Deterring Attack: The Role of Information Operations

The overthrow of Slobodan Milosevic in October 2000 was a turning point in Balkan history. It set Serbia on a course to political and economic reform and also boosted international efforts to build peace in Bosnia and Kosovo. And it helped turn the Balkans away from nationalist violence and toward European integration. Milosevic fell from power for many reasons. Chief among them were the unexpected unity of Yugoslavian opposition parties and the ridicule and civil disobedience inflicted on the regime by student activists. The United States, European governments, and nongovernmental organizations bolstered opposition forces while working to isolate the regime, undermine its legitimacy, and attack its power base. Even Milosevic contributed to his own demise by holding elections, which he could not successfully rig. Before his downfall, Milosevic was president of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, which formally consisted of the republics of Serbia and Montenegro. However, his real authority was limited to Serbia less the province of Kosovo, which was administered by the United Nations after the intervention by NATO in 1999.