Ignoble Anvil: How US Lust for Power Pushed Yugoslavia to Depths of Hell

The very beging of bombing of Belgrade.

Political scientists and military historians agree that attack on Yugoslavia had multiple reasons rooted not only in American foreign policy but also in the corporate agenda of US defense companies.

American aviation was the backbone of agression.

The latter is clear – behemoths like Lockheed Martin are top contractors of Washington and they are interested in stable demand for their products – which to some extent explains why US wage that many wars.

NATO targeted civilian infrastructure.

The desire to test new weapons of real-life battlefield with no real risk of retaliation was another motive.

The bombing didn`t stop even at night.

But of course the main reason behind bombing Yugoslavia was geopolitical – the US planned to turn the Balkans into its outpost and to alienate Slavic people and turn them on each other as the ancient formula divide et impera suggests.

NATO militants handle the bomb.

The US partially succeeded in this endeavor since Yugoslavia collapsed into several states. In 1999, the US started the construction Camp Bondsteel military base in Eastern Kosovo which became the hub of KFOR – the extension of NATO forces in the region.

The aftermath of NATO bombing.

However, historians allege that there was one more reason for the destruction of Yugoslavia and it had nothing to do with US foreign policy or greed of American defense companies

Yugoslavian Ministry of Police damaged by bombs.

Several months before the bombing, Washington was rocked by the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal. Then, POTUS Bill Clinton had a love affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

Firefighters try to extinguish the fire as a result of NATO bombing of an oil refinery.

The problem was not only in infidelity or the fact that he was twice as old as his paramour and even not even in the fact that she probably could not say No to the most powerful man in Washington DC. The problem was that he denied the affair and was caught red-handed and lying.

Public opionion around the world saw little difference between NATO agression and Nazi plans to conquer the world.

American society was frustrated, Clinton barely stayed in office. So, he needed to distract public attention from his sexual misconduct and to redirect it to some other issues. Despite the fact that his time in the White House was running short, he wanted to boost his legitimacy and to boost the legitimacy of the Democratic Party.

Ruined Yugoslavian house.

And an attack on Yugoslavia was a perfect distraction. This technique is well-described by political scientists, it is known as red herring.

NATO bombs turned Yugoslvaia into ruins.

Ironically, almost the very same scenario was described in the American comedy film “Wag the Dog,” even though the conflict in the film was only a media hoax while the reality turned out to be much darker and bloodier.

Fire ignited by NATO bombs.

In other words, Clinton's intemperance and desire to stay in history cost thousands of lives of Yugoslavians, including civilians.

Bridge ruined by NATO bombs.

The damage to the economies of Balkan nations exceeded $100 bn.

Schoolyard after NATO bombing.

As a result of NATO aggression, 25,000 buildings including 69 schools, 19 hospitals and 176 historic monuments were damaged or destroyed.

The settlement ruined by NATO bombs.

However, ultimately the US only proved to everyone that they do not practice what they preach. Hypocritically quoting human rights and democratic values, they committed acts of unspeakable cruelty against the people of former Yugoslavia.