The Reluctant Superpower: United States' Policy in Bosnia, 1991-95 [Hardcover]

Wayne Bert (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0312172524 | ISBN-13: 978-0312172527 | Publication Date: August 15, 1997

This book examines the nature of the war in the former Yugoslavia, US interests there and US perceptions of the conflict. The policies of the Bush and Clinton administrations toward the war and the factors discouraging US intervention are examined and evaluated in the context of a post-Cold War international system. Finally, the lessons for future decisions on international intervention in a post-Cold War where old policy guidelines are obsolete are discussed and critiqued.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Western failure in post-Cold War Yugoslavia is perhaps the best reported of any such tragedy. While former policy analyst Bert adds few surprises to what is already known, his excellent command of published sources permits a good case for more controversial judgments. He argues that Europe's "unbounded faith" in resolving the situation through ineffectual diplomacy reflected America's failure to offer a "strong alternative," that the Clinton administration compounded a weak inherited policy by an "unstructured...[and] even chaotic" initial style of decision-making, and that the "object lesson" of Croatia's successful 1995 offensive against the Serbs impelled NATO's use of force and, ultimately, the Dayton accords. For Bert, Bosnia is an example of the "intractable" diplomatic/military problem that demands Americans abandon false analogies and overblown rhetoric. For academic collections.?Zachary T. Irwin, Pennsylvania State Univ., Erie
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Why did the former Yugoslavia's collapse--and the ensuing wars--leave the U.S. and its European allies generally passive and impotent? Bert, who was a Wilmington College political science and Asian politics instructor and Defense Department analyst, offers a wide-ranging analysis of key factors, including the nature of the wars in the former Yugoslavia, limited security interests vs. strong humanitarian interests in Bosnia, and misperceptions by leaders (and citizens) in the U.S. (and Europe) about the Balkan wars. Bert criticizes U.S. administrations' inaction until the mid-1995 NATO bombings of Bosnian Serb positions but stresses the complexity of the decisions they faced. Because "the new post-Cold-War world presents extremely difficult choices to foreign-policy makers," he argues, policymakers must abandon old assumptions and prepare for "a much 'messier' world where limited conflicts will be fought for limited and often shifting objectives . . . with strategies that are difficult to formulate, costs that are uncertain, and entrance and exit points that are not obvious." Mary Carroll

Product Details

• Hardcover: 324 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan (August 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312172524
• ISBN-13: 978-0312172527
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,200,373 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting summary of US policy, but misguided., May 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Reluctant Superpower: United States' Policy in Bosnia, 1991-95 (Hardcover)

Bert's book is a uniquely systematic work, focusing on American policy from hindsight and the perspective of "New World Order." It is a must-read for every political scientist and historian of the region. However, it abounds with misconceptions, simplifications and all too often overt ethnic preferences. Readers familiar with the region will find his terminology questionable, CNN-educated will find it confirming their views, and some actors in those events might be surprised that Bert mentions few names. On the other hand, it is good to see a book about this subject out there. Anything, however flawed, is better than nothing. Read with caution, but read nevertheless.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a must read for political scientists., July 5, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Reluctant Superpower: United States' Policy in Bosnia, 1991-95 (Hardcover)

This book is well written and insightful. Well documented and organized for clarity. A valuable resource for anyone concerned about international politics and America's international role.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Would like to send Wayne a Dutch review., September 6, 1997

By 

N. P. Lund (Amsterdam, Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Reluctant Superpower: United States' Policy in Bosnia, 1991-95 (Hardcover)

Hi Wayne, Remember me? Wilmington College 1977. Just read a (good) review of your book on US politics in Bosnia in the major daily here (in Holland). Would like to get it to you, if I can find you somewhere. Please drop me a line. Frank van Alten [e-mail] home: Leonardostraat 8 1077 EV Amsterdam, The Netherlands