Yugoslavia (21st Century Crisis)

The Federal Republics of Yugoslavia (Serbo-Croatian: Федеративна Pепублике Југославијa, Federativna Republike Jugoslavija) is a country located in Central and Southeastern Europe. It is bordered by Italy to the west, Austria and Hungary to the north, Bulgaria and Romania to the east, and Albania and Greece to the south. The first such Yugoslav state was the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, also known as the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, until it was invaded by the Axis, and a puppet government for Nazi Germany was established.

Between 1945 to 1989, it was a socialist state and a federation governed by the Communist Party of Yugoslavia and made up of six socialist republics: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia with Belgrade as its capital. In addition, it included two autonomous provinces within Serbia: Kosovo and Vojvodina.

Yugoslavia maintained a quasi-neutrality during the Cold War, and despite being a Soviet ally, allowed for friendly relations with the West, and also imported military equipment from the West as part of its foreign policy. It was a founding member of CERN, the United Nations, Balkan Federation, OSCE, IFAD, WTO, Eutelsat and BTWC.

After the fall of communism, the six socialist republics transitioned into "federal republics".

Beginning in 2000, Yugoslavia entered into a partnership with the European Union, allowing it to prosper and experience an economic boom. It is because of this that Yugoslavia is considered a regional power, and the paramount regional power in the Balkans. Yugoslavia is currently a member of the CSTO, European Union Partnership, G10, Balkan Federation, GOF and CC.

History
During the Second World War, King Peter II led the Royal Yugoslav Forces against the Axis powers. Unfortunately, the RYF was rocked by constant warfare against Turkey, and then Nazi Germany and Italy. However, paramilitary and guerrilla warfare prevailed against the Axis forces, fought by a mix of monarchists, anti-monarchist republicans, communists and agrarianists.

During the Balkan Wars, the Soviets supported the Yugoslav military in putting down nationalists. Kosovo, home to a large Albanian population, was targeted by Yugoslav and Soviet forces, with Slobadan Milošević and Mikhail Gorbachev making it plain that the Albanians would side with NATO.

The Yugoslavs and Soviets reached all the way into the city of Priština.

Although securing a victory in the Balkan Wars, life in Yugoslavia after the collapse of communism deteriorated. Society fell under the rule of the oligarchs, who often accumulated wealth via illegal means. These gang-like groups were used by the government to intimidate separatists and pro-separatists, carrying out random killings and shootings of alleged pro-separatists.

Russian Mafia fleeing the Soviet Union saw Yugoslavia as a land of opportunity, and took no time exploiting Yugoslavia's weakness, often having ties with Yugoslav Mafias.

This caused many Yugoslavs to migrate elsewhere.

This caused many uprisings against the Milošević government, whom Yugoslav nationalists viewed as weak and ineffective. The overwhelming influence of Russian mafia in the weakened Yugoslavia frustrated many nationalists, to the point where many began to abandon Soviet influence, feeling that Moscow is simply using Yugoslavia for its own superpower status.

Yugoslav armed forces personnel such as Todor Bukejlović, Ivan Lokar, Andrej Vuković, Sergej Drazenović and Sojan Gaši eventually began establishing paramilitary groups, to go and target both Russian and Serbian mafia groups in Yugoslavia.

Alexander Rutskoy, the president of the Soviet Union stated, "'"We do not support any such mafia groups in Yugoslavia, as a matter of fact, they fought against us too, and wanted to overthrow us. Of course we don't blame the people of Yugoslavia for wanting to fight them' '."

In 1999, Slobodan Milošević stepped down as president, and was replaced by Ivan Lokar, who would, pave the way for the modernization and economic growth of Yugoslavia.

Ivan Lokar presidency - modernization
The modern era beginning with the presidency of Ivan Lazar Lokar began the "modernization" of Yugoslavia, everything from its economy, society and military, including the infamous "Yugoslav purge", targeting mafia groups throughout the country and the siezure their assets, as well as the 2000 constitutiona change, creating a framework of constitutional freedom of speech, press and religion, as well as a People's Defensive Rights, similar to the Second Amendment of the United States' Bill of Rights.

Ivan Lokar's Prime Minister was Janez Drnovšek, from Slovenia, and despite being a proponent of Greater Serbia, wanted a united Yugoslavia, where all Yugoslavs were represented. While Drnovšek was a liberal centrist, he by no means, supported Yugoslav integration into the European Union or NATO, which Lokar viewed as being "perfect", as he wanted to harmonize conservative views with that of more progressive policies.

Lokar shrunk the size of the military and began a partnership with the European Union, putting much emphasis on agricultural workers, subsidizing domestic livestock, grape and olive industry via loans from Germany, due to Yugoslav location to the Mediterranean.

The Lokar government also enacted serious and rigorous environmental laws, as President Lokar embarked on a serious attempt to invest in renewable energy, appointing Stepan Bratulić as the first head of the Environmental Bureau of Yugoslavia.

In the years to come, although Yugoslavia never became a European Union member, it began to adopt European Union-style policies and customs, passing food laws similar to the European Union's food regulations to combat GMO food products. Free trade and free movement of people and goods was allowed with some neighboring countries, particularly that of Greece, Bulgaria, Romania. Austria and Hungary. However, Turkey and Albania were kept from enjoying these.

Yugoslav banks loaned heavily from German and Russian ones.

However, Ivan Lokar continued Yugoslavia's foreign policy of close military ties with Russia, and political opposition to the West, examples included Lokar's refusal to aid the American invasion of Iraq, sales of heavy weapons to Iraq and the Sarajevo shoodown of a French spyplane in 2003. In addition, President Lokar accused the Russian mafia groups in Yugoslavia as being pro-Western, who favored lax criminal laws "....like the West wants us to implement".

