With due respect, as mentioned in the quiz, the "nation" of Kosovo is not included on the Balkan Speedrun as it is, so far, not recognized by all 5 United Nations Security Council [Permanent] Members. Atop of that, the home nation of Serbia from which Kosovo originated has refused to ever acknowledge their independence, as the territorial integrity of Serbia is protected by UN Article 1244, with a dozen nations supporting Serbia's LEGAL bind to Kosovo still belonging to them. As such, with lack of representation and insufficient recognition from the world, lack of political affairs and significance, AND a legal bind to the country they seceded from, it is NOT included in the quiz.
Romania, albeit located partly in the Balkans (Northern Dobruja by the Danube border), does not have any significant connection with most Balkan nations, alongside nearly all of it's land being included outside of the Balkans. The Romanians are more interconnected with Central Europe than the Balkans. As such, they are not included in the quiz.
Slovenia is not really a Balkan country. Although they are Southern Slavs, their culture has many similarities to Austria, and historically they were part of the Habsburg Empire for several centuries.
This is true, in fact. I won't deny this. As the Balkan borders stretch from the Sava in the north, alongside the Danube, a portion of Slovenia does belong to the Balkans. Even though today they are a much more developed country than before, which is true, the Slovenians have still, for a long period of history, been associated with Slavs, with many being sent to fight alongside Croats and Serbs against the Ottoman Empire during the period of the Military Frontier of Austria-Hungary.
Not only that, but Slovenians also belong in the same ethnic group as Slavs, which you mentioned already so I will keep this part short. They are counted in the same group as rest of Balkan Slavs.
The period of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, Slovenes and the period of Yugoslavia (both monarchist and socialist) has marked great cultural prosperity and national identification of Slovenia, often being included as part of Balkans in this time for... obvious reasons.
With due respect, it is not going to be counted under reasons mentioned above, I have posted a very long response, still pending moderation, but sure.
In short, Kosovo lacks recognition from all UNSC permanent members, lacks political significance in the world stage and is illegal to exist under UN Resolution 1244, as it is binded to Serbia.
The differences from JetPunk standards (namely Kosovo and Macedonia) are a bit confusing, but I appreciate that you are rectifying Macedonia and mentioned Kosovo in the caveats as well as explained in the comments.
I wholeheartedly agree with you, I have never intended to have this featured. This was more-less a test to learn how to make Jetpunk quizzes, and pass the time for myself.
Thank you for the insight though. Your comment has been very helpful to say the least.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_1244
Not only that, but Slovenians also belong in the same ethnic group as Slavs, which you mentioned already so I will keep this part short. They are counted in the same group as rest of Balkan Slavs.
The period of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, Slovenes and the period of Yugoslavia (both monarchist and socialist) has marked great cultural prosperity and national identification of Slovenia, often being included as part of Balkans in this time for... obvious reasons.
It is such, and it will stay in the quiz.
In short, Kosovo lacks recognition from all UNSC permanent members, lacks political significance in the world stage and is illegal to exist under UN Resolution 1244, as it is binded to Serbia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_1244
That does mean that the quiz is unlikely to be featured, but I suppose that's a moot point since there's a featured quiz on the same topic.
Thank you for the insight though. Your comment has been very helpful to say the least.