I mentioned the Balkans recently. Kosova is a good example of the ongoing issues resulting from the mishandling (pretty much on all fronts) of the nations represented in the Balkan Peninsula. After the disastrous Battle of Kosovo all those centuries ago, tensions have been high in this tiny part of Europe, rimmed to the south by the Albanian Alps and Šar Mountains, the plains of Dukagjin and Kosovo dominating the rest of the 4,000 square miles or so. Most of the population of Kosova are Albanian Kosovars (and, perhaps not incidentally, Muslim), but it is Serbia who claims Kosova in its entirety as the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija, despite Kosova’s declaration of independence in 2008. As you might remember, these diametrically opposed claims have led to ongoing tension, and sometimes outright war between the Serbian and Albanian Kosovars.
Stamp details: Top left: Issued on: March 15, 2000 From: Prishtina, United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo MC #1
Top right: Issued on: March 19, 2008 From: Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo MC #97
Bottom stamps: Issued in: 2018 From: Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo MC #415-417
Recognized as a sovereign state by the UN: No (some 102 UN member states recognize Kosovo’s independence and sovereignty and it is currently a member of two UN agencies) Claimed by: Republic of Serbia Member of the Universal Postal Union: No
