In 1999, the U.S. led a NATO air campaign to stop Serbian forces from the ethnic cleansing of Kosovar Albanians. For context, Kosovo was a province of the country Serbia. However, the majority of the people living in Kosovo where ethnic Albanians. The Serbian government at the time, wanted to restore Kosovo (which holds religious and historic importance to Serbia) to a majority Serbian population. Using force, the Serbian government sought to remove the Kosovar Albanians from Kosovo. NATO, led by U.S. forces, conducted a series of airstrikes and ground assaults against the Serbian military leading to a cease fire agreement. Following the NATO victory, the United Nations Security Council drafted a resolution (UN Resolution 1244) deploying and maintaining a NATO force known as Kosovo Force (KFOR) to maintain peace and stability in the region.
You would think that this issue would have been resolved by now, but some interesting politics got in the way. Years later, KFOR and specifically the U.S. military are still in Kosovo doing the same peace keeping mission. So, what happened? How come no permanent solution has been found? It is due to the complicated nature of other nations recognizing Kosovo’s independence and sovereignty as a nation.
Let’s examine some things real quick, such as the legalities of the NATO strike. Imagine if you will that the state of Texas became filled with people who identify as ethnic Mexicans (even though they are fully American citizens). Then imagine that the U.S. wanted to get rid of all the ethnic Mexican Americans to allow for more non-Mexican Americans to inhabit the land in Texas. Imagine that the U.S. deployed the military to forcibly remove all ethnic Mexican Americans from Texas. Now imagine that NATO comes in, bombs the U.S. military into submission and declares Texas an independent nation. Well, that’s almost exactly what happened in Kosovo. Can outside nations invade other nations and annex their territory? Many people point to the atrocities happening in Kosovo at the time as justification. Also, during that time were events like ethnic cleansing in Rwanda and other parts of the world. NATO most likely saw this as a moral obligation rather than a legal one.
Either way, 26 years later, we are still in Kosovo with no permanent solution in sight. Having spent time there, I have the answer to Kosovo issue.
- Nato recognizes Kosovo as a sovereign Nation.
Part of the issue with “winning in Kosovo” is that NATO does not recognize Kosovo as an independent nation. NATO is playing referee between Serbia and Kosovo and as a ref, it is impossible to win the game. You have to be player. NATO has to choose a side. Either they say Kosovo is Serbia or Kosovo is independent. There are a few nations in NATO struggling with territories trying to breakaway and become independent. Spain is struggling to keep the Catalonia region from breaking off. Greece is trying to maintain control of Cypress. Under NATO rules, it must be a unanimous vote to recognize Kosovo’s independence. Although many nations in NATO recognize Kosovo as an independent nation, certain NATO members do not. As long as these nations feel that recognizing Kosovo’s independence will further justify territories within their own borders to break away and form their own nation, then those nations struggling to preserve their territory will not vote to recognize Kosovo as an independent nation.
Having NATO recognize Kosovo as an independent nation will allow for Kosovo to possibly join NATO, the EU, and other important organizations, bolstering Kosovo’s ability to protect itself through alliances and promote its economy. It will allow for NATO to finally repel Serbia getting rid of the pluralistic government currently in Kosovo, and thwart Serbia’s efforts to undermine the Kosovar government. Serbia still has governors and elected officials in Kosovo who act as governing officials even though they were not formally elected through sanctioned Kosovo elections. Having NATO recognize Kosovo as a sovereign nation will also lead to other nations recognizing the Kosovar government (or the institutions in Kosovo as they are known) as legitimate. This will go a long way in foreign diplomacy and enhance Kosovo’s ability to conduct commerce with other nations; as the most important aspect of nation building is economic development.
2. Kosovo invests heavily in infrastructure (roads, airports, power grids, internet, etc.).
The best way for Kosovo to lift itself out of poverty and into a prominent country in Europe is through substantial economic development. This is entirely possible, but it will take three monumental shifts; the first shift must be in the culture. The people of Kosovo must yearn for innovation, hard work, and professional education. The second shift must come in the infrastructure throughout the country. And the third shift must come from the government who creates favorable tax and business laws for both foreign and domestic investment into Kosovo. For now, we will discuss infrastructure.
Kosovo is one of the poorest countries in Europe. It has poor road infrastructure, limited transnational transportation options, and most importantly poor power supply infrastructure. Kosovo is prone to consistent but periodic power outages. This makes it an undesirable location for businesses. It’s location in Europe is not terrible for trade, but the country also does not have access to a seaport. To become more attractive to outside businesses, Kosovo must boost its national infrastructure. Amazon, Google, and other large corporations do not want to be in a country where it does not have stable, predictable power.
But imagine if Kosovo could correct that, install high speed internet, and develop adequate transportation systems. Then outside corporations could set up shop there, getting relatively inexpensive labor and purchasing land for warehouses and other commercial endeavors in a relatively inexpensive area. Having businesses relocate to your area leads to other business development such as service industries (restaurants, retail shops, entertainment, etc.) and soon the entire economy is boosted.
3. Kosovo passes favorable business and tax laws, heavily incentivizing business investment in Kosovo.
Fixing national infrastructure can take a long time, but something that can be done today to make Kosovo a more viable business location is the passing of favorable business and tax laws. Kosovo should make taxes minimal on local and foreign business investment, attracting large corporations to it where these corporations can have tax shelters. The cost savings to these corporations will be worth the move to the country, ultimately becoming a win-win situation for both the corporation and Kosovo. Other business friendly regulations that could be implemented included simplified business registration processes, reduced permit requirements, research and development credits, strong patent laws, trademark and copyright protections, free trade agreements, and enforcement of contracts to name a few. Kosovo should make itself as attractive as possible to have businesses set up shop in their country. Once the businesses come, the tax revenue will flow.
Conclusion
This article is not exhaustive nor is it heavily cited with academic research. In fact, it’s lazy and hand waves a lot of critical tasks. The purpose is more conceptual and thought provoking. Of course, much more specific detail is needed to pull off a plan of this magnitude, but the general framework is there. Three simple (but not easy) steps; have NATO declare Kosovo an independent and sovereign nation, create a better national infrastructure, and create favorable business and tax laws. If implemented Kosovo could be the next great country in Europe, surpassing those even more established nations lagging in economic progress.
Love this article? Great! Let me know and I’ll produce more. Hate this article? Well, it’s probably ‘cause you love spending U.S. tax dollars on foreign wars that have zero effect on your life. Why don’t you go ahead, respond, and let me know why I am wrong.
*This article was written by FUBAR 6. All opinions expressed in this article are that of the author. This article is not endorsed by the Department of Defense, the United States Army, or any other state or government agency. Comments to the author can be submitted below.