We need to talk about Kosovo

[@JamesKerLindsay]

This is a video I have long wanted to make. The subject of Kosovo is a regular theme on the channel. It also came up a lot in last week's video on self-determination. As it happens, Kosovo is a subject I have written about extensively. Despite the polarisation over the issue, a compromise can be reached. Just two points: 1. For all the Albanians arguing that human rights abuses give a right to self-determination, they don't. There is a concept of remedial secession. But it has never been tested. This is not to minimise or ignore the terrible human rights abuses that took place in Kosovo. It just doesn't strengthen Kosovo's case over any other example in modern international relations. After all, and to cite another prominent example, no one proposed giving the Kurds in Iraq independence based on their suffering under Saddam Hussein. We can also say the same in many other cases. 2. To all the Serbs who will inevitably bring up Northern Ireland and Scotland, the Good Friday Agreement is based on Northern Ireland uniting with Ireland if the majority want it. Also, Scotland has had an independence referendum. Either way, neither case upsets British people as much as many in Serbia seem to think they do. For what it's worth, I fully respect the right of the people of Northern Ireland and Scotland (and Wales) to choose their future. Can you say the same for Kosovo? But let me know your thoughts below.

[@BozaCukuranovic3223]

Dear Professor, to address your second point - as a Serb who's into IR, I have never ever heard anyone citing the example of the non-England UK territories. I do hear Catalonia or other. In all honesty, this is a futile debate - I firmly believe in realpolitik and think that ultimately force/balance of power will determine the future of Kosovo, as it did determine the status quo. On the other hand, Serbia is falling apart demographically and I do believe a compromise can be achieved, but it cannot be the winner takes it all. Kosovo Albanians are juvenile in behaving like NATO s going to be there forever. They should offer the Northern Kosovo + the monasteries (exterritoriality) back and also offer to pay something. In return, Serbia should accept Kosovo and Albania union. Finally this precedent can be nicely used by Serbia to reclaim Montenegro and Republika Srpska (yes, I said reclaim, since K.of Montenegro merged with K.of Serbia in 1918 prior to the formation of the K.of Yugoslavia). None of us have a future in the Balkans if we continue living in areas like these. Finally, the non-organically created nations such as MNE, RNM, BiH have no future in my realpolitik honest opinion.I do not believe in fairytales and "EU democratic standards" being applied to the Balkans since quod licet iovi non licet bovi. Interesting video, as always.

[@tombuddy100]

UK is different. Those four countries are countries already, albeit not independent.

[@2004milten]

@@JamesKerLindsay There was no repression and right abuses of the Albanian population in Yugoslavia. This is western media construction in order justify partition of Yugoslavia and Serbia. The goal of the USA was to have a military base in Kosovo and to get closer to Russia. One part of Albanians wanted to be integrated in Serbia and the other did not. The later started to make protests and committing crimes against Serbian population and Albanians who wanted to cooperate. They got a reaction of the Serbian state as in any country. When you make crime you go to jail. This reaction of the Serbian state was seen on the West as repression and a opportunity to get military base. This is simplified version of the events. Greetings from Serbia :)

[@cypher50]

@@2004milten What about the points made at 12:20 about the autonomous rule previously under Yugoslavia (only removed by Tito for security purposes in the now defunct nation) and the split of Montenegro? And I do not know enough to pick a side but I want to know if there are solid rebuttals to this debate.

[@aleksandardojcinovic1125]

Come on professor. Can you say the same for Republic of Srpska? Not fair, not honest. Damn, why we, Serbs, "must let "kosova" be independent", but you never gave the same advice to bosnian muslims to let go Republic of Srpska. There are 1.000.000 Serbs in Republic of Srpska, and wast, wast majority want to be independent. Come on, professor.

[@Solo-vh9fm]

Wouldn’t Bangladesh be a unique case as far as self determination goes? It was not considered to be a colony of Pakistan and Pakistan did not willingly let it go either and didn’t recognize it straight away. Technically the other Yugoslav republics weren’t at first either.

[@nativetorontonian]

This is a good point that illustrates varied truths regarding countries that initially separated & given recognition by the international community before the host nation was forced to relent to the realities before it

[@seneca983]

What about South Sudan?

[@Solo-vh9fm]

@@seneca983 held a referendum and gained independence with Sudan’s agreement

[@Mhark127]

Pakistan is an artificial creation based on religion, furthermore it is completely disconnected from Bangladesh. So, I wouldn't say this situation is equivalent to the Kovoso case.

[@seneca983]

@@Solo-vh9fm That agreement only came after 20 decades of fighting. That's *much* longer than the Bangladeshi Liberation War.

[@AntonioConiku]

Great video as always professor. However, how realistic is it to expect Serbia to let Kosovo go? From a paper I did in uni, I know that Kosovo is an integral part of Serbian nationalism and nation-building efforts. To go even further, I understand that the autocephalous Serbian church inside the Ottoman Empire had Kosovo and the "martyrs" who died in the Battle of Kosovo as its favoritge plot. Saying that, this nationalism has been deeply engraved from more than 500 years, and I see it very unlikable that such deal will happen.

[@kostam.1113]

Compromise only

[@euphoriaggaminghd]

Kosovo is already gone, it is just matter to serbia whether they accept it or not. However, kosovo also has a history of nationalism from albanians. What the serbs often dont mention is how skenderbeg fought the second battle of kosovo, and serbians denied them to join forces with hunyadi of hungary. This land is also historically inhabited by illyrians and albanians, who albanians are descended from. Albanians have more history in this region than serbia

[@tombuddy100]

@@euphoriaggaminghd Ofc Illyrians have more history than Serbians, who arrived there in 7th century AD. However, Greeks were in eastern and northern Anatolia at least two thousand years before Turks, yet it's part of Turkey now. Btw, what happened to western Illyrians?

[@nickorme8112]

I believe the professor brought something related to this in a previous video regarding a minority Muslim sect in Albania I believe, with then creating a pseudo Vatican for them. While I do not believe it to be likely, a compromise for the religious granting special rights for the orthodox church within Kosovo could be a path to resolution in the Balkans without more warfare.

[@euphoriaggaminghd]

@@tombuddy100 well if you were to tell me those anatolia lands were historically greek I would agree with you. However Greeks don't make up the majority of these territories anymore. The land swap of Greece and Turkey had shifted population demographics of both sides. What happened to the illyrians in the 7th century was the slavic settlers killed and/or assimilated many of them, and the few remaining illyrian tribes migrated south towards the stronghold of dardania, modern say kosovo, Macedonia. Those illyrians fled to modern albanian lands where they preserved the language and traditions of illyrian peoples

[@markdowding5737]

with all due respect Mr. Ker Lindsay. But every single argument you used to argue that Serbia should have accepted Kosovo's declaration of independence could also have been applied to the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh who were also essentially self-governing during the Soviet times. In fact, many do seem to forget the Nagorno-Karabakh autonomous oblast actually did have the legal right to secede from Azerbaijan in case the latter chose independence. The UN Security Council merely decided to ignore this detail because they did not want to encourage any further secessionist movements, regardless of wether legal rights they had. And is particularly funny seeing the EU and the US citing the human rights record of Serbia when they were very happy to turn a blind eye to (even downright supporting) the human rights violations in Azerbaijan, not only to Armenians but Azerbaijanis themselves. Charles Michel even was very quick to congratulate unironically Azerbaijan's president Alyev for "winning his elections" only months after the latter launched a military operation to ethnically cleanse the region. Where is, in your words "the specific context of the situation" and "Azerbaijan should have accepted to let go of the region"?

[@seneca983]

Are you assuming Ker-Lindsay thinks those arguments don't apply to Nagorno-Karabakh? At least to me it's not obvious that that would be his position.

[@isimerias]

Just commented the same thing. Not sure where he stands on Nagorno-Karabakh but it doesn't do much to help the "unique case" claim. I am pro self-determination and international law, but the west has always undermined itself by being hypocritical.

[@joeblack5393]

There is one major difference here: Azerbaijan has gas and oil which EU desperately needs at this moment. So... what ethnic cleansing? I see nothing. I hear nothing.

[@markdowding5737]

@@joeblack5393 well, now Serbia has discovered Lithium which the EU desperately needs. So they might just be preparing to declare Serbia "an example case of respect for human rights" and signal that if Serbia tried to retake the region by force they would "condemn" such actions and urge both sides to find a peaceful solution to their problems.

[@joeblack5393]

@@markdowding5737 There is plenty of lithium in a number of EU countries. If they needed it that desperately they would sooner exploit it at home than go through all that with Serbia.

[@Ramildinio]

It was a significant mistake. This one case triggered a series of 'unique' cases within international regulations. Hypocrisy is a fundamental aspect of human nature, and this case demonstrate that there are no exceptions.

