A Return to Kosovo

Stratfor ^ | June 26, 2007 | By George Friedman

[Jane_N]

Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President George W. Bush will meet July 1-2 at the Bush family compound in Kennebunkport, Maine. The two will have several meaty items on their plate, including the planned U.S. missile defense shield in Central Europe and Russia's threat to withdraw from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe. The main dish, however, will be Kosovo -- again.

This issue has been on the table since 1999, when the United States and its NATO allies, angered over Serbian behavior in Kosovo, ignored Russian objections and waged a 60-day air war against Yugoslavia. The Clinton administration charged that the Serbians were either conducting genocide against the Kosovar Albanians or were on the verge of it. Washington demanded the withdrawal of Serbian forces from Kosovo and, when that failed to happen, it commenced the air campaign.

It is important to recall that the Kosovo war, like the war in Iraq, did not have U.N. sanction. Russia, in particular, opposed the war, thus making U.N. Security Council passage of an enabling resolution impossible. Russia and Serbia are historical allies and under the guise of "fellow Slav," Moscow has promoted itself as Serbia's protector. It is an excuse Russia has used to get involved in many conflicts, including World War I. In 1999, however, the United States did not take Russia seriously when it considered how to handle Serbia. In 1999, under Boris Yeltsin, Russia didn't need to be taken seriously...

...Putin intends to be taken seriously in international affairs and Kosovo is the issue he will stand on. It is not clear whether the United States or Europe understands just how serious Putin is on Kosovo.

[Jane_N]

I did a search and didn't find this article posted anywhere. As many are starting to realise, Russia is right when it comes to Kosovo and the "West" would be better of admitting they were wrong and back Serbia instead of the Albanians. It will be interesting to see if what Stratfor "predicts" will take place. I guess only time will tell...

[goldstategop]

The Russians will back Serbia. And unless we want to go head to toe with the Russians, we'll just probably drop the idea of Kosovo independence. We've got our hands full with the Middle East and Afghanistan.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[iopscusa]

Russia is RIGHT on Kosovo, the US/NATO etal were snookered by the Clintonistas, UN, MSM to attack the Christian Serbians and support the Muslim Terrorist and Crooks...

[Intolerant in NJ]

We’re still involved in Kosovo? - I thought Clinton promised we’d be finished up there by Christmas 1999 - looks like we’ve been engaged there about twice as long as we’ve been in Iraq - who knew?!......