The role of MPRI in the wars in the former Yugoslavia

Rokvić Vanja (Fakultet bezbednosti Univerzitet u Beogradu), vanjarokvic@fb.bg.ac.rs
Subotić Milovan (Institut za strategijska istraživanja, Ministartsvo odbrane Republike Srbije), milovan.subotic@mod.gov.rs

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to research on the privatization of war, specifically, the role that American private military companies, particularly Military Professional Resources Incorporated (MPRI), played in shaping the security architecture and geopolitical landscape in the former Yugoslavia. Based on the analysis of relevant literature and available documents, the authors seek to answer the primary research question: Did private military companies from the United States have a significant role in the wars in the former Yugoslavia, or was their role more secondary? In addressing this question, the authors start from the hypothesis that MPRI played a significant role in the wars in the former Yugoslavia. By providing logistical support, arming, and training Croatian armed forces, MPRI influenced the end of the war in Croatia, which was accompanied by the ethnic cleansing of the Serbian population. Additionally, MPRI was involved in Bosnia and Herzegovina by assisting Muslim and Croatian forces and contributed to the destabilization of Kosovo and Metohija (KiM) and Macedonia through the training and financing of Albanian paramilitary and terrorist formations. The methodology includes a review of scientific and professional literature, testimonies before international judicial bodies, reports from non-governmental organizations, and media articles. The authors conclude that, although the exact extent cannot be determined, MPRI’s role was significant in the wars in the former Yugoslavia, considering the outcomes achieved with their support.

Keywords: private military companies, the MPRI, the former Yugoslavia, war