Abstract 

At present, the Albanian Armed Forces enjoy insufficient management authority over human resources, budgets and assets. These powers, which traditionally belong to the armed forces in Western countries, have been gradually removed starting in the 1990s; since 2008, they have been exercised almost entirely by the Ministry of Defence. The unfavourable situation created, especially after 2008, has resulted in the poor state of the Armed Forces in terms of their capabilities, resources and force development, leading to teething troubles and difficulties in carrying out their constitutional mission. From the analysis here, the problem in question has come as a result of the problematic implementation of democratic control over the Armed Forces, removing from them the necessary authority to carry out their mission. Using analytical and comparative methods help us understand what is wrong and the causes and consequences, as well as allowing us to draw conclusions and make recommendations. What started as democratic control over the Armed Forces after the change of the political system in Albania currently results in civilian micromanaging.