Western Balkans seem to have gone from sixes and sevens to foreseeable conflict, virtually overnight. Part of the general unsettling, perhaps. Though the western part of it is a long-simmering judicial process with a foreseeable timetable. Peculiar. Some local press here explicitly linking Europa Resurgent to the contretemps, the notion apparently being that Austria-Hungary et al. are now eager to assert their protective influence in those climes. Big meeting by the local head of state tomorrow noon with an ancient ally, according to the local press.
There's a haunting image in the national museum here of 'the Germanic horde'. In fairness, that was before army units had to be Instagrammable.
Perhaps the world is controlled by conniving folks of all stripes and sorts, continually attempting to do chaotic things in order to gain power, and only held in place by the people trying to do even worse things of much greater momentum and scale who are locked in stalemate above them. Once the latter destabilizes, and there's no longer a stalemate above, the (much larger number) of people working in lower-stakes situations might see it as their hour.
Apolitical, as always. I have taken a seat in the grandstand of philosophical self-detachment. (O'Neill)
My only interest is in hoping that the theatres and coffeehouses stay open, but like any good Kantian, I have no attachment to this good, and respect the superior interests of the local folks. Apparently, the high schools have called a general strike for tomorrow; will play it by ear. Plenty of books and coffee in the rooms, should the worst come to worst.
Generally though, the city is basically Brooklyn during a particularly contested mayoral election.