🇪🇺european history – 1945 to present review
21.3 International intervention and peace agreements
Last Updated on August 9, 2024
International intervention played a crucial role in ending the Balkan Wars. UN peacekeepers, NATO airstrikes, and diplomatic efforts led to peace agreements like the Dayton Accords. These actions halted the violence and laid the groundwork for post-conflict reconstruction.
Peace agreements and international tribunals sought to bring stability and justice to the region. The Dayton Accords divided Bosnia, while the ICTY prosecuted war criminals. EU integration efforts aimed to promote long-term peace and economic development in the former Yugoslav republics.
UN and NATO Interventions
UN Peacekeeping Efforts
Top images from around the web for UN Peacekeeping Efforts
Srebrenica masacre memorial | Srebrenica, Bosnia | aiva. | Flickr View original
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21st Anniversary of a Crime in Heart of Europe View original
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Srebrenica massacre - Wikipedia View original
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Top images from around the web for UN Peacekeeping Efforts
Srebrenica masacre memorial | Srebrenica, Bosnia | aiva. | Flickr View original
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21st Anniversary of a Crime in Heart of Europe View original
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Srebrenica massacre - Wikipedia View original
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Srebrenica masacre memorial | Srebrenica, Bosnia | aiva. | Flickr View original
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- United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) deployed in 1992 to Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina
- UNPROFOR mandated to create safe areas for civilians in conflict zones (Sarajevo, Tuzla, Žepa, Goražde, Bihać, and Srebrenica)
- Peacekeepers faced significant challenges due to limited resources and unclear mandate
- UNPROFOR struggled to prevent atrocities, including the Srebrenica massacre in 1995
NATO Military Operations
- NATO launched Operation Deliberate Force in 1995 against Bosnian Serb forces
- Air campaign targeted key military infrastructure and command centers
- NATO bombing campaign lasted from August 30 to September 20, 1995
- Operation successfully weakened Bosnian Serb military capabilities
- NATO intervention created conditions for peace negotiations
Peacekeeping in Kosovo
- Kosovo Force (KFOR) established in 1999 following NATO intervention in Kosovo
- KFOR deployed to maintain peace and stability in the region
- Multinational force included troops from NATO and non-NATO countries
- KFOR responsibilities included demilitarization, protection of ethnic minorities, and support for civilian reconstruction
- Force gradually reduced in size as security situation improved
Peace Agreements and Tribunals
Dayton Peace Accords
- Negotiated in November 1995 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio
- Agreement signed by leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia
- Divided Bosnia and Herzegovina into two entities: Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska
- Established power-sharing arrangements among ethnic groups
- Created Office of the High Representative to oversee implementation of civilian aspects
- Provided framework for deployment of NATO-led Implementation Force (IFOR)
International Criminal Justice
- International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) established by UN Security Council in 1993
- ICTY mandated to prosecute individuals responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide
- Tribunal located in The Hague, Netherlands
- Notable prosecutions included Slobodan Milošević, Radovan Karadžić, and Ratko Mladić
- ICTY contributed to development of international criminal law and jurisprudence
- Tribunal officially closed in 2017 after completing its mandate
EU Integration and Stability
Regional Stabilization Efforts
- Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe launched in 1999
- Initiative aimed to promote peace, democracy, and economic prosperity in the Balkans
- Focused on three key areas: democratization and human rights, economic reconstruction and development, and security
- Involved cooperation between EU, US, and other international partners
- Pact later transformed into Regional Cooperation Council in 2008
European Union Expansion
- European Union enlargement process extended to Western Balkan countries
- Slovenia joined EU in 2004, Croatia in 2013
- Other former Yugoslav republics granted candidate or potential candidate status
- EU accession process required countries to implement political and economic reforms
- Membership negotiations focused on adopting EU laws and standards (acquis communautaire)
- EU integration viewed as key to long-term stability and prosperity in the region
Key Terms to Review (22)
NATO: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a military alliance established in 1949, formed primarily for collective defense against aggression. It was created in response to the political and military tensions following World War II, acting as a counterbalance to the Soviet Union and influencing the security dynamics in Europe during the Cold War and beyond.
European Union: The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe, aimed at fostering integration, promoting peace, and ensuring economic cooperation among its members. The EU has evolved significantly since its inception, impacting various aspects of European politics, international relations, and the global balance of power.
Peacekeeping operations: Peacekeeping operations are missions established to help maintain peace and security in conflict-affected areas, often involving military personnel, police, and civilian staff from various countries. These operations aim to support the implementation of peace agreements, protect civilians, and assist in rebuilding war-torn societies, playing a vital role in international intervention strategies.
Humanitarian intervention: Humanitarian intervention refers to the use of military force by a state or group of states in another country, primarily aimed at preventing or ending widespread suffering or human rights violations. This concept often arises in situations of genocide, ethnic cleansing, or severe oppression, where the international community feels compelled to act in order to protect vulnerable populations and restore peace. It connects deeply to discussions about state sovereignty and the moral responsibilities of nations in a global context.
Post-conflict reconstruction: Post-conflict reconstruction refers to the process of rebuilding a society after a conflict, focusing on restoring infrastructure, governance, and social cohesion. This phase often involves international intervention and the implementation of peace agreements to address the underlying issues that led to the conflict in the first place, ensuring sustainable peace and development in the affected regions.
Regional Cooperation Council: The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) is an organization established to promote regional cooperation and integration in Southeast Europe, focusing on political, economic, and social development. It emerged as a response to the need for collaboration among the countries of the region after the conflicts of the 1990s, aiming to enhance stability, foster peace agreements, and facilitate international intervention when necessary.
Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe: The Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe is a multilateral framework established in 1999 aimed at fostering stability, security, and economic development in the region following the conflicts of the 1990s. It involves cooperation among countries in South Eastern Europe and various international organizations, focusing on political dialogue, economic reconstruction, and the promotion of democratic governance.
Acquis communautaire: Acquis communautaire refers to the body of laws, regulations, and policies that constitute the legal framework of the European Union (EU). It encompasses everything from environmental regulations to consumer protection and is essential for countries seeking EU membership, as they must adopt and implement this extensive set of rules. Understanding the acquis is crucial for evaluating how international intervention and peace agreements are shaped within the EU context and how NATO and EU expansion into Eastern Europe requires adherence to these established norms.
Radovan Karadžić: Radovan Karadžić is a Bosnian Serb politician and former leader of the Bosnian Serbs during the Bosnian War (1992-1995), known for his role in orchestrating ethnic cleansing and atrocities against Bosniaks and Croats. His actions led to significant international intervention and peace agreements aimed at ending the conflict and addressing war crimes.
EU Enlargement Process: The EU enlargement process refers to the method by which the European Union (EU) expands its membership to include new countries. This process typically involves a series of negotiations, assessments, and reforms that candidate countries must undergo to align their policies and systems with EU standards, fostering stability and cooperation in Europe, particularly in areas affected by international intervention and peace agreements.
Ratko Mladić: Ratko Mladić is a former Bosnian Serb military leader, known for his role as the commander of the Bosnian Serb Army during the Bosnian War from 1992 to 1995. He became infamous for his involvement in war crimes, including the Srebrenica massacre, which led to significant international intervention and peace agreements aimed at ending the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Kosovo Force: The Kosovo Force (KFOR) is a NATO-led international peacekeeping force established in 1999 to ensure stability and security in Kosovo following the Kosovo War. KFOR's mission is to maintain a safe environment, support the United Nations in its administration of Kosovo, and facilitate the return of displaced persons, all while promoting peace and reconciliation among the diverse communities in the region.
KFOR: KFOR, or the Kosovo Force, is a NATO-led international peacekeeping force established in 1999 to ensure a safe and secure environment in Kosovo following the Kosovo War. Its primary objective is to maintain peace and stability in the region, support the return of refugees, and assist in the rebuilding of the local infrastructure and institutions.
ICTY: The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) was established by the United Nations in 1993 to prosecute serious crimes committed during the Yugoslav Wars, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. It aimed to provide justice for victims and promote reconciliation in the region by holding individuals accountable for their actions during the conflicts that occurred in the 1990s.
Operation Deliberate Force: Operation Deliberate Force was a NATO military campaign conducted in 1995 during the Bosnian War, aimed at ending the siege of Sarajevo and protecting civilians from further attacks. This operation marked a significant moment in international intervention, as it showcased NATO's willingness to engage directly in conflict to enforce peace agreements and uphold human rights in the face of ethnic violence.
United Nations Protection Force: The United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) was a multi-national peacekeeping mission established by the United Nations in 1992 during the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia. Its primary purpose was to ensure the safety of civilians, facilitate humanitarian aid, and monitor ceasefires in a region marked by ethnic tensions and violent conflict.
UNPROFOR: UNPROFOR, or the United Nations Protection Force, was a peacekeeping mission established by the United Nations in 1992 to help stabilize the situation in the former Yugoslavia during the violent conflicts that erupted following the breakup of Yugoslavia. The mission aimed to protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian aid, and support the implementation of peace agreements amidst ongoing hostilities.
International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia: The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) was a court established by the United Nations in 1993 to prosecute serious crimes committed during the Yugoslav Wars, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. It played a crucial role in addressing the atrocities that occurred during the conflicts in Croatia, Bosnia, and Kosovo, and set important precedents for international law and justice.
Balkan Wars: The Balkan Wars were two conflicts that occurred in the early 20th century, specifically in 1912 and 1913, involving the Balkan League nations (Serbia, Montenegro, Greece, and Bulgaria) against the Ottoman Empire, and later among the Balkan states themselves. These wars significantly altered the balance of power in Southeast Europe and set the stage for further international intervention and peace agreements, as well as challenges related to integration for new member states in the aftermath.
Dayton Accords: The Dayton Accords were a peace agreement reached in December 1995 to end the Bosnian War, which had resulted in significant ethnic conflict and humanitarian crises in the former Yugoslavia. This agreement was negotiated at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, and involved representatives from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia, marking a significant international intervention aimed at restoring peace and stability in the region.
Srebrenica Massacre: The Srebrenica Massacre refers to the systematic killing of more than 8,000 Bosniak men and boys by Bosnian Serb forces in July 1995 during the Bosnian War. This tragic event is often cited as one of the most horrific acts of genocide in Europe since World War II and highlights the brutal ethnic conflicts that erupted during this period, particularly in the context of the wars in Croatia, Bosnia, and Kosovo, as well as the international community's responses to such atrocities.
Slobodan Milošević: Slobodan Milošević was a Serbian politician and leader of the Socialist Party of Serbia who served as the President of Serbia and later the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. His policies and nationalist rhetoric were central to the causes of Yugoslavia's disintegration in the 1990s, directly influencing the violent conflicts in Croatia, Bosnia, and Kosovo, as well as shaping international responses through interventions and peace agreements.