President Lokar continued to espouse Yugoslav nationalism, carrying out anti-Albanian purges In Kosovo, and an estimated 4,600 Albanians deported from Kosovo. Lokar invested time funding paramilitary law enforcement and declaring martial law In areas of Kosovo not inhibited majority by Yugoslavs.

Lokar's second Prime Minister, Milo Čajkanović was eve amore radical proponent of Greater Serbia, and was accused of rigging local elections in Kosovo, and putting Serbs in power, to further spearhead the gradual displacement of Albanians and replace them with Serbs.

In 2004, American business magnate Donald Trump began to make investments and purchase property in Yugoslavia, particularly in Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia, where he would meet his future wife, and future First Lady of the United States, Melanija Knavs, later Anglicized to Melania Trump. This introduced the arrival of American-style casinos in Zagreb, Belgrade and Split, and the rise of casino moguls in Yugoslavia under Trump's guidance.

By 2007, Yugoslavia had received more tourists and investments than Greece as Yugoslavia had practically transitioned from a socialist government with a communist economy, to a fully Westernized economy and society.

In 2008, the West again criticized President Lokar for using military force to put down Croatian separatists, with President Bush stated his support for Croatian separatists. During a trip to Yugoslavia, President Bush was booed by bystanders, hoisting both Yugoslav and Russian flags. President Medvedev, however, was given a warm welcome as he visited Yugocosmos along with batches of Russian space exploration students. However, American space exploration students were able to take their trips to Yugocosmos unharmed.

Vuk Blagojević presidency, scandal 2009-2010

In the 2008 elections, Vuk Blagojević of the Yugoslavia Democratic Front became elected president. Not much was known about him.

Ivo Josipović presidency 2010-2016
In 2010, Ivo Josipović from Croatia of the Progressive Party of Yugoslavia became president. Josipović further continued the Westernization and liberalization of Yugoslavia.

Josipović made Albanian a co-official in Kosovo, and also made it easier for Albanians and Turks to migrate to Yugoslavia with lesser restrictions. This created friction and disagreement with his Prime Minister Tomislav Nikolić, who often-not, retained nationalist and Russophilic viewsviews, likely due to his Serb background. He also embraced agrarian rights, and passed laws exempting the rural population from burdensome taxes. In the following years, Josipović and Nikolić would clash on many issues.

In 2011, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Greece signed their agreement for the Balkan Railway. While Turkey wanted to become part it, Turkey stalled due to the exclusion of Albania, a major military ally. This held back the project for years.

In 2012, the Yugoslav National Department of Agriculture announced it would ban Monsanto, as per Yugoslavia's anti-GMO laws. Monsanto's offices in Belgrade, Zagreb and Skopje were shut down by federal authorities, and all companies that had contracts with Monsanto were forced to find other food distribution companies. On the bright side, this led to more revenue for Balkan Processing, one of Yugoslavia's largest food distributors.

In 2014, Josipović's actions had finally began to conflict with the interests of the Yugoslav people, and Yugoslavia's paramount military ally, Russia. Josipović stated the idea and possibility of Yugoslavia joining NATO, openly criticizing Russia and China of human rights violations. However again, Nikolić vehemently disagreed with and criticized Josipović on a possible NATO accession, and as a result, did not endorse the Progressives in the 2015 election. In addition, Nikolić blocked an attempt by Josipović to order Russian forces to withdraw from Yugoslavia at once.

At the request of the Western powers, Josipović put many of Yugoslavia's largest petrochemical companies under federal investigation, for alleged abuse of petrochemical products to produce chemical weapons used on innocent citizens in the Middle East, via secret links and conspiracies with Russian petrochemical companies.

Despite receiving positive views from the beginning of his presidency, Josipović had a low approval ratings, and many Yugoslavs considered him a traitor.

Vladimir Birčević presidency 2016-present
During the 2015 Federal Elections, Ivo Josipović stepped down, and was replaced.by Ana Brnabić, a staunch ally of Josipović, for the Progressives. They, as well as other candidates, lost a landslide against Vladimir Birčević of the Euroskeptic and nationalist Yugoslavia First. Tomislav Nikolić had even openly endorsed Birčević over Ana Brnabić, and stated that while he will still fight for a Yugoslav entry into the European Union, he would never again endorse or ally with the Progressives. Birčević agreed to continue the investigations, but in 2016, Dobroslav Paraga, the parliamentary spokesperson for the Birčević Administration stated in a public hearing that no such chemical weapons were found, and that while the companies do have ties to Russian companies, they were not used for any illegal or inhumane purposes, and only for necessary purposes.

Turkey finally inked its agreement with the Balkan Railway, agreeing to exclude Albania from the project. Construction began in August of 2018, in which Presidents Vladimir Birčević, Krasimir Karakachanov of Bulgaria, Prokopis Pavlopoulos of Greece and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey attended the joint summit in Belgrade which laid out the first steel beams. Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump attended the event as guests.

During this time, Jetlir Rexha in Albania overthrew the established government, exited out of the European Union and NATO, and into the China-led SCO. Rexha, who was one of the few Albanians to support Yugoslavia's claim on Kosovo, gave up all Albanian involvement in Kosovo, which President Vladimir Birčević claimed was the key to renewing relations between Yugoslavia and Albania.

Economy
Yugoslavia has a powerful economy, and its main sources of economic revenue include: renewable energy, agriculture, tourism and entertainment.

