Serb Rioters Set U.S. Embassy on Fire
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James Joyner | Thursday, February 21, 2008 |
The U.S. embassy in Belgrade, Serbia has been set on fire by rioters.
Serb rioters broke into the U.S. Embassy Thursday and set fire to an office after a large protest against Kosovo’s independence that drew an estimated 150,000 people. Masked attackers broke into the building, which has been closed this week, and tried to throw furniture from an office. A blaze broke out but firefighters swiftly put out the flames.
Authorities drove armored jeeps down the street and fired tear gas to clear the crowd. The protesters dispersed into side streets where they continued clashing with authorities.
The neighboring Croatian Embassy also was attacked by the same group of protesters.
The U.S. is the most obvious target of blame for this, so perhaps this response isn’t surprising. It appears that the Serb government is taking reasonable steps to contain the violence, although better crowd control is clearly in order.
It’s worth pointing out, perhaps, that this is a case of (mostly) Christian protesters rioting against unpopular actions taken by (mostly) Muslim politicians. Powerless people sometimes vent their frustration in violent, criminal ways, unfortunately.
About the Author: James Joyner is the publisher of Outside the Beltway and the managing editor of the Atlantic Council. He's a former Army officer, Desert Storm vet, and college professor with a PhD in political science from The University of Alabama. He lives just outside the Beltway in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife and infant daughter.
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Christians rioting??? Dear me, what would Jesus say?
The U.S. embassy in Belgrade, Serbia has been set on fire by rioters.
This is exactly why we need a President McCain: "Bomb, bomb, bomb bomb. Bomb, bomb Belgrade."
"It’s worth pointing out, perhaps, that this is a case of (mostly) Christian protesters rioting against unpopular actions taken by (mostly) Muslim politicians."
I think it's more "Kosovo is Serbian land given to Albanians by force" and secondly what you said.
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