[@maartendewulf9724]

who decides what nation is a ''colony'' and which one is not? the same rules should apply for everyone.

[@ElsaMorante1]

@@maartendewulf9724 Good question.

[@LatifBerisha]

Exactly

[@mnemonija]

one should look for colonial language phrases like they wouldn't be able to run a post office, and assign colonial status to all the minorities against which they were used.

[@cryant_]

This topic will probably always be relevant, if not in Kosovo, then somewhere else. I look at it in a way that three parties have reached an impasse: Serbia, which did not want to give up its historical region; Kosovo, which did not want to remain part of Serbia, after, to put it mildly, Serbia's sloppy policy towards the region; and the West, which wanted to put an end to the armed conflict almost in the heart of Europe. Of course, the issue of the Serbs accepting secession is a difficult and very painful thing, and I, as a Ukrainian, am very familiar with it. Even despite the fact that a couple of years after Crimea, I personally, in view of the very unclear possible solution to this problem, took a position of refusing these territories, which were rather an anchor around Ukraine's neck. I don't know how political life in Serbia looks like, but using Ukraine as an example, I could hardly imagine the possible implementation of such a refusal in, let say 2019-20, given that no political force would do such a thing, causing monstrous damage to itself. And now the issue has become even more painful and difficult. And that's what I wanted to ask you about. Outside the context of propaganda, how reasonable is it to appeal to precedents in international law? Is it a precedential? I thought each case is considered regardless of previous similar ones, or am I wrong? But otherwise, great video! Thank you for covering such difficult issues as impartially as possible!

[@alexanderjdivic4784]

"....and the West, which wanted to put an end to the armed conflict almost in the heart of Europe. " Oh gee, you may be young if you truly believe that. BTW- Crimea was never viewed by Ukrainians as Kosovo-Metohija is viewed by the Serbs. Kosovo is the cradle of Serbian civilization since the 1100's, drenched in the blood of Orthodox Christian martyrs. Meanwhile, the entire world has watched Ukraine give up its national identity, its territory, even its own centuries old Orthodox Church in hopes of being invited into "the club of western elites" for lack of a better way of putting it (Hint: they want your land, but not you). Needless to say, there is a big, big difference between the Serbs and the Ukrainians when it comes to issues like this one. The Serbs were never really cut off from the west, effectively, so they always knew what the west has to offer- an artificial sense of wealth and stability, the Serbs always knew they would never be welcome in "the club." I think Ukrainians may be similar in language at least somewhat but that's where the similarities end between the Serbs and Ukrainians. You see, you feel nothing over losing Crimea because it never meant much to you, sorry I don't mean to offend but from what I've seen from Ukraine over the past couple of years it is the truth.

[@IrishPartizan]

The case of Kosovo, not only exposed the duplicity and double standards of the US led international rules based order but opened up a Pandora's Box which has since come back to bite the Western camp on the backside, vis a vis Ukraine. The unintended consequences of imperial hubris and all that jazz.

[@drinimene9126]

Do you consider the NATO intervention unjustified?

[@rrefim_]

@@IrishPartizan Oh no, the bad bad UN, not like Serbs committed the biggest genocide in Europe after the Holocaust in Srebrenica. Not like Serbs committed various horrendous human right abuses from raping and killing of civilians to torture and so on. Serbs proudly making songs about these events, and many of the commanders got convicted as war criminals in the international court for war crimes in Den Haag. But of course we will just ignore these facts just to feed your anti-UN-delusion. Everybody will face judgement at the end of the day and those who are right and advocate for peace shall be rewarded.

[@IrishPartizan]

@drinimene9126 As a Marxist Leninist, I oppose any direct US imperial intervention (or its proxies) whether it be in Iraq, Libya, Syria, Panama, Afghanistan, Yemen, occupied Palestine, Ukraine or indeed the Balkans.

[@markomilojevic8792]

@@drinimene9126 as justified as Russian war in Ukraine. Both were based on false accusations of genocide (both failed before ICJ) and neither was allowed by SC UN. I don't say there wasn't war crimes made by Serbian military (but, KLA made multiple war crimes as well, although not as much as Serbian army). But, if avoiding war crimes and/or humanitarian catastrophe, without official approval of SC UN, is the right way to make an aggression, does that mean that everyone now have the right to attack Israel, due to ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and potentially in Lebanon?

[@Solo-vh9fm]

@@markomilojevic8792except the Russian way is so much different. In Ukraine, Russia invades the territory it wants first, organized a fake referendum which predictably turns out in Russia’s favour, Russia recognizes these places as independent, then puppet leaders of these places want to be annexed by Russia so Russia annexes them. None of this happened in Kosovo. Also with Ukraine, Russia has outright said before 2014 and since then that Ukraine’s sovereignty was conditional on being aligned with Russia (it was the cancellation of the EU trade agreement that kicked everything of).

[@Historyart-j3q]

I think even USA considered "Kosovo's liberation army" terrorists before bombing. Kosovo and Metohija is heart and soul of Serbia.

[@lordhenrywotton95]

Maybe I’m just a Western hypocrite, but I really don’t see the equivalency. Donbas and Crimea weren’t trying to secede from Ukraine before Russia invaded.

[@leeryan-qu6ix]

@lordhenrywotton95 they spoke russian , identified as russian, and voted for russian leaning parties, add to that that they didn't like Ukrainians leaning to the EU and liberalism and u get fear that Putin used for " freeing the land of nazis"

[@omaralkayal7598]

Hello Professor James, this is Omar one of your original viewers and it’s been some time to be honest. I saw the notification and I didn’t hesitate! It has been a good few years since I watched anything from you content but here I am finally and I’ll try to catch up with the old videos ❤ I’ve been away since around the time of Israel / UAE and if you remember we had some discussion in the comments at that time about how some of us embraced it trying to pledge allegiance to the government under the premise that our leaders know better and some of us who didn’t want it but kept it at heart and a lot of us who were blatantly confused but we knew it was in the works for years and that the GCC ran to Israel and The USA because they believe that Iran is the bigger threat. Ok sorry went a bit off topic but anyways great video as always.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Hello Omar! How wonderful to hear from you. It has been a long time. You were one of the earliest channel viewers, and I have always remembered our exchanges! I am so glad that all is well at your end. Hopefully, we'll be able to stay in touch more often again. Welcome back! :-)

[@user-ov5nd1fb7s]

You are overestimating the benefits of being in the west's good graces. Bulgaria is in the EU and has great relationship with most countries and its economy has grown at the same rate as Serbia. So what is Serbia going to benefit exactly? Perhaps a big brain drain when their people are allowed to move into the EU? There is absolutely nothing for them to accept Kosovo's independence.

[@ilijaandrevski2749]

Very interesting detail you mentioned that I as a Serbian didn't know either: the province of Kosovo and Metohija didn't have legal right to secede despite sitting on federal council as it was not a republic. This makes sense as rump Yugoslavia (later Serbia) made an agreement with Croatia in 1995 which was a confirmation of this: Yugoslavia will recognize Croatia in its 1991. borders and vice versa i.e. with provinces of Kosovo and Metohija and Vojvodina as its integral parts. Same happened with other former Yugoslav republics. Around a decade later Croatian politicians broke this agreement with 'recognizing' the province as 'independent' in order to not be left out of EU integrations. Croatia was the last member to join EU in 2013. and there was a fear that they will be left out (or the process dragged on forever) of the Union due to the severe issues with corruption and rule of law. A good deal for them but ultimately at the expense of countries such as Ukraine or Armenia.

[@elibrahams5566]

Might makes right. That is in fact the history of the world, as with Kosovo.

[@eugenegvozdetsky2673]

Can Ireland be considered an overseas territory in the context of decolonization, as it is literally located 'over the sea' from Great Britain? If not, who determines how wide the sea must be for such a designation?

[@vankaiser2311]

if think the problem is that Irish parliament voted for Acts of Union 1800 (that created the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland) and even before it 1542 the Crown of Ireland Act 1542 was passed in the Irish parliament this was the act that made king Henry VIII to be the first monarch that hold the kingship of Ireland & England (he wasn't king of Scotland) and also if we use the idea of over the sea then states like Bangladesh was a colony of Pakistan and so every nation that part of her demand a sea access also if we by this idea then the Duchy of Normandy was a colony of England because the capital was over the sea

[@markdowding5737]

Ireland's independence was acquired before the modern concept of self-determination which emerged in the wake of WW2. If they had tried to unilaterally acquire it after 1945 its most likely the UN wouldn't have supported it.

[@jaumejoseoranies7948]

​@@markdowding5737Ireland's independence without Northern Ireland. Is Northern Ireland a colony? Can unionists block the unification with the republic of Ireland because they don't like it in spite of being less than 50%?