Yugoslavia has one of Europe's best agricultural laws, everything from laws enforcing fresh produce, non-GMO products and protection of agrarian rights. The country has been ranked one of the best countries for farmers. Yugoslavia is one of the leading and competing exporter of agricultural products, such as crops and livestock.

Sports and Entertainment
Yugoslavia also has a powerful sports and entertainment industry, bragging in having one of Europe's best football (typical of European nations) and basketball teams. The Yugoslavian football team has won more than 30 international championships in its history, the basketball team has won 21 international championships. A number of NBA legends have come from Yugoslavia, ranging from Vlade Divac, Dražen Petrović, Peja Stojaković, Vladimir Radmanović and Nikola Mirotić. As a result, Yugoslavia is considered Europe's "basketball capital". The latter also holds the record for the most championships won in the Pan-Slavic Games.

Sport-shooting is also a very popular sport in Yugoslavia, with the country hosting National Shooting Association. Yugoslavia's national sport-shooting teams are rivalled only by those of the Czech Republic, Scandinavia and Russia. The Yugoslav men's national team has won 10 championships in the European Sport-Shooting Competition, the second-best record.

Yugoslavia also has produced many famous musicians, such as Goran Bregović, Severina and Zlatan Gibonni. Concerts are a very popular source of revenue in Yugoslavia.

Military
The armed forces of Yugoslavia is one of the modernized, and is considered one of the most powerful armed forces in Southern Europe, and is considered the most powerful in the Balkans.

It consists of the Ground Forces (army), the Aerial Forces & Air Defence (air force), the Maritime Forces (navy) and the Home Guard, the paramilitary.

Yugoslavia contains an indigenous arms industry, with military equipment being mostly domestically produced by Zastava Arms, SOKO and Ðuro Ðaković.

Some of Yugoslavia's most well known include the Soko J-22 Orao, J-25 Orao and J-27s. Thanks to Ivan Lokar and Ivo Josipović's modernization, Yugoslavia continues to build well-received and well-renowned aircraft, with the most recent procurements being the LJ-1 "Flying Jerusalem" built jointly with Israel and the Soko J-35 single-seat twin engine air defense fighter.

Yugoslavia also produces its own AFVs, including the BOV-7 "Punisher", BOV-10 "Sweeper". Both AFVs have been exported to other countries. During the Iraq War, Yugoslavia sold the BOV-7 to the Iraqi military, which proved to complicate Coalition ground operations. The BOV-10 saw its first foreign use in 2008, when Israel purchased five battalions of BOV-10s, which have the Israelis impressive decisive victories over Hezbollah. The BOV-10s were again, exported to South Syria, where they were useful in wiping out entire towns of rebels.

Arms exports for Yugoslavia total of $6.8 billion, the world's fifth largest, above the United Kingdom.

Yugoslavia also imports supplies, having imported the Soviet/Russian S-300 and S-400 air defense missile systems as part of its Aerial Forces & Air Defence. The German Leopard-2 and Russian BMPT Terminator have also been imported as part of Yugoslavia's diverse arsenal.

The Home Guard is the paramilitary force, consisting of 1,300,000 personnel. They retain much of the old JNA's Soviet-influenced doctrine, they use much older equipment. Only their leaders are considered armed forces personnel proper.

Yugoslavia is a member of the CSTO and is very active in global affairs, performing joint-drills with Israel, Assyria, Italy, Poland, Scandinavia and Germany, as well as stationing contingents in U.N. missions worldwide.

News
6/30/11- Today, Yugoslav Prime Minister Tomislav Nikolić refuted accusations that he was turning back on his party's goal to integrate Yugoslavia into the European Union. Although not a member of the Progressive Party, Nikolić belongs to the New Democratic Party of Yugoslavia, and is also a pro-Europeanist party.

The accusations come from Nikolić having continued nationalist and former president Ivan Lokar's foreign policy of siding with Russia.

Nikolić refuted and stated, "I am not trying to be against the European Union, and I am not trying to hinder a hopeful Yugoslav accession into the European Union, but we can't just break ties with Russia, we have had long-standing and deep historical, cultural and brotherly ties with Russia, you don't just simply give them the boot like that. Just because we support the European Union, does not mean we should be against Russia."

Nikolić espoused the words of Bulgarian Tsar Ferdinand I's words, "....always with Germany, but never against Russia".

The prime minister seems to be following a tactic of joining the European Union for its economic benefits, but keeping close political and cultural ties with Russia, after all, it was Russia that freed the country from Ottoman rule in 1877.

3/3/18 - Today, Yugoslavia marked the anniversary of the War of 1877, in which a Russian-led coalition of Orthodox states, including that of Serbia, fought the Ottomans for independence.

Yugoslavs held up signs reading "9-3". Russia and the Ottoman Empire were the fiercest of rivals, fighting 13 total wars, or those wars, Russia won the overwhelming majority, winning nine wars and losing three, and one ended in a draw.

Russia often sided with its Orthodox allies.

Many yelled, "Slava", which in Slavic languages, means "glory".

March 3 is a national holiday in Yugoslavia.

Prime Minister Boško Obradović delivered a speech at the Saint Sava Cathedral, "Today, every year, we remember and celebrate the lives that were lost, from our very own Yugoslavia, to our big brother Russia, and our Balkan brothers and sisters of Bulgaria and Romania, all Orthodox brothers We will forever cherish that moment, despite pathetic attempts by traitors to erase it from our history. It marked the independence of Serbia from the hands of the Ottoman Empire. Slava!"

The celebration was marked by music, food, and the traditional "bread and salt" ceremony found in many Slavic nations.

