US policy in the Balkans: recipes for violence | 56 comments (56 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: US policy in the Balkans: recipes for violence (none / 1)

Speaking as an American, I am puzzled as to why there is even a U.S. policy of any sort at all in the Balkans. Why doesn't Europe come up with a common defence policy of its own, disengage from NATO, and then work out a suitable regional solution with other national interests in the area?

by asdf on Sat Dec 15th, 2007 at 02:21:52 PM EST

Re: US policy in the Balkans: recipes for violence (4.00 / 2)

Because of the empire thingy, you know. On both sides of the Atlantic.

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by A swedish kind of death on Sat Dec 15th, 2007 at 02:24:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: US policy in the Balkans: recipes for violence (none / 0)

ok, so you tell me - why was the US opposed when Europe wanted to recognize Croatia. And what happened later - once all hell broke loose - to change the US position?

by vladimir on Mon Dec 17th, 2007 at 01:02:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: US policy in the Balkans: recipes for violence (none / 1)

Well, the U.S. has viewpoints and policies on every country around the globe.

The question is why, in an area that is clearly surrounded by Europe on all sides--practically in the middle, if you subscribe to the "eastern Russia is part of Europe theory"--does Europe even listen to what the U.S. has to say? It's about as clearly a European problem as can be pointed to, so who cares what the U.S. thinks?

by asdf on Mon Dec 17th, 2007 at 08:12:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: US policy in the Balkans: recipes for violence (none / 1)

The answer to that question is US power.

Think of the Cuban missile crisis. Cuba was a country firmly embedded in the North American geographic sphere. You could have asked the same question about the Soviet Union: who cares what they think. But the reality was that Soviet power bought it a place at the negotiating table, and allowed it to play out its politics in the Americas.

by vladimir on Tue Dec 18th, 2007 at 02:39:05 AM EST
[ Parent ]

US policy in the Balkans: recipes for violence | 56 comments (56 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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