Another Tantrum?

By Scott Morgan

One of the most brilliant writers in American History has a quote that I admire stating that History doesn't repeat itself but it often rhymes. One of the locations where this plays out quite often is in the Balkans.

The tensions between Serbs who practice Orthodox Christianity and the Muslims from Kosovo have been present for over six hundred years. The list of Empires that this conflict has impacted includes both the Ottoman and the Austro-Hungarian Empires. The most recent phase of the conflict also includes the collapse of the former Yugoslavia as well.

In the late 1990s,  we saw support for the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) rise while Serbia then under the leadership of Slobodan Milosovic was generally shunned by the International Community for the atrocities committed during the various phases of the disintegration of Yugoslavia. A multinational peacekeeping force with elements from both NATO and Russia. There was even a brief standoff between American and Russian Forces that provided a brief period of excitement.

So, once again tensions are rising between these traditional foes. What was the catalyst for this latest phase of tensions? It appears that that the authorities in Kosovo issued a new requirement that vehicles that entered the country from neighboring Serbia and were registered there have to place temporary tags on their vehicles. In response the Serbs burnt down two vehicle registration offices. It should be noted that the Serbian Authorities force vehicles from Kosovo to purchase temporary tags when they enter Serbia also

As a result the authorities in Kosovo took what they felt were the necessary steps by deploying Police units to the border to protect Government Offices. Serbia replied by moving troops and equipment to the border further escalating the situation that has simmered for roughly a week now.

The situation has led NATO to increase its patrols along the border between Serbia and Kosovo. Both the EU and the Biden Administration have urged both sides to use restraint to diffuse the current state of tensions. 

Will this spat erupt into conflict? It is a possibility that it could happen. It seems that both sides are actually looking for a chance to get one over on the other side in this game of brinkmanship. So then we can assume that this crisis is a chance for people to pay attention to the Balkans yet again. Which is what some people desire. 

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