Well, Pandora's Box has been opened! Kosovo has properly declared its independence from Serbia ... but, what next?

As most of you heard or read in the news today, Kosovo's regional parliament declared Kosovo's independence. Although this has been anticipated for some time now, it quickly triggered an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council. (We'll have to wait and see as regards that!)

Still, the streets of Kosovo's main cities are filled with joy, singing and and dancing as I write this and wonder a little ... what next?

And it's not only Serbia that worries me this evening ... what about Mr. Putin and Russia?

Still, we all should be glad for this final step towards freedom for the Albanians in Kosovo. Such a multi-ethnic (largely Islamic) democratic state in Europe might provide some hope for the Iraqis as their Sunni and Shia populations look with mistrust on what democracy might bring to Iraq as time passes.

Congratulations, Kosovo! And thank you, Mr. Bush, for staying the course in the troublesome Kosovo-Serbia arena.