In a post-communist environment, Albania emerged as being generally supportive of the US.[194] During the Kosovo War (1999) and ethnic cleansing of mostly Muslim Albanians by Orthodox Serbs alongside the subsequent refugee influx into the country, Albania's status as an ally of the US was confirmed.[194] Support for the USA has remained high at 95% in Muslim majority Albania in contrast to the rest of the Islamic world.[194] Albania joined the NATO military alliance in 2009 which remains popular in the country especially due to its intervention in the Kosovo war and Albania has contributed troops to NATO led operations in Afghanistan.[195] Within the wider Balkans Albania is considered to be the most pro-EU and pro-Western country in the region and, unlike its neighbours (except Kosovo), it has little to negligible support for Russia.[196][96] Albania is an aspirant for European Union membership after formally submitting its application to join in 2009.[197] Sentiments among the EU exist of viewing Albania as a mainly Muslim country cause concerns for the Albanian political establishment who promote an image of Western orientation for Euro-Atlantic integration, especially when overt displays of Muslim practice arise such as dress or rituals.[198] State relations of Albania with Turkey are friendly and close, due to maintenance of close links with the Albanian diaspora in Turkey and strong Turkish sociopolitical, cultural, economic and military ties with Albania.[96][162][199][200][201][202][203] Turkey has been supportive of Albanian geopolitical interests within the Balkans.[201][203][204] In Gallup polls conducted in recent times Turkey is viewed as a friendly country by 73% of people in Albania.[205] Albania has established political and economic ties with Arab countries, in particular with Arab Persian Gulf states who have heavily invested in religious, transport and other infrastructure alongside other facets of the economy in addition to the somewhat limited societal links they share.[206] Albania is also working to develop socio-political and economic ties with Israel.[207]