FLASH
Shkruar nga Daniel Serwer
This is an America I prefer, but I can't say that Washington is moving in that direction today.
I thought President Osmani's speech in Hudson last week was first-class. But it was also unusual, so a comment is necessary.
Instead of the flattery that is now common for President Trump, she largely followed a different approach. She appealed largely to America’s better angels: freedom, democracy, the rule of law, the rules-based international order. That is an America I prefer, but I can’t say that Washington is moving in that direction today. Instead, the Trump administration is imprisoning asylum seekers, denying citizenship to people born in the U.S., and threatening the news media. It is also violating well-established rules of international trade. And the President is bowing down to Russia’s autocrat and war criminal.
Even his threat to impose tariffs on Russia is futile, as Russian exports to the US are minimal. He also mumbled something about secondary sanctions on countries that trade with Russia. But I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for those.
NATO is the key point
I don’t expect people in the Trump Administration to find Osman’s clarion call for American leadership entirely appealing. Many MAGA members want to withdraw from global responsibilities, not abdicate them. She belongs to a group that is more aligned with American values than current officials in Washington. But I hope they will take her call for NATO membership seriously.
The merits are clear. Kosovo will do almost anything NATO wants, within its limited capabilities. Instead of just accepting American troops, Kosovo will contribute to Alliance missions. That’s what the Americans should want. The Kosovo Security Force (KSF) is being armed with Blackhawk helicopters, Javelin anti-tank guns, anti-aircraft missiles, and Turkish Bajraktar drones. Their force will not be a large one, about 5,000 troops, with a few thousand in reserve.
Once Pristina joins, Belgrade and Sarajevo will be the only Balkan capitals outside the Alliance. The pressure on them to agree will be high, but it really doesn't matter whether they join. If they prefer to take their rightful place, so be it.
obstacles
The four NATO members that do not recognize Kosovo (Romania, Slovakia, Spain, and Greece) are the biggest obstacle. All would have to agree to its membership. This is a diplomatic challenge, but not an insurmountable one. Greece has been friendly with Kosovo for years. It is a de facto, but not de jure, recognizer. Spain is choosing not to participate in NATO’s latest pledge for military spending. It would do well to remain quiet on the Kosovo issue. The United States should give Romania and Slovakia a firm hand.
KSF troops have already deployed with the US in Kuwait and with the UK in the Falkland Islands. They have also participated in the UK’s training of Ukrainian troops. A combat deployment with NATO forces should be one of its priorities. Demonstrating combat capability was vital to North Macedonia’s NATO bid and will be for Kosovo as well. Among other roles, Macedonian troops fought integrated with the Vermont National Guard in Afghanistan.
Serbia's objections
Of course, Serbia will complain as Kosovo moves closer to NATO membership. But Belgrade’s rhetoric and behavior have given most Kosovo people reason to want strong protection. Before the 1999 war, it stripped them of their institutions of governance. During the war, Belgrade’s forces committed war crimes and crimes against humanity. And after the war, Serbia has continued its irredentist rhetoric and provocative behavior.
The KSF, as currently conceived, poses no threat to Serbia and cannot be used inside Kosovo, except in emergencies. The quickest way for Serbia to guarantee that it will remain so is through mutual recognition with Kosovo.
Even if this is not achieved, establishing a military relationship would be a good idea. All friendly neighbors make sure that their armies understand each other well. It is time for the commanders of the armies in Serbia and Kosovo to meet and exchange views and data. This may even hasten the day of mutual recognition.
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