[@fireplusbirdfilms6517]

This is a very clear and thoughtful explination of the Kosovo problem, Professor. Thank you very much.

[@TheAvg_JACK]

That was hugely informative, thank you.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. It was a video I had wanted to make for ages.

[@howtoappearincompletely9739]

@@JamesKerLindsay It was very thought-provoking for me, since (I admit) I was largely uninformed regarding this issue. If you were appointed arbitrator of this case with the final say on the matter, how would you rule?

[@DuckDodgersWannabe]

It is relevant that there are five EU member states, all of them with sizeable ethnic minorities, which don't recognise Kosovo due to the precedent it sets. Kosovo's path towards an eventual EU accession will, like its quest for formal recognition , be tied to Serbia's acceptance. As much as they might not like it, there is no way to bypass Belgrade if Pristina wants full international recognition and EU membership. Negotiation without compromise will not lead anywhere.

[@johnyapplesauce8034]

Spain greece will recognize soon. Romanian slovakia and whoever is the last country probably wont for a long time..

[@jovanlazarevic4339]

@@johnyapplesauce8034 The last one is Cyprus. Do you have any credible source to back up your claim? Why would they recognize them now after 15 years of refusing to do so? I am doubtful to put it mildly.

[@SerbAtheist]

The rights of Serbian areas to remain part of Serbia, and I mean ALL Serbian areas, as well as the three primary monasteries Visoki Dečani, Pećka Patrijaršija and Gračanica is simply a red line below which Serbs will not go. We've seen in plenty of videos how Albanians 'protect' Serbian churches.

[@NovikNikolovic]

I would just say create Belgium/Netherlands-style enclaves for the Serbian parts of Kosovo, but that would make it easier for Albania to do blockades

[@WaveRoad]

As a fellow atheist, I say you care a lot about Churches and religious places, which is...weird.

[@blertaosmani710]

Have you read firstly how many rights do serbs have in kosovo , serbian language is secondary language dispite we have just about 4 percent of minority here, in the parlament serbs has 10 guarante sits from 120 and whatever happens with results they must have at least one minister, serbs has 10 small cities in the places they live which are governing by them as for the security of churches Kfore is securing them and there is not a singel incident since 2004 when foreign agents had a hand to what hapoend but we paid of course for it . A lot of serbs actually change their opinion for good just after coming in kosovo , we are the safest contry in balkan acording to indipent polls .

[@NovikNikolovic]

@@WaveRoad that's because a lot of religious places ARE inhabited by the same people he's rooting for, the Serbs. You can be atheist AND respect the centuries of history centered around buildings made by your people at that time. You just, don't go personally to that place. Same way Turkey is secular, but still cares a lot about its mosques.

[@zharkoo]

"Serbia should have accepted the will of Kosovo and allowed it to go away" - seek mental treatment, your condition is very severe

[@Komentariram]

It is pretty clear that "Kosovo" independence was paid for by Albanian lobbyists in the US Senate. At the time, Albanians made up just around 50% of the population in the Serbian province. And they were not even indigenous people; they started to move from neighboring Albania in the 20th century. So, understandably, regions like Catalonia, for example, seeing that have every right to be frustrated given that they want to separate, and when we look at the "Kosovo" situation, they have every right to. Also, Many incorrect data points here. The province of Serbia was not called just Kosovo as shown on the map; it is called Kosovo and Metohija. Additionally, Kosovo is a Serbian word, as is any name for any place in Kosovo. It is also false that Albanians were the majority when Yugoslavia was created. They came from neighboring Albania to seek jobs and escape their dictator. We offered them that, and only a few decades later, when they saw that the number of ethnic Albanians was increasing, they started to ask for the same rights as the original ethnic groups that created Yugoslavia (Croats, Slovenes, etc.). Calling Serbian punishment of Albanians "human rights violations" while ignoring the language of the country they live in, ignoring the police, ignoring Christian culture instead of the Muslim culture they had (covering their faces, not allowing women to work, etc.) is absurd. You can't just move to a different country and expect the system to adjust to you. And that KLA klan you mentioned 1995 was labeled by USA as terorist group, than in 1999 they were liberation armu all of a sudden? Yeah right, not suspesious at all.

[@bilic8094]

Paid top dollar though joe diogurdi.

[@nassalas8856]

As a Serb I can tell you we will never let go of are holy Kosovo and Metohia.

[@Hidfhjccbxcbhc]

Very excellent analysis. Thank you very much prof. James ker-lindsay..

[@dusanmiskulin6827]

The solution is simple. 1. Backtrack on the unique case approach and revoke the statehood, return it under UN rule. 2. NATO admits to the breach of international law with the 1999 aggression against Yugoslavia. They can pay 1 EUR of reparations and we'll accept. 3. Serbia to get a fast track into EU (with some, not all rights and remaining rights to be attained on a fixed time frame, allowing for Albania to join too so it can't be blocked by Serbia). 4. Kosovo to get special joint rule between EU and Serbia 5. Serbian sacred sights, monasteries and metohs (church lands) to be given back to Serbian church - as an atheist I don't like this part, but it's just and fair. 6. Valid documents on Kosovo to be Serbian and EU papers and once Albania joins EU, Albanian too (not before so we don't get the Hercegovina Croats all getting Croatian passports to be EU citizens). 7. Reinstating KLA as terrorist organization as it was globally before Albanian drug money was used to lobby in Washington. 8. Allowing for the same rights for Republika Srpska (that Serbian documents are accepted there) This: Brings respect to internationa law. Brings the region into EU fold. Brings peace, stability and justice. Corrects the ridiculous historical rewriting. Either this or Serbia to never acknowledge it and for it to remain a beacon of global conflict and a point of hypocritical downfall of the western values and world views. Trust me, Serbs are equally ok with both outcomes.

[@claydee7092]

This comment is comedy 😂

[@thetruechaby]

@@claydee7092 It's one of the best ones I've read so far.

[@TSEEMOD_618]

Definitely impossible plan. Kosovar Albanians (1.5 mln) doesn't want to be under your rule in any case possible, mistake or not. Mind that for them, those people you declare at point 7 are "liberators", while see you Serbs as "Genociders". There are big memorials (I have seen them with my own eye) in Kosovo dedicated to all of the victims of Serbian Violence, let's not forget that. Moreover bringing together Republika Srpska, which is a joke on its own, into the discourse, makes it even harder. The reality is way harder: both sides have to agree that they have to lose something: a territorial compromise would be tough to digest, but it's the only way going. Yugoslavia is way over, and everyone moved on already from that, but Serbians.

[@petarpetrovic571]

@@TSEEMOD_618 It's debatable how many albanians are activly living in Kosovo right now. The data is scewed to fill the political purpose. Imagine the argument that serbs would made if there is around 1m, or even less. People of both ethnicities are leaving Kosovo because it's traped, no mans land without any future prospect. Probably the worst place to live In Europe right now (excl. Ukraine). With that trend, within one generation it would be empty, once again.

[@Brut.V]

@jameskerlindsay Great video as always professor, my only question to this subject is at what point do human rights issues and the suffering of those come to a boiling point for these ruling states? At some point all peoples have the right to separate. I often think of US independence when considering this case. Finally, I would say that those in power can not treat minorities with such contempt and disregard and expect that they will always stay and take part in their state. If Serbia believes that Kosovo was such an integral part of Serbia why was it never treated as such? No disrespect towards you professor, I just want your thoughts on these points?

[@producerscopyright6014]

During the 1999 Kosovo War, over 13,000 Albanians, the majority of whom were civilians, were killed by Serbian forces. More than 1.5 million people were forcibly displaced from Kosovo, and the country was devastated in every corner by the Serbian regime led by the war criminal Slobodan Milošević. All of this happened in plain view of the world, right in the heart of Europe. Similarly, Bosnia faced even worse atrocities during its conflict. Today, considering that the wounds from these wars remain open especially in Kosovo, where 1,600 people from the Albanian community are still missing, it raises the question: Is peace in the Balkans truly achievable and sustainable if Kosovo were to be part of Serbia again? No. This is why Kosovo’s case is unique and must be treated as such. The majority of Balkan and European states have recognized the reality that Kosovo is an independent state, and there is no other viable alternative for the region.

[@phoenix99941]

Who determines what is a "special case"? The United Nations didn't claim that Kosovo was a special case, the United States and its allies claimed that.

[@soul8938]

James why do you completely ignore that the UN resolution 1244 LITERALLY paves the way for independence by stating the final status is to be decided by its people.... Something UNIQUE as the united nations made it possible. 🤦

[@manuag3886]

Thanks for covering this topic - it does not seem to get the attention it deserves on platforms such as youtube

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. I agree. And it always seems to be told from a highly polarised and polarising perspective. There is a middle ground that recognises the fundamental legal and political complexities at play. This is an issue that needs to be fixed. But just shouting “Kosovo is Serbia” or “Kosovo is a unique case” doesn’t take the debate a single step forward.

