Editor's Note: This column is the first of a two-part series that assesses the risk of another war breaking out in the Balkans amid renewed concerns over ethnic tensions, political unrest and competing external influence in the region. The second part, which looks at China and Russia's interests in the Balkans and what their activities may mean for the region's long-term stability, can be found here . Call it the ''license plate conflict'' — or maybe not. Two weeks ago, global media outlets intensely covered the short outbreak of protests in northern Kosovo. A recurring dispute over license plates led ethnic Serbs to block roads and forced Kosovar authorities to briefly close two border crossings into Serbia. Kosovar police also reported that unknown assailants fired shots at them, though there were no injuries, and some Serbian demonstrators reportedly beat up a few drivers who tried to bypass the roadblocks.