America's role in the Balkan conflicts during the 1990s changed how it approached helping people in crisis situations. The U.S. military involvement in Bosnia and Kosovo showed a new, proactive approach to dealing with human rights problems.

1. The Situation

• The Bosnian War from 1992 to 1995 led to over 100,000 deaths and forced around 2 million people to leave their homes.
• In the 1999 Kosovo War, about 13,000 people died, and more than 850,000 Kosovars had to flee.

2. NATO's Involvement

• In 1995, the U.S. led NATO airstrikes against the Bosnian Serb forces. These actions were crucial in leading to a peace agreement called the Dayton Accords.
• In 1999, the U.S. took part in a 78-day bombing campaign in Kosovo. This was unusual because it happened without clear approval from the UN Security Council, showing a shift towards military actions for humanitarian reasons.

3. Changes in U.S. Foreign Policy

• The successes and difficulties in the Balkans made the U.S. rethink how it should help during crises. This led to a new idea called the "responsibility to protect" (R2P).
• The U.S. started viewing military intervention not just as a last option but as a way to stop terrible things from happening.

4. Global Impact

• This involvement changed how the world saw U.S. power and its duties. It helped shape America’s identity as a leader in promoting democracy and human rights.
• The lessons learned from the Balkans also influenced later U.S. actions in places like Libya and Syria, showing both the benefits and dangers of military help for humanitarian reasons.

In summary, U.S. involvement in the Balkan conflicts changed how it approaches humanitarian help, focusing more on moral responsibilities rather than just following traditional diplomatic rules.