The early returns are discouraging for a harmonious transition to independence for Kosovo. The week following Kosovo’s dramatic declaration of independence saw sporadic violence in both Serbia and Kosovo, and the international community dividing itself into supporters and opponents of the declaration.
While it’s unclear how the situation will unfold in the weeks and months ahead, it will certainly be to no one’s benefit if the unrest intensifies and the violence of the 1990’s resurfaces. Kosovo, Serbia, the European Union, and NATO will all have major roles to play in stabilizing the situation and ensuring that we don’t have a return of the ethnic divisions and strife that have plagued this region for far too long.
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