Kelsey Roberts: Reflections on the Dynamics of International Affairs with Kosovo

      One thing that really stuck out to me in this week’s research on the Kosovo War, was the political dynamic between several countries, international organizations, and even within particular countries, like the United States, deciding to act.  Through reading interviews with several officials on why they chose their course of action at the time, it was clear that the dynamics of politics came into play time and time again.  It amazed me that each expert could have their own opinion on the situation and best course of action but, if not backed by another organization or because of historical alliance circumstances, could do nothing to impart their ideas upon others and in many cases, could not take action they knew was best.  It was clear in the interviews that to this day some of these officials are still defending what they thought was best, but what was not actually done, which troubled me with questions about international affairs in politics and the dynamics of competing interests and the checks and balances on actions in a crisis. 

       Who has the final word in deciding what is in the best interest of the entire world? How do the actions made in the interests of one country affect another country and if they are in competition, who takes priority? And furthermore, what overarching right and/or responsibility does each country have to defend the best interests of other countries?  Presumably, this last question is a question of moral integrity that is decided by each country’s leaders, and if one country were to act to harm another, then international organizations such as NATO and the UN would take the responsibility to step in.  However, it is clear this is not how things always play out, and often other countries, like the US, take on a personal mission to help, as was evident in this case in then United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s stance on Kosovo.  

      I think this is a fascinating struggle in international affairs throughout the world that has existed for centuries and will continue to exist, with no clear right or wrong answers, forever.  I am excited to continue to learn more about the Kosovo War and the political history of the Balkans, how it has affected the entire world, and what we, as members of society, can take away from it as lessons to help to shape the future to come.