A shameful history of vandalism.
The week's news at a glance.
Kosovo
Can Kosovo’s ethnic Albanians be trusted with Serbian national treasures? asked Mihail Neamtu in Bucharest’s Cotidianul. The province, currently administered by the U.N., is likely to get full independence from Serbia soon—perhaps this year. The challenges are formidable. Kosovars have yet to master “respect for the rule of law.” Weapons smuggling and corruption are endemic, and the black market economy is bigger than the legitimate economy. With all that to tackle, it’s unlikely that Kosovar authorities will spare much attention to protecting the few medieval cathedrals that survive. Since 1999, when NATO bombing drove Serbian authorities from the province, Kosovo’s Muslims have destroyed scores of Orthodox churches, many of them dating from the 13th century. Kosovar authorities were often “unable or unwilling” to restrain rioters, who burned churches, fortresses, castles—whatever Serbian historic sites they could reach. Today, Kosovo is home to four churches on the U.N.’s World Heritage List. Before the U.N. grants Kosovar Albanians sovereignty, it would do well to get “a guarantee that they will preserve Serbian history.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Big Tech's answer for AI-driven job loss: universal basic income
In The Spotlight A new study reveals the strengths and limitations
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'I will not be silent' on Gaza, says Kamala Harris
Speed Read In a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Harris supported Israel's right to defend itself while expressing a desire to end Palestinian suffering
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
'How long can TikTok dominate as a social network?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published