What is the big whoop about Kosovo? I realize what happened to our embassy was atrocious.?

Christopher E

Kosovo was part of Serbia, but its ethnic background is very different. Under the principles espoused at the end of World War I by American President Woodrow Wilson in his Fourteen Points, peoples have the right to determine their own governments. The people of Kosovo province, Kosovars, decided they weren't adequately represented by the Serbian national government and wanted their own country.

This area has a long and rich history of ethnic strife.

As expected, Russia is supporting Serbia, which doesn't like the fact that Kosovo is breaking away. China can't support Kosovar independence without acknowledging that Taiwan, another former province that declared itself a country (okay, so it's a little more complicated than that...), has the same right. The US and Europe have been trying to quell strife in the region since the breakup of Yugoslavia (which was held together by local strongman Tito) and generally like recognise democratic movements as long as economic interests aren't hurt by doing so.

The Serbians, who want to keep their country as one country, are annoyed with the US and Europe for having recognised Kosovo as its own country. Recognition means that we don't talk to the Serbian government when we have treaties or negotiations with the people of Kosovo. Without American and European support, Kosovo would likely not be able to break away, so they're mad at us.

As for implications in the US, there likely aren't many of any importance, aside from gaining a Muslim (though non-Arab) country in the friend column. That could prove mildly useful for intelligence gathering efforts. On the negative side, we've annoyed Russia and China, and while they may hoot and holler for a little while, it's not likely to rise to the level of a diplomatic row.

El fagguito

Charlie you are a moron, kosovars are muslims, serbs are christians. Serbs torched the embassy. Good for them.

It means nothing, now there is another worthless small muslim country of goat fudgers on the map.

Charlie S

Kosovo wanted freedom from Serbia and declared it a few dys ago and monsters who opposed this take it out on USA as expected! We spole of how kosovohas a right to declare itself a free nation and some muslims didnt like it! Imagine that?Why is any country putting up with these kooks is my question? This country needs a tough streetsmart individual who says ya know what, the game is over and we win permanently!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SeÃ¡n O

Imagine tomorrow 60% of the population of Florida decided to leave the federal government with a long term view of becoming part of Cuba; then Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean countries and Europe all supported this endeavour. Then when the rest of the US objected they were bombed. Then the 60% were given card-blanch to kill the 40% minority that didn't agree with that position. Its probably important to mention the 60% are funding their position by controlling the heroin market in western Europe, Russia and are a significant provider to the US also. That's pretty much the picture for Serbia.

The only repercussion for the US - in my opinion - is a loss of moral value. The burning of the embassy means nothing - and clearly they knew it was coming and evacuated (this is quite normal procedure). For Europe the repercussion is much more serious as it definitely means another Balkan war.

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