Embedded Files
NATO intervention in the Yugoslav Wars attempted to protect citizens from Serbian and NLA forces but instead escalated the conflict leading to further civilian casualties.
“Every war has unanticipated consequences, but in this case virtually all major political effects were unplanned, unanticipated, and unwelcome" (Mandelbaum).
NATO Goals
NATO Goals
When NATO went to war, they had these goals in mind:
Bring political stability to countries in the Balkans
Prevent forced displacement of Albanians
Establish new principle to govern in the aftermath of the Cold War
Many of these goals would not be achieved however through many reckless desicions and actually garnered the exact opposite affect, with Albania being flooded with thousands refugees who they later did not attempt to help.
Smoke rising in Novi Sad, Serbia after NATO bombardment in 1999
NATO Miscalculations
NATO Miscalculations
On May 7, 1999, NATO's air campaign against Yugoslavia mistakenly destroys the Chinese embassy. Large parts of Kosovo, targeted by both Serbian actions and NATO airstrikes, are reduced to rubble. Serbia's economic infrastructure is severely damaged by NATO's campaign. The Clinton Administration attributes the conflict to Yugoslav President Milosevic's plan to expel Albanians from Kosovo for Serb control, justifying NATO's 78-day bombing campaign as a response to this perceived threat.
Conclusions
Conclusions
A miscalculation on NATO thinking Milosevic would back down led to a war in the Balkans. Albanians fought for independence, Serbs for Kosovo's Yugoslav affiliation. Yet NATO fought for Kosovo's autonomy, contradicting its humanitarian goal. The bombing enabled Albanian Kosovars' independence, opposed by NATO. Clinton indicated minimal U.S. recovery aid, leaving Kosovo's condition to Europeans.
A monument to the children killed in the NATO bombing located in Tašmajdan Park, Belgrade
Page updated
Report abuse