How did NATO's intervention in Kosovo change the course of the conflict?

NATO's intervention in Kosovo significantly escalated the conflict, leading to the end of Serbian control and the establishment of a UN administration.

In 1999, NATO intervened in the Kosovo conflict, which had been ongoing since 1998 between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia) and the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). The intervention, known as Operation Allied Force, was a significant turning point in the conflict. It was the first time NATO had used military force without the approval of the UN Security Council, marking a shift in international relations and setting a precedent for future interventions.

The intervention was primarily conducted through a 78-day bombing campaign against Yugoslavia. The campaign aimed to stop the ethnic cleansing and human rights abuses being carried out by Serbian forces against the ethnic Albanian population in Kosovo. The bombing campaign was highly controversial, with critics arguing that it escalated the conflict and caused significant civilian casualties. However, it was ultimately successful in achieving its primary objective. The bombing forced Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic to withdraw his forces from Kosovo, effectively ending Serbian control over the region.

Following the withdrawal of Serbian forces, the United Nations established an interim administration in Kosovo (UNMIK). This marked a significant change in the course of the conflict, as it effectively ended Serbian sovereignty over Kosovo and placed the region under international control. The UNMIK was tasked with establishing a functioning civil administration, promoting human rights, and facilitating a political process to determine Kosovo's future status. This led to a period of relative stability in the region, although tensions between the ethnic Albanian majority and the Serbian minority remained high.

In conclusion, NATO's intervention in Kosovo significantly changed the course of the conflict. It escalated the conflict in the short term, but ultimately led to the end of Serbian control and the establishment of a UN administration. The intervention also marked a shift in international relations, as it was the first time NATO had used military force without the approval of the UN Security Council.