Kosovo, Russia and the West

Graphic for Geopolitical Intelligence Report
Kosovar Independence and the Russian Reaction
February 20, 2008 1902 GMT
The Serbian province of Kosovo declared its independence on Feb. 17. Whether the move sets precedent under which larger powers can redraw smaller nations' boundaries without U.N. authorization has been much discussed since then. [more]
Graphic for Geopolitical Intelligence Report
Georgia and Kosovo: A Single Intertwined Crisis
August 25, 2008 2028 GMT
The Kosovo question, which set the stage for the rise of Putin and current and future crises, will stand out as a turning point in the history of the coming period. [more]
Russian-made MiG-29 aircraft
Georgia: Fearing a Russian Reprisal
April 21, 2008 1836 GMT
Georgia said April 21 it has video evidence that a Russian fighter plane shot down a Georgian reconnaissance aircraft April 20 in Georgian airspace. (With Stratfor map) [more]
A U.S. Ohio National Guardsman with two Serbian soldiers during joint training exercises
Kosovo: U.S. Military Assistance and the Russian Confrontation
March 20, 2008 1537 GMT
The White House has found Kosovo eligible for U.S. military assistance. [more]
Russian peacekeepers in Georgia
Georgia: Russia's Response to the United States
March 20, 2008 1511 GMT
The day after U.S. President George W. Bush voiced support for Georgia's membership in NATO, Russia has made plans to send more peacekeepers to Georgia's breakaway regions and possibly recognize their independence. (With Stratfor map) [more]
KFOR soldiers guarding courthouse in Mitrovica, Kosovo
Kosovo: Serbia's Involvement in Mitrovica's Crisis
March 19, 2008 1607 GMT
The United Nations has accused Serbia of triggering, if not masterminding, recent violence in northern Kosovo. (With Stratfor map) [more]
Serbia - Kostunica
Serbia: The Political Square Dance
March 12, 2008 1413 GMT
Political alliances are still shifting in Serbia after interim Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica dissolved parliament. The eventual outcome will affect both Serbia and Russia. [more]
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica speaking and pointing
Serbia: Kostunica Resigns, Elections Ahead
March 8, 2008 1624 GMT
Serbia's prime minister has resigned. Three potential paths lie ahead for the Balkan nation. [more]
South Ossetia President Eduard Kokoity at a parade in Tskhinvali
Georgia, Russia: South Ossetia Calls for Sovereignty
March 5, 2008 2347 GMT
The Russian-backed Georgian separatist region of South Ossetia called for its recognition as a sovereign state March 5. [more]
Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko
Ukraine, Russia: Turning Off the Gas, Fanning the Flames
March 4, 2008 1522 GMT
Russia is using its natural gas dispute with Ukraine as a tool to punish Europe over Kosovo and to shatter Ukraine's pro-Western governing coalition. [more]
Abkhazian President Sergei Bagapsh
Georgia: Abkhazia Mobilizes
February 29, 2008 2057 GMT
The president of the breakway Georgian region of Abkhazia announced the partial mobilization of its forces Feb. 29. [more]
Photo - UNMIK soldier
Kosovo: Is the United Nations Ignoring Russia?
February 28, 2008 1645 GMT
The U.N. Mission in Kosovo is planning to hand over power to the local government and European Union's planned mission for Kosovo. [more]
Geopolitical Diary icon
Geopolitical Diary: Russia Pushes Back, Indirectly
February 28, 2008 0301 GMT
We have been watching for a Russian reaction to Kosovo's declaration of independence. On Wednesday, that response appeared to come in the form of pressure on two former Soviet states: Ukraine and Georgia. [more]
CIS Leaders at the Feb. 22 informal summit -- Turkmen Prez is 2nd from Right
Russia: Putin's Directional Silence at the CIS Summit
February 22, 2008 1747 GMT
The Commonwealth of Independent States summit in Moscow took place Feb. 22. The most telling element of the summit is not what happened but what did not. [more]
Serbia - Kostunica
Serbia: Belgrade Boxes Itself In
February 22, 2008 1605 GMT
Serbia's standoff with the West has now placed it in a no-win situation -- a situation from which Russia will benefit. [more]
Serbia - U.S. embassy attack
Serbia: Unanswered Questions in Embassy Attacks
February 22, 2008 1355 GMT
Fiery attacks against Western embassies have added to the pressures facing Serbia’s politically divided government. [more]
Serbia - US Embassy In Belgrade On Fire
Serbia: The Makings of a Coup?
February 21, 2008 2016 GMT
Serbians are protesting in the streets of Belgrade, the military has been ordered to stand down, and the president is out of the country. The political atmosphere in Serbia is ripe for a coup. [more]
Cypriot former foreign minister and presidential candidate Ioannis Kasoulides
Cyprus' New Prospects for Reunification
February 19, 2008 1807 GMT
The two candidates remaining in the race for the Greek Cypriot presidency favor resuming talks on reunifying the island. Cyprus' unification could have important geopolitical consequences. [more]
Kosovo Police observe a burning border station across from Mitrovica
Kosovo, Serbia: The Partitioning?
February 19, 2008 1617 GMT
Violence has broken out in northern Kosovo after the province's secession from Serbia. [more]
Kosovo Independence - Serb protest
Kosovan Independence: Serbia Furious, Russia Silent
February 19, 2008 0652 GMT
As Europe's leading countries recognize Kosovan independence, a move Russia had said would be "fatal," Stratfor's Peter Zeihan considers the Kremlin's options. [more]
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