Publications

Books

  • Berg, Eiki, and Shpend Kursani. 2022. De Facto States and Land-for-Peace Agreements: Territory and Recognition at Odds. Routledge Studies in Intervention and Statebuilding. N.Y.: Routledge. View

Book cover
Peer-reviewed articles

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2024. “Costs of International Recognition: Palestine’s and Kosovo’s Struggle with Negotiated Statehood.” Geopolitics 29 (1): 174–202. View

  • Krakowski, Krzysztof , and Shpend Kursani. 2023. “Why Do People Use Informal Justice? Experimental Evidence from Kosovo.” Journal of Experimental Political Science 0 (0): 1–11. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2023. “Beyond Putin’s Analogies: The Genocide Debate on Ukraine and the Balkan Analogy Worth Noting.” Journal of Genocide Research 25 (3-4): 371–383. View

  • Berg, Eiki, and Shpend Kursani. 2023. “Back to the Future: Attempts to Buy, Swap, and Annex Territories in Contemporary Sovereignty Practices.” Global Studies Quarterly 3 (2): ksad022. View

  • Kursani, Shpend, and Krzysztof Krakowski. 2023. “Frustrated Aspirations and Different Types of Political Violence: Evidence from ‘Folk Knowledge’ in Kosovo.” Terrorism and Political Violence 35 (6): 1299–1316. View

  • Kursani, Shpend, and Eiki Berg. 2022. “Land for Peace: Can Territorial Adjustments Bring about Recognition of Self-Determination Claims?” Territory, Politics, Governance 10 (4): 568–88. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2021. “Reconsidering the Contested State in Post-1945 International Relations: An Ontological Approach.” International Studies Review 23 (3): 752–78. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2018. “Salafi Pluralism in National Contexts: The Secular State, Nation and Militant Islamism in Kosovo, Albania, and Macedonia.” Southeast European and Black Sea Studies 18 (2): 301–17. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2017. “Foreign Policy Coordination Vis-à-Vis the International Norm of Sovereignty: Macedonia’s and Montenegro’s Recognition of Kosovo.” International Politics 54 (6): 729–44. View

Book chapters

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2025. “Beyond Putin’s Analogies: The Genocide Debate on Ukraine and the Balkan Analogy Worth Noting.” In The Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Victims, Perpetrators, Justice, and the Question of Genocide, edited by Diana Dumitru and A. Dirk Moses, 371–83. Oxon: Routledge. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2023. “Removing the Government of the Host State: Outside Military Intervention.” In The Routledge Handbook of Self-Determination and Secession, edited by Ryan D Griffiths, Aleksandar Pavkovic, and Peter Radan, 314–29. London: Routledge. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2020. “Salafi Pluralism in National Contexts: The Secular State, Nation and Militant Islamism in Kosovo, Albania, and Macedonia.” In International-Led Statebuilding and Local Resistance: Hybrid Institutional Reforms in Post-Conflict Kosovo, edited by Arolda Elbasani, 301–17. New York, N.Y.: Routledge. View

  • Kursani, Shpend, and Arbër Fetiu. 2017. “The Foreign Fighter Phenomenon in Kosovo: Covering a Blind Spot.” In Between Salvation and Terror: Radicalization and the Foreign Fighter Phenomenon in the Western Balkans, edited by Vlado Azinović, 83–102. Sarajevo: University of Sarajevo and The Atlantic Initiative. View

  • Kursani, Shpend, and Berat Thaqi. 2015. “Kosovo–Serbia: Regulatory Aspects of Trade and Economic Relations.” In Regulation of Trade across Contested Borders: The Cases of China/Taiwan, Serbia/Kosovo and Cyprus, edited by Natalia Mirimanova, 41–52. London, U.K.: International Alert. View

