RAND Research Topic: Kosovo

We've Been Down This Road Before

Jul 17, 2003

commentaries by RAND Staff: insightful commentaries on current events, published in newspapers, magazines and journals worldwide.

Kosovo: Delaying is the Least-Bad Option

Aug 2, 2004

The recent outbreak of ethnic violence in Kosovo has led to a good deal of soul-searching within the international community. A noble experiment in building a multi-ethnic Kosovo seems to have ended in failure. European governments are rethinking their approach. Talk of partition is gaining currency.

The Kosovars Need to Know Where They're Headed

Oct 29, 2004

Published commentary by RAND staff.

An Independent Kosovo Was a Part of the U.N.'s Plan

Feb 25, 2008

Diplomatic wrangling over Kosovo’s declaration of independence this week has created a good deal of misunderstanding about the U.N. Security Council Resolution that defines that society’s current status and future evolution, writes James Dobbins.

Kosovo and South Ossetia More Different Than Similar

Aug 25, 2008

The Russian government has long highlighted the similarities between Kosovo and South Ossetia.... The two situations, however, while similar on some points, are fundamentally different where it matters: in their implications for the future of international relations, writes Olga Oliker.

European Union at Cross Purposes in Kosovo

Apr 27, 2009

Of all the international actors involved in Kosovo right now, the European Union has by far the most at stake. It is also in the strongest position to remedy the situation. Sadly, it is too divided over Kosovo's declaration of independence over a year ago to take effective action, writes Christopher Chivvis.

What Intervention Looks Like

Mar 16, 2011

The question, then, is whether stopping the fighting—which could also require forcibly removing Qaddafi—is worth the price of deep military engagement and responsibility for Libya's postwar future, writes Robert E. Hunter.

Law and Order in an Emerging Democracy: Lessons from the Reconstruction of Kosovo's Police and Justice Systems

Jan 1, 2006

This study analyzes United Nations and other activities to build democratic police and justice systems. Through a model of security reconstruction, it examines in detail the primary security challenges facing Kosovo, the specific efforts the United Nations made to address these challenges, the ultimate effectiveness of the reconstruction efforts and democracy.

The Conflict Over Kosovo: Why Milosevic Decided to Settle When He Did

Jan 1, 2001

This report examines the reasons Slobodan Milosevic, the then president of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, decided on June 3, 1999, to accept NATO's conditions for terminating the conflict over Kosovo.

Learning Large Lessons: The Evolving Roles of Ground Power and Air Power in the Post-Cold War Era

Mar 8, 2007

The relative roles of U.S. ground and air power in major operations and campaigns have shifted since the end of the Cold War. To assess this shift (i.e., between the Army and Air Force, respectively), the author of this report analyzed post–Cold War conflicts in Iraq (1991), Bosnia (1995), Kosovo (1999), Afghanistan (2001), and Iraq (2003). This revised edition includes updates and an index.

Learning Large Lessons: The Evolving Roles of Ground Power and Air Power in the Post-Cold War Era — Executive Summary

Mar 7, 2007

The relative roles of U.S. ground and air power in major operations and campaigns have shifted since the end of the Cold War. To assess this shift (i.e., between the Army and Air Force, respectively), this executive summary discusses four of the five post–Cold War conflicts analyzed in the larger monograph: Iraq (1991), Kosovo (1999), Afghanistan (2001), and Iraq (2003).

Balkan Duty

Why Milosevic Decided to Settle the Conflict Over Kosovo When He Did

Jan 1, 2001

Weighs and analyzes the various factors and pressures that appear to have most heavily shaped Milosevic's decisionmaking. The analysis offers insights into the capabilities that the United States and its allies will need for future coercive operations.

Bruce R. Pirnie

Adjunct Staff
Ph. in modern history, Rupprecht-Karl University, Heidelberg, Germany; M.A. in international relations, Boston University; B.A. in humanities, Princeton University