Kosovo declares independence, World War III not far behind

[Trey]

Troubling news indeed. The US is expected to recognise Kosovo. Russia and China are not.

Its a very interesting conflict now. In Kosovo, a province of Serbia, the population is about 92% Muslim. Serbia will never give up this land as it has sites of ethnic importance (old churches, old battle sites where the Ottomans were defeated, etc.)

Interesting, muslims in this part of the world have done a concerted effort to increase thier populations in hopes of overthrowing the current governments.

Its not surprising to see families with 7-12 children. Many families in fact.


Now imagine in 50 years if Texas or some other state is 60% Mexican. And they declare independence after the US refuses to provide spanish speaking schools, hospitals, the police is 85% white etc. Or if a Black rebel group forms an independence movement. How would our government react? Yet we support this new nation. I know the analogy is not exact, or as intricate as the Kosovo situation. Just something to think about.

[Charles RB]

Troubling news indeed. The US is expected to recognise Kosovo. Russia and China are not.

I assume you mean "troubling news indeed" in that the Security Council member-states are so divided over this - not that I'm surprised, Russia and China are understandably worried that areas they considered their territory might break away and get UN recognition, they've been trying to prevent seccession for ages. There's thousands of corpses that can attest to THAT. We're in for a lot of political tension (WW3 is very far behind though, all of the five member-states have the vested interested in not being eradicated in a nuclear holocaust).

But apparently that's not what you mean, because then I see this:

Interesting, muslims in this part of the world have done a concerted effort to increase thier populations in hopes of overthrowing the current governments.

Oh fuck OFF.

[Trey]

I assume you mean "troubling news indeed" in that the Security Council member-states are so divided over this - not that I'm surprised, Russia and China are understandably worried that areas they considered their territory might break away and get UN recognition, they've been trying to prevent seccession for ages. There's thousands of corpses that can attest to THAT. We're in for a lot of political tension (WW3 is very far behind though, all of the five member-states have the vested interested in not being eradicated in a nuclear holocaust).

But apparently that's not what you mean, because then I see this:



Oh fuck OFF.

In Europe the Muslim birth rate is 3 times higher than non-Muslims. In the Balkans, its probably higher. Why?

What I mean is that we should be concerned over this developement, (of secession that is), of who has the right to secede? And is it better to have many small nations or fewer larger ones.

[Charles RB]

In Europe the Muslim birth rate is 3 times higher than non-Muslims. In the Balkans, its probably higher. Why?

I wonder if it's for cultural or religious reasons, similar to the high birth rate among Christians outside of Europe and America. Or, indeed, for any reason beyond deliberately spawning as part of a fucking coup.

And is it better to have many small nations or fewer larger ones.

There are 27 member-states in the European Union, quite a few of which are very very small (see: Belgium). We seem to manage fine.

[moebius]

One of my dissertation committee is in Kosovo right now to study this very event, and says we can expect one more round of ethnic violence. This one will probably be the last of our time (Kosovar Albanians definitively driving Kosovar Serbs out). The international community is touchy about international conflict and they'll probably push to maintain the fait accompli.

Which reminds me...I should really make sure that professor sent that letter of rec, while there's still a functioning bureaucracy.

[Omega Alpha]

WWIII is an exaggeration, but, yeah, it will lead to lots of tension between US, Russia and China. And quite possibly a war, but a localized one. Anyway, expect corpses.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

Or, indeed, for any reason beyond deliberately spawning as part of a fucking coup.

I thought they were all part of a hive mind looking to bring down our freedom, so it makes sense to me!

[spoon_jenkins]

Seems like Russia's been pretty consistently on the side of injustice and oppression in Eastern Europe every chance they get. They basically back their cultural cousins (Eastern orthodox, slavic language peoples) blindly. And I don't see how Muslim Kosovars could be portrayed as some sort of outsiders or invaders trying to take the place over. It's their home. Haven't they been Muslim adherents there for 600 years or more - and ethnic Albanians for who knows how long. They been the majority there for over a century.

[J. Robb]

I think a big part of the region's problems is back when the USSR collapsed, we in the west were supporting the "glorious independence" of all these new nations that broke off, we moved quickly to officially recognize them. It took years before we realized we were encouraging devolution and division.

[JDogindy]

As much as I am glad about Kosovo becoming an independent nation (one of the things I wanted to see happen before I die was to see a new nation made), I am concerned.

Now, this isn't because of the idea of "World War III", no. It's rather more how Russia (a nation that shows it doesn't want progress in Western Europe) and China, two staunch opponents to this, are going to take this.

I do have to point out that even Japan recognizes Kosovo as an independent nation.

[Charles RB]

Not just China and Russia - in the EU, Romania, Greece, Cyprus and Spain have come out against it. I dunno about the first three but I'm assuming Spain is against it out of fear the Basque region can use this as precedent.

we in the west were supporting the "glorious independence" of all these new nations that broke off, we moved quickly to officially recognize them. It took years before we realized we were encouraging devolution

Supporting the independence of breakaway states is encouraging the statutory granting of powers from central government to regional, local or state governments?

[Michael P]

I think a big part of the region's problems is back when the USSR collapsed, we in the west were supporting the "glorious independence" of all these new nations that broke off, we moved quickly to officially recognize them. It took years before we realized we were encouraging devolution and division.

That's preposterous. The ethnic tensions in the region would exist whether we recognized the various nations formed in the wake of communism's collapse or not.

And how the hell is moving from imperialist oversight to self-determination "devolution?"

I do have to point out that even Japan recognizes Kosovo as an independent nation.

Why wouldn't they?

[JDogindy]

Not just China and Russia - in the EU, Romania, Greece, Cyprus and Spain have come out against it. I dunno about the first three but I'm assuming Spain is against it out of fear the Basque region can use this as precedent.

That could be a problem since Kosovo is now going to try to join the EU (which is why they made their flag in the colors of the EU). Four nations are probably going to rally support against their initiation. I'll see if I could find out why the other three have issues with Kosovo.

[Nick Soapdish]

Not just China and Russia - in the EU, Romania, Greece, Cyprus and Spain have come out against it. I dunno about the first three but I'm assuming Spain is against it out of fear the Basque region can use this as precedent.

Cyprus and Greece would also have issues with precedent because of the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, currently only recognized by Turkey.

Romania may be worried since it has a province named Moldavia and there is a Soviet breakaway nation called Moldavia. They may want to join or something.

Are Romanians considered Slavic despite their language?

[cactusmaac]

Don't think so. They allied with Germany during WW2 and Hitler hated Slavs.