[@srfaman]

Thank you Professor for this well balanced and objective video, it is unfortunate that it so hard to find something as unbiased as this in this modern age of information and communication. I must ask, what could from your perspective be considered as a fair resolution at this moment? Personally, I feel that anything short of a division of Kosovo across ethnic lines would be destabilizing in the long run, and as a Serbian I think that this would be acceptable to the majority in the country, with the added provision of granting special status for the monasteries and enclaves in the southern part of Kosovo. I do feel though that it would be extremely difficulty for the Albanians to accept this, unless they are placed under extreme pressure from the West. Another question that I have is whether you consider the intervention as being strategically beneficial or detrimental to the Western interests in the long run? This is not just with regards that this has cemented Russia’s influence in the region, but also with regards to the legitimacy of Western policy towards other regions, and their susceptibility to the hypocrisy argument that is now in the arsenal of every government that is at odds with the US led part of the world. Again, thank you so much for your objectiveness and the fact you so magnanimously share your knowledge.

[@vasilisvasili3231]

Very educative! Congratulations!!

[@omnipotent18]

So in your view, Russian centennial imperialist aspirations stem from the unilateral declaration of Kosovo? What a flawed conclusion!

[@danielcarrillo4385]

it took a bit of study but from my conclusion an equivalent situation would be if all the Mexican Americans in the SW of the U.S. decided to secede based on a combined history of annexation and common ethnic identity

[@CedarHunt]

Nope. Good try though

[@bletrick3352]

Is this a joke or are you that unintelligent you somehow think that's a comparable situation?

[@cauwenberghsroeland8607]

However, Mexicans have roots in that part of USA since thousands of years. Most citizans of USA don't have ancestors in America since before 1900...

[@CedarHunt]

@@cauwenberghsroeland8607 That's a ridiculous claim. Mexico didn't exist until 1810. They certainly don't have roots in the western US.

[@CedarHunt]

@@cauwenberghsroeland8607 That's a ridiculous claim. Mexico was formed in 1810. They certainly don't have roots in the western US, much less for thousands of years before they existed.

[@taulantferati1]

As an Albanian from Kosovo i fully recognise and respect the Serbian heritage in my country. Yet, i expect the same recognition from the other side. Since the 19th century Kosovars had a central role for the Albanian nation and this cannot be ignored. I don’t want to live under a regime that wants to expel me from the lands where all my great-grandfathers are buried. The systematic colonisation and expulsion efforts from the Serbian state are well documented. Albanians constantly fought for a republic within Yugoslavia but this right was unjustly never granted because the slavs knew that we didn’t want to live under their rule. Sacrificing my culture, my language and everything that I consider holy, just to maintain international law sounds deeply unfair to me. Oppressive regimes shouldn’t have so much power. It’s just extremely unfair to abandon ethnic minorities under oppressive regimes because an imperialist like Putin will abuse the precedent.

[@medeology4660]

Putin would just have made something else up to take what he wanted.

[@adamgg123]

James, some notes It would be worth mentioning that the Rambouillet agreement would mean that Serbia gave up its sovereignty as NATO troops would have free passage all throughout the country and be immune to yugoslav law Im not debating Russia having a propaganda arsenal but how is the subject of Kosovo propaganda unless you mean propaganda in a sense of without a judgement of the truth value. As the west has done exactly what you just described as propaganda?

[@nickorme8112]

What examples of propaganda from the west are you referring to? Propaganda does not inherently mean lies, in the context of Kosovo and Russia the west did change the established rules for Kosovo, which is factual, the propaganda element is the fact Russia used this as justification for its own actions when they were not related, unsubstantiated claims of genocide in Georgia and Ukraine in order to legitimize their otherwise entirely criminal actions in entirely different contexts, blending falsehoods with reality to whitewash their true intentions for political expediency. Taking a real fact and stripping it of all context to create a narrative is a critical element of propaganda. The best lies are the ones with an element of truth to them.

[@Alexander_1999_]

One other isue that made Kosovo's declaration of independence problematic was the fact that the war had ended by 2008. If they had done it during the war they could propably invoke the remedial recession principle. What is your opinion mr. Ker-Lindsay?

[@soul8938]

The UN mandate resolution 1244 LITERALLY paved the way for its independence stating the final status of Kosovar was to be decided by its people and that it did.

[@genci203]

I guess you have to review this . More than half of the world (115) recognizes Kosovo plus China is not against but has abstained which different than being apposed . More to that point ICJ has unanimously ruled in favor of the declaration of the independence. Keep up your wonderful work 🤝🤝

[@partizan3]

He explains in the video that the court did not in fact ruled in favor of independence, it voted in favor of allowing people to declare independence, not that its legal. India did not recognize its independence and there are more people living there than all 115 countries you claim recognized Kosovo (more like 100). Chinese politicians have been clear that they did not support Kosovo independence.

[@alexanderjdivic4784]

You better check that number who recognizes Kosovo, I'm pretty sure it's from 8-9 years ago lol

[@bingbong3084]

China has its own Kosovo called Taiwan , so China is indeed very opposed to it

[@petarpetrovic571]

Category # of countries Total Recognized Kosovo in 2008 54 54 Recognized Kosovo in 2009 11 65 Recognized Kosovo in 2010-2011 19 84 Recognized Kosovo in 2012-2014 25 109 Recognized Kosovo in 2015-present 10 119 Recognized, but withdrawn 20 99 So it's 99

[@bilic8094]

Overall well balanced video I honestly don't know what kind of agreement can be made as for me personally I wouldn't let it go not an inch and just wait for the right historical moment after all it's Serbian sovereign territory.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Again, though, it was only Serbian territory because Tito willed it. The vast majority are Albanian. It makes no sense for Serbia to be fighting this battle beyond pride. Serbia gains nothing from this. It could have saved itself from endless problem simply by saying that Kosovo amounted to a seventh republic, and negotiated a deal with the Kosovo Albanians. I think they even wanted to draw a line under this, until Kurti got into power.

[@Templar797]

@@JamesKerLindsay As a Serb, I think you are correct. Border corection was in talks, before Kurti came to power, but I think it has to be comprehensive, with Bosni and Hertzegovina included. If a agreement happens, where Serbian accepts intependent Kosovo, Republika Srpska will demand the same. Due to fragile peace in Balkans, status quo is preferable, but with Kurti, its unsustainable.

[@tombuddy100]

@@JamesKerLindsay Kosovans are not an ethnic group. Therefore, it couldn't be a republic. Kosovo is majority Albanian now, but Albanians already have their own republic, Albania.

[@alexanderjdivic4784]

@@JamesKerLindsay No. There are voluminous historical records and writings, including centuries old churches that easily prove Kosovo was always Serbian. It was not "only Serbian territory because Tito willed it." Albanians have a country and it's called Albania, severing Kosovo was a NATO decision to ensure a military base in the heart of the Balkans.

[@tombuddy100]

@@bilic8094 It's pretty unfair that EU requires Serbia to relinquish its former autonomous province as a requirement for joining EU.

[@weepingscorpion8739]

Maybe Russia did bring up Kosovo in with regards to Ukraine but the scenario in which I best remember Russia bringing Kosovo was back in 2008 after the Russian-Georgian war and the declarations of independence by Abkhazia and South Ossetia. EDIT: OK, you did bring it up. My bad. :$

[@DutchOrBelgian]

Excellent overview. The region remains a deep interest with my Croatian family. This is even more interesting with the new micro state in Albania. Is there any desire for Albanian and Kosovan integration or union?

[@010Jordi]

If Catalunya can't declare independence than kosovo can't either

[@lollymanna]

@@010Jordi Scotland? Northern Ireland? Brittany?

[@hans7856]

​​@@lollymanna Veneto Fryslân Baden-Württemberg Acre Southall Where does it end?

[@petarpetrovic571]

Not to mention republika srpska.

[@lollymanna]

@hans7856 That was my point 👉 Where does it end.

[@filipmaric5951]

@@lollymanna scotland had referendum btw couple years back. referendums are always once in generation part of oportunity those not happen every 5 6 years

[@boombang857]

There’s no real justification for breaking up a sovereign nation-plain and simple. Albanians already have their own country, Albania. Kosovo raises a lot of red flags, especially because it promotes the idea that if a group becomes a majority, they somehow gain the right to break away for “self-determination.” This mindset could have serious consequences worldwide, as we’re already seeing in Ukraine.

[@euphoriaggaminghd]

I'd argue that a nation committing genocide on people's should expect any attack on state sovereignty. If you claim the kosovo independence was wrong, then you're saying genocide is right, plain and simple

[@bilic8094]

​@@euphoriaggaminghdOk now explain to me where this so called genocide happened in kosovo and I'll look it up.

