In 1999, rising ethnic tensions and escalating violence against Kosovo’s Albanian population led to the outbreak of the Kosovo War between Yugoslav and Serbian forces and the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).

Reports of forced displacement and human rights violations shocked the international community. With the UN Security Council paralyzed by veto rights, NATO faced a critical decision on whether to intervene militarily without UN approval.

Delegates will discuss how NATO’s decision to use force reconciled with the alliance’s collective defense commitment under humanitarian intervention and international law.