NATO's Learning Curve: A New Approach to Dealing with Slobodan Milosevic

Strategic Insights -

The crisis in Kosovo has reached a boiling point, with Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic's violent crackdown against ethnic Albanians prompting NATO to consider military action. Unlike the Bosnian conflict, where the alliance sat idly by until the situation became unbearable, NATO is now weighing its options, including air strikes, to stop the carnage. This decisive approach is crucial in preventing another round of ethnic cleansing. The threat of force is the only thing that will bring Milosevic to the negotiating table, where a lasting solution can be found.

Key Takeaways:

  • NATO's decision to consider military action marks a significant shift in its approach to dealing with Slobodan Milosevic, who has been emboldened by the alliance's previous inaction.
  • The crisis in Kosovo has been long in the making, dating back to 1989 when Milosevic revoked Kosovo's autonomy and banned the Albanian language.
  • The Albanian population has responded by building a parallel society, including schools and government, in preparation for independence.
  • The end of Yugoslavia as a multi-ethnic state has left Kosovo with no choice but to seek independence, a prospect violently opposed by Milosevic.
  • Any NATO military action would have several goals, including stopping the killing, halting the refugee crisis, and establishing a basis for negotiations.
  • The Western countries, while opposed to Kosovo's independence, should not have a predetermined outcome for negotiations, which should be based on a realistic assessment of the situation.

Statistics:

  • 90% of Kosovo's population is ethnic Albanian, making it a predominantly Albanian province.
  • Over the past decade, the Albanian population has built a parallel society, including schools and government.
  • The number of refugees fleeing Kosovo is a growing concern, with no clear estimate provided.
  • The threat of force is the only thing that has brought Milosevic to the negotiating table in the past, including the Dayton Accords.
  • The end of Yugoslavia as a multi-ethnic state has left Kosovo with no choice but to seek independence.

Sources:

  • The article does not provide specific sources, so the information is based on the text alone.