A mini-parade was held, attended by not only Yugoslav troops, but also that of Russian, Bulgarian, Romanian and even Greek overseas contingents. Greek contingents were there under permission from the Yugoslav government, as Greece is a NATO state and the former three are all CSTO states.

The previous president, Ivo Josipović, attempted to end the nationalizing of the holiday, stating that he felt it espoused Serbian and Eastern Orthodox supremacy, although Yugoslavia is 70% Eastern Orthodox, mostly Serbian Orthodox, followed by Macedonian and Montenegrin Orthodox.

6/2/18 - Today, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan paid a visit to Belgrade, to speak with his Yugoslavian counterpart Vladimir Birčević. It was for a reason nobody ever expected Turkey to do: give good will to Yugoslavia and its allyship with Russia.

Erdoğan also requested that both countries cooperate in national security, pointing that both nations have been victimized by the same entities, namely North Syria, Saudi Arabia, Albania and the Kosovar separatists.

According to Tanjug, Yugoslavia's government agency, the Turkish president reportedly told Yugoslavian officials that he agreed with the Russia-Yugoslavia allyship.

Erdoğan stated in a public speech in Belgrade, "It's been a crazy couple of years, both of our nations have been rocked by terrorist attacks, both of our nations have been victimized by NATO. We've had our religious and historical differences and hostilities, but we can now both agree, that North Syria, Albania and the Kosovo Liberation Army, are terrorist groups. I would call for your nation's cooperation, we share a mutual allyship with Russia, our greatest friend. Now I see why Yugoslavia has always been an ally of Russia, I do not blame Belgrade. The Kosovars are not our brothers, at least no longer, they are our enemies, they have now become as much of our enemies as yours."

11/12/19 - Today, British politician Nigel Farage, who belongs to a right-wing and nationalist political party known as the UK Independance Party visited Yugoslavia to pay honor to the Yugoslav and Soviet troops who died fighting for the country.

Among other leaders, were none other than Russian president Vladimir Putin (among other prominent Russians), Bulgarian president Krasimir Karakachanov, Romanian president Klaus Iohannis, Manchurian president Muduri Tanggurngge and French politician Marine Le Pen.

The Yugoslav Civil War, or the Balkan Wars, ended on November 12, a day after Armistice Day, and while Britain was part of the NATO coalition that helped separatists, Farage and his party stated that they were "totally against it", and it was an "embarasment to the British people".

President Birčević allowed Farage to speak at the event, to which he expressed deep regrets for Britain's operations in Yugoslavia, his statements were also racially motivated.

He stated, "''The United Kingdom and Yugoslavia are not too different, we are both European and Christian nations, dealing with separatist movements. However, by sending aerial operations against the Yugoslav government in the 1990s, to help separatists and Muslim terrorists, my country has severely jeopardized and disgraced her status as a European and Christian nation, how can you call yourself a faithful European Christian and support such inbreds? My party and I were completely against it, it was an embarrassment to the British people. Unfortunately, when Prime Minister David Cameron left, my country has fallen back under the rule of an evil Muslim-loving disgrace, the people of Yugoslavia are very blessed to have leaders like Vladimir Birčević and Ivan Lokar, Yugoslav warriors who ignored all of the banters and cries of the terrorist West, and have fought night and day to keep Islamists out of Yugoslavia. Just remember, ignore all the banter, true Brits and true Europeans are with you! Slava Yugoslavia!''"

Farage also stated that NATO "needs to go".

"NATO needs to go, NATO was found to contain communists, there is no more communist superpowers out there, now NATO has been hijacked by allies of Islamists."

11/19/18 - Today, the parliaments of Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Greece allowed for the admission of Romania into the Balkan Federation.

President Krasimir Karakachanov of Bulgaria, stated, "It has been a long-time in the making, ever since the days of Comrade Tito and Comrade Dmitrov, we always have wanted some kind of union with Romania, a Balkan brother."

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also attended the event, hoping for Turkey to become a member of the Balkan Federation.

Erdoğan stated, "The [Balkan] Federation has grown, I wish to enter my nation into it some day."

12/6/18 - Today, NATO leaders have been alarmed when Greek president Prokopis Pavlopoulus stated, "Greece has become practically an ally of Russia and Yugoslavia, just look how close we've gotten."

These mirrored the words of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan when he said, "Turkey and Russia has basically become unseen allies".

This is when Turkey was still a NATO state.

As of right now, Greece and Russia are both Orthodox nations, to which Greece views Russia as the successor to the Byzantine Empire, and Russia supports the Greek Constantinople idea.

In addition, Yugoslavia and Russia are Greece's trading partners, via the Balkan Federation, to which Greece became the first non-CSTO state to become a member.

Greece also purchases military aircraft from Russia and Yugoslavia, and has plans to increase military imports from both nations.

The Greek military currently uses the Russian Sukhoi Su-27, Sukhoi Su-35 and the Yugoslav Soko J-30 aircraft, and the Russian S-300 and S-400 air defense systems.

12/26/18 - Jetlir Rexha has done it, under his lead, Albania is giving up its claims over Kosovo.

Rexha, in a phone call to President Vladimir Birčević of Yugoslavia, stated, "Kosovo is yours, we give up our claims, so do what you want with it."

Yugoslav, Russian and Turkish military personnel are now being put on high alert, to quell uprisings, to which the three countries now will happen.

Rexha told reporters, "I'm just sick of being a state of constant war and conflict, while the people with in our borders continue to live well below the poverty line. I can't say we'll ever really so-called 'allies' with Yugoslavia, but we can sure cooperate  and be cordial with Yugoslavia."

