It is true that we get to go on passes and leaves while we are in Kosovo, and it is also true that we are not allowed to fly on certain airlines.

Specifically, we are not allowed to fly on Serbian Airways. Kosovo is considered to be a “breakaway province” by Serbia and a handful of other countries that do not recognize Kosovo’s unilateral 2008 declaration of independence.

Flying on Serbian Air would essentially represent a sort of conflict of interest for troops that are assigned to the KFOR/”Kosovo Force” mission.

Would the Serbians do anything to a US soldier flying on Serbia Air? I don’t think so, this comic is just a play on the “unmarked white panel van with ‘free candy’ on the side” trope. In fact Serbia is part of the “Partnership for peace” program with NATO, and they have an application to join the EU.

That said, it is best to just avoid uncomfortable situations when possible until a permanent agreement on mutual borders can be determined.