Target Bosnia: Integrating Information Activities in Peace Operations. NATO-Led Operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina, December 1995-1997

摘要

This monograph examines the role of information in Peace Support Operations (PSO) and its impact on command and control through the prism of NATO-led operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina from December 1995 into 1997. Following the signing on 14 December 1995 of the Dayton Peace Agreement, which put an end to a 4-year war in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the United Nations mandated NATO to oversee and enforce a durable cease-fire between the former belligerents. On 20 December 1995, a NATO-led multinational force called the Implementation Force (IFOR) started Operation Joint Endeavour. On 20 December 1996, a smaller NATO coalition called the Stabilization Force (SFOR) replaced IFOR. In Operation Joint Guard, SFOR received an 18-month mandate to oversee and enforce the cease-fire. In Bosnia, IFOR and then SFOR ran an information campaign designed to 'seize and maintain the initiative by imparting timely and effective information within the commander's intent.' The term 'information campaign' refers to the coordinated and synchronized use of different information activities within the command. The campaign had three components. A public information campaign was designed to establish NATO's credibility with the international media to gain support from the contributing nations for the mission. Public Information Officers executed this mission. A psychological operations (PSYOP) campaign was designed to influence the local population and its leaders in favor of IFOR troops and operations. PSYOP units (mainly American) undertook this aspect of the campaign. A Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) information campaign was designed to inform audiences about civil- military cooperation and to release information to aid the local populations. CIMIC elements (mainly U.S. Army) undertook this mission. NATO commanders expected a successful public information campaign to contribute to building and preserving public support for the military operation.