​​​​​​12/​27/18 - Today, Yugoslav president Vladimir Birčević made a public hearing in front of Yugoslav Parliament about Albanian Jetlir Rexha's phone call to him, in which Albania was giving up  its claims to Kosovo.

President Birčević stated, "I am very shocked, we are very shocked, we simply didn't expect the Albanian government to throw in the towel [on Kosovo] like that. But I commend President Rexha, he is a true leader, and I promise, I will help and do my part in normalizing relations with the Republic of Albania and funding a good solution for Yugoslav-Albanian relations. President Rexha has provided us the seed."

As expected, mass protests and attempted attacks against Serbian Orthodox monasteries have begun. So the Yugoslav military and paramilitary, as well as CSTO allies, have been busy.

In addition, Albanian president Jetlir Rexha is also scheduled to meet in Moscow with leaders of major nations, Yugoslavia, and its bigger Russian ally, as well as Albania's traditional ally Turkey.

1/3/19 - Today, Yugoslav president Vladimir Birčević laid out the plans for Kosovo, after the Albanian government under president Jetlir Rexha gave away Albania's claims to Kosovo.

According to the new plan, Kosovo will be allowed to become an Autonomous Region, much like has been done with the ethnic Bulgarian community under the rule of King Peter II.

An Autonomous Region has almost the same powers as a republic, however they are governed by Heads just like republics, but they are represented at the federal and parliamentary level by what is known as a Regional Representative, whereas Heads of Republics themselves represent the republic on a national level.

In addition, while the heads of republics are the commanders in chiefs of republic-level police, Autonomous Regions do not get their own police paramilitary, and instead, must rely on federal police, the Home Guard, or those of neighboring republics, who are given authority according to the 2000 Constitution to perform duties in Autonomous Regions. In addition, the authority to call upon the Home Guard, or federal police units is also to the duty of a Regional Representative.

However, with the current rioting and protesting by the Kosovar community, President Birčević has made it clear, that an Interim Head and Interim Regional Representative will be chosen by the Yugoslav Parliament.

Martial law has been declared in Kosovo.

1/9/19 - Today, Yugoslav Prime Minister Boško Obradović announced the Interim Head and Interim Regional Representative for the Autonomous Region of Kosovo.

The Interim Head will be Branka Stamenković, and the Interim Regional Representative will be Aleksandar Šapić.

1/25/19 - Today the Parliament of Yugoslavia approved for a Firearm Regulations law specifically only for Kosovo, due the presence of the Kosovo Liberation Army.

President Vladimir Birčević stated, "Residents of the Autonomous Province of Kosovo will go through stricter regulations in order to acquire a Firearms License. It is simple, this area is under heavy militant activity, and we fear that members of the Kosovo Liberation Army may acquire a Firearms License."

Residents of Kosovo are required to be 25 years of age at minimum (as opposed to the national minimum of 18), and will have a 180-day waiting period. In addition, no gun stores are allowed to operate in Kosovo. 1/31/19 - Now that Yugoslavia and Albania seem to be making peace, President Vladimir Birčević was asked if there would ever be peace between Muslims and Christians in Yugoslavia.

Vladimir Birčević stated, "It is possible, it is very possible".

He stated, "I certainly don't agree the brutality and atrocities committed by Serbian mafia against the Bosniak community, but look, the Bosniak Muslims are the ones always joining separatist movements, look at groups like ISIS, there were people carrying Yugoslav passports, and unfortunately, we have to answer for that. So yes, when Bosniaks stop worshiping and praising ISIS-supporters, and recruiting members to go commit acts of terror in South Syria, in Russia, in Bulgaria, then that will surely plant the seeds for peace."

Birčević pointed to Russia, China and India as prime examples, no surprisingly.

"Just look at countries like Russia and India, they have somewhat religiously diverse populations. In Russia, most of their people are Orthodox, brethren of our's that is, just like here in Yugoslavia. In India, most people are Hindus. In China, most people are either Atheist or Buddhist. They many Muslims living in those countries. In Russia, you got Chechens, you China, you got the Huis, and many Muslims in India. But they have learned, whether on their own or through harsh lessons, to cooperate with their non-Muslim brethren in national unity. In China, Huis fight in the People's Liberation Army against East Turkestan. So I do not see Islam as an excuse for why Muslim Yugoslavs cannot get along with Orthodox Yugoslavs."

However, although the topic of cold interfaith religions is mostly regarding Serbian Orthodox, Bulgarian Orthodox, and Muslims. A recent poll showed that of the others, such as Montegenrin and Macedonian Orthodox, 80% of those who answered stated that they had no issues with Muslims or people of other faiths, or people of no faith at all.

2/5/19 - In Croatia, the Russian-friendly attitudes has been growing. Day and day, people are seeing more and more Russian flags in Croatia, and more rallies supporting Yugoslavia's allyship with Russia. There has even been memes circulating the internet about the issue. The famous one reads, "Belgrade? No. Novi Sad? No. Mitrovica? No. This is Split." The meme features various neighborhoods in Split, Croatia with Russian flags flying alongside Yugoslav and Croatian ones.

Over the course of its history, Croatia has always been dubbed as the "anti-Russia" republic in the traditionally pro-Russia Yugoslavia.

Sergej Draženović, one of Yugoslavia's most notorious nationalists, was a known hater of Russia, although most of his basis for hating Russia was due to racially-motivated conspiracy theories of Russia being "Asian" and no longer Slavic. Yet, he still respected Russia protecting Yugoslavian claims on Kosovo.

However, Dobroslav Paraga, speaker for the Yugoslav parliament, is a prime example of a pro-Russian Croat.

