Confronting the Barriers of Barbed Wire Democracy

As the renewed crisis in Kosovo and Metohija grabs headlines, we must turn our attention inward and analyze the propaganda campaign aimed against the Serbian people. Once again, the familiar narrative of the 1990s is being manufactured and disseminated, casting Serbs as villains and Albanians as virtuous victims. In the face of an unprovoked attack on unarmed Serbians in their own occupied homeland, orchestrated by the illegitimate Kosovo* force under Albin Kurti’s leadership, a formidable army of bots, paid activists, and the entire Albanian “government” has taken to social media platforms to push their agenda. This well-organized, well-funded PR machine utilizes impeccable English, strategically tags influential individuals, and employs emotionally charged language to advance their cause.

It is alarming how swiftly Albin Kurti and Vjosa Osmani gained access to major international media outlets such as the Guardian, BBC, CNN, MSNBC, and Reuters, allowing them to present their version of events to global audiences. This underscores the significance of public opinion in the battle of narratives. Unfortunately, the Albanians, like the Bosnians and Croats in the past, seem to be gaining ground in this war. While it may seem futile to engage with networks and audiences that are predisposed against the Serbs, ignoring the importance of this battle is a grave mistake. The impact of disengagement has been keenly felt by Serbs over the past few decades. It is crucial to shed defeatism and recognize the need for strategic alliances, counternarratives, and proactive engagement where it truly matters.