Defence reform in Croatia and Serbia-Montenegro

In: Adelphi paper, 360

Abstract

The period since 2000 has presented unprecedented opportunities for the democratisation and international rehabilitation for Croatia and Serbia-Montenegro. In both countries the role of defence reform in these processes has been crucial. The new governments of each have faced three primary challenges in this area: establishing and consolidating civilian control over their formerly politicised armed forces; reforming bloated conflict-era force structures while rationalising defence budgets; and managing an emergent relationship with NATO and the West. This Adelphi Paper examines these processes. It asks how far defence reform challenges in these countries today can be equated to the experiences of the post-Communist region more widely or whether the influences of conflict and nationalist authoritarianism make Croatia and Serbia-Montenegro unique cases. In particular, it explores the manner and ways in which the international community has tried to encourage defence reform in both states and assess the effectiveness of strategies including defence assistance and political conditionality.