The war in Kosovo was a turning point: NATO deployed its armed forces in war for the first time, and placed the controversial doctrine of 'humanitarian intervention' squarely in the world's eye. It was an armed intervention for the purpose of implementing Security Council resolutions-but without Security Council authorization.
This report tries to answer a number of burning questions, such as why the international community was unable to act earlier and prevent the escalation of the conflict, as well as focusing on the capacity of the United Nations to act as global peacekeeper.
The Commission recommends a new status for Kosovo, 'conditional independence', with the goal of lasting peace and security for Kosovo-and for the Balkan region in general. But many of the conslusions may be beneficially applied to conflicts the world-over.
Could the atrocities committed in Kosovo have been prevented? What is the future of Kosovo and the surrounding region? What lessons can we learn from such a brutal conflict?
In this groundbreaking report, an impressive group of international experts--from eleven countries on four different continents--make an important attempt to find the answers to these and other burning questions. They not only map the road that led to war in Kosovo but also find the crossroads
where war might have been prevented. While many reports have been published in the aftermath of the Kosovo crisis, not one attributes any political responsibility--until now. This is the first narrative to detail the factors behind the conflict, the implications for the future, and the lessons to be
learned. Indeed, understanding the events in Kosovo will help to avoid future international conflicts and to foster new ways of dealing with them.
Addressing issues that range from the origins of the Kosovo crisis to Kosovo under the rule of the United Nations, this enlightening report will be the definitive resource on the events in Kosovo, as well as a vital resource for future peacemaking efforts.
The quest for peace has created a need for even more dialogue on the international plane. The report from the Kosovo Commission will provide an independent assessment of conflict and intervention that can assist in advancing dialogue amongst all leaders, scholars and interested parties.
