The US in Albania is no longer the same,” Çipa says: Visible changes during Trump’s second term

During the “Review” program, hosted by Greta Topjana on Euronews Albania, journalist Aleksandër Çipa spoke about the changes affecting the United States Embassy in Tirana following the appointment of its new ambassador, Eric Wendt.

Çipa said that a perception associated with the so-called “embassyocracy” has long been consolidated in Albania. However, according to him, a significant reshaping is currently taking place, linked both to the ambassador’s profile and to the organization and priorities of the embassy.

According to the journalist, the changes have been reflected in the embassy’s structure and in the number of its employees, particularly following developments surrounding the US administration during President Trump’s second term.

“A negative perception has emerged in Albanian society regarding the way relations with embassies are conducted. When we talk about ‘embassyocracy,’ we mean the mechanism of lobbying, influence, communication and information exchange through the staff of the US embassy or other embassies.

The importance of the US embassy is linked to its strategic weight in relation to Albania and Albanians in general. Its role is not limited to Tirana, as this kind of communication also extends to Pristina and Skopje. For this reason, it is a role that has been recognized as distinctive.

Today, it appears that we are facing a different approach. The ambassador is focusing on institutional interest and contribution, without engaging in the area associated with the previous model. Numerically as well, the embassy is no longer as it was before President Trump’s second term. It has changed in terms of its structure, the number of officials and, in a way, interpersonal relations,” Çipa said.