[americanophile]

Thanks for your replies. I have never seen a comprehensive, much less compelling explanation of why we would support Kosovo’s independence at the expense of Christian Serbia. Usually the strategic thinking behind policy is clear, but in this instance, it seems to be ambiguous at best. What can we possibly hope to gain? An impoverished Muslim client state in the Balkans? Why bother? A presence in opposition to Russian influence in Serbia? Why? To what end? On its face, this policy makes little sense to me.

[Tailgunner Joe]

How about a gigantic military base in Southeastern Europe and a hopping-off point to the middle East?

Perhaps you can explain how retreating from the area is in our interest. (rather than in the interests of foreign powers)