I agree, but I think Serbia will at least feel compelled to make a "symbolic" gesture. Besides, in the last conflict, Serbia was not on moral "high ground", and Russia did little to back them up. This time around they can claim they are being violated, and several nations, other than Russia, will support that notion, if only in words. Here's an op-ed piece from Pravda, which interestingly enough, appears to be written by an Englishman, judging by the author's name: http://english.pravda.ru/hotspots/terror/17-02-2008/104088-outlawskosovo-0
It could get ugly. But likely not. The US and Russia as posturing for influence in the region, but neither of us needs Kosovo or really cares about it. for the Russians it's about supporting an old ally in the former Yugoslavia, which has lost Croatia, Bosnia, and Herzegovina and is in danger of losing Montenegro and Kosovo. Serbia is all that will be left but Russia wants them in her camp. Russia stood by and let Bill Clinton bomb the crap out of Serbia in the last war with the US and they apparently are signaling that they won't do that again. The US and NATO main interest is keeping Serbs from continuing the genocide and ethnic cleansing practiced in Bosnia and Kosovo. There are NATO ground troops there to keep that from happening again. We are supporting Kosovo to annoy the Russians and keep the Serbians down. But we ain't going to start World War III over it.
So, if Russia goes to a shooting war over Kosovo, who do you want as President? John "Bomb, bomb, bomb, . . . bomb, bomb Iran" McCain Hillary "Like Bill only smarter" Clinton or Barrack "Yes, we can" Obama
they are all politicians and I think any of them well take it to Russia with full force. None of them want to be seen as being weak.
I tend to agree, but it is interesting to draw historical parallels to the current situation and those from the past. However, I think it is of importance simply because of the fact that the Balkans have always been inherently unstable (Europe's version of the middle east), and it doesn't take much to set off fighting. In fact, you could argue that the only time these people weren't fighting each other is when they were controlled by foreign powers: Turkey, Austria-Hungary, Germany, Soviet Union. Economically, they are of no importance to either the US or Russia, but I believe politically, they are. Both countries stand to lose "face" depending on how this situation plays out.
Here's an interesting site if you want to read about it from the Serbian perspective: http://www.srbija.sr.gov.yu/?change_lang=en Both this site and Pravda had very little to say about the riots and attack on the US embassy (not surprisingly). In fact, they had nothing on it at all until after CNN began publishing reports. Pravda actually has nothing new on the situation at all. Their top story today is about Bill Clinton and Gennifer Flowers! Seriously. (Link)
