Through control of the news media, he is often made to seem heroic by defending his homeland against foreign aggression and shifting blame for economic or political woes away from himself. There, the international community has admirable goals of protecting the rights of Kosovars and ending the brutal policies of Slobodan Milosevic. But the decision to attack the entire nation has been counterproductive, and our destruction of civilian life has now become senseless and excessively brutal. The expected few days of aerial attacks have now lengthened into months, while more than a million Kosovars have been forced from their homes, many never to return even under the best of circumstances. Instead of focusing on Serbian military forces, missiles and bombs are now concentrating on the destruction of bridges, railways, roads, electric power, and fuel and fresh water supplies.
Serbian citizens report that they are living like cavemen, and their torment increases daily.
Despite earlier denials by U.S. and other leaders, the recent decision to deploy a military force of 50,000 troops on the Kosovo border confirms that the use of ground troops will be necessary to assure the return of expelled Albanians to their homes. Bypassing the United Nations Security Council weakens the U.N. and often alienates permanent members who may be helpful in influencing warring parties. Even the most severe military or economic punishment of oppressed citizens is unlikely to force their oppressors to yield to American demands. Even for the world's only superpower, the ends don't always justify the means.