Summary: International peacekeeping operations since mid-1997 have hastened the achievement of the Dayton Agreement's objectives, from arresting war criminals to rebuilding the infrastructure and revitalizing the economy. However, the intransigence of Bosnia's political leaders continues to jeopardize the goal of a self-sustaining peace process in Bosnia. Almost all of the results have been achieved only with intense international involvement and pressure, both political and military. Moreover, a substantial NATO-led force is still needed to provide security for the civil aspects of the operation. Conditions will have to improve significantly before international military forces could substantially draw down. Bosnia, for all intents and purposes, lacks functioning, multiethnic governments at all levels; many of those indicted for war crimes remain at large; about 1.3 million people have yet to be resettled because Bosnia's political leaders continue to prevent people from returning to their homes across ethnic lines; and few economic links have been established among Bosnia's ethnic groups or between its two entities.
