Balkan Warfare
Section I: History
For years, the Balkan region of Eastern Europe has experienced times of turbulence and confusion, sprouting from the years post World War II. Eastern Europe, the Balkan Peninsula especially, has experienced years of civil and ethnic disruption making the region one of the greatest challenges to U.S foreign affairs. In November of 1992, the United States engaged militarily in the ongoing crisis in the Balkans (U.S Policy in the Balkans). Regions that have been under close U.S observation are Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, in which peacekeeping forces such as the SFOR, KFOR and other NATO peacekeeping organizations have helped towards the aid to the conflict in the region. The 1990’s especially were a time of reform of government, in which three presidential administrations worked towards preserving the peace of the region, and putting a stop to the ongoing air raids and attacks in Bosnia and Kosovo.
1 2 One of the first administrations to take action in the Balkan region was George H.W. Bush’s administration. The Bush administration had decided not to become militarily involved in Balkan conflicts (War in Bosnia). Alongside with help from the UN, efforts to maintain and cease bloodshed in the area failed. Although the administration hoped to avoid violence and see Europe take charge in the matter, the efforts were all unsuccessful, in that the region would face as series of wars in the years to follow. The American people knew very well about the Vietnam War, and they feared that if they decided to take action, the result would be confusion and a series of complications. Unlike the Bush administration, the Clinton administration is well known for its attempts in “securing a peaceful, stable, free Europe” (Washington post). When President Clinton entered the presidency in 1993, the conflict in the Balkan region had reached a boiling point. President Clinton soon followed with taking action on an international scale, in which
For years, the Balkan region of Eastern Europe has experienced times of turbulence and confusion, sprouting from the years post World War II. Eastern Europe, the Balkan Peninsula especially, has experienced years of civil and ethnic disruption making the region one of the greatest challenges to U.S foreign affairs. In November of 1992, the United States engaged militarily in the ongoing crisis in the Balkans (U.S Policy in the Balkans). Regions that have been under close U.S observation are Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, in which peacekeeping forces such as the SFOR, KFOR and other NATO peacekeeping organizations have helped towards the aid to the conflict in the region. The 1990’s especially were a time of reform of government, in which three presidential administrations worked towards preserving the peace of the region, and putting a stop to the ongoing air raids and attacks in Bosnia and Kosovo.
1 2 One of the first administrations to take action in the Balkan region was George H.W. Bush’s administration. The Bush administration had decided not to become militarily involved in Balkan conflicts (War in Bosnia). Alongside with help from the UN, efforts to maintain and cease bloodshed in the area failed. Although the administration hoped to avoid violence and see Europe take charge in the matter, the efforts were all unsuccessful, in that the region would face as series of wars in the years to follow. The American people knew very well about the Vietnam War, and they feared that if they decided to take action, the result would be confusion and a series of complications. Unlike the Bush administration, the Clinton administration is well known for its attempts in “securing a peaceful, stable, free Europe” (Washington post). When President Clinton entered the presidency in 1993, the conflict in the Balkan region had reached a boiling point. President Clinton soon followed with taking action on an international scale, in which
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