The paper carries the below article, initially published  in The Wall Street Journal.

Kosovo’s President Hashim Thaci hit back at criticism of his country’s record in containing Islamic extremism, saying his nation – Europe’s youngest – is fighting hard against radical “elements.”

Over the last five years, around 300 Kosovars, out of a majority-Muslim population of 1.8 million, have joined Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, according to the government.

By New York Times Editorial Board

Saudi Arabia has frustrated American policy makers for years. Ostensibly a critical ally, sheltered from its enemies by American arms and aid, the kingdom has spent untold millions promoting Wahhabism, the radical form of Sunni Islam that inspired the 9/11 hijackers and that now inflames the Islamic State.

European soccer’s governing body voted Tuesday to formally recognize the Kosovo Football Federation as its 55th member in a vote at its annual congress in Budapest. Serbia, which does not recognize Kosovo, reacted angrily to the decision and said it would work to overturn it.