Negotiators must weave a solution that addresses multiple issues as a complete whole. But creating a comprehensive solution in such a complex strategic environment will be difficult. As a consequence, negotiators may pursue incremental solutions. But this, too, is fraught with dangers because many individual initiatives may run at cross purposes. Such potential pitfalls underscore the importance of possessing a thorough understanding of the conflict, and crafting a comprehensive solution prior to embarking on incremental ways to resolve issues.
Political institutions are weak.
This condition complicates significantly the ability to arrive at a lasting peace in the former Yugoslavia. The search for long-term solutions will be protracted and difficult. A lasting peace in the region requires a fundamental break from the past along the lines mandated of post-World War II Germany and Japan. Events in the Balkan crisis have demonstrated that U.S. leadership in Europe is essential to secure U.S. national interests in the region and Europe. Diplomatic actions, alone, are not likely to bring about a settlement, and military power will be required to establish conditions suitable to build a lasting peace settlement.