Kosovo Independence

You know, it's a nice, refreshing change to see groups of people who are not American waving the U.S. flag instead of burning it or trampling on it.

Kosovars declared independence more than two hours ago and the photos I am seeing on the Washington Post Web site are filled with the Albanian standard and Old Glory being waved with pride and pleasure.

It's just a nice thing to see.

 

Good luck with that sentiment with some around here; Kosovo happened during the Clinton administration, so it was a disaster.

You wanna see how the adults handle foreign policy, look at Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

Blue font, blue font . . .

 

All this is nice and good, but it just might have rekindled that old powder keg of Europe.

 

People got to be free. Russia is up in arms over the decision, saying it will lend credence to what it called "breakaway" movements in Chechnya and some are concerned it could embolden the Basques and the Corsicans.

But, for once, it was nice to see a country being born.

 

Our Kosovo mission (U.S. and NATO military) has sort of flown under the radar.
Lots of folks aren't even aware it's happening.

Interesting, I thought, that both Russian presidential frontrunners were against Kosovo's breakaway bid.
Each of them said so on the stump numerous times.

 

"They'll welcome us as liberators."


A billboard in Tirana proclaimed, "Free Kosovo." Sunday's declaration brings to a dramatic climax a showdown with Serbia and its ally, Russia, who oppose Kosovo's independence.
Photo: Gent Shkullaku/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

 

Russia has also traditionally been an ally of Serbia, going back into the 1800s.

On a moral level, I applaud this.

On a geopolitical level? Not only could this re-ignite the Balkans, but there are serious questions whether Kosovo can sustain itself economically. Its entire economy, infrastructure, etc., was set up to serve Yugoslavia/Serbia, there are few connections to Kosovo's brethren in Albania. Prospects are dim that it will work.

 

How?
Europe seems rather peaceable right now.

 

But...but...Europe's in a population crisis! Their anti-family! And they have too many Muslims! [right-wingnut] : :

 

And of course with their support for Kosovo's independence, the U.S. gets its embassy attacked in Belgrade.

Same thing happened to the Croatian embassy as well.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7256158.stm

 

Mass rioting in the streets, US flags burning....some amazing video on CNN.