August 1998, Sarajevo - Bosnia Herzegovina | German NATO contingent, Spähpanzer 2 of Gepanzerter Einsatzverband ( armored deployment unit ) - 2nd Company - 5th Platoon, on patrol near Sarajevo airport. Germans part of United Nations SFOR ( Stabilization Force ) peace keeping force in civil-war torn former Yugoslavia. SFOR title written in both Roman and Cyrillic alphabets on white-blue shield decal on vehicle rear for local residence identification.

Original UN Bosnia peace-keeping force was UNPROFO ( United Nations Protection Force ), which arrived in 1992 at Yugoslav civil war commencement. With good intentions that satisfied no major party, this protection force lacked the authority - resolve - equipment from member UN states to implement full protection of UN refugees. Results were crisis-laden controversies such as attacks against UN sanctioned " Safe Havens ", UN protection force personnel taken hostage / use as " human shields ", and ever infamous accomplice to Srebrenica Massacre ( by its Dutch UN contingent ).

1992-1995 United Nations Protection Force | Wiki

1995 Srebrenica massacre | Wiki

UNPROFO replaced by NATO-led Implementation Force ( IFOR ) after signing of Dayton Peace Agreement by warring Yugoslav parties in Dec 1995. But UN only sanction a one year operation due to geopolitical consideration mainly from Russian Federation. Thus in 1996 UN created SFOR ( Stabilization Force ) to continue peace accord implementation in Bosnia Herzegovina ( mainly by keeping rival ethnic groups apart and in-check ).

1996 - 2004 SFOR | Wiki

Goodbye SFOR, hello EUFOR | NATO

After nearly a decade on peace keeping duties, SFOR transition UN-control to full NATO-control via EUFOR ( European Union Force ) in 2004, making first instance by which NATO assumed regional security outside of its alliance member states. This transition went almost unnoticed in American public, with US attention totally focused on wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Currently, US contributes no peace keeping troops to EUFOR mission, since they are needed in Middle Eastern combat arena.

European Union Force Althea | Wiki

German Bundeswehr Spähpanzer on KFOR (Kosovo Force) peace-keeping duty in Yugoslav's Kosovo region, white Chevron on Luchs front / sides are insignia for all KFOR vehicles. MG3 machine gun mounted on commander hatch ring. Modern German MG3 fires 7.62x51mm NATO caliber round, and is a derivative of WW2 German MG42 which fires the 7.92x57mm Mauser round.

Rheinmetall MG 3 | Wiki

MG 42 and MG 3 machine gun (Germany) | WGR

With " War Among Pigmy " ( as alluded by military historian James Dunnigan ) on tenuous peace among breakaway Yugoslav regions of Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina, next major crisis point was Kosovo province of Serbia, dominated by ethnic Albanians. March 1999, in order to forestall further insurrection by ethnic Albanians, Serbs initiated greatest European refugee crisis since WW2 via expulsion of nearly 1 million people from Kosovo onto neighboring countries of Montenegro and Macedonia.

Kosovo Chronology | USSD

Kosovo Refugee Crisis : The crisis in the Balkans | UMC

1999 Kosovo War | Wiki

As consequence, UN sanctioned bombing campaigns against Serbia, whereby Serbian leader Milosevic relented and withdrew its forces from Kosovo region, replaced by UN NATO-led KFOR peace-keeping force. Region was tender-box of ethnic strife for NATO forces to handle, mass ethnic riots in Mitrovica March 2004 almost cancelled entire KFOR mission ( US attention was on Iraq War, hence crisis was barely noticed among Americans ). Tired of constant haggling with UN over its official status as part of Serbia, region declared independence as Republic of Kosovo on Feb 2008. US recognized new Kosovo nation almost immediately, while Russian Federation forewarned they reserve the same rights in sanctioning breakup of other nations aligned with their national interests ( specially, ethnic-Russian wars in Black Sea and Caucasus regions ).

