Diella the pregnant AI minister and the high-tech Potemkin villages of Balkan

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama's announcement of an "AI minister" named Diella, described as "pregnant" with 83 AI assistants for parliament, highlights absurdities in addressing corruption. Meanwhile, Serbia's government announces an AI factory, echoing past unfulfilled industrial promises. Both efforts showcase populist strategies that distract from real issues and governance failures.

OFAC stopped the sale of Serbia’s NIS subsidiary companies in Romania, Bulgaria and Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Serbian Oil Industry NIS, faces additional problems due to sanctions resulting in closed gas stations and blocked accounts across Romania, Bulgaria, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Cumulatively, losses amount to around 360 million euros, burdening Serbian taxpayers and shareholders, while attempts to sell subsidiaries have stalled due to OFAC sanctions.

Serbian media: Serbia lacks 216,000 tons of crude oil per month, MOL fire could affect the fuel supply to Serbia from Hungary

Serbian media reported Serbia's need to import 216,000 tons of crude oil monthly due to US sanctions affecting the NIS. Following US sanctions, Serbian oil quandaries multiply after the EU decision to halt gas transit to Serbia through Bulgaria next year, and a fire in a Hungarian oil refinery that might affect fuel supply to Serbia.

Illiberalism and The Global South are fueled by the Mandate of Heaven

Illiberal political movements in Europe, associated with their ideological allies from Russia, China, and the Global South, cannot be countered by the committees of overthinking everything in existence that are the staple of European mainstream politics, that is doing itself a disservice by getting dragged into foreign cultural conflicts and upholding foreign values that go against rationalism and the Enlightenment.

The square circle logic of Serbian protests

Recent protests in Serbia, notably the general strike, aim to challenge the autocratic regime of President Vucic. However, the protests often lack effective impact as many businesses remain operational. Official demands focus on transparency and university funding, but protesters avoid directly calling for regime change due to socio-political taboos. The discontent reflects a deeper sense of national identity and responsibility.