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How did the Dayton Accords lead to NATO peacekeeping forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

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Flag of NATO featuring a white compass rose emblem with four lines radiating from the center on a blue background. — North Atlantic Treaty Organization Flag of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

The Dayton Accords, signed in 1995, were essential in ending the Bosnian War and establishing the framework for peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The agreement necessitated the deployment of an international peacekeeping force to ensure the implementation of the peace plan, as the parties involved requested support to maintain stability. Following the initialing of the accords, U.S. President Bill Clinton advocated for the involvement of NATO to enforce the settlement.12

Consequently, a 60,000-member international force was deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina to oversee the peace process. This force included troops from the United States and 25 other nations, marking a significant commitment to stabilizing the region after years of conflict. By providing this military presence, NATO helped secure the implementation of the agreement, which preserved Bosnia as a single state divided into two entities: the Bosniak-Croat federation and the Bosnian Serb Republic.213