Steinbaum: A permanent base at Bondsteel could significantly help preserve US influence in the region

Jason Steinbaum, former staff director of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, told Kosovo Online that turning Camp Bondsteel into a permanent US base could help preserve American influence in Kosovo and the region, as well as improve relations between Washington and Pristina, particularly if Kosovo offered the United States preferential terms for using the land.

Steinbaum says Bondsteel is important to KFOR, the United States and the region, and that the camp primarily provides logistical support.

“US presence in Kosovo provides intelligence, communications capabilities and other forms of support whose importance goes beyond the number of American troops deployed in the area. We have between 500 and 600 troops out of approximately 4,500 KFOR personnel in total. That accounts for between 10 and 15 percent of the overall force. From the American point of view, there is a fair burden sharing. However, a permanent base at Camp Bondsteel could play a very important role in preserving US influence, as well as maintaining the stability and security we seek in that region, if the base were granted permanent military installation status,” Steinbaum said.

Speaking about the change in the composition of US forces in Kosovo, namely the deployment of active-duty personnel instead of National Guard members, Steinbaum said this was an operational adjustment.

“That should not actually change how the forces operate, which is important for maintaining security, stability and freedom of movement for people throughout Kosovo. It will also not change the situation with Serbia, which, as we all know, has its own plans regarding Kosovo. However, KFOR's presence serves as a deterrent,” the American expert said.

Steinbaum believes Belgrade should not be concerned if Bondsteel is turned into a permanent US base.

“KFOR has been present at Camp Bondsteel for several decades, so I believe the claim that establishing a permanent base could in any way affect or intimidate Serbia is an artificially manufactured concern. However, our presence there has, I repeat, a disproportionately significant impact on the stability and security of the region. The United States is the most important actor in Kosovo. We are the most significant international actor and have the greatest influence on the government there. That influence is not limited to diplomacy but also extends to security issues,” Steinbaum said.

He stressed that the United States provides training and ensures coordination.

“Kosovo's security services have even participated alongside us in international peacekeeping missions. This represents a significant presence in a country that strongly supports the United States. Therefore, maintaining this base is positive for both the US and the region,” Steinbaum said.

Given that the strategic dialogue between the United States and Kosovo has been suspended, the question arises whether turning Bondsteel into a permanent US base could help improve cooperation between Washington and Pristina.

“I believe the suspension of the strategic dialogue between Kosovo and the United States was a mistake. It should not have happened. Hopefully, with a new government in Pristina, the dialogue will regain momentum and be resumed. Frankly, the United States never set any criteria or conditions related to suspending the strategic dialogue with Kosovo, while continuing its strategic dialogue with Serbia, which raises numerous strategic and security concerns because of its relations with Russia and China. For that reason, I have certain reservations about this policy. However, the essence of your question is whether a long-term presence, or the stationing of US forces at Camp Bondsteel, could affect our relations with Kosovo. The answer is yes. It certainly could, particularly if Kosovo offered the United States preferential terms for using the land,” Steinbaum said.

He recalled that at a recent hearing of the Subcommittee on Europe of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, a representative of the US administration, namely the deputy assistant secretary of state responsible for the region, stated that the United States continued to support KFOR and the continued presence of American troops within the mission.

“Therefore, based on that statement, there are no plans at least at this point to withdraw US forces from KFOR,” Steinbaum concluded.