Overview

• Thousands of protesters gathered in Belgrade on the 26th anniversary of the 1999 NATO bombing to oppose Jared Kushner's luxury development project on a historically significant site.
• The former army headquarters, designed by architect Nikola Dobrovic, is seen as a symbol of resistance and cultural heritage, with calls for it to be reinstated as a protected site.
• The $500M project, backed by Kushner's firm Affinity Partners, includes plans for a Trump hotel, luxury apartments, shops, and a memorial to bombing victims, sparking criticism of its commercial focus.
• Protests have grown into a broader anti-government movement, fueled by allegations of corruption and negligence under President Aleksandar Vucic, including anger over a deadly train station roof collapse in 2024.
• Serbia’s geopolitical balancing act between EU aspirations and ties with Russia adds complexity to the controversy, as critics argue the project aligns with Russian interests and undermines NATO relations.