I really don't know enough about it, other than it's driven by ethno-nationalist strife (Kosovo is primarily Albanian in ethnic make up, I believe). The US, France and Germany recognize Kosovo's right to be independent based on prior behavior of the Serbs. Russia and China balk at the idea because they feel it sets a dangerous precedent (especially since both of them have a history of dealing with rebellious provinces). I think past atrocities committed by the Serbs makes the West feel we have some moral authority to dictate the future of the Serbian state, and perhaps we do. But I can't help but feel as though the interest and support for an independent Kosovo is driven by something other than humanitarian interests.