2004 Kosovska Mitrovica Riot | Wiki

Republic of Kosovo | Wiki

Russkies Stand-off at Pristina Airport | During KFOR deployment, Russian Federation on nationalistic ascendancy in 2000, after being sidelined in European international affairs since Soviet Union breakup in 1991. Russians viewed their national interests were severely undermined by US during UN/NATO IFOR and SFOR Balkan missions. Thus, she insisted on taking part in KFOR peace keeping operation to safe-guard Serbian national interests ( but not subordinate under NATO command ). To make this point, Russians ostensibly notified US/NATO they were converging armor forces in Serbia in preparation for KFOR.

March 2000, Confrontation over Pristina-Kosovo airport | BBC

However, without warning Russian dispatched entire contingent overnight into Kosovo and occupied main airport in regional capitol Pristina by morning. US was alerted to this coup during the night and considered dropping airborne troops into Pristina to forestall Russian advance, but fear of actual combat confrontation with the Russians - Kosovo insurgents - Serbian remnant forces compelled US to abandon this operation. Thus, Russians controlled northern portion of airport, meaning no UN/NATO planes can land without their permission, this is what Russian was after all along.... a checkmate against further NATO unilateralism.

Taking of Pristina airport an empire-building move | RJC

U.S., Russian officials to meet on Kosovo impasse, Moscow resupplying Pristina airport force | CNN

From Balkans Peace Kingpin to Butcher of the Balkans | 31 October 1995, with great fanfare and high-level American diplomatic decorum, Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic ( left ) escorted by US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Richard Holbrooke ( right ) after his arrival at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton - Ohio. US invited Milosevic to sign Dayton Peace Agreement which ended hostilities in former Yugoslav states of Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina. US news agencies, prodded by government functionaries, broadcast great American peace-making achievement for President Clinton and the so-called great " Peace Maker " of the Balkans. Milosevic spoke fluent English during this Dayton event, and was touted as main driver of stability in region.

Dayton Peace Agreement | Wiki

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base | Wiki

How ironic that in less than 2 years when secessionist war broke out in Serbia Kosovo province, US quickly reversed their rhetoric and condemned Milosevic as " Worse than Hitler " and " Butcher of the Balkans ". On US news media part, they never again broadcast the Dayton Peace Agreement showcasing Milosevic fluent English... conscious drive to cast him as some distant abstract foreign figure. For US did not wanted to be reminded that they had extolled Milosevic on global forums, in essence some accused Dayton Agreement as American version of " 1938 Munich Agreement ", since it elevated Milosevic to higher international standing than he deserved, thus granted him defacto approval to continue his ethnic policies in Kosovo.

Slobodan Milosevic | Wiki

Slobodan Milosevic AKA 'Butcher of the Balkans' | MOL

This US embarrassment is similar to 1983 " Rumsfeld Shakes Hussein Hand " photo-op when US Middle East Special Envoy Donald Rumsfeld under Reagan Administration was dispatched to Iraq to form political & military coordination with socialist dictator Saddam Hussein during decade long Iran-Iraq War. But we all know the end story... Rumsfeld becomes US Defense Secretary under Bush #2 Administration some 20 years later and launched 2003 Iraq War. Saddam Hussein was captured by US forces in Iraq, rather than handing him over to Hague Tribunal ( where death sentences are outlawed ), Hussein was routed to newly formed Iraq government, whereby he was convicted and executed by hanging, 30 Dec 2006. In a sense, American justice and revenge was served via proxy.

Donald Rumsfeld Shakes Hands With Saddam Hussein | FPO

Alas to all mortals... we all die sooner or later. Milosevic died while in Hague Tribunal ( international court ) custody on 11 March 2006, ostensibly when he refused to take his heart medication, the Tribunal denied any responsibility for his death. Holbrooke died 13 Dec 2010 from heart complications while serving as US Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan for Obama Administration. His sudden departure created diplomatic power vacuum just as Obama Administration had to contend with unilateral US troop withdrawals from Afghanistan and Pakistan's collusion with Taliban and Al Queda terrorist groups while getting billions of dollars in American military / economic aid.

