Kosovo's president Atifete Jahjaga in Underpants

Every now and then, World Leaders in Their Underpants will come up against a state whose very existence is subject to varying degrees of international recognition. The Republic of Kosovo is such a place. Although recognised by the majority of European Union member states, a significant portion of the world is still withholding judgement, among them, Barbados, Egypt, Morocco and Uruguay. Other countries, such as Serbia, Libya, Russia and Venezuela have condemned it outright. In Gaddafi‘s words, he would “never recognise Kosovo as long as their leaders remained American poodles.” Chavez has referred to their former Prime Minister as a terrorist.

This handy map shows in green which countries have recognised Kosovo.

All states are illusory in nature, their very existence entirely dependent upon a collective belief, sometimes passively held, at others actively enforced. In portraying the heads of these curious geo-political entities in their underpants, we hope to ease some of the hostility that often arises as an unfortunate consequence of these mass delusions.

None of which we should allow to stand between us and former Policewoman, Atifete Jahjaga, President of Kosovo.

Heads of other states more widely recognised may be enjoyed here.