[@vankaiser2311]

@@euphoriaggaminghd you know we can claim that genocide is wrong but so is kosovo independence after all to wrongs do not make a right

[@euphoriaggaminghd]

@@bilic8094 lemme show a timeline: 1878: Serbia expelled 180,000 albanians from Niš and Toplica to Kosova 1912-13: Serbia occupies Kosovo and Vardarska Macedonia, massacring tens of thousands of ethnic Albanians, you can search the Carnegie report (even Leon Trotsky talked about this) 1918-1921: Serbia massacres 12,000 albanians in kosovo as a response to the Kachak rebellions 1921-1950: expelling hundreds of thousands of albanians from kosovo and Macedonia to Turkey, while bringing in serbian settlers from Serbia proper 1989: Serbia revokes kosovo autonomy. The consequences result in many government jobs being taken from albanians by Serbs, as well as jobs in the police and military. The Albanian language is banned across Kosovo, and regular disappearances of albanians from police custody. Exploitation of albanian workers for resources reaches all time high 1998-1999: 840,000 albanians expelled by force, thousands of villages burnt, a reported 8,000 civilians killed (over 1,000 still missing). In comparison to the serbian losses, where there were just over 1,000 serbian civilians killed, many from the bombing campaign by NATO. If you read this information and still deny a genocide happened, do not bother replying. This information is available on the Internet publicly, in writings, in media.

[@euphoriaggaminghd]

@@vankaiser2311 explain to me how kosovo independence is wrong? How do you think Serbia got independence from the ottoman empire? How Americas got independence from the British? The Russians got independence from Mongolia? Because they all fought for it. This isn't a world where you sit back and let oppressors do whatever they want to you. Either you fight for freedom or you have no freedom at all

[@GoshVlasky]

As the world inevitably heads back to multipolarity, we are yet to witness more twists and turns in this saga.

[@dannyboy536]

The map at 4:00 is not from any census of Yugoslavia and it most likely represents a freehand drawn map of prehistoric second World War Yugoslavia. Definitely not c,1990

[@joeblack5393]

No thank you. Between choosing to go with your suggestion of "simply accepting the reality" i think we will opt for alterantive solutions. Im looking at Nagorno Karabakh and the defeaning silence of the EU/West related to the manner in which Azeris accomplished it. Seems like a fairly good solution to the Kosovo problem to me.

[@golden3552]

The West has been deaf since the 90s when Armenia first occupied not only Nagorno-Karabakh, but also seven surrounding regions that were predominantly home to nearly a million Azerbaijanis and had very few, if any, Armenians and later settling the abandoned Azerbaijani homes with Armenians from Syria and Iraq.

[@frankieolmsted8448]

I have always found the justification for Kosovo's independence weak, intuitively, but I did not have a strong understanding of the history of the case. I am not sure whether this changes my mind; but I appreciate the context your video provides, professor.

[@achmedaan]

Professor I would like to hear your view on international regarding secession. You have talked about the need to revise it in a Q&A before, but a full-length video going deep on the topic would be great. Based on what you mentioned in the video, I find international law on secession quite strange. To be able to seccede, a minority (even if they make up the majority of a particular territory) needs to be granted the right to seccede by the majority. This means that regardless of what the minority wants, it is completely up to the majority to decide whether they want to legally accomodate the minority in any way (even if it is merely autonomy). I don't know if this is accurate, but to me this sounds like a naive outdated perspective where all governments are expected to be democracies which are benevolent to their minorities. Looking at it any other way, minorities are highly likely to suffer under the system as it stands.

[@mmajst0r]

James, as a good subject for your future material, you can check which criteria Badinter commission used when forming their oppinion for the Yugoslavia issue, since this is a main document for the break up of Yugoslavia. You will find that they didn't use official and existing constitution of Yugoslavia as a criteria, but instead they used analogy with the south colonial American states which received independence from Spain and Portugal. It would be interesting to hear your academic knowledge of this case where external right for self determination was used in situation where it was obvios that it is the case of internal right for the self determination.

[@Trofusky]

Another great vid, Professor, pleasant surprise for a Tuesday. How do you feel a compromise to rectify Kosovo’s awkward international position would come about? How can it be retroactively justified without damaging the ideas of state sovereignty and territorial integrity? Even just a national plebiscite (at this point) feels like it could be used by aggressors like Russia in justifying annexation of land in Ukraine, where a “referendum” was held. Your thoughts?

[@2004milten]

It is not lost. Не кењај.

[@abdiaha7022]

The hypocrisy of those who support Kosovo independence but oppose Somaliland independence is sickening

[@Solo-vh9fm]

Except Somaliland willingly gave up its independence previously. Kosovo has not had the chance since the Ottoman days

[@nativetorontonian]

But Kosovo was never a country during any period in its history, before the break up of Yugoslavia. Comparing them is not fair. Somaliland only agreed to form a union which was never ratified. Somalia has no constitution that includes Somaliland because the people there will never allow it. Somaliland is older than Somalia. Though, I have no ill will towards Kosovo & believe they earned the right to explore nationhood

[@tiredox3788]

To be fair most people I seen against Somaliand independence is usually Somali people not from Somaliand.😂😂

[@Mhark127]

Also, the people of Somaliland are ethnic Somalis, just like the rest of the population in Somalia. They share the same language, religion, and culture, and there is no history of suffering to justify this independence movement either.

[@PeterSmith-vn6zk]

He forgot to mention that region of Kosmet is birthplace of late medival Serbian state and church. Unlike Albanians who have no single document proving them anyway existing in that period of history in Kosmet.

[@zombiekilldemon]

The difference between internal and exteral Self-determination to me seems like a way to justify continuous empires like China, The US, Russia, Iran and Ethiopia but denounce over sea empires of old like France and Britain. I believe this needs to be exposed as the hypocrisy it is and acclaim that and nations have Self-determination.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. This is a really great point! You are right. Essentially, it did appear to say that as long as countries had conquered nations on their land borders, they could keep those territories. This is obviously a really important discussion in the context of Russia. But you make a great point about other examples.

[@CedarHunt]

In what way is the US an empire? Weird addition to the list there.

[@zombiekilldemon]

@@CedarHunt the US conquered the lands to its west, ethnicity cleansed those lands of its indigenous nations, resettled those lands with ethnic groups loyal to the US, and moved those indigenous nations to reservations were they have now limited internal self-determination. On top of that the US has over seas empire in the form colonies like my peoples island of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa and the US virgin Islands. The US has what can only be described as a prison colony in the form of Guantanumo bay. The US even has 99 year leases for military bases like that of the old British Empire. What else other than an empire would you call all of that?

[@CedarHunt]

@@zombiekilldemon All countries have conquered land and settled it. The claims of ethnic cleansing are false. If that is your benchmark, then you'll have to add every single nation on earth to the list of empires. You weren't talking about overseas territories initially and are attempting to shift the goalpost. If this is the best you have then I recommend you get educated.

[@cauwenberghsroeland8607]

Ethnical States are stupid ideas. ...

[@JorgeGarcia-lw7vc]

Fully agree with your assessment and proposal. If it is a unique case, then there is no limitation on sub-partition to ensure a lasting agreement of borders, respecting national self-determination and satisfying national interests. Why Kosovo is not encouraged to allow Serb areas, especially in its north, to be part of Serbia is baffling to me given the political uncertainties it perpetuates for Serbia, Kosovo and entire region. Allowing Republika Srpska to also join Serbia or become independent could also be a pragmatic development to allow the rest of the region to move on, develop and fully integrate into Europe.

[@dardanibrahimi1905]

As a Kosovar, a side info - I have to emphasize that Kosovo has a promising future, built on its resilient people, dynamic youth, and unwavering commitment to progress. We have strong ties with international partners and we invest in our institutions and education, so Kosovo has a clear path toward a brighter, more prosperous tomorrow. We also have a powerful diaspora. We love our country and we are here to stay. I wish you all a nice evening. Love from Prishtina

[@Armo12-g6e]

J srbe

[@existentialvoid]

Thank you for the fantastic breakdown of a complicated issue. Kosovo is indeed a major problem and will continue to be an issue for the EU as Serbia seeks to join the EU.

[@federal_kingdom_of_illyria2023]

500.000 Albanians were expelled from from 1912 to 1938. And more than 70.000 serbian families came as colonizers in kosova.