Richard Holbrooke | Wiki

Spähpanzer 2 Luchs gameplay can be experienced via First-Person-Shooter game Battlefield 2 ( BF2 ), in various gaming maps ( ex. Gulf of Oman, Karkand City, Zatar Wetlands ) the Luchs are assigned to MEC ( Middle East Coalition ) forces, but can be captured by opposing US teams. In the game, Luchs armed with 20mm cannon and anti-armor TOW missile. Screen-cap above showcase Luchs about to be jacked by in-coming anti-armor missiles from Mi-28 Havoc attack chopper in BF2 Gulf of Oman game map.

Battlefield 2 Trailer 3| YouTube

Battlefield 2: Modern Combat - Trailer 2 | YouTube

MI-28 Havoc Russian attack helicopter | YouTube

BF2 Battle Game Maps | BF2F

Internal Luchs crew layout, with front driver, commander & gunner in turret, and rear driver. Following German WW2 8-wheel armor car design, rear driver can egress scene during fire-fights without having to turn entire vehicle around.

Panzerbaer Anstriche und Markierungen | PBC

Spähpanzer Luchs (Bw) Tarnschemen | PBC

Front bow deflector is extended in schematic, device pushes water to sides of vehicle and prevent leakage into driver compartment as it wades across river crossings.

German Spähpanzer 2 Luchs is not the only 8-wheel armor car on modern battlefield, photo above shows Canadian Coyote 8-wheel armor car with medium tan desert camouflage during NATO deployment in Afghanistan. Spare wheel for mine or IDE attacks against NATO patrols. Coyote is license-built from Swiss MOWAG Piranha ( LAV I ) armor car series.

Canada Coyote | ARC

Coyote Reconnaissance Vehicle | Wiki

Canadian forces also deploy Bison, Coyote, and Kodiak armor cars. Bison are command version of this 8-wheel armor car, while Kodiak is based on LAV III design with 25mm autocannon turret. LAV III design called Stryker in US inventory.

Bison (LAV) APC | WWN

Bison Armored Cars | AGC

Canadian Dragoons LAV III | CDK

While Canadian Coyote is license-built from Swiss MOWAG Piranha LAV I series, US license-built version is called LAV-25 Piranha used primarily by US Marine Corps. Despite its 8-wheel cross-country abilities, all mechanized vehicles are still vulnerable to soft ground sinking them up to their axles. Photo above shows LAV-25 crew attempted to extricate sunken vehicle via tow chain to another vehicle as soldier in distance stands guard in case of enemy ambush ( their faces have been military censored ). Note vehicle soft-edge camouflage is European green-red brown-dark olive drab, but equipment and crew uniform camouflage geared for desert arena.

Swiss MOWAG Piranha | Wiki

LAV-25 Piranha | Wiki

Acceptance of LAV-25 service from Swiss MOWAG in 1983 marks at least the 3rd instance by which modern US military has purchased foreign weaponry into its arsenal, rather than relying on domestic armament industries. 1st instance was purchase of British Hawker Siddeley AV-8A Harrier Jump Jet in 1970 for Vertical / Short take-off and landing ground attack missions. 2nd instance was adoption of M-249 Squad Automatic Weapon via Fabrique Nationale de Herstal of Belgium in 1982 ( which took about 10 years of design and political haggling ).

Harrier Jump Jet | Wiki

V/STOL Wheel | VSTOL

M249 light machine gun | Wiki

Canadian Kodiak to US Stryker Lineage | 2007 Afghanistan TF-01-07 operation as Canadian LAV III Kodiak crosses open desert terrain, US version of LAV III called the IAV Stryker. Another instance whereby US purchased foreign design into its service, all be it another license-built Swiss MOWAG variant. In part, out of national pride.... Swiss origin of the Stryker is seldom if ever mentioned in public press, only emphasis is its " license-built " origin. Interestingly, Stryker did not originate with Swiss, but from Canadian origins.

Stryker | Wiki

LAV III | Wiki

In 1991, Canadian Forces enacted military upgrade program to replace its aging APC inventory dating back to mid-1960s. In 1995, this program resulted in purchase of Swiss MOWAG LAV III, which was paired with LAV Coyote gun turret, resulting in Canadian LAV III Kodiak IAV.

