An Analysis of United States-Albanian Security Relations in Light of the War on Terrorism

This is a NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA report procured by the Pentagon and made available for public release. It has been reproduced in the best form available to the Pentagon. It is not spiral-bound, but rather assembled with Velobinding in a soft, white linen cover. The Storming Media report number is A486924. The abstract provided by the Pentagon follows: This thesis explores U.S.-Albanian relations, focusing on the security cooperation between both nations in the war on terrorism. Since its inception as an independent state, modern Albania's relations with the United States have been the focus of Albanian foreign policy. After the First World War, Albania survived as an independent state largely due to the support given to her by the United States. Albanian-U.S. relations have had their ups and downs, with the most unfortunate period being the post-World War II period, where these relations were severed and Albania was put under communist domination for half a century. After the collapse of communism, a revitalization of U.S.-Albanian relations took place. Albania is becoming an increasingly important ally for the United States in the Balkans. The security partnership between the two countries reached a zenith during the crisis of Kosovo and was further fostered after September 11, 2001, as Albania unequivocally offered to cooperate with the United States in the war on terrorism. September 11th has changed the way the partner countries' capabilities are viewed by the United States. Albania, a perceived Muslim majority country, may prove in the future to be more important to the United States through its contribution to the war on terrorism than through its military capabilities.