A Look At The Growing Arms Race Between Serbia And Croatia

Time/AP: Serbia Just Got More Russian-Made MiG Fighters as Arms Race With NATO-Member Croatia Escalates

(BELGRADE, Serbia) — Serbia took delivery of four Russian-made MiG-29 fighter jets from Belarus on Monday, the defense ministry said, part of an arms purchase that could heighten tensions in the Balkans and increase Moscow’s influence in the region.

Serbian Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin attended the ceremony at an air force base in Belarus, saying that with the delivery “our air force has never been stronger in decades.”

Serbia has recently received six MiG-29 jets from Russia, which has also promised the delivery of 60 armored vehicles, air defense systems and battle and transport helicopters.

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WNU Editor: There will be no war between Croatia and Serbia, even though both sides have been enemies for generations. What also helps is that many in Serbia want to be a part of the EU, even with the Kremlin opposing such a move. But an arms race is happening right now, albeit at a low level.

Border Tensions Between Serbia And Croatia Explode

Reuters: Lack of EU migrant strategy reignites Serbia-Croatia tensions

Former Yugoslav foes Serbia and Croatia traded embargoes and insults on Thursday in the latest fallout from Europe's failure to agree a comprehensive response to the tide of migrants streaming north through the Balkans.

After weeks of recrimination and buck-passing, a summit on Wednesday did produce a glimmer of political unity between EU states on measures to help the refugees closer to home, or at least register their asylum requests as soon as they enter the European Union.

But all attempts in recent weeks to stem the flow have only prompted more desperate people to make a dash for Europe before the doors are shut or winter makes the journey too perilous.

On Thursday alone, about 1,200 people crossed in boats from Turkey to the Greek island of Lesbos in under an hour, following the 2,500 who had made the dangerous passage the previous day.

WNU Editor: If tensions are bad now .... what will happen if this migration wave continues after this year's winter season is over and millions would then be able to make the journey to Europe? My prediction .... what is happening now will pale if that situation develops.

More News On The Growing Border Tensions Between Serbia And Croatia

Border Tensions Rise Between Croatia and Serbia -- AP
Croatia and Serbia Trade Barbs as Migration Crisis Strains Ties -- NYT
Croatia Ramps Up Migrant Dispute With Serbia by Closing Key Border -- WSJ
Serbia bans Croatian goods as ties hit low over migrants -- Reuters
Serbia compares Croatia to WW2-era fascist regime -- Reuters
Croatia and Serbia hit each other with further border embargoes -- Euronews
Europe Refugee Crisis: Croatia Bans Entry Of Serbian Vehicles Amid Deepening Border Row -- IBTimes
Croatia Urges Serbia to Stop Sending Refugees, Redirect Them to Hungary -- Sputnik
Croatia-Serbia border row escalates -- Deutsche Welle
Refugee crisis prompts tensions to rise between Croatia and Serbia -- Mashable
Migrant crisis stirs historical Croatia-Serbia enmity -- Guy Delauney, BBC