Kodiak stuck in soft river crossing JPG | DID

Tanks for the Lesson: Leopards, too, for Canada | DID

Canadian Kodiak hit by mine or IED explosion which ripped away all 4 rubber rimmed wheels. Explosion of this magnitude probably resulted from anti-armor mine coupled to heavy artillery warheads ( circa 120mm and above ). But safe to state crew survived the attack without serious injuries given overall vehicle protection. Canadian contingent evident by Canadian Arid Region digital camouflage pattern ( CADPAT-AR ) introduced in 2002 for all Middle East / desert terrain operations.

Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) / Booby Traps | GSO

Canada Kodiak IDE'ed | MIN

Camopedia Canada | CPO

Tanks for the Lesson: Leopards, too, for Canada | DID

With Stryker, Coyote, Piranha, and Kodiak in deployment, US and Canadian mobile infantry conducted joint-ops in Afghanistan, 2 North American nations readily distinguished by uniform patterns. US infantrymen wear 2004 Universal Camouflage Pattern ( UCP ), contrasted with more tan hue Canada's CADPAT-AR pattern. Canada personnel combat webbing derived from European stock, camouflage pattern influenced by German Flecktarn design, thus titled Canadian Temperate Weight digital camouflage pattern ( CADPAT-TW ), introduced in 1996.

Camopedia USA | CPO

Kamouflage.net military camouflage patterns | KFN

Kamouflage.net North America Pattern | KFN

As for US Army digital camouflage development, story has it with US Marine Corps 2001 MARPAT ( Marine Pattern ) digital design, the Army was not about to be out-equiped by its service rival, thus created Universal Camouflage Pattern in 2004. Similar to WW2 story when US Navy upgraded rank status to 5-star Admirals to officially match ranks of other Allied nations, US Army quickly upgraded to 5-star rank of its own ( last used during 19th-century American Civil War ) and making its first recipient to US Gen. Dwight Eisenhower. However, as homage to US military heritage, US revolutionary general and later 1st President : George Washington, was posthumously bestowed " General of the Armies " title on 4 July 1976, thus outrank any subsequent US general or admiral after him.

5 star rank | Wiki

As stated in Camopedia.org website, US Army pattern was " nothing but a recoloration of the MARPAT design ". The " Universal " camouflage aspect was that a soldier can be issued a single battle dress uniform for almost every combat environment, thus reduce cost/necessity of specialized camouflage uniforms for different geographic locales. ( ex. heavy forest, urban settings, open desert arena ). US Marines did trademark or specifically " industry trade design " this design by stamping USMC EGA symbol at regular stages of printing process.

Design Patents, Copyrights and Trade Dress | FTC

But after worldwide deployments throughout the 2000s, universal " concept is an almost universal failure, with the UCP performing poorly (or at best only "adequately") in almost every environment, and the new Army Combat Uniform (ACU) itself standing up very inadequately as a replacement for the old BDU."

2010 Army Combat Uniform (ACU) | USAC

BTW, in photo Canadian trooper on right carry Colt Canada C7 assault rifle, which is a US M-16 derivative, chambered to fire 5.56x45mm NATO ammo ( titled in US as M16E1 ). Criticism of 5.56-caliber has increased in recent years for its inability to penetrate personnel Body Armor, hence armament firms have come up various solutions from extra warhead penetration to a 6.00mm caliber round.

Colt Canada C7 rifle | Wiki

Diemaco / Colt Canada C7A1 C7A2 assault rifle, C8 carbine(Canada) | WGR

Body Armor | Wiki

Old World meets New World | Iconic technological and cultural differences between Western military powers in Afghanistan and its local inhabitance. Photo depicts Canadian convoy with LAV III Kodiaks interspersed among cargo trucks, with Afghan farmer hauling his family and possessions on the his tractor away from the frontlines.

TF-01-07 in Afghanistan | ADC

Struggle to make Infantry Carrier "tanks" | CFO

As a matter of world history, Afghans have defeated 3 major world empires since colonial era, their major tactical advantage is its mountainous terrain and tribal-centric culture. 1st one they defeated was the British Empire as they attempted to extend their colonial rule from India circa 1840-1860s, in 1842-1844 battle Afghans wiped out nearly 30,000 British - Local Supporters - and their dependents ( aka women & children ), it was typical " No Holds Bar " style of warfare. 2nd defeated was Soviet Empire in decade-long Soviet invasion to secure warm ocean base for her naval & maritime fleets. And 3rd defeat in all but title is US/NATO coalition 2001 invasion to overthrow Taliban regime.

