The first section of this paper describes previousNATO interventions in the Western Balkans beforegranting a general assessment of recent challengesposed by "outside actors" such as Russia, China andthe Gulf States. The third section reviews current NATO missions in the Western Balkans while the final section explains why projected stability there, including the possible deployment of Very-High-Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) and follow-on forcesas an effective de-escalatory and confidence-buildingmechanism, should be specific strategic option forNATO, and a part of NATO operational planning
