Kosovo’s Strategic Missteps with International Law

Authors

• Parker W. Remick, New Lines Institute for Strategy and PolicyFollow
• Robert Muharemmi, American University of KosovoFollow

Abstract

This paper interrogates the principle of selective engagement with international law in the foreign policy of Kosovo, arguing that international law functions less as a neutral arbiter between states and more as a pliable instrument wielded in the pursuit of national objectives. Through a meticulous analysis of Kosovo’s post-2008 trajectory, the study unveils a pattern of selective engagement with international legal mechanisms highlighting both moments of strategic acumen and critical miscalculations. Despite possessing the legal attributes of statehood, Kosovo’s struggle for international legitimacy is hampered by a failure to fully exploit legal avenues, from multilateral treaty accession to litigation and diplomatic lawfare. The paper situates Kosovo’s behaviour within broader theoretical debates, to reveal how small and contested states navigate the power asymmetries embedded within the international legal order. Ultimately, it contends that Kosovo’s foreign policy exhibits an adverse selection of priorities, prioritizing short-term domestic gains over long-term strategic consolidation via international law.

Recommended Citation

Remick, Parker W. and Muharemmi, Robert (2026) "Kosovo’s Strategic Missteps with International Law," Journal of Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies: Vol. 2: Iss. 1, Article 4.
Available at: https://repository.rit.edu/jpcss/vol2/iss1/4