Understanding the war in Kosovo

Book abstract:

The Balkans have represented a complexity to Western political commentators for almost a century, and many were content to see that complexity wrapped up in the neat but totally contrived union of Yugoslavia. The wrapping has disappeared but the complexities remain. This work seeks to address some of those complexities and particularly those relating to Kosovo. Papers presented at the conference 'Kosovo: Understanding the Past - Looking Ahead' form the major part of the work.

The book is structured over five parts. Part one presents the background to the conflict and has chapters dealing with issues such as nationalism and self-determination, interlocking Serbian and Albanian nationalisms, and ethnic prejudices and discrimination. Part two addresses international intervention prior to the war and in Part three the discussion moves to the NATO intervention in Yugoslavia and the war in Kosovo. The International Administration of Kosovo is explored in part four with chapters about the UN in Kosovo, ethnic borders to a democratic society, the European Union and humanitarian intervention, and reconstruction in Kosovo. The final part examines the regional implications of the Kosovo conflict and looks at its relationship with Albania, Macedonia and Serbia.

The book will interest all those engaged in international affairs, conflict resolution, and Balkans politics.