A New Sort of Reality

It is not clear which reality will eventually prevail: the virtual one that offers itself or the one in which we currently live.

Wherever you turn these days, man is offered some sort of reality as if all of us lack sufficient reality from everyday life. In America, Republicans want President Obama and American citizens to accept the reality that the economics of the current administration is a clear failure and that the economic problems of the United States can solely be resolved through reductions in the state budget, particularly cuts in social programs. Democrats, however, want Republicans and American citizens to accept the reality that the current economic crisis is a direct result of faulty policies of the previous administration and the evident greed of the former president and largest and richest companies in America. They also want it known that neither they nor President Obama are directly at fault for the current situation.

In the same way, the EU seeks the acceptance of the reality that, despite all its issues, it is the only path to prosperity and an overall better life for its members. The United States and the European Union are working together to push the Serbians to accept the reality of an independent Kosovo and Metohija, saying that this is the only way to guarantee peace and stability in the Balkans as well as a better life for Serbians. Lastly, the political elite of Serbia seek to accept the reality that they too are completely helpless in the fight against evil that their citizens are experiencing in Kosovo and Metohija.

For an extended period, U.S. forces, as well as a single part of the EU, confirm that the realities the United States created in the Balkans are guaranteed and unquestionable: First, the borders of the Balkans after Kosovo’s declaration of independence are permanent and can never be altered; second, the policies implemented by the U.S. and EU for the past two decades guarantee lasting peace and stability in the Balkans; third, the entrance of countries in the Balkans into NATO and the EU are the only way of guaranteeing security and economic prosperity; fourth, the political and economic models offered by the United States and the EU have no alternative and guarantee the highest levels of freedom, democracy and economic progress.

Unfortunately, due to forces beyond their control, after two centuries and a standstill in the region, this policy has been shown to hold no water. Alternative to this reality is the reality that: First, the greatest threat to peace and stability in the Balkans is the declaration of independence by Kosovo in a way that was orchestrated by the United States and its allies in the EU. This declaration of independence guarantees that the Albanian question in this region will be a key long-term issue, and it involves not only Kosovo but also Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Greece and Albania. Second, the largest threat to peace in the world is America, the EU, and NATO, all of whom violate international law. These forces are bombing both military and civilian targets indiscriminately and simply doing as they please while covering it up in the name of moral superiority while using brute force. Third, the borders in Europe and in the region of the Balkans have been subject to change throughout the decades. Every empire that at one time dominated thought that they drew borders that would outlast the test of time. Even with their arrogance and power, borders changed. There isn’t any logic nor any sort of guarantee that dictates they will not change again. After all, there is the policy that guaranteed ethnic Albanians the rights of Kosovo’s independence by seceding from the Serbian territory, along with the argument that Albanians could no longer live within the borders of Serbia. Likewise, this argument can be used by Serbians in the north of Kosovo regarding relations with Pristina. Evidently, Albanians can also use this argument in Macedonia and Montenegro. Other minorities may use it in relation to their current state. Fourth, no one can seriously believe that all nations in the Balkans will be accepted as members of the EU in the near future, nor will the EU present a quick cure for the problems of nations that seek help from the organization.

Political elites in the United States and the European Union show that they themselves have lost confidence in their present political and economic systems. At the same time, they still demand that other countries blindly believe in these same systems and shape their futures only on these very systems.

It is not clear which reality will ultimately prevail: the virtual one that is offered or the actual one in which we live. However, one thing is evident, despite all the wishes, expectations and efforts of the United States and the European Union, one day, hopefully soon, they will be forced to accept a new reality.