies (IJBS) Alda Banushi in 'The Impact of Stabilisation and Association Process in the Western Balkans 2000 - 2006' reflects on the past and ongoing process of the EU integration of the region. ijbs.unyt.edu.al/wp-content/u...

ijbs.unyt.edu.al

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Sokol Lleshi @sokol-lleshi.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Vol.5(2) of the International Journal of Balkan Studies (IJBS) Sümeyye Kaya Uyar and Yasin Çetin in 'The Gulf Effect in the Western Balkans after the Bosnian War' explore the cultural, economic and religious influence of the Gulf States in the Western Balkans. ijbs.unyt.edu.al/wp-content/u...

ijbs.unyt.edu.al

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Sokol Lleshi @sokol-lleshi.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Vol.5(2) of the International Journal of Balkan Studies (IJBS) Dominic Heinz in 'Trust and Transparency in the Balkans' applies the trust and transparency matrix to the WB and addresses ways to restore trust in political institutions. ijbs.unyt.edu.al/wp-content/u...

ijbs.unyt.edu.al

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Sokol Lleshi @sokol-lleshi.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Vol.5(2) of the International Journal of Balkan Studies (IJBS) Ilir Kalemaj in 'The Kosovo-Serbia Security Conundrum' discusses civil-military interactions in post-conflict societies and which institutional strategies can provide reintegration. ijbs.unyt.edu.al/wp-content/u...

ijbs.unyt.edu.al

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Sokol Lleshi @sokol-lleshi.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

📢 New Issue of the International Journal of Balkan Studies (IJBS), published by the University of New York Tirana, is now online! 🔗 Explore the full issue and all the published articles fully accessible here: ijbs.unyt.edu.al/index.php/vo...

ijbs.unyt.edu.al

Volume 5 – Fall 2024 - International Journal of Balkan Studies | UNYT

Volume: 5 Issue: Fall 2024 ISSN Print: 2788-6468 ISSN Online: 2788-6476 JTNDZGl2JTIwc3R5bGUlM0

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Federico Finchelstein @finchelsteinf.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

Hungría: una nueva transición a la democracia y la importancia de America latina, nuestro texto con @emmaguerisoli.bsky.social maGuerisoli en Diario Clarin de Argentina t.co/FLl1pHOZYU

t.co

https://www.clarin.com/opinion/hungria-nueva-transicion-democracia_0_Cf3mBht0Uz.html

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Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies @europeatharvard.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

“Orbán’s defeat challenges the idea of an unstoppable shift away from liberal #democracy." CES Resident Faculty Grzegorz Ekiert on the implications of the #hungaryelection on Europe and the world. Read the article: ces.fas.harvard.edu/news/2026/04...

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Dragoș Ioniță @dragosionita.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

The flags of the EU and #Serbia crossed along with young people, both from #Europe and Serbia, were seen in Belgrade downtown, expressing their dissatisfaction that Serbia's European integration has been in a stalemate for more than four years. n1info.rs/english/news...

n1info.rs

A rally in support of Serbia joining EU held in Belgrade

A pro-European rally was held in Belgrade under the slogan

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Princeton University Press @princetonupress.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Julia Sonnevend, author of Charm: How Magnetic Personalities Shape Global Politics (now out in paperback!), offers her thoughts on how Péter Magyar defeated Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Her book features a chapter on Orbán for those who’d like to learn more. Read her piece:

ms.now

Opinion | How Péter Magyar brought down Trump’s favorite European strongman

Julia Sonnevend: Viktor Orbán’s loss proves even autocrats can be defeated — with the right strategy

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Sokol Lleshi @sokol-lleshi.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

In his victory speech in front of the Hungarian Parliament building, Peter Magyar demanded Orban's loyalists and officials of the existing neo-patrimonial state to resign. The recurrent dilemma of how to deal with authoritarian enclaves and restore democracy after a sweeping regime change.

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Kim Lane Scheppele @kimlanelaw.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

Orban called Magyar to congratulate Magyar - and admitted defeat to his supporters. It's over. Peter Magyar and his Tisza Party wins with such an overwhelming victory that he has two-thirds of the seats in the parliament and can undo Orban's autocratic legalism!

