Countries Like Macedonia Need a Protector

Traveling through Macedonia this week led me to ponder the importance of a hegemon. Singapore and Dubai are both small, prosperous political units that rely partly on protection from the U.S. Navy, as well as having at least tolerable relationships with China and Iran, respectively. More generally, many small, vulnerable countries -- including Macedonia -- will require an outside benefactor to secure their futures.

A summary of Macedonian history doesn’t sound entirely promising. In the late 14th century, the region was absorbed by the Ottoman Empire. That boosted Macedonian development in some regards, but it was eventually saddled with an external ruler holding differing interests and centuries of Ottoman decline. In the early 20th century, Macedonia was a major flashpoint for two Balkan wars, and critical parts of Macedonia ended up in the hands of Greece. During the First World War, the Balkans were a battle theater and a major subject of dispute. Macedonia didn’t end up as master of its own destiny.