The Government during the Kosovo Crisis—The Micro Review

Abstract

In the previous chapter, Western government actions and attitude were reviewed over the 15-month period preceding NATO’s intervention in Kosovo using the quantitative and coding tests, as outlined in chapter 2. Although evidence of a connection between media coverage and Western government policy change in the aftermath of incidents that met the media criteria for the CNN effect can be inferred, there is no precise evidence of policy change and no direct links between such shifts and media images and framing. To attain additional evidence that corroborates these initial findings, a more detailed review of policy in the immediate aftermath of these incidents is required, including analysis of policy substance using the classifications outlined in chapter 3 (strategic, tactical A, and tactical B policy aspects). It is also necessary to evaluate the comments of policy decision-makers after each of these incidents to ascertain the role of the media in any policy shift. To this end, focus now turns to the last two tests in relation to the government as outlined in the challenging CNN effect model—the policy substance and linkage tests. This chapter reviews the timeframe assessed in the previous chapter in seven different phases, as outlined below:

• Phase 1 January 1 to February 27, 1998

• Phase 2 February 28 to March 27, 1998

• Phase 3 March 28 to September 27, 1998

• Phase 4 September 28, to October 27, 1998

• Phase 5 October 28, 1998 to January 14, 1999

• Phase 6 January 15 to February 14, 1999

• Phase 7 February 15 to March 24, 1999