KOSOVO

With an Albanian led administration calling for full independence from Serbia, Kosovo looks like it may once again spiral into ethnic conflict. Serbian residents of the region are leaving in droves as tensions between the two communities increases. With a citizen’s army once again being mobilised, the Serbian mainland has promised that it will meet force with force. They also have the additional support of the Russians, keen to keep Serbia as a loyal and militarily well supplied friend.

Europe is therefore faced again with a region teetering on the brink of another outbreak of ethnic cleansing. With British forces due to take over control of the area on behalf of NATO, we could find ourselves over stretched with regards to our defence commitments. What then for Brown, all ready under fire for not financing our obligations abroad?