PowerPoint PresentationOverviewA Brief HistorySlide 4Slide 5Three ethnic groups fell into conflictSlide 7Kosovo CrisisU.S. and NATO Interests at stakeNATO ActionNATO’s ObjectivesNATO’s Objectives cont’dMilitary ObjectiveLessons Learned on Kosovo War ObjectivesLessons Learned by US MilitaryPolitical Lessons Learned by EuropeansImpact of Kosovo Lessons Learned on Future DOD Budget TrendsSummarySlide 19Conflict in the Former Conflict in the Former Republic of Republic of YugoslaviaYugoslavia2OverviewOverviewHistory of the RegionOperations ReviewLessons Learned3A Brief HistoryA Brief History- Yugoslavia emerged around a Serbian core as the Ottoman Turkish Empire gradually lost control of its Balkan territories- In 1917, the Pact of Corfu proclaimed that all Yugoslavs (meaning southern Slavs) would unite after World War I to form a kingdom under the Serbian Royal House4A Brief HistoryA Brief History- Occupied by Germany during World War II- Two guerrilla armies -- the Chetniks under Draza Mihajlovic supporting the monarchy and the Partisans under Marshal Tito leaning toward the U.S.S.R- Both fought the Nazis for the duration of the war5A Brief HistoryA Brief History- After World War II, monarchy abolished - Communist Party leader Tito proclaimed the country the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia, with himself as prime minister- Eliminating opposition, the Tito government executed Mihajlovic in 1946 - Tito died in 1980, and the fragility of the federation he ruled quickly became apparent6Three ethnic groups fell Three ethnic groups fell into conflictinto conflictSerbs - dominant in Yugoslavia's politics and army, orthodox Christianity makes themnatural allies of Russia. Croats - Roman Catholics, closer to the West than Serbs and exposed to Western influencesMuslims - living mainly in ethnically mixedtowns and cities in Bosnia -Herzegovina.7Map of Region8Kosovo CrisisKosovo CrisisKosovo lies in southern Serbia and has a mixed population of which the majority are ethnic Albanians (Muslims). Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic altered the status of the region, removing its autonomy and bringing it under the direct control of Belgrade, the Serbian capital. The Kosovar Albanians strenuously opposed the move.9U.S. and NATO U.S. and NATO Interests at stakeInterests at stakeSerb aggression threatened peace throughout the Balkans and the stability of NATO’s SE regionBelgrade’s repression in Kosovo created a humanitarian crisis of staggering proportionsPresident Milosevic’s conduct directly challenged the credibility of NATO.10NATO ActionNATO ActionAfter the failure of repeated international diplomatic efforts - since the Spring of 1998 - to peacefully resolve the conflict in Kosovo the North Atlantic Council decided on 23 March 1999 to authorize NATO air strikes against strategic targets in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, aimed at ending the repression of Kosovar Albanians by the Yugoslav government.11NATO’s ObjectivesNATO’s Objectivesa stop to all military action and the immediate ending of violence and repression; the withdrawal from Kosovo of the military, police and paramilitary forces; the stationing in Kosovo of an international military presence;12NATO’s Objectives NATO’s Objectives cont’dcont’dagree to work on basis of past agreements in conformity with international law and the UN charter;the unconditional and safe return of all refugees and displaced persons13Military ObjectiveMilitary ObjectiveDegrade and damage the military and security structure President Milosevic has used to depopulate and destroy the Albanian majority in KosovoWilliam Cohen, SECDEF15 April 9914Lessons Learned onLessons Learned onKosovo War ObjectivesKosovo War ObjectivesUS Grand StrategyMaintain a peaceful, prosperous US-led EuropeConvince NATO to transition from old Cold War common defense against external threats to new Continental security coalition Persuade NATO to acquire means and will to conduct “out of area” military ops Kosovo War AimsStop the Serbian slaughter & expulsion of ethnic Albanians Remove Milosovic from powerAccomplish the above with minimal collateral damage and NATO casualtiesCommon Effort Concealed Widely Differing ObjectivesCommon Effort Concealed Widely Differing Objectives• European Strategy• Maintain a peaceful, prosperous & independent Europe• Prevent spillover into Albania & Macedonia,thence to Greece & Turkey • Maintain NATO relationship with Russia and give it a role in helping end the crisis• Demonstrate European unity15Lessons Learned by Lessons Learned by US MilitaryUS MilitaryGlobal reach can work but duration uncertainReach back can workForce structure “numbers” & resources are inadequate for current level of commitments (all services)Older platforms with smart weapons may be seen as good enoughSmart weapons may be better than smart platformsNeed the right force structure for the futureSupport and training as important to victory as strikeC4ISR is currently the weakest link in joint & coalition opsOn the brink of another “Hollow Force”Biggest lessons may be in future consequences of Kosovo16Political Lessons Learned by Political Lessons Learned by EuropeansEuropeansMilitarily, Europe remains dependent on Americans•Best technology, weapons & platforms “Made in U.S.A.”•Pols unwilling to pay the cost of matching unique U.S. capabilitiesU.S. cannot always be counted on to serve the Alliance’s interests•U.S. focus shifted with opinion polls•Fear U.S. commitment could falter if U.S. forces take heavy casualties EU can provide diplomatic muscle (Martti Ahtisaari saves the day) Many foreign policy interests are similar among EU Nations •Refugee issue•Humanitarian (ethnic cleansing)•Threat of rising Islamic fundamentalism•Need to build external identityEurope can overcome internal diversity to maintain cohesion•German Luftwaffe conducted first combat missions since 1945•Greece provided logistical support despite popular opposition•Italy and France (which have Communist ministers) offered air bases17Impact of Kosovo Lessons LearnedImpact of Kosovo Lessons Learnedon Future DOD Budget Trendson Future DOD Budget TrendsNo DOD/Allied spending surge like post Desert StormInternational defense market continues to shrinkReadiness & Retention will increasingly
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