While We Wait: Part 3

[Thlayli]

Any form of enforced removal from the gene pool, imo.

On Kosovo: Moderate, democratic Islam CAN be done, even if it's on the periphery of the Islamic world.

 

[Abaddon]

Kosovos islamic?

 

[Thlayli]

Kosovos islamic?

For the most part. I guess people don't notice because they aren't militant about it.

 

[Abaddon]

Yea, I never would have guessed.. I'd have put them in the "generic eastern european christian guff"

 

[silver 2039]

Kosovos islamic?

Why do you think certain people in OT are freaking out?

 

[Abaddon]

Someones claimed God is gay and would vote for Hillary?

 

[das]

Technically, the fact that it's Islamic (well, that it's sort of Albanian and that most Albanians are Muslim) is the main reason it has even become an issue.

 

[silver 2039]

Someones claimed God is gay and would vote for Hillary?

We knew that already.

 

[Thlayli]

It's more an ethno-historical problem, as Serbia cites historical and cultural relevance (such as obscure anti-Ottoman battles) as their reasoning to retain Kosovo. Though religion certainly plays some role.

As for the election/international politics in general, I like Kissinger's take on things:

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,535964,00.html

 

[das]

It's more an ethno-historical problem, as Serbia cites historical and cultural relevance (such as obscure anti-Ottoman battles) as their reasoning to retain Kosovo. Though religion certainly plays some role.

Yes, very obscure. Right.

Let's just call it an ethno-religious issue and leave it at that.

 

[North King]

On Kosovo: Moderate, democratic Islam CAN be done, even if it's on the periphery of the Islamic world.

Correct, but I don't know that Kosovo will be that state. It's quite poor, isolated, and may just end up being another Albania.

 

[das]

The moderate part might work, though. Most midget states aren't very militant.

 

[North King]

The moderate part might work, though. Most midget states aren't very militant.

Actually, what is there that stops Kosovo from, say, holding a referendum and joining Albania (I mean in terms of the peoples' backgrounds, I'm aware that Serbia would pitch a fit)? I freely admit that Balkan history isn't my forte.

 

[das]

You'd think so, but Kosovars are as close to Albanians as Montenegrins are to Serbs, and that didn't stop the Montenegrins from separating. I also suppose that Albania has enough problems as it is. In any case, I can't seem to find any indication of any movement towards it.

The Balkans are getting messier and messier. On the bright side, there doesn't seem to be much left to separate, at least in the immediate future. Though maybe Romania could get a bit truncated in parts, not sure.

 

[Supermath]

You'd think so, but Kosovars are as close to Albanians as Montenegrins are to Serbs, and that didn't stop the Montenegrins from separating. I also suppose that Albania has enough problems as it is. In any case, I can't seem to find any indication of any movement towards it.

Well, Montenegro was its own country at one point. I don't think Kosovo ever was.

The Balkans are getting messier and messier. On the bright side, there doesn't seem to be much left to separate, at least in the immediate future. Though maybe Romania could get a bit truncated in parts, not sure.

I'd doubt Romania would get split up. I don't see too much of the way of a free Transylvania.

 

[das]

Well, Montenegro was its own country at one point. I don't think Kosovo ever was.

Obviously, obviously. But the geographical factors and a lengthy period of political division had taken its toll, hasn't it.

I'd doubt Romania would get split up. I don't see too much of the way of a free Transylvania.

Suppose so; still, the Szeklers seem the most likely candidates for greater autonomy at least, the other Balkan minorities having been either satisfied or beaten into submission previously (or being way too minor, ofcourse).

 

[silver 2039]

What do you lot think about the prospect of a "Greater Albania"?

 

[das]

As said, there's no real support for it, and Albania is having a hard time dealing with what it has now. And even if somehow Kosovo were to be added to Albania... it's puny. It really shouldn't be enough to make Albania "Greater".

 

[Supermath]

What do you lot think about the prospect of a "Greater Albania"?

I doubt it's going to happen. Even if the stipulation about Kosovo not able to cede any territory were to be ignored, Serbia would be too much against it and then we'd probably have yet another conflict.

 

[das]

Nah, Serbs couldn't really afford to do anything right now: too much scrutiny. Still, "Greater Albania" is not worth the bother.