Tackling terrorism together : potential benefits of civil-military cooperation in post-conflict territories : the Kosovo case

Abstract

This report explores whether and how civil-military security cooperation in peace operations can be a resource in counter-terrorism by studying the international presence in Kosovo 1999-2002. The Kosovo terrorism scene is one of a nationalist dissident type, and includes significant elements of organized crime and ethnic violence. Civil-military cooperation is here defined as cooperation between KFOR and UNMIK. Institutionally, cooperation is a firmly established principle on the command level. Inherent structural differences between civil and military organizations have produced somewhat different goal perceptions, however, where KFOR is exit oriented and UNMIK is end state oriented. Operationally, cooperation overwhelmingly takes place through task division and a reactive day-to-day approach to challenges in the field as they appear. Joint operations are generally planned and executed on brigade level and below, and have been relatively rare but quite successful. Cooperation in the field has unquestionably yielded results in terms of resource efficiency and an improved security situation on the ground. Obstacles to extended cooperation seem to be of a practical nature, stemming mainly from institutional differences as well as national agendas. In conclusion, there is reason to believe that civil military cooperation offers untapped benefits in counter-terrorism endeavors, and that this option should be further investigated