Should We be in Bosnia? Operational Considerations for Using Military Force
Abstract
The Bosnia conflict is very complex; history, nationalism, religion, and ethnicity are discussed as key factors in understanding the depth of hostilities. A brief overview of United Nations peacekeepers, Security Council actions, and the Vance-Owen peace plan is provided. Operational level considerations include problems in defining the mission, the nature of the enemy, and the effects of geography, terrain, and infrastructure. Also detailed are the constraints of time, force composition, and whether military forces can win in Bosnia. Recommendations concerning employment of American military forces include: no employment as peacekeepers unless there is an established cease fire, and If diplomacy fails, any offensive action should be taken by a European coalition force sanctioned by the United Nations but under European, preferably NATO, command. Other recommendations include support for negotiations, greater economic pressures, war crimes hearings, withdrawal of peacekeepers, and lifting the arms embargo. Balkans history shows that foreign domination and military forces are not very effective in establishing long standing borders. Military intervention by European and United States forces may temporarily suppress hostilities; only the Balkans people may solve the problems caused by ethnic diversity.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 22, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA265314
Entities
People
- C. L. Christman
Organizations
- Naval War College