In this episode of AFA Talks, we are joined by Faton Bislimi and Alban Alili for a discussion on the recent Congressional Delegation visit to the Presheva Valley and Kosovo and what it means for Albanians in the region.
In this episode of AFA Talks, we are joined by Elda Cenalia‑Rata and Adrian Doko, two Albanian-American candidates running for local office in the United States.
Together, they share their journeys into public service, the motivations behind their campaigns, and the challenges and opportunities of running for office as members of the Albanian-American community.
In this episode, we’re joined by Yll Sadiku, a Kosovo-born attorney, former legal advisor to the President of the Republic of Kosovo, and current graduate student at Harvard Law School. With deep experience in constitutional law, public service, and civil society work focused on human rights, democratic governance, and the rule of law, Yll brings a rare insider’s perspective to Kosovo’s upcoming presidential election.
In this powerful episode of AFA Talks, we sit down with Besa Sharrah, an inspiring Albanian American leader serving as the Central Ohio District Director of External Affairs for the Office of the Attorney General of Ohio. Supporting 13 counties across areas such as law enforcement, consumer protection, business protection, and human trafficking advocacy, Besa stands at the intersection of public service, justice, and community empowerment.
What happens when immigrant roots meet civic ambition?
In this episode of AFA Talks, we sit down with Suzanna Shkreli, an Albanian-American leader from Michigan who is running for Secretary of State—one of the most powerful and misunderstood roles in state government.
In this powerful episode of AFA Talks, we sit down with Dr. Sohan Dasgupta—a key architect behind the reopening of the $200+ million Millennium Challenge Corporation grant for Kosovo. From global security to economic diplomacy, hear how high-stakes decisions in Washington can shape the future of a young democracy.
AFA Talks presents a special edition recorded inside the Washington, D.C. office of Congressman Pete Sessions, featuring an in-depth conversation on Albanian-American engagement, U.S. foreign policy toward the Balkans, and the future of regional stability.
In this powerful episode of AFA Talks, we bring together three remarkable Albanian-American leaders whose journeys embody resilience, freedom, and public service.
One grew up amid the Kosova War and now serves as a city councilman in Texas. Another came of age under Albania’s communist regime and today is running for the Michigan State Senate. And the youngest, a first-generation Albanian-American from Illinois, is the youngest elected official in his city’s 103-year history.
n this episode, Dr. Jakup Azemi, author of The Making of Modern Kosovo (Bloomsbury Academic, 2025), joins AFA Talks to discuss leadership, non-violence, and the political journey that shaped modern Kosovo.
Drawing from his groundbreaking new book, Dr. Azemi offers insights into the role of Ibrahim Rugova’s vision, Kosovo’s democratic identity, and the continuing importance of unity, civic engagement, and diplomacy in the region’s future.
Guest: Ambassador (ret.) Alexander Arvizu, former U.S. Ambassador to Albania In this episode, Albanians for America (AFA) hosts a conversation with Ambassador Arvizu, who shares insights from over three decades of diplomatic service and reflects on his time as U.S. Ambassador to Albania (2010–2015). The discussion explores:
U.S. policy and regional security in the Balkans
The power of diaspora advocacy
Lessons in diplomacy, democracy, and leadership
In this episode, we welcomed Robert Lulgjuraj (Candidate for Michigan’s 10th Congressional District) and Diamant Hysenaj (Candidate for New York’s 14th Congressional District) — two Albanian-Americans running for the U.S. Congress. The discussion highlights their personal journeys, their vision for public service, and what it means to represent the Albanian-American community at the national level.
In this inaugural episode, we are joined by Jason Steinbaum, former Staff Director of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, for an in-depth conversation on U.S. foreign policy, Albanian-American advocacy, and the role of diaspora engagement in Washington.
