Why should we care about Crimea?
Beyond the question of what exactly the Western powers expect of Russia and how likely it is that Russia will meet those expectations there is... Read More
Kosovo – Ahtisaari plus doesn’t solve everything
To preserve the chances of a peaceful transition in north Kosovo, everyone will have to accept compromise and avoid seeking to take advantage of what... Read More
Time to begin thinking about world government?
What might a world citizen look like while there is still no world government? The first example might be Edward Snowden. Whether he meant to... Read More
Kosovo – perhaps the Quint still doesn’t understand the North?
A way should be found to ensure Mayor-elect, Krstimir Pantic, can take his place without further delay, whilst the Quint should make clear to Pristina that it will... Read More
The new UN peacekeeping
UN reform of peacekeeping seems to mean mainly focusing on two instances – when civilian deaths in a conflict or failing state are actually or... Read More
Kosovo – the way forward?
Reaching the point of enabling some degree of normality in the north and between local and central institutions in Kosovo and Serbia will be a... Read More
Kosovo – “successful” election just first step
The EU – with US support – has helped broker a framework that puts the current frozen conflict between Serbia and Kosovo onto a path... Read More
Kosovo – what next?
When the election is run again, it will hopefully take place with adequate EULEX presence and with UN as well as OSCE observation. Whatever the... Read More
Fundamentalists take US hostage
Will the Tea Party fundamentalists see the light and release their hostage before the US plunges into default in mid-October? Will the Republican leadership finally... Read More
Kosovo – conflict or politics?
Some may say that Serbs always prefer heroics to acting rationally in their own self-interest. But Serbs love their children too. If for no one... Read More
What is Belgrade doing with Kosovo?
Kosovo Serbs – north and south of the Ibar – believe that Belgrade is giving Kosovo away to the Albanians. The Albanians may see it... Read More
What should the US do on Syria?
For the US to act as part of the international community and through the UN, it must commit itself in this particular case – and... Read More
R2P and International Law
The responsibility to protect is an international responsibility and not the exclusive burden of any one country, not even the US. But the use of... Read More
There never was an “Arab Spring”
With the top of the leadership pyramid removed, the societies left behind were rife with internal divisions. Without any historical experience, or sufficient wealth to divide... Read More
Kosovo – to vote or not to vote?
Belgrade’s position is that the elections must be conducted in a status neutral manner. Though the Kosovo government has said no decision has been made... Read More
Kosovo – November elections loom
For there to be any chance for a peaceful evolution of the Kosovo stalemate two things must happen – agreements and implementation must be status-neutral, and the... Read More
Kosovo – who gets to decide EULEX’s departure?
No one can force EULEX to stay in Kosovo if the EU and Pristina agree it’s time to go. But that would simply pass the... Read More
Kosovo – what or who can convince the northern Kosovo Serbs?
“Multi-ethnic democracy” is a peculiar Western myth that few in Kosovo really believe in but that the Albanians have been very clever at using to... Read More
US foreign policy and the pursuit of “democracy”
The problem with the US effort to push “democracy” is that it doesn’t seem to help anyone. When the US talks democracy, it means the... Read More
Kosovo – Serbia still on Germany’s short leash
While the northern Kosovo Serbs have not openly defied Belgrade, the agreement cannot be fully implemented if they don’t fully engage in the process. Passive... Read More
US decision to send arms to Syrian rebels may make bad situation worse
It is hard to avoid the conclusion that President Obama has ceded too much to the pressures and assurances from “aides and critics.” Perhaps as... Read More
Time for the UN Security Council permanent five to give up their vetoes?
Why has the relationship between Washington and Moscow not become more “normal” and permitted a greater degree of partnership in the Security Council? Reasons exist... Read More
Kosovo – can everything “agreed” get done this month?
Following the Belgrade-Pristina April accords, the parties agreed to an implementation plan which remains just an outline with important details still to be determined. It seems... Read More
Kosovo – what role will US combat troops play in the north?
While sending US combat troops to Kosovo may be just a benefit of drawdowns elsewhere, the Germans, Americans and Austrians – the three largest national... Read More
Fear and loathing in Kosovo
The conflict over the north has been – and remains – zero sum. No matter what the Kosovo Albanians say to their internationals, the local... Read More