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Lotem Halevy @lotemhalevy.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

How to turn zero legislativeseats into a supermajority: build a mass opposition movement party in civil society.

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Daniel Kovarek @kovarek.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

single-member district results rn at #HungarianElections –– landslide for #TISZA, #Fidesz is washed away. Also a personal 1st: voted for someone who actually won the first time in my life

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Jasmin Mujanović @jasminmuj.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

Obviously this is a false flag op in which Serbia is involved. But what is salient is how it illustrates how emancipatory the fall of Orban would be far beyond Hungary. His allies in the Balkans - Vucic and Dodik, especially - would feel his loss acutely. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.com

Serbia’s Vucic Says Explosive Found at Gas Pipe Near Hungary

Serbian police and army uncovered explosives next to a major gas pipeline that supplies much of the country and neighboring Hungary, where pivotal parliamentary elections are scheduled in a week’s tim...

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Max Boot @maxboot.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

Fascinating expose by the great Catherine Belton about how Orban has established close links with the MAGA right in the U.S. while laundering Kremlin disinformation. No wonder both Putin and Trump are trying to save him. www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...

washingtonpost.com

In Hungary election, Trump and Putin are backing Viktor Orban

Viktor Orban, who has built strong ties to the MAGA movement and the Kremlin, faces a tough electoral challenge from center-right candidate Peter Magyar on April 12.

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Aida A. Hozic @hozic.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Contesting Imperialism(s) - Central and East European ISA conference in Sarajevo, BiH, June 17-19, 2026. Deadline for proposals - April 10, 2026. There will be a pre-conference workshop for young scholars. For info, please visit: ceeisa2026.com

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VSquare.org @vsquare.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

💥Hungary’s Counter-Terrorism Center raided a Ukrainian state bank’s convoy not to enforce the law, but to manufacture a diplomatic crisis that could be weaponized in Orbán’s re-election campaign, sources familiar with the operation revealed to VSquare.

vsquare.org

Orbán's Dirty Raid: Inside Hungary's Hijacking of Ukraine's Bank Convoy - VSquare.org

Hungary's Counter-Terrorism Center raided a Ukrainian state bank's convoy not to enforce the law, but to manufacture a diplomatic crisis that could be weaponized in Viktor Orbán's re-election campaign...

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Sokol Lleshi @sokol-lleshi.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

consequences of hollowed state capacity and weakened intermediary institutions like bureaucracies

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Alberto Alemanno @alemanno.wsocial.eu · 20/03/2026

Europe spent years debating whether the energy transition was affordable. Spain quietly answered the question: gas now sets its electricity price in only 7% of hours. Strategic autonomy doesn’t arrive via summit communiqués. It’s built in advance — in wind farms, solar parks, and grid investment

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Justin Zimmerman @jztidecat.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

It’s weird that there’s a branch of academics pretending that it’s acceptable to have LLMs write any portion of their manuscripts or other forms of public engagement. It’s not. You’re supposed to be the author. No matter what your new toy can do.

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Aida A. Hozic @hozic.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

@profpaulpoast.bsky.social now says that we are in a world war. We are confronted with a global conflict led by governments that most of us do not support. Bodies as fodder for new and experimental weapons, techno-dystopia as a likely outcome. A reminder: nothing like war to find moral purpose.

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Szabolcs Panyi @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

🇷🇺🇭🇺 Meet Hungarian politician Péter Magyar – same name as the opposition leader, tons of photos with Viktor Orbán and his cabinet members, running as an "independent" in a West Hungarian constituency. A Russia-style spoiler candidate, designed to deceive voters. More on 444.hu: 444.hu/2026/03/12/v...

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Sokol Lleshi @sokol-lleshi.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Most likely a naive question: Is it common in the U.S., within the frame of civilian supervision of the military, to have the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staffs give briefings and updates on military operations part of a war? Does such a practice increase transparency or accountability?

