THE LEGACIES OF NATO INTERVENTIONS IN THE BALKANS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF NEW INTERVENTIONISM

Abstract

This paper focuses on the analysis of the NATO interventions in the Balkans fromthe perspective of new interventionism. NATO has been considered one of the basicand leading components of peace and stability in the region - especially after Kosovo War. Besides, as the role of NATO in Atlantic security andworld politics has been transformed after the Cold War and its strategic concept is renewed since September 11; security in the Balkans is gaining more and more importance. NATO has interfered into the conflicts in the Balkans with military means and after theconflicts; it maintains peacekeeping missions in the region. Can NATO's Balkan interventions be evaluated as legitimate within the framework of humanitarian intervention? What are the legacies and significance of NATO interventions for providing enduring peace and stability in the Balkans? Did the presence of NATO contribute to create the necessary conditions for human rights and democracy inthe region - especially for the adaptation purposes of the regional countries to the new international system in Post-Cold War era? Or did the big powers use the humanitarian intervention to shape the developments in terms of their interests andpolicies? While trying to find answers of these questions, I will use the perspective of new interventionism. Firstly, I will discuss the relevant articles and chapters of Charter of the United Nations in terms of use of force to evaluate the legalities of the humanitarian interventions. And afterwards, I analyze the Kosovo and Bosnia interventions from this point of view.