Policy reports

  • Kursani, Shpend, and Krzysztof Krakowski. 2021. “An Experimental Survey Study of Types and Expectations of Violence in Kosovo: Engagement in Foreign Wars, Nationalist Riots, and Violent Protests.” Policy Report. Extremism Research Forum. London, UK: British Council. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2019. “Literature Review (2017-2018): Radicalisation and Violent Extremism in the Western Balkans.” Policy Report. Extremism Research Forum. London, UK: British Council. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2018. “Reintegration of Returnees: The Challenge of State and Community Response in Kosovo.” Policy Brief. Extremism Research Forum. London, UK: British Council. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2018. “Kosovo Report.” Policy Report. Extremism Research Forum. London, UK: British Council. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2017. “Kosovo Risk Assessment Report Since Independence: February 2018 - June 2017.” Prishtina, Kosovo: Kosovar Centre for Security Studies. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2015. “Report Inquiring into the Causes and Consequences of Kosovo Citizens’ Involvement as Foreign Fighters in Syria and Iraq.” Policy Report 04/2015. Occasional Paper. Prishtina, Kosovo: Kosovar Center for Security Studies. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2014. “Kosovo in Regional Context: Bilateral Political Relations.” Policy Paper 3/14. Prishtina, Kosovo: Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development. View

  • Kursani, Shpend, and Edona Krasniqi. 2014. “Civic Engagement, Social Remittances and Diaspora Participation.” In Kosovo Human Development Report 2014, edited by Matthias Lücke, 67–74. Prishtina, Kosovo: UNDP. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2014. “Altering the Status Quo in the Northern Part of Kosovo after the First Brussels Agreement.” Policy Paper. Prishtina, Kosovo: Kosovo Stability Initiative. View

  • Kursani, Shpend, Violeta Haxholli, and Gent Gjikolli. 2014. “Kosova Në Kontekst Rajonal: Marrëdhëniet Ekonomike Dhe Tregtare.” Policy Paper 3/14. Prishtina, Kosovo: Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2013. “Going Beyond Executive and Legislative Oversight of the Kosovo Intelligence Agency.” Policy Brief. Geneva, Switzerland: Democratic Control of Armed Forces. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2013. “A Comprehensive Analysis of EULEX: What Next?” Policy Paper 1/13. Prishtina, Kosovo: Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development. View

  • Kursani, Shpend, and Ilir Deda. 2012. “The Unsupervised State: In Search for International Legitimacy.” Policy Brief 2/12. Prishtina, Kosovo: Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development. View

  • Deda, Ilir, and Shpend Kursani. 2012. “The Unsupervised State: Internally Divided, Internationally Half-Legitimate.” Policy Brief 1/12. Prishtina, Kosovo: Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development. View

  • Kursani, Shpend, and Ilir Deda. 2012. “Autonomy for the Northern Part of Kosovo: Unfolding Scenarios and Regional Consequences.” Policy Paper 2012 / 05. Prishtina, Kosovo: Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2012. “A Comprehensive Vision for the North: The Final Countdown.” Policy Paper 2012/02. Prishtina, Kosovo: Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2011. “Lawful Interception of Telecommunications in Kosovo: Security Implications.” Prishtina, Kosovo: Kosovar Centre for Security Studies. View
Opinion pieces

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2022. "Shamia në mendjen e të paçliruarit." Gazeta Express. August 18, 2022. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2020. "Political Rift in Kosovo: The “Final” Agreement that Trump “Needs” Between Kosovo and Serbia." DFSRU Blog. April 8, 2020. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2018. "Serbia Blocks Kosovo's Bid for Interpol. Here's a New Way Forward." TRT World. November 22, 2018. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2018. "The Necessity of Saturday’s Protest." Prishtina Insight. September 26, 2018. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2018. "Territorial Exchange is Thaci’s Trick: Don’t Fall for It." Prishtina Insight. August 13, 2018. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2018. "Kosovo’s tenth birthday and tales of secessionism." Kosovo 2.0. February 15, 2018. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2018. "Kosovo's 'Secularism' is Being Confused - Especially by Those Trying to Defend It." Kosovo 2.0. February 16, 2018. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2017. "Kosovo’s Dire Need to Change Strategy in its Quest for International Legitimacy." Prishtina Insight. October 16, 2017. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2017. "A ‘Unity Team’ to Strip Kosovo?." Prishtina Insight. September 27, 2017. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2017. "Kosovo's Independence Threatened by External Forces." TRT World. September 13, 2017. View

