8 September 2008

It has been suggested that since the West backed Kosovo's independence  the lid from Pandora's box has been removed.  Can the recent flurry in Kashmir be another stirring?  And what of the Kurds who have been stirring for a long time?   The Basques perhaps?  It is likely the Chechnians will be quiet for awhile however.  South Texas maybe.

But then what will be the reaction when Kosovo opts to join Albania.  How will that change things?  Or when the Georgian separatist areas opt to join Russia?   Would Kashmir remain independent, or whould it opt to join Pakistan?  Pandora's box is open.

The most intersting question is how will all this - and others - impact upon the world stage?  Will it lead to more Balkanization?  More consolidation?  More regional strife?   Or  all the above?  And what of world trade?  Particularly the trade of oil and natural gas.

What an interesting world, if you are a philosopher sitting on a cloud looking down upon it.  What a frightening world if you are not.