About This File
EC2003 MEDC
The eruption of a new civil war in the Balkans on the eve of the XX Winter Olympics drastically complicated European efforts at achieving security in Torino. The air forces of Switzerland and Italy were already working closely to ensure the Games were safe from terrorist attack, but the sudden outbreak of armed conflict on their doorstep was completely unexpected. Their accord did not cover military threats. The situation in the Balkans was still very unclear, but it appeared that several of the former territories of Yugoslavia were ganging up on Slovenia. Preliminary intelligence analysis indicated that the conflict may be rooted in tensions arising from Slovenia having joined NATO in March 2004, and if this was in fact the case, the possibility of attacks against neighboring NATO countries cannot be ruled out. The aggressors are warning against outside intervention, and previously little known factions within the former Yugoslav republics are threatening attack against the Games should NATO interfere. (Released January 2006).