Would actually agree.....
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I am no fan of Mr Juncker, but this is a re-writing of history - with the USA riding to the rescue of the EU and the people in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Yes, just one part of the Balkan jigsaw and my remarks only apply to Bosnia.
The EU collectively made bad decisions at the start of Yugoslavia breaking up and once the civil war began - not in Bosnia - stood back relying on diplomacy. When Bosnia slipped into mayhem a number of EU nations contributed to the much-criticized UNPROFOR, which IIRC the USA made no contribution. It did send an envoy to head one mission in part of Croatia.
As the Bosnian civil war escalated, with horrors committed by all three sides, there were times when NATO, not the EU, threatened and used air power from August 1995 - a good part being provided by the USA (based in Italy IRRC).
The key event from my reading now years ago was the Serbian siege of Sarejevo; this was broken by the deployment of heavy artillery and mortars to Mt. Igman - an independent force, with Dutch, French & UK troops - who fired upon Serbian artillery.
Remember the Croats had launched an offensive in north-western Bosnia, which had significant US support, not "boots on the ground", in August 1995 and took significant Serbia territory.
The Dayton negotiations then went into high gear and the peace accords followed in November 1995. Only with the deployment of IFOR in December 1995 did US troops deploy to Bosnia; a significant two brigade force from Germany, with three allied brigades alongside.
I am sure there is a casualty list somewhere, but I would wager accidents aside the USA paid in gold, not blood when it was present on the ground.
Ivan Krastev: #Russia will test @NATO in #Balkans because can be sure that it won't be a priority of the US.
https://www.bellingcat.com/news/uk-a...egro-zugzwang/
Balkan Gambit: Part 2. The Montenegro Zugzwang
March 25, 2017
By Christo Grozev
Tensions are building up between the Socialist Party of Albania (PSSh) and the Socialist Movement of Integration (LSI). Coalition between LSI will have a very good position at the coalition building table. LSI worked together with Democrats (2009-13) and Socialists (2013-17) those parties will be important for the outcome of the election. Without LSI, it will be difficult for Rama to win 71 seats alone
Balkanist Magazine @Balkanist
Op-Ed: Europe Should Brace Itself, a New Autocracy is on the Rise in #Serbia
http://balkanist.net/op-ed-europe-sh...ew-autocracy/#
Vucic has won a crushing 1st round win in #Serbia's presidential election. Signs of growing autocracy in the country
Via Open Democracy a viewpoint by:The sub-title:Quote:
David Stefanoski is a student at the Institute for Security, Defense and Peace at the University of Skopje. He was a co-ordinator of the original student protests in Macedonia and active in protests and plenums in the country.
Link:https://www.opendemocracy.net/can-europe-make-it/david-stefanoski/what-hell-is-going-on-in-macedonia?Quote:
A maelstrom of scandals, drama, violence and anger has seen Macedonia sliding towards collapse in recent months, with serious implications for the Balkans as a whole.
A Quarter-Century Later, Sarajevans Still Haunted By Siege #Bosnia #Serbia
http://www.rferl.org/a/28412521.html
Serbian president-elect who earlier wanted 'Greater Serbia' now calls for 'New Yugoslavia'.
You can't blame their immediate neighbours for being bit anxious
Massive protests in Serbia for the 6th day in a row against the elected President
http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-internat...spat-ales.htm#
Protests against the #Serbia president elect Vucic continue. This kind of instability could explode..
Trump Campaign Chief ‘Worked for Montenegrin Independence’ :: Balkan Insight
https://shar.es/1Q8zu3
Bosnian Serbs Unveil Monument to Russian War Volunteers
http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/arti...rs-04-12-2017#
Vladimir #Putin is bound to safeguard the cross until #Russian empire is restored - say #Serb veterans in #Bosnia
http://balkans.aljazeera.net/vijesti...im-u-vojsci-rs
Interestingly many have forgotten that the Russian Orthodox Church called for a crusade when Putin announced he was heading to Syria...to fight IS.....
Montenegro becomes 29th member of NATO, which expands for the first time since 2009
https://goo.gl/rauLnN
#
No end in sight for the constitutional crisis in Skopje. Trenches look even deeper.
Grave situation.
http://meta.mk/en/there-will-be-a-ne...edium=twitter#
Serbian tabloids have been publishing sensationalist reports about the possibility of war with Albania and Kosovo
http://bit.ly/2pokxTn
Pushkov laments on Montenegro decision join NATO saying in no outside threat situation pointless and the alliance is helpless with terrorism
Violence against Macedonia MPs prompts western fears that simmering tensions could erupt into bloodshed.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/w...ing-q2k08f59t#