[@alexanderjdivic4784]

BS

[@Duloclankipchak]

@@alexanderjdivic4784 No worries 7th century Slavic immigrant 😄😄😄

[@lazarignjatovic7881]

​@@Duloclankipchak Still better than 11th century Caucassus imigrant😂

[@Duloclankipchak]

@@lazarignjatovic7881 Albanians have been there forever mate so stop trying to claim Kosovo as Serbian. I am not an immigrant from the Caucasus. Look up Kipchak and you will know 😄😄😄😄

[@Duloclankipchak]

@@lazarignjatovic7881 In 547 and 548 the Slavs invaded the territory of modern Kosovo, and then got as far as Durrës on the Northern Albanian coast and reached all the way down to Greece.

[@mmajst0r]

You just forgot to mention which nation is a majority on Kosovo. These are all Albanians not Kosovars. So it is completely impossible to expect that Albanians have 2 independent nation states on the Balkans, where the Serbs are divided between other 3 neighbouring countries (Bosnia, republika Srpska, Montenegro, Croatia) and they don't have the the same right as Albanians. Rules should be the same for everyone.

[@joeblack5393]

You know JKL thats all fine and well, the things that you say; but i just find it interesting that according to you, Yugoslavia (and now Serbia) should just accept that Kosovo doesnt want to be in union with Serbia. But at the same time we also need to accept that the same rule is not granted to Serbs living in Croatia and Bosnia. Can you square that circle for me? How is it that when it comes to Serbs not wanting to live under other countries rule and wanting to separate, its always verbotten and we must respect sovereignty and territorial integrity, but when it comes to seceding from Serbia, its basically free for all? Myabe if we had one rule and one principle applied to everyone everywhere we wouldnt have all these wars and conflicts. Maybe if the guiding principle of the West was not "ok in each case lets pick and support whatever harms Serbs the most" all of these issues could be resolved. Its strange that in every single political and territorial dispute where the West is involved you end up with wars. Wild. Innit.

[@lachry4019]

@@joeblack5393 location: Belgrade

[@nickorme8112]

Well to start with the majority of disputes involving the west do not devolve into wars, that's the point of the currently breaking international order. Then there's the fact there is something far more important than national pride at stake, namely peoples lives that the Serbs are happy to brutally end whenever they feel they can get away with it. Then there is the fact, as mentioned, Serbia is unwilling to grant significant autonomy to Kosovo while the Republica Srpska has such federal level independence. With the Croatian Serbian population being a much smaller population not under threat and Serbia willing to let Montenegro go its own way, it is clear even Serbia does not obey a consistent set of rules regarding territorial integrity either.

[@ladihasbjelkiersamoyeds3057]

​@@nickorme8112what are you balling about , all said is false And why is Serbian community in Croatia small??? Why? Maybe because ethnic cleansing ???

[@aeliusmaximusdecimusmeridius21]

Masterpiece !!

[@sargerasa]

I mean, your opinion is still better researched than most you see these days, however it's still pretty one sided unfortunately... Disregards a lot of historical peculiarities at the start, how the region developed, and why one population grew and the other shrunk, afterwards was pulling arguments that don't have anything to do with it (example being Montenegro, the relations between Serbia and Montenegro dont have much to do with the relations between Serbia and Albania), as well as taking an overly simplistic view of what the majority of Serbs are willing or not to take and not talking about lots of present day circumstances (everyone being dissillusioned by their governments). And by doing that, it's hard to get to a "comprimise" between two sides that way. It honeslty seems like working your way back from whatever the desired outcome is and wanting that outcome right now, with these circumstances. Maybe the majority of people don't want this kind of an outcome, with the present circumstances. History has been going on for a long time, who knows what will happen in the future.

[@Fjoushamother]

Great video from a legal perspective! However, I recommend revisiting the ethnic map shown at 4:00. It appears to underrepresent the actual distribution of Albanians and Bosniaks in Yugoslavia, especially in 1990. Their presence, particularly in Kosovo and Bosnia, was much more significant than depicted. Also Montenegro seems to be depicted as completely homogenous.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. Unfortunately, I know the map was a bit off. But I couldn’t find anything better. However, hopefully it still gave a good flavour of the diversity of Yugoslavia and got the point across about the fundamental difference between nations and nationalities.

[@euphoriaggaminghd]

Thank you, this seems to be a map picked on purpose. Kosovo was nearly all albanian majority even back then, and there were many albanians in Macedonia and montenegro, as well as bosniaks in montenegro and serbia

[@JamesKerLindsay]

No. I used the map from the company that produces a lot of maps I use. There is no particular intent. As I said, I couldn’t find another one. I was clear that the Albanians were a majority. But please let’s not fixate on this. The map isn’t the real issue here.

[@bletrick3352]

@@JamesKerLindsay Plenty of other maps that show the ethnic distribution of Yugoslavia in 1990 yet you went on and picked one that quite frankly I've never in my life seen and for good reason, it's horrifically bad.

[@mohamednosseir3960]

Well, you mentioned Kosovo was a unique example however Indonesia east Timor and south Sudan are pretty similar examples. They're not colonized and were historically part of the main land.

[@tombuddy100]

There is no Kosovan ethnicity. Majority is Albanian, but Albanians already have their own country, Albania. If Serbia agreed to let Kosovo be independent, who would prevent Albanians in Kosovo from voting to unite with Albania right away?

[@news_internationale2035]

Germans already have their own country called Germany, yet Austria exists. British already have their own country, yet Australia exists.

[@tombuddy100]

@@news_internationale2035 Austrians only speak German. They are not Germans. Australians only speak English. They are not English.

[@tombuddy100]

@@news_internationale2035 So, Kosovo Albanians only speak Albanian. They are not Albanians?

[@news_internationale2035]

@tombuddy100 Nonsense. The Austrians voted on a referendum to join Germany because they thought of themselves as Germans. Some Allied leaders thought they could split them up again, but history shows that they still want to be together which is why both are part of the EU.

[@tombuddy100]

@@news_internationale2035 They probably wouldn't want to unite with Germany now.

[@aleksamilosevic154]

It is really hard finding true objective explanations like your professor, so i salute you on that! I agree with all the things except the part where Serbia should let it go (of course :) ), i do feel like something is needed in return to make it a bit less bitter.

[@euphoriaggaminghd]

It is very simple actually, this issue can be solved by a population land swap. There is no other way around it. Kosovo as a whole will never accept being serbian and Serbia will never accept losing kosovo and remaining stubborn on its recognition.

[@tordsteiro9838]

Thanks a lot, this was an amazing video, of a very tense and complex issue. One of your absolutely best!

[@producerscopyright6014]

In the former Yugoslavia, Albanians made up approximately 8% of the population, a higher percentage than some other ethnic groups, such as Montenegrins (2%) and North Macedonians (7%), who had their own states within the federation. Yet, Albanians were denied the right to have an equal state, even though Kosovo has historically been an area with an overwhelming Albanian majority. Kosovo has always been a territory with a majority Albanian population, but it was annexed and occupied by Serbia. This annexation did not reflect the ethnic and political reality of the region but represented an injustice that deepened over decades with continuous repression of the Albanian population. This unjust situation culminated in the 1999 war, where the Serbian regime carried out ethnic cleansing and massive destruction in Kosovo. Because of this painful history and the Albanians’ right to self-determination, Kosovo is now an independent state. This is the only fair and sustainable resolution for the region, reflecting Kosovo’s historical and ethnic reality as a territory with an Albanian majority.

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[@nikolanbgd9371]

@JamesKerLindsay Great video as always, and while I do realise one can't touch on everything related to this subject in such a short video. I'd like to point out some crucial points you missed or were falsely explained in your exposition. - You stated that Socialist republic for every "nation". Socialism saw nations as a term created by the bourgeois and never used them as a legal basis. The correct term/ and a more literal translation would've been "peoples" and " peoples groups". Your translation doesn't do it justice. - There wasn't a Bosnian nation. That's untrue. Bosnians never existed during Yugoslav era. Muslims were lifted from a people's group to a full member of the 6 in the '64 Constitutional reforms. - Croatia was not a republic for Croatian nation ( that term was never used ). In the Republic's constitution it was stated that it was in fact a Republic for Croats, Serbs and all other people groups. That reference had been used from the first draft in '43. One part for the breaking of civil war and conflicts in Socialist Croatian Republic were over that very fact. Serbs were removed in the new independent republics constitution and were placed under minorities when in fact they were regarded as " Constitutional people" . - Kosovo never existed in fact until after WW2 (under current borders). Under Ottomans there had been a Kosovo Vilayet ( a territory of vastly different size and shape which is incomparable). You're right about census figures being highly debatable prior to 1950 census when Albanians were a majority in Kosovo. - You said that Milosevic revoked Kosovo's autonomy. That's a huge oversimplification. He hadn't the executive powers nor authority to do such a thing. After the was Kosovo was not an autonomous province but an oblast ( it had no parliament of its own merely an executive branch). '74 reforms gave it a parliament and an executive arm and many any question of revoking its autonomy a matter for the province's parliament to decide. In the 1990 its parliament voted to revert and delegate some of its powers back to the parent Socialist Republic. Meaning Kosovo lost its executive branch and was reduced to what it had prior to '74 reforms. So Kosovo's autonomy was never revoked merely its powers. Lastly I'd like to say I appreciate your videos. Never biased and always to the points using facts. I'd like to say I agree with you on the solution.