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Cas Mudde @casmudde.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

As we (rightly) focus on the threat of U.S. government funding far-right parties and "think tanks", this excellent @veghzsuzsanna.bsky.social report is an important reminder of the crucial role that the Orbán government already plays in developing and financing a far-right infrastructure in Europe.

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msnegovaya.bsky.social @msnegovaya.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

.@drjademcglynn.bsky.social joined @maxbergmann.bsky.social & me on Russian Roulette to discuss her excellent new @erep.csis.org report about how Ukrainian resistance in occupied territories has adapted under pervasive surveillance and coercion (www.csis.org/analysis/thr...). Tune in to our episode!

csis.org

Thresholds of Survival: The Resistance in Occupied Ukraine

Ukrainian citizens continue their efforts to resist and undermine Russia's aggressive efforts to consolidate control over the occupied territories in Ukraine's southern and eastern regions.

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

This should be obvious to everyone: if Europe backs down and lets the US take Greenland, the transatlantic relationship would no longer be an alliance. Europeans would become dominated American satellites without sovereignty just like EEuropeans were Soviet satellites in the Warsaw Pact years.

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Sokol Lleshi @sokol-lleshi.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

www.politico.eu/article/eu-v... Do the plans for a two-tier EU provide a pragmatic solution to domestic contestation of the EU polity, or do they corroborate the periphery status of the Western Balkans?

politico.eu

Countries split over plans for two-tier EU

New proposals will offer the chance to become a member of the EU while limiting some decision-making rights — and prospective members are divided.

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Seva @seva.bsky.social · 26/12/2025

this is the simple answer to people who keep saying NATO expansion matters. Sure, it matters because it presented an obstacle to Russian imperial ambitions. Putin didn't invade because he hated NATO expansion, he hated NATO expansion because he wanted to invade

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Sokol Lleshi @sokol-lleshi.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

sociologica.unibo.it/article/view... Skocpol describing political science as a big-tent discipline : "Yeah, political science is a higher prestige discipline, and it often has more resources, but political scientists are still intellectual borrowers."

sociologica.unibo.it

View of Theda Skocpol in Conversation with Edwin Amenta on Sociology, Political Science, Higher Education, and U.S. Politics | Sociologica

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Jeffrey Kopstein @jeffkopstein.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

Skocpol on The Assault on the State

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Julia Lynch @jlynch13.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

This is terrible. The New School’s stellar social science programs are irreplaceable. There is nobody else who does what they do. This could be good for UMass Amherst, but basically nobody else.

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Ukraine Advocate 🇺🇦 @eugenemcparland.eurosky.social · 06/12/2025

Does Europe Finally Realize It’s Alone? by Nathalie Tocci Washington’s new National Security Strategy ratifies an adversarial relationship Europeans lulled themselves into the belief that #Trump is unpredictable and inconsistent but ultimately manageable. This is strangely reassuring, but wrong.

foreignpolicy.com

Does Europe Finally Realize It’s Alone?

Washington’s new National Security Strategy ratifies an adversarial relationship.

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Ulrike Franke @rikefranke.eu · 05/12/2025

The headline, the main takeaway from a European viewpoint is this: The transatlantic relationship as we know it is over. Yes, we kinda knew this. But this is now official US White House policy. Not a sppech, not a statement. The West as it used to be no longer exists.

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Laurent Pech 🇺🇦 @profpech.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

At long last, some enforcement by Commission re Slovakia's backsliding with letter of formal notice sent yesterday for breach of several fundamental principles of EU law, particularly the principles of primacy, autonomy, effectiveness and uniform application of EU law ec.europa.eu/commission/p...

ec.europa.eu

November infringements package: key decisions

Overview by policy area\n\nIn its regular package of infringement decisions, the European Commission takes legal action against Member States that fail to comply with their obligations under EU law. T...

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Gabriela Greilinger @gabrielagreilinger.com · 20/11/2025

Yes. But also, Orbán was in power for 14 years until finally a successful challenger emerged and Orbán's popularity drastically declined. So the interesting question to ask is: Why now? And why was Magyar so much more successful in his anti-corruption messaging than others before him?

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