Albertus Ćurković, a native of the city of Trogir, told 21st Century News that Croatia's "rivalry" with Russia, is but a football rivalry.

He stated, "Yes, we hate Russia......when we're playing football. In terms of a sports, yes, we hate Russia, they're our rivals. However in every other part, Russians are our brethren, and we bleed the same proud blood, trust me, we love Russia and we see Russia as allies."

A 21st Century Poll revealed that 42% of people in the Yugoslav republic saw Russia and Russian influence in a negative light, while 38% saw it in a positive light, a huge contrast. While still negative-leaning, the gap is being bridged. Ten years ago, in 2008, 50% of Croatians saw Russia in a negative light, with only 27% viewing Russia in a positive light. However, the positive esteem may come primarily from commerical ties. During the 2008 economic crisis, Russia stepped in to help bankrupt companies in northern Yugoslavia, who had relied heavily on trade with the United States, and over the years, factories effected by the crisis have gone back up for bussiness. Russia has also collaborated with many science and technological innovation firms in northern Yugoslavia, over 75% of them being Croatian bussinesses. In addition, Russian billionaire have taken ownership of Yugoslavian basketball teams such as KK Split and KK Zagreb.

2/9/18 - Today, Polish president Andrzej Duda has conducted a bilateral visit to Yugoslavia, stating that he wanted to speak to Yugoslavian president Vladimir Birčević, particularly about Poland's participation in the Kosovo War, on Kosovo's side.

Just two weeks ago, Duda was in Russia, and for undisclosed reasons.

Poland and Yugoslavia have high ties, and despite Poland being a United States and NATO ally, the majority of people in Poland were staunchly opposed to the NATO bombings of Yugoslavia and NATO's operations on the side of the Kosovo Liberation Army.

However, President Duda hs refused to speak to media about his meeting with president Vladimir Birčević, or for this matter, his visitation to Russian president Vladimir Putin two weeks prior.

Duda stated, "Rumors will simply be rumors, I will reveal all details once and when it is worth revealing."

2/12/19 - Today, Yugoslavian president Vladimir Birčević weighed in on Turkey, and its allyship with Yugoslavia's mutual ally Russia.

Earlier in June of 2018, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made an unexpected visit to Belgrade to speak with Yugoslavian President Birčević, proclaiming that he seeks to cooperate with Yugoslavia, using the various terrorist bombings committed by ISIS as a reason, which he believes should be a driving force in having the two historical adversaries cooperate.

This past year, Ankara has deported twenty-eight Bosniak Muslims, who were linked to terrorist attacks in Istanbul, including an attempted bomb attack on the Hagia Sophia, one of Turkey's most historic and important landmarks.

Later this month, President Birčević is scheduled to make a bilateral visit to Ankara, to also discuss with President Erdoğan on how the two nations can move forward.

"I simply cannot the disagree with the things that President Erdoğan had discussed with me back in June of 2018. He has obviously woken up and seen the monster that NATO is, backstabbing supposed 'allies'. It has gotten so bad that Turkey, and President Erdoğan of all people, is asking for our help, just let that sink in."

When asked if he saw Russia's allyship with Turkey as being traitorous, Mr. Birčević stated he had his reservations, but nonetheless agrees that it was beneficial thing.

"At first, I was shocked, a little dumbfounded and wierded out. But President Vladimir Putin is a smart man and knows what he's doing, he notified me of his decision, and stated that we are his priority ally. Obviously, as long as Russia doesn't supply any hostilities against us coming from Turkey, I have no opposition against a Russo-Turkish allyship. President Putin obviously had us in mind when he decided to lend a hand to Turkey, when Turkey was still supporting the Kosovo Liberation Army, Russia halted all heavy weapons sales to Turkey. But now that President Erdoğan has ceased all support for the KLA, for North Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Albania now under a friendly government, this is a window of opportunity for a new start."

The Yugoslavian president also stated that if Turkey and Yugoslavia do end up forging an unexpected new alliance of some sort, he wants Ankara to pledge to that alliance.

"What I want from President Erdoğan and Ankara going forward is commitment, not just a case of a temporary alliance against a common enemy, we need Turkey to support and stand by us, just as Russia, Bulgaria and Romania would. Then we can forge a new brotherhood."

2/17/19 - Today, Yugoslavian president Vladimir Birčević revealed that president Andrzej Duda of Poland had visited him to "apologize" for Poland's participation in Balkan Wars, via NATO, Polish troops participated in bombing campaigns against Yugoslavia.

President Birčević stated in a public hearing, "The president of Poland visited us, and he apologized for the actions of earlier Polish leaders. I accept that apology, and would love to strengthen our bilateral relations with the Republic of Poland." Duda won the presidency in 2015 as a member of the Euroskeptic Law and Justice Party. Duda had been making frequent trips to several CSTO states, such that of Russia (the CSTO's main leading nation), and Yugoslavia, and is scheduled to make a trip to Bulgaria. The Russian government news agency website TASS reported a similar phenomon.

Some NATO leaders are worried that Poland might also be eyeing on joining the Russian-led CSTO. This is a similar trajectory that Slovakia took in 2014, when then-president Ivan Gašparovič stated that he wanted "no part" in helping "enemies of Christians, let alone Slavs and Europeans" (referring to North Syria, Albania and the Kosovo Liberation Army).

2/18/19 - Today, at the G9 meeting in Athens, Greece (between Yugoslavia, Turkey, Russia, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Romania, Albania and Germany to be specific), one of the main topics of attention was the fate of Yugoslavia's relations with Turkey.

Yugoslavian president Vladimir Birčević has come forward as to what he expects from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Turkey if Turkey wants to ever become an ally of Yugoslavia.