[@LatifBerisha]

As a 56-year-old Kosovar who has lived through the history of Kosovo since childhood, I strongly disagree with your positions. As a member of the Albanian population in the former Yugoslavia-one of the third or fourth largest ethnic groups by population-our status was never equal to that of other nations. The demand for full equality has always been a legitimate aspiration of the Albanian people in Kosovo. Your video fails to address the massive protests of 1981, where Albanians demanded equal rights with other nations. It also overlooks the systemic state oppression and violence imposed by Serbia on Albanians after the fall of the Ottoman Empire, aimed at forcing Albanians to migrate to Turkey and colonizing Kosovo with Serbian settlers. No one can justify clinging to outdated international laws and principles that are inherently flawed, unjust, and oppressive, allowing entire populations to remain suppressed and discriminated against. Instead of adhering to outdated and rigid interpretations, we must explore innovative and fair ideas. For example: The right to self-determination should not be denied to any population, but clear and just rules should be established. A population seeking independence must secure the overwhelming support of at least 65% or more of its people-not just a simple majority. Proportionality in territory: If a region seeks to secede or become independent, it should not claim territory disproportionate to its population size. If a state cannot convince 35% or more of its population to remain part of its sovereignty, then perhaps it does not deserve to govern that population or territory. Professor, you cannot rely on outdated, unjust, and backward international norms to address modern global challenges. Instead, you should advocate for creative solutions that prioritize human rights and the right to self-determination, as outlined above. Regarding Kosovo today: Kosovo is a peaceful country with an improving economy every year since its independence. It upholds democracy, liberty, and opportunities for prosperity. Every Kosovar is deeply grateful to the democratic nations-such as the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Turkey, and others-that have supported Kosovo during its most challenging times.

[@prostadušaslovenska]

I think that more than 65% of Serbs in Bosnia are for independence? Do they have that right in your opinion?

[@TSEEMOD_618]

@@prostadušaslovenska Bosnia is quite a failed state considering the existence of Republika Srpska doing whatever they want. It won't last forever, unless EU and 0 borders happen.

[@FrazzP]

Sorry to say, but the your suggestions are but a pipe dream. You can of course criticize international law, but i don't understand calling it backwards/outdated (same thing said twice) when it comes to separatism and secession. Most other avenues would create anarchy in the world. All peoples already have the right of self-determination in international law. Its one of its basic tenets. What they don't have the automatic right to is independence.

[@LatifBerisha]

@@prostadušaslovenska Certainly, in my opinion, they should have the right to self-determination if 65% or more of the Serbs in Bosnia and Herzegovina are in favor of separation or independence. However, they cannot claim territory exceeding the percentage of the Serbian population in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

[@LatifBerisha]

@@FrazzP I don't need to dream about new international rules because Kosovo's independence is already a reality. Kosovo is, and will always remain, an independent state. We, the people of Kosovo, are the ultimate guarantee of its sovereignty and future. While international law has its principles, they often fail to address historical injustices and the complexities of modern conflicts. The existence of Kosovo as an independent and democratic state is proof that justice can prevail, even when the path is difficult

[@Ismhabel]

I believe it is not stressed enough that the modern problem that some former Yugoslav republic face today lies directly in the deeply chaotic and unfair management of the country. Had the Bosnians or Croatian Serbs the same autonomous entities Serbia had (and still has!) would part of the international community argue for a sui generis case, as well as a « they suffered a lot during WW2 », argument in the face of their independence or annexation to Serbia ?

[@mnemonija]

Ah, an accurate description of the Kosovo problem. Refreshing. Not sure Russia would have much effect if Serbia and Kosovo found a mutual agreement. The whole world would recognize Kosovo and establish direct relationships in every way, and besides Kosovo is already a member of most organizations that matter, like FIFA, UEFA and Eurovision :) It would be extremely petty if russia blocked admission to UN. I don't believe it would happen. The big one is getting Serbia and Kosovo to agree on anything.

[@rexsclavorum]

Not in Eurovision tho.

[@Komentariram]

Many incorrect data points here. The province of Serbia was not called just Kosovo as shown on the map; it is called Kosovo and Metohija. Additionally, Kosovo is a Serbian word, as is any name for any place in Kosovo. It is also false that Albanians were the majority when Yugoslavia was created. They came from neighboring Albania to seek jobs and escape their dictator. We offered them that, and only a few decades later, when they saw that the number of ethnic Albanians was increasing, they started to ask for the same rights as the original ethnic groups that created Yugoslavia (Croats, Slovenes, etc.). Calling Serbian punishment of Albanians "human rights violations" while ignoring the language of the country they live in, ignoring the police, ignoring Christian culture instead of the Muslim culture they had (covering their faces, not allowing women to work, etc.) is absurd. You can't just move to a different country and expect the system to adjust to you.

This is a bit like the Ulster unionists who threatened violence if they were made live under an Irish parliament. The UK government gave in to the threat of unionist violence and it agreed to partition Ireland against the wishes of the majority of Irish people.

[@mladensaric7325]

In my opinion there is only one opportunity for Serbs and Albanians to get along. Its mutual land exchange, Albania & Kosovo give a small land corridor to Serbia to the sea. While Serbia recognizes Albania with the rest of Kosovo as part of it.. in this proposal everyone is upset and loses a bit. Which is probably the only way to settle this peacefully. Else Serbia will just wait until the orchestra (wagner) arrives, and nato to breakup.

[@chad12345678]

Why would Tito allow republics to cessede?

[@okoromodekepaul7203]

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[@burlbird9786]

13:00 "would have been" "in all but name" - But it WASN'T. That's the whole point. It's the argument AGAINST, not FOR.

[@adamradziwill]

my A. Brothers and Sisters , you can find all juridic base for Kosava Decolonization in James´s video " Why did Britain have to give up the Chagos Islands? " LONG LIVE Kosava ! WITH LOVE from Bielarus´!

[@janetmontgomery-r6j]

Thank you for the explanations. An amicable agreement would have been best.... For all.. I hope it's not too late for compromise and for both to face reality and for West to recognise it's mistakes. I wish you could lead international discussions.... You are so good at the reasoning and finding ways forward calmly.

[@ivancho5854]

International law - meh. Might is right in international politics and the reason for many curret conflicts around the world is because the West is very weak, both militarily and in leadership. I blame demographics as much as the peace dividend. It's hard to adapt when leaders and a huge chunk of the vo…ter base are retirees who don't want change, just a quiet life. The Balkans are in a bad neighborhood. They're stuck between the Christian world and the Islamic. Also they're between three power blocks: Central Europe, Russia and Turkey. They have survived because of their mountainous geography and by playing the blocks against each other. Russia still has influence in Serbia and I presume as Turkey has in Albania, etc. To be honest they'd be better off choosing just one side, currently the EU, however the only thing that Balkan people can agree on is that Balkan people will agree on absolutely nothing.

[@cyberfunk3793]

I think the simple way to handle these things is that the principle of self determination would be considered to apply inside states as well, why not? Donbas and Crimea are not the same as the referendums there were theatre, but other than that any area should be allowed to secede if people in the area voted for it. Some limits though: 1) Area needs to be large enough, so that not every village will claim independence 2) The support for independence must be independently verified in at least a couple of fair referendums, 4 years or so apart with 2/3 majority 3) One can't game the system by moving large groups of people in the area to gain votes. So for example cn and ru can't just send their people to an area and then have a referendum there.

[@davidsubotin7122]

And how many Serbs do you think were still in Kosovo by the time 2008 rolled around, many were killed or otherwise forcefully expelled from their homes

[@medeology4660]

Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk did not secede. They were invaded, occupied and annexed. And if Serbia hadn't resisted Kosovo's independence, Russia would have made up some other reason for their land grab.

[@rufuspanjaitan5759]

As were with East Timor and South Sudan, Serbia should agree for Kosovo to be a sovereign state. The Western countries support for Kosovo only justified Putin's support to Crimea, Donbass, Transnistria, South Ossetia and Abkhazia. And a lot of separatists around the world. It is a dangerous precedence.

[@valuerc2664]

If Kosovo government didnt violate rights and treat ethnic minority Serbs like second class, i think most serbian people will agree to find a solution, like full autonomy or some kind of confederation. Serbian politic scene is very bad, but kosovo is even worse, lets not forget that not that long time ago president of kosovo Thachi was arrested for war crimes while being sitting president

[@MC-vf4mk]

The West applies double standards in solving similar problems. Serbs in Bosnia and Herzegovina have no right to an independent state, but Albanians in Kosovo have that right. In fact, the West throughout history has been very consistent in its anti-Serbian policy.

