Whose security are we here for? Risk and security considerations during the IFOR and SFOR peace operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina from the Dutch perspective (1995-2004)

Following the destructive war in Bosnia-Herzegovina (1992-1995), the failed UNPROFOR mission and the Srebrenica massacre, the international community turned to NATO as the new regional security provider. Guided by the Dayton Peace Agreement, the international community installed the Implementation Force (IFOR) and later the Stabilization Force (SFOR) between 1995 and 2004. NATO forces subsequently encountered a myriad of challenges, from navigating the perilous post-conflict environment to addressing the issues inherent to post-conflict reconstruction efforts. With the war events still fresh in everyone’s mind, Whose security are we here for? traces back how considerations regarding risks and security influenced the IFOR and SFOR missions on the political-, military-strategic and operational-tactical levels.
With a particular focus on the Dutch military contribution and the Dutch area of operation in Bosnia, this research explores themes such as refugee returns, the law enforcement gap, catching persons indicted for war crimes, organised crime, the impact of 9/11 on the activities of SFOR, and civil-military relations. This study exposes the difficulty in maintaining a balance between force protection, protection of civilians and protection of international staff in a real life context on the operational-tactical level during missions. Moreover, an insight was provided into how both internal and external factors continuously change (security) dynamics and influence decisions at all levels.