President Birčević has told Turkey and President Erdoğan, not to "play friends".

The Turkish president made an unexpected and much-covered visit to Belgrade back in June of 2018, asking for Yugoslavia's security cooperation, noting that both nations had much in common in terms of mutual enemies, including that of NATO and ISIS.

President Birčević stated, "''I understand the plight and the situation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the people of Turkey, falling victim to the very people they supported, but this is why we never supported such people anyway. But I want President Erdoğan and Ankara to understand, is that we Yugoslavs do not play friends. We are concerned that Turkey may become our friend today, and will abandon us the minute that our enemies become their friends again. We want Turkey to remember that even our relation with Russia, whom Turkey also shares a mutual friendship with, and we love Russia, they're our brothers, but after the Balkan Wars, in which the NATO bastards tried to break us apart, our country was then rocked by Russian mafia, and we had no second thoughts about telling Moscow to take care of their illegal immigrants operating in Yugoslavia. Remember, brothers argue as well. But Soviet president Alexander Rutskoy refused to do anything about it, and we took care of the mafia ourselves. President Erdoğan needs to understand, that the Ottomans had ruled and persecuted us for hundreds upon hundreds of years, constantly butchering innocent Orthodox Christians under their rule, we cannot just forget that overnight and ally ourselves with the living descendant of the Ottoman Empire.''"

The president of Yugoslavia also stated that the opinions of the Yugoslav people is what will determine the fate of Yugoslav-Turkish relations. "At the end of the day, it is ultimately up to the people of Yugoslavia, and only the people of Yugoslavia, as to whether we will accept a friendship with the Republic of Turkey."

In a rare moment of cooperations, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Greece and Romania did allow for Turkey to join the Balkan Railway project.

President Erdoğan argued that the United States and British Empire were once bitter enemies, and that the United States herself, was a former territory of the British Empire, as well as Germany's wars against Yugoslavia, in both world wars, as well as other former historical enmities that have now been transmute into allyships.

"I definitely see to it, the great possibility between Turkey and Yugoslavia becoming friends and allies. I think we all need to remember that the United States itself, was a former territory of the British Empire, and the [British] Empire constantly had wars with the United States and tried to regain control of it. The French the Germans, were also once the most bitter of enemies, fighting both world wars against one another, even before the two world wars. Look at Germany and Yugoslavia, Germany also fought Yugoslavia in both world wars, but look how close Berlin and Belgrade have gotten, even Albania, look at President Jetlir Rexha, his leadership is paving the way for a new era of friendship with Yugoslavia! What am I trying to say is that, history is history, we have this chance now, to begin a new era of cooperation, friendship and brotherhood!"

President Birčević then mentioned the issue of the re-Islamization of Turkey.

He also mentioned, "As much cooperation as President Erdogan has had with Russia, with us, let us remember, that he is still the leader of an Islamist party, and Turkey is still headed towards a path of hardline Islamism. We do not forge alliances with Islamist nations, neither do our brothers in Russia, in Bulgaria, in Romania, this is why, Turkey was rejected from the CSTO."

2/14/19 - Today, Zoltan Baširović, the current Head of the Republic of Bosnia, one of Yugoslavia's constituent republics, went on crackdown in Bosnia, which is often known as the "Yugoslavian Chechnya", and called for Bosniak Muslims to stop trying to separate from Yugoslavia.

Like Chechnya, Bosnia is part of a predominantly Slavic Orthodox country, and attempted to secede from Yugoslavia in the Balkan Wars. With the help of Soviet forces, who were also dealing with the Chechnya herself, Yugoslav forces took Bosnia, and a pro-Yugoslav military government under the rule of Rashid Saračević was established.

Only unlike Chechnya, Bosnia's people are of the same ethnic origin as the other Yugoslavs, namely Serbs, Croats, Slovenes, Macedonians and Bulgarians.

Basirović stated, "The Serbs and other Yugoslavs will never take us seriously, or respect us if we keep trying to separate ourselves from the country. We need to truly show that we are Yugoslavs, and part of the nation. We also have stop acting like we are a province of Turkey and the Ottoman Empire, because we're not. Look at Croatia, ten-some years ago, Croatian Catholics did not get along with Serbian Orthodox, but now, Serbs and Croats have gotten very closer. If they can do it, so can we. Bosnia, it's time to wake up."

However, it doesn't mean that Basirović agrees with, endorses or supports president Vladimir Birčević, supporting the progressive and Muslim-friendly policies of former president Ivo Josipović.

He stated, "This does not mean I agree with, endorse or support the current administration. I will keep my stance and my views on president Vladimir Birčević, he an Orthodox supremacist that wants to do away with the other religions here in Yugoslavia, such as my very own Islam, and Roman Catholicism."

Five days ago, the head of Croatia's republic, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, who belongs to the pro-diversity Progressive Party of Yugoslavia criticized the Muslim-Christian enmity as solely "a Serbian thing".

She stated, "This enmity against Muslims and Turks in Yugoslavia, is a Serbian thing. Here in Croatia, or even in Macedonia, we've got no problems against Bosnians, let alone Muslims."

2/17/19 - Today, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had some harsh words for Bosniak separatists, many of whom, have called for a jihad against Turkey.

He told the people of Bosnia to "grow up".

He stated, "Those Bosniak terrorists need to grow up, fess up, and lay down their arms against the other Yugoslavs. Also, they need to stop acting like they are still an Ottoman province or trying to act like a province of our's, using Islam as an excuse. Dear Bosnia, I have no issue with honoring our historical cultural ties, but you are part of Yugoslavia, so start acting like it."