  • Capussela, Andrea Lorenzo, Aidan Heir, and Shpend Kursani. 2017. "PAN, the Detestable Kid." Prishtina Insight. August 17, 2017. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2017. "Can There be Institutions in Kosovo Without PDK?" Prishtina Insight. August 9, 2017. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2017. "Order vs Justice in the Balkans." Prishtina Insight. May 2, 2017. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2017. "How not to think about building a state." Prishtina Insight. February 2, 2017. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2017. "The Two Sides of the Historical Mistake." Prishtina Insight. January 16, 2017. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2016. "'The Russian hack' and a Couple of Daunting Tales about Democracy." Prishtina Insight. December 28, 2016. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2016. "Elections in Macedonia: A shift Within the Bi-national Balance of Power." Prishtina Insight. December 13, 2016. 2016. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2016. "Rama, Vucic, and the Horde of Kosovo Bogus Radical Intellectuals." Prishtina Insight. October 21, 2016. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2016. "Two myths about Kosovo’s 'ISIS problem'." Prishtina Insight. June 6, 2016. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2016. "How the West Failed Kosovo." Prishtina Insight. April 22, 2016. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2016. "Is the Balkans to be Feared? From Drones and Tanks to Pistols." Prishtina Insight. March 29, 2016. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2016. "The violent prospects of a failing coalition." Prishtina Insight. March 4, 2016. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2016. "The Limits of Criminal Obedience." Prishtina Insight. February 19, 2016. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2016. "Protesta, Dhuna, Demokracia." Te Sheshi. January 10, 2016. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2015. "Për çka s’po flasin Kirby dhe të tjerët?" Te Sheshi. December 25, 2015. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2015. "Këndet e Çuditshme të Pushtetit." Te Sheshi. November 30, 2015. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2015. "Të Mbetesh Mbrapa Shekujsh me 'Lavdrim Muhaxherizmat'." Te Sheshi. November 18, 2015. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2015. "Vezët, Gazi, dhe Tharja e Kohezionit Shoqëror." Te Sheshi. October 19, 2015. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2015. "Serbian Fears About Kosovo’s ‘Army’ Are Myth." Balkan Insight. October 6, 2015. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2015. "Pse duhet solidariteti?" Te Sheshi. September 29, 2015. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2015. "'Katrinat' e Kosovës." Te Sheshi. September 10, 2015. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2015. "Zgjedhjet në LDK nuk Janë Vetëm për LDK-në." Te Sheshi. May 29, 2015. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2015. "Putini i Vogël." Te Sheshi. May 14, 2015. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2015. "Gjykata Speciale Kur S'ka Politikë të Jashtme." Te Sheshi. May 2, 2015. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2015. "Përqeshja e Institucionit të Protestës, nga Kush?" Te Sheshi. April 21, 2015. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2015. "A Response to Stephen Shwartz's Critical Review of the KSCC Report on Kosovars' Fighting in Syria and Iraq." KCSS. April 20, 2015. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2015. "Një Mundësi për Pragmatikët." Te Sheshi. March 8, 2015. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2015. "Mbi Dembelinë." Te Sheshi. February 25, 2015. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2015. "Jam Shtatë Vjeç, dhe Më Ka Rritur Banda, Kontrabanda." Te Sheshi. February 17, 2015. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2014. "Mos i Arrestoni, Amnistoni." Telegrafi. September 18, 2014. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2014. "Receta për Nxitje të Terrorizmit." Koha Ditore. August 14, 2014. Available in print.

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2014. "Shoqëria Civile dhe Intelektualët." Telegrafi. June 22, 2014. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2014. "Një Vit Guxim për Vendime të Rënda." Koha Ditore. April 18, 2014. Available in print.

