What happens when a place declares independence?How does the political landscape evolve in the aftermath, and how do these shifts affect the people and political figures dealing with the past in that newly independent state?

These questions will guide our conversation in February, which coincides with Kosovo's Independence anniversary on the 17th and the parliamentary elections on the 9th.

To kick off this mini-series exploring diverse perspectives, primarily from the diaspora, I interviewed Dr Aidan Hehir about his latest book, 'Kosovo and the Internationals: Hope, Hubris, and the End of History'.

In our discussion, we explored how the politics of 'hope', a central tenant in Aidan's latest book, shaped Kosovo's political trajectory during the 1990s and post-2000s.

Dr Aidan Hehir is a Reader in International Relations at the University of Westminster. His research interests include transitional justice, humanitarian intervention, and statebuilding in Kosovo. He is the author/editor of twelve books; his most recent book is Kosovo and the Internationals: Hope, Hubris and the End of History (2024: Palgrave Macmillan). He has published over fifty academic book chapters and journal articles, is co-editor of the Routledge Studies in Intervention and Statebuilding book series, and is a regular contributor to national and international television and radio.

Intro music: North Albanian instrumental.

Interlude: Jericho - 'Kanga jone'.