It’s alive! The Western Balkans sanctions program gets a new Executive Order

So, the E.O. is both interesting and unremarkable. The actual designation authorities are unremarkable – stuff like undermining/obstructing democratic processes and institutions (and specifically mentioning obstructing implementation of various regional security or peace agreements), corruption, and human rights abuses. Good read, but unremarkable.

But, Mr. Watchlist finds the preamble, which explains why the E.O. Is being ordered, interesting:

…the situation in the territory
of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the
Republic of Albania (the Western Balkans), over the past two
decades, including the undermining of post-war agreements and
institutions following the breakup of the former Socialist
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, as well as widespread corruption
within various governments and institutions in the Western
Balkans, stymies progress toward effective and democratic
governance and full integration into transatlantic institutions,
and thereby constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to
the national security and foreign policy of the United States.

because, to be honest, I bet very few outside of Washington have kept any eye on the Balkans.

Links:

OFAC Notice

Executive Order