Debating Myself

Apparently this video is tearing up the YouTube charts. It doesn’t seem like these two ‘rioters’ have very political motives.

I especially like the gleeful smiles on their faces as they leave the first store. Are they really that upset about Kosovo, or more excited about their apparent 5-finger discount? In a bit of e-justice they are being widely flamed on YouTube and authorities are planning on arresting them for looting.

I am having a hard time understanding the logic behind this one. Kosovo secedes from Serbia. US and other countries support secession. Serbs in Belgrade riot and burn the US embassy in Belgrade killing one unidentified person. Huh?

I understand the outrage over losing a part of your country–and it is unlikely military force is a solution the Serbs can employ in regaining it–but why attack the US embassy? How will that accomplish the goal of getting Kosovo back–or, if Serbs are ready to be more progressive, how will it establish a new reputation for Serbia as respectful of international law? But, I guess ethnic tensions are still high in the region and that is what this misplaced aggression is really exhibiting.

Maybe Serbs were politically aware enough not to burn the embassies of EU countries because they still think Serbia has a good chance at accession. I don’t quite think mass chaos over a long planned secession is really going to help the Serbian government make its case strongly–nor will assaulting the sovereign territory of a strong European ally.

The next few weeks will be very telling for the entire Balkan peninsula. Are the Balkan countries willing to embrace diplomacy and peace, or will the situation devolve back to violence, bloodshed and war crimes?