Week Eight: Great Power Politics
In Kosovo, the sentiment towards America is still generally positive. My coworkers showed me a song on Youtube that was basically a thank-you tribute to America for intervening in 1999. One of the comments stuck with me-- it said "Be the America Kosovo thinks you are". It goes without saying that America has intervened across the world quite often, both unilaterally and in conjunction with allies like NATO. In Kosovo, the cultural and political reach of NATO and America especially can be seen everywhere. Still, for all this goodwill, it is not an equal relationship.
Vetëvendosje, the current leading political party in Kosovo, translates to Self-Determination. Today, while people will thank America for supporting Kosovo's independence, they will mention-- often with some resentment-- that this has resulted in veto power, or sometimes outright control, over Kosovo's foreign policy. This attitude is especially true amongst younger Kosovars, who are too young to remember the war.
A little over a month ago, Serbian police detained Kosovar border agents. This, in conjunction with other provocative actions, has led to resentment among the population due to the international community tempering Kosovo's ability to respond. Kosovars today want autonomy, just as they have for centuries. Kosovo is not Roman, Ottoman, Serbian, or American. It is not an extension of any of the great powers that have occupied or influenced over its thousands of years of history. It is its own place, with its own unique character. Still, even a county as big as America cannot exist without allies. Kosovo, due to its size, location, and history, cannot stand without support. Supportive relationships come with give and take. However, relationships are only mutual where there is respect, and both sides actually give and take. At some point, Kosovo will need to be able to make its own decisions. Part of the reason for NATO intervention was to support democracy and self-determination. If Kosovars are not allowed to make their own decisions, is it really a democracy? Without a greater deal of respect on the international field, Kosovo's goodwill will eventually run out. What will the attitude towards the United States be then?