US House Democrats challenge Trump administration policy in Bosnia and the Balkans

Authored by Representative Bill Keating of Massachusetts, the ranking Democrat on the Europe subcommittee, the report was endorsed by all panel Democrats as well as the ranking Democrat of the full committee. The release coincides with a Tuesday morning committee hearing dedicated to stability and diplomatic strategy in the Western Balkans.

The document unveils previously unreported correspondence raising severe concerns regarding administration efforts to influence natural energy projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Specifically, lawmakers question how US officials encouraged local authorities to award a major pipeline contract to AAFS Infrastructure & Energy. The company is connected to Joseph Flynn, brother of former Trump adviser Mike Flynn, and attorney Jesse Binnall.

The dispute centers on the proposed Southern Interconnection Gas Pipeline, a major energy initiative valued at $1.16 billion (approximately €970 million). The congressional report highlights that AAFS was established just four days after American and Bosnian officials initially discussed private sector involvement, despite the firm possessing no prior energy sector or regional experience, Semafor reports.

In an April letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio included in the report, Keating warned that awarding the contract to an inexperienced firm diminishes the likelihood of the project successfully coming online, while creating an unfair conflict of interest.

The State Department responded by asserting that offering a concession and selecting an American lead investor were sovereign choices made independently by Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina officials. However, committee Democrats argue this response directly contradicts the administration's active promotion of AAFS as the sole concessionaire. In a statement, Binnall defended the venture, stating that Bosnian officials approached AAFS directly and that the firm routinely engaged with career diplomats at the US Embassy.

Beyond energy infrastructure, the report addresses broader geopolitical stability, incorporating State Department responses regarding the decision to lift sanctions on unofficial Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik.

Lawmakers from both parties have continually urged the administration to maintain sanctions against Dodik and other officials in Republika Srpska entity amid fears of regional destabilisation. The report notes that Republika Srpska has allocated at least $9 million (approximately €7.5 million) toward lobbying efforts aimed at winning favor with the Trump administration since the president’s second inauguration.