Afghanistan History Online | AWC

Afghanistan History Timeline | AGHS

Gorbachev US Black-Nation Commentary | Soviet " Empire "term often invoked by Western nations since Soviet Union - being successor to Russian Czarist Empire - retained the same divergent ethnic fiefdoms characteristic of European empires such as Austro-Hungarian or Holy Roman. Based on this upbringing, even Mikhail Gorbachev | General Secretary Soviet Communist Party, on his first visit to US in 1988 stated openly that African-Americans in US are racially discriminated because they do not have a nation of their own.

Mikhail Gorbachev | Wiki

Hence the US should create a separate Black nation ( akin to South Africa's apartheid racial policies ), relocate all black people in that locale, and enable Black people to be governed by their own ethnic kind. US diplomats were aghast ! But politely stated that Gorbachev does not understand the American body politic and the positive attributes of mixing among racial / ethnic groups.

1988 GORBACHEV BEGINS U.S. VISIT; URGES 'GREATER DYNAMISM' IN RELATIONS WITH AMERICA | NYT

APARTHEID | EUD

Face of the Enemy | Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan doing promotional camcorder flick next to NATO / Canadian vehicle recently destroyed in IED ambush. Allied convoy has long gone, thus insurgents " come out of the woodwork " to do their propaganda promo. However, these gents can be readily taken out by Predator drones operating overhead far away from visual sighting by ground personnel. Man on right seems to be wearing basket weave of thin tree branches... either as camouflage or ad-hoc waist holding pen for his Soviet PKM light machine gun + ammo box.

PK machine gun | Wiki

As a matter of law, these Talibans are not legally protected by international rules of warfare, for they do not wear military uniform to distinguish them from regular civilians, and they have no rank insignia to showcase brand of service or command hierarchy. They are legally classified as insurgents, thus can be summarily executed by governing power at hand. Only governing power desire for good public relations or clemency prevents their outright execution. Or as famous words from Soviet Union Stalin " People are the problem. No more people, no more problems ".

Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions | NYT

Despite Taliban religious bravado, they are not forces of civilization. In 1990s when UN gave them money to build a soccer stadium in capitol Kabul. Taliban converted it into public execution forum for offenses such as adultery or playing western music, executions done by hanging - stoning - firing squad.

Taliban executions still haunt Afghan soccer field | RTC

Another sordid Taliban act was destruction Buddhas of Bamiyan stone statues, previously granted UNESCO World Heritage status. Statues build in year 507, and was destroyed in March 2001 due to Taliban intolerance for all competing centers of worship. Not to mention 2 American aid workers arrested April 2001 for preaching the Bible, which is punishable offense ( but to fair, most Islamic nations place stringent rules against other centers of worship or religious conversions away from Islam ).

Buddhas of Bamiyan | Wiki

Taliban Keep Two Americans Jailed | FXN

Shrine Vans | common feature in South Asia region, vehicles adorned with excessive religious statuettes or motifs aligned with Hinduism ( one would not see Islamic shrine vans since religious explicitly forbids idolatry, to a certain extent one do not see Christian shrine vans in US more out of religious decorum and deference ). These can be traveling portable shrines or simply adorned by driving team for good fortune or divine protection when traveling across narrow mountain roads or congested urban centers. Road traffic in 3rd world countries is dangerous at best, they do not observe standard traffic lights ( if exists at all ), for there is a traffic momentum of people - vehicles - bikes that one must gradually match, lest you will get shanked in some accident. Famed Austrian Techno Hip-Hop singer Falco ( Johann (Hans) Hölzel ) was killed in such traffic accident, Dominican Republic, Feb 1998. His famous single hits included Rock Me Amadeus, Jeanny, Ganz Wien.

Falco (musician) | Wiki

THE HINDU BRONZES: ART HISTORY AND TRADITION | ASL

East Wind Gallery Lehrmach | EWG