Significant criticism of UN humanitarian interventions on the basis of imperialistic undertones surrounds the contentious issue of what drove the decision to partake in a military intervention. Analysis of international motives must encompass the legal and moral frameworks to accurately critic any motivation to intervene. For example, Tariq Ali and Noam Chomsky argue that US interventions are deficient of legality due to underlying geo-political goals, rather than the preservation of human life and international peace and security of which, according to the UN Charter would justify the use of force in international law. 306 Conversely, the evolution of the Just War doctrine counterparts the establishment of effective motivations for intervention. The various aspects of the concept are divided into two categories; Jus ad Bellum ; the motivations behind the use of force, and; Jus in Bello; the means of the force used. The seven tenets found within the first category outline the requirements for the use of force to be considere d ‘just’. I will therefore align the motives of the UN prior to their decision to allow NATO intervention in Bosnia from 1992-95 to the seven tenets of Jus ad Bellum to support the decision to intervene. Firstly, is the need for right intention. Members of the intervening force, particularly the US had little to gain from the intervention, besides from reducing the flow of refugees through Europe there can be little arguments outlining imperialistic motives, particularly following the continued dedication of the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) to preserve the peace years after the culmination of the conflict. Second, is the need for a just cause. Following the recognised independence of Bosnia on April 6 th 1992, a crowd of 50,000 unarmed Bosnians of all ethnicities gathered to embrace their independence, and were fired upon by members of the Serbian military and para-military groups. The first Sarajevo massacre would be replicated time and time again over the following two years, 306 Noam Chomsky, ‘ A New Generation Draws the Line: Kosovo, East Timor, and the Standards of the West’, (New York, Verso, 2001) and Tariq, Ali, ‘ Masters of the Universe? NATO's Balkan Crusade’, (New York, Verso, 2000)
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