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2014. "FAK-u në Kontekst të Garancive Ndërkombëtare." Koha Ditore. March 18, 2014. Available in print.

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2014. "Letër Studentëve të UP-së." Telegrafi. January 28, 2014. View

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2014. "Tregu i Ngushtë i PTK-së." Koha Ditore. January 14, 2014. Available in print.

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2013. "Bashkimi Doganor i Ramës pa Prodhim - Farsë?" Zëri. December 1, 2013. Available in print.

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2013. "Ushtri apo OKB." Koha Ditore. November 30, 2013. Available in print.

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2013. "Mbi Intelektualët Shqiptarë, Rrethanat, dhe ShBA-në." Koha Ditore. November 23, 2013. Available in print.

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2013. "Dialektika e Islamit Politik në Kosovë." Koha Ditore. August 27, 2013. Available in print.

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2013. "Qeveria me Dylbitë e Serbisë." Koha Ditore. August 21, 2013. Available in print.

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2013. "Ikja nga Kosova dhe Bllokimi në të. Lutje Ministres Çitaku." Koha Ditore. July 19, 2013. Available in print.

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2013. "Vlerat e BE-së për Pushtetin." Zëri. June 3, 2013. Available in print.

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2013. "Vlera e Serbisë për Kosovën në OKB." KIPRED Blog. March 27, 2013. Not available online. Permalink change.

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2013. "Problemi i Kosovës është Humbja e Madhe e Serbisë." KIPRED Blog. March 26, 2013. Not available online. Permalink change.

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2012. "Garancitë dhe Presionet." Kosova Sot. December 31, 2012. Available in print.

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2012. "Lindja e Mesme si Model për Përafrimin e BE-në." Koha Ditore. October 30, 2012. Available in print.

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2012. "Kuptimi dhe Pranimi i 'Realitetit' në Provincë dhe në Shtet*." Koha Ditore. March 4, 2012. Available in print.

  • Kursani, Shpend, and Ilir Deda. 2012. "Shteti Qesharak. Koha Ditore. February 22, 2012. Available in print.

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2011. “Basti për Datat.” Zëri. September 20, 2011. Available in print.

  • Kursani, Shpend. 2010. “Western Balkans and Europe: Waiting for the Mediterranean Breeze from Greece.” Art of the Possible: The Cambridge University Journal of Politics. December 30, 2010. Not available online. Permalink change.

Note on publications

Take a look at a fuller picture behind my publication records, something which academics usually do not like to talk about or do so, at best, only privately. Publishing is a bed full of roses. The record below is only for academic publications: books, peer-reviewed articles, and book chapters.

1
Total career rejections
...more
Hey. Not too bad. 😀
1
Rejections on works still looking for publication
...more
Oh. They will make it one day. ???? "Chance favors the prepared mind." LP ?
1
Rejections on works later getting published
...more
They made it after all!
1
Rejections on a single article (out of a prize-winning Ph.D. thesis)
...more
There is soon going to be no journals left to submit this one to. ???? Hey, if not, it will make it as a book for sure. ????
1
Publications without prior rejections
1
Publications after major revisions
1
Publications after minor revisions
1
Publications with immediate acceptance
...more
Don't misread it. This is mainly with book chapters. ????

Peer-review contributions

Scan through a list of academic outlets I have peer-reviewed for at least one time.

  • Cambridge Review of International Studies
  • International Studies Review
  • Global Studies Quarterly
  • Foreign Policy Analysis
  • Europe-Area Studies
  • International Areas Studies Review
  • Intervention and Statebuilding
  • Nationalities Papers
  • Perspectives on Terrorism
  • Southeast Europe and Blacksea Studies
  • Journal of Regional Security
  • Routledge: Book Series on Political Violence
  • Routledge: Book Series on Military, Strategic and Security Studies
  • Palgrave Macmillan: Book Series on Economics