Field of Blackbirds

The Balkans, if this is possible, just got even more complicated:

PRISTINA, Kosovo — Kosovo declared itself a nation on Sunday, mounting a historic bid to become an “independent and democratic state” backed by the U.S. and key European allies but bitterly contested by Serbia and Russia.

“Kosovo is a republic _ an independent, democratic and sovereign state,” parliament speaker Jakup Krasniqi said as the chamber burst into applause. Krasniqi, Prime Minister Hashim Thaci and President Fatmir Sejdiu signed the declaration, which was scripted on parchment.

Really, Kosovo is a NATO/UN protectorate and has been for years. What this declaration effectively means, other than mapmakers having to re-color a tiny spot in Europe, I have no idea.

Well, other than Serbia and Russia being really, really pissed.