Paramilitary Veselin Vlahovic, alias ‘Batko’, who was given Bosnia’s longest ever war crimes sentence, became a notorious figure during the siege of Sarajevo because of his brutality.
Macedonia has paid tribute to one of its most prominent and fearless journalists, whose untimely death has shocked the nation.
A row has erupted over the appointment of former ethnic Albanian rebel commander turned politician Talat Xhaferi as Macedonia’s new defence minister.
Yugoslav-born journalist covered some of the most stirring events in Eastern Europe during the Cold War and later crossed swords with Slobodan Milosevic’s government at some personal cost.
This relative newcomer to politics has quickly become trusted by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, advancing rapidly in the ruling VMRO DPMNE hierarchy.
The great hope of the political left hasn’t done much to tackle the economic crisis in seven months in office - but that won’t stop him from winning Sunday’s general election in austerity-weary Romania.
He had made a successful transition from guerrilla leader to politician - until The Hague threw its spanner in the works, not once but twice.
A former ally of Milosevic’s wife whose great loves are comic books, communism and Russia, he believes he is doing Serbia’s ‘most honourable work’ in defending its interests in Kosovo.
Pasko Kuzman, Macedonia’s excavator in chief, says he is not putting down his shovel until he finds the tomb of Alexander the Great – even if it takes him till he is 99.
The head of the biggest Montenegro opposition party will have to prove his leadership capacities on October 14 following the defection of some senior colleagues to the new Democratic Front.
The university academic, former diplomat and author of several books has re-appeared as leader of the new opposition Democratic Front since July.
He seemed like a breath of fresh air when he took over in late 2010, but, as the Prime Minister’s troubles have mounted, much of the initial enthusiasm felt for him has since faded.
He may have resigned from frontline politics in 2010, but the veteran leader still wields significant political and economic influence.
The man who long aspired to become mayor of Belgrade has instead ended up – in many people’s view – as most powerful man in Serbia.
Kafu earned his reputation from singing Qur’anic verses. But then he found Bob Marley and was inspired to created a new music band , Gypsy Groove, fusing Balkans Roma music, mixed with jazz and reggae.