3/20/19 - Today, a member of the defunct Karađorđević dynasty, one of Yugoslavia's most successful and living dynasties, says he plans to take Vojislav Šešelj's place as the president of Yugoslavia First. v Karađorđević, a member of the royal family.

Earlier this month, Vojislav Šešelj stated that he will step back as the party president, but will retain a role in its propaganda and media wing.

Although he is regally known by Prince Vladislav, Yugoslavia is no longer a monarchy, and he will be required to go through the process of party membership.

Vladislav was actually born in Russia (what is today Alaska, then the Russian Republic), as most members of the royal family, as the Karađorđević and all royal families were forced to flee Yugoslavia once Josip Broz Tito and the communists took over in 1945.

Tito and the communists pursued the royal family members, in fears that a Western-backed coup attempt against the communist government would ensue.

In 2002, Vladislav eventually attained Yugoslav citizenship, amicably renouncing his Russian Republic citizenship in 2003, and become a full-time Yugoslav citizen.

The Karađorđević dynasty also has high ties to Russia, other than just being born in Russia themselves, the Karađorđević was supported by the Russian Empire in the late 1800s, back when Yugoslavia was divided into different nations. In this case, the Kingdom of Serbia. The Karađorđevićs were opposite of the Austro-Hungarian-supported Obrenović dynasty. The latter no longer exists, with its last member, having been assassinated by the former, as well as other pro-Russians in Serbia.

Although, despite Yugoslavia being a Russian ally, monarchs from both royal houses are honored in Yugoslavia, and within Russia, has not yielded any issues. Normally when a country honors historical rulers and figures that have either fought against Russia or Russia's camp, Russian leaders would be up in arms about it.

In 2011, then-Russian prime minister (today president) Vladimir Putin even visited Yugoslavia to pay homage to a statue of Prince Miloš Obrenović, one of Yugoslavia's most important historical monarchs.

3/21/19 - Today, Yugoslavia marked the national celebration of the Spring Equinox.

Yugoslavia is known to be a very festive nation, having been dubbed the "party country in the Balkans". The celebrations were marked with food, dancing, and etc., and public places close in Yugoslavia.

3/22/19 - Today, President Vladimir Birčević inked the approval, and request by Polish president Andrzej Duda to hold military exercises, also involving Russia.

The three will conduct their exercises at the Mitrovica Base, one of Yugoslavia's military bases in Kosovo, where Russian foreign contingents are also based.

Earlier in February, President Duda had made visits to both Russia and Yugoslavia. In this case, Poland would be among the many NATO countries warming up to Russia, worrying the other NATO states such as Britain and France.

President Birčević commended President Duda for coming to his senses, he stated, "We were never against Poland, we always considered Poland an important partner, and ally. But Poland was always under leadership hostile to us."

The Yugoslav president also suggested that Poland could one day join the Bratva military exercise, where Poland would be joining not only Yugoslavia and Russia, but other Slavic nations such as Bulgaria and Slovakia, and countries with heavy Russian influence such as Manchuria.

President Birčević also noted the number of nations once unfriendly to Russia, warming to Russia, regardless of what military alliance they are part of.

He stated, "We, Yugoslavia and Russia, have had many political adversaries, but they have now warmed up. But then one by one, countries once hostile to us, have now warmed up. First Bulgaria and Slovakia, and then the U.S., and then Scandinavia, and then Turkey and East Turkestan, of all nations. At first it was about preserving our brotherhood, but now it's about making peace with former enemies."

In other news, the Turkish supermarket grocery chain BİM has opened another store in Mostar, in Bosnia. Bašir Kasimović is the, the sole proprietor of the Yugoslav franchise of BİM, which has a store in Sarejevo, the largest and most active city in Bosnia.

Kasimović stated, "I am very proud to open this franchise store in Mostar, a sign of good business friendship between Yugoslavia and Turkey."

4/2/19 - Today, Yugoslav president Vladimir Birčević made a decision on Yugoslavia's foreign relations with Turkey.

President Birčević stated that while he will partake in cooperative measures with Turkey, Belgrade is not looking forward to any such "alliance" with Turkey.

Of these, President Birčević stated he will allow economic and security cooperation with Turkey.

He stated, "The people of Yugoslavia have decided, while we will cooperate with Turkey in the fields of business and national security, for we have seen that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has taken heavy measures to ensure cordial ties with us, that, we appreciate. However, we are not looking to establish any such alliance with the Republic of Turkey, at least not as of right now, for I will uphold my statement that I made about month ago. We know who our allies are."

The last Turkish president to ever be truly friendly with Yugoslavia was Ahmet Necdet Sezer, who was close friend of Ivan Lokar. President Birčević made large mention of this, stating that his goal was to simply continue what President Sezer had done.

He stated, "It is truly my goal to continue what President Ahmet Necdet Sezer had started with President Ivan Lokar."

Yugoslavia and Turkey have had cyclical relations, and for the most part, historical relations have been nothing more but hostile. Most of Yugoslavia was ruled by the Ottoman Empire, specially the Orthodox-inhabited republics, and this enmity seemed to persist through the centuries, making it a near-tradition in Yugoslavia, especially among Serbs and Eastern Orthodox, to hate Turks, or anything of Turkish culture.

Despite this, Yugoslavia has inherited many Turkish traditions as part of its influence, for example, Turkish dishes such as kebab and the famed baklava and lokum desserts have become as much part of Yugoslav cuisine, despite the popular Serbo-Croatian phrase "remove kebab". There are many former Ottoman palaces, fortresses and mosques in Yugoslavia has significantly contributed to the country's tourism industry.