“Europe is still not up to solving its security problems,” you cite Edward Joseph, a leading American Balkan specialist (“Giving a Shunt Towards Europe,” May 23, 2009). Surely, Joe Biden’s recent visit to Bosnia, Serbia, and Kosovo is the proof of this proposition. It is thus surprising to read your assessment that “Mr. Joseph exaggerates, but not entirely.” Why, the whole region now known as the Western Balkans has been in the doldrums for nearly a decade, and it is thus excellent news that America is considering appointing a special envoy for the Balkans. How else break the deadlock, exemplified as of late by Slovenia’s blocking of Croatia’s accession to the European Union? Although it would be best if Washington and Brussels worked together to solve Europe’s security problems, Brussels is not likely to do much by itself. Without an occasional shunt from Washington, nothing much would ever happen. In short, Mr. Joseph exaggerates hardly at all.