[@FrazzP]

Kind of a funny coincidence, i was reading about the Kosovo War and its spillover insurgencies when this video came out.

[@Wejster]

There’s going to have to be teeth pulling on both sides for any compromise. The Trump presidency tried to negotiate a land swap during his first term and Serbia was willing to secede land with majority Albanians in exchange for Northern Kosovo/Mitrovica but Kosovo’s PM rejected the idea of any compromise. Maybe in a hundred years they’ll find a solution, but as long as the current ruling parties remain in Kosovo and Serbia I highly doubt it.

[@Neb0jsha]

The only deal to restore balance to international law would be for the West to return Kosovo to Serbia. Otherwise Serbia should keep the wound on the international law intentionally open, if not for anything, then for spite.

[@gsh64]

1:38 so, does this mean that Russia agrees with Kosovar indipendence, or is just a "casus belli" ?

[@abrahamcollier]

Strong stance. So welcome in milquetoast modern environment.

[@jovokrneta1412]

As a Serb I would be pleased with 31% 69% split giving Albanians 69%. Kosovo would be allowed to join Albania and Serbia would get as much ancient monuments possible. Neither Albanians nor Serbian are densely populated and can both sustain at least 3 times more population. What we have today is that no one Albanians, Serbs want to stay and live in the Balkans. All my friends that have left to the West looking for a better life have plenty of Albanian friends. Why is that we are all good friends abroad and have bad relations at home. Reason for this is that one's survival depends from being part of the group since there is no any developed economy, 31% - 69% split would resolve all issues, finalize the situation and make both Serbia and Albania long term stable and able to develop true market economies. Would be interested in Albanian opinions on this proposal.... Entire Serbia Kosovo situation is not worth one's man life not to mention a possible war if outsiders would suddenly tell us "Handle it any kind two of you like" - we would have conflict in 24 hours... not because Serbs or Albanians would like so, but because you will always have some politicians that would seek to self benefit from situation.

[@markomilojevic8792]

Thank you very much for this KZbin video. Finally I can see a content which is not colored purely black and white, as a story of good and evil. I agree on all the points you mentioned. Internally, in discussions with fellow Serbs, I support letting Kosovo go, as it is truly more of the issue to stay with Serbia than to leave. However, I have never agreed with this unilateral decisions, destruction of principles of international law. Especially to listen one story for Kosovo, but the other for Crimea, Northern Cyprus, and many other territories. Such hypocrisy really insulted logic. I believe in territorial exchange between Serbia and Kosovo and mutual recognition. Serbian Church must get full autonomy and guarantee and protection. In addition, I believe that Kosovo should not be (permanently) allowed to unite with Albania, because that would be beyond anything related to people's right to self-determination, or human-rights abuse, but pure Albanian expansionism, which would then give a clear path for any expansionist a recipe how to achieve their goals.

[@pouriajafarikia65]

Not a fan of the title, it feels clickbaity. I liked your old titles, straight to the point. Video is still great as always though!

[@tombuddy100]

Nice impartial analysis.

[@libertyliberty6829]

You want to undone what is achived almost 40 years ago. Milosevic destroyed Yougoslavia with crimes in Bosnia in Croatia in Kosovo. Those crimes has been commited in middle of Europe. It is easy to write from chair and pick up little piece of history and try to make them as big. We are comfortable as indepdent nation and we have a good relation with other states except with Serbia

[@AlOfNorway]

Prof. You should’ve mentioned that Albanians tried to gain independence from via the kind and honest Rugova, but he failed. Albanians didn’t do armed insurgency, but rather armed resistance. Don’t forget that it was the Serbian army that was forced to retreat. Albanians didn’t go hunting Serbs, it was actually Serbian official forces who attacked, pillaged and destroyed Albanian places. Albanians were illiterate farmers at best but they were too many to be ruled by a foreign entity who hated them.

[@bingbong3084]

There is no armed resistance when the goal is to break up territory of a nation , what are you resisting, the territorial sovereignty of a state ?

[@AlOfNorway]

@ I don’t know if you’ve realised that Serbia sent its army and paramilitary troops into Kosovo to “restore” order. Yes, they wanted territorial and legal independence. You can’t force someone to belong to your state. States are mental inventions. Without the faith of the people, it simply collapses. That’s what happened and Albanians view it as a fight for their freedom. Remember that all the fighting and pillaging happened in Kosovo, not in Serbia. Serbia was no victim. Serbia had all the power, Kosovo did not and wished out of it.

[@agimternova5150]

Fake news. 👎👎👎 Kosova is recognized by more then 120 countries, not half of UN members.✍✍✍ That's mean there r almost 2/3 of UN members that recognize independence of country.✍✍✍ 99% of Kosova population is ethnic albanians . ✍✍✍ Where you can find so homogeneous population in the world?🤔🤔🤔 International Tribunal recognize Kosova as independent country & Kosova was never ever part of Serbia but part of Yogosllavia.✍✍✍

[@japorto100]

Good job! I would also like that you make such unbiased videos when its about Russia. No offense but i have a feeling that you have britanianicly induced russophia😂

[@filipmaric5951]

and about montnegro. Montenegro was republic within yugoslavia. and it was republic within Serbia and Montenegro and it always had right to secedee

[@NikolaHD]

This is the video we needed long time ago. Thank you! I don't think that anybody in Serbia truly wants Kosovo to be a part of Serbia. It would be politically insane and very devastating for Serbia. You said it right, Kosovo was a key that dictators around the world needed to unleash their needs for territory grab. Serbia needs to get something in return for recognition, period. It would be nice if the west admitted breaking international law, but lets be realistic, that is never going to happen. Ukraine, Taiwan and many more countries will be sacrificed because of Kosovo and it is a sad reality. If there was no intervention and breach of international law, today many more countries would stand strong with Ukraine against Russian invasion, however because of Kosovo that is not the case. I think that now with Ukraine, we have a unique position to re-negotiate international law. As sad as it is, west and Russia can call it even.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you, Nikola. This was a video I had wanted to make for a very long time. I agree with everything you say. I have also been extremely critical about the way the West has handled this, not least of all because it has undermined international law in a catastrophic way - and yet refuses to acknowledge this, let alone take responsibility for the consequences. And yet, even now, too many think that the way to “solve” the issue is to force Serbia to accept the situation. (Germany is a particularly bad offender.) This is utterly counterproductive. As said, the best way to fix this is to give Serbia something in return. And think you’re right. Apart from some zealots, most people is Serbia don’t care much about Kosovo. They care that Serbia was forced to accept something no other country has. Azerbaijan could take back Nagorno-Karabakh with impunity. Croatia could do the same with Krajina. It’s this that really grates with many people.

[@aleksvasilije1831]

@@NikolaHD agree with everything except for integration with Serbia. Full autonomy like Vojvodina. There are plenty of minority groups that are equal such as Romanians, Hungarians, Bosniaks, etc… those who don’t like it have an option to go to Albania as they already have a country. If not they can live side by side with Serbs as we have for 500 years

[@miloshzhupac]

How can anyone take this comment seriously, when you say nobody? Well I do and many people would, especially with the high state of autonomy, where the majority would rule, while Serbia as a state, would keep the monopoly on defense, macro economics etc...

[@thomasjgallagher924]

​@@JamesKerLindsayI don't agree with the comparison to Ukraine. Upon Ukrainian independence from the USSR in 1991, every single oblast voted to be part of an independent Ukraine. It wasn't until 2014 that there was any talk about parts of Ukraine being carved off, and that talk was only coming from the Kremlin. I also disagree with your faulting the West to the degree that you are. Remember Serbia tried to stop the independence of Slovenia, Croatia, and BiH with military force, all of which you treat as legitimate cases for independence in this video. To this day, Serbian forces are trying to undermine Montengrin independence. If you were in the former Jugoslavije in the 1990s, it was hard to imagine any ethnic minority in Serbia having a fair shot at life. Forcing Kosovo to stay as part of Serbia was too hard for too many to stomach after Srebrenica. That's probably justified by how many Serba out there today are saying the Srebrenica massacre never happened.

[@sasakosanovic1043]

I for one, as a Serb from Serbia, disagree with your opinion that most Serbs dont want our occupated region of Kosovo and Metohia to be reintegrated back into Serbia. I understand the difficulties of a huge albanian population that doesn't want to be under our rule, but the alternative (secession) would be far more catastrophic for Serbia especially in the long run. Getting serbian law (military and police) back into kosovo and metohia is just the first step of many, but i believe it is worth the troubles.