Kosovo: a future member of the United Nations?

Source: European Council on Foreign Relations | by Daniel Korski

Kosovo will fit in nicely at the United Nations, between Kiribati – created in 1999 – and the sheikdom of Kuwait. With the Micronesian Kiribati, Kosovo shares the name of a leader – remarkably both were ruled by a President Tito. Like Kuwait, Kosovo will owe its independence to the U.S army.

On Sunday, all three will be independent states although it may be some time before Kosovo takes it seat in the world body as Russia is likely to block its membership. Most analysts assume there will be a peaceful, albeit contentious end to Kosovo’s ten-year limbo. But Balkan history suggests this benign scenario could be derailed. Either way, Kosovo presents the European Union (EU) with at least three challenges over the medium-term.

Kofi Annan and the art of intelligent intervention

Source: The Guardian | by Jonathan Steele

This is a tale of two neighbours: one on the brink of national disaster, unless mediation can prevent a new wave of ethnic killing; the other already in full-scale collapse, with no functioning government or basic services, and 700,000 people driven from their homes. The first is being watched attentively by foreign governments; the second has dropped off the radar, abandoned by those same governments because it all seems so difficult.