NATO bombed Serbia before the adoption of UNSCR 1244. The UN did not get involved until afterward.
At least there was UNSCR 1368 (which stopped short of authorizing the use of force) before we invaded Afghanistan. After we invaded, there was UNSCR 1373 (Nov. 2001) and UNSCR 1383 (Dec. 2001), setting out intentions and laying groundwork for UNSCR 1401, which provided the mandate for UNAMA. UNAMA’s mandate has been renewed/extended a number of times. Under the latest, UNSCR 2678, the mssion was extended until March 17, 2024. Also there was UNSCR 1368 (Dec. 2001) which provided the mandate for NATO-led ISAF (and renewed/extended by other UNSCRs through 2014):
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_69366.htm
After ISAF did its thing, it was time for NATO-led RSM, authorized under UNSC 2189:
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_113694.htm
We began bombing Serbia on March 24, 1999. UNSCR 1244 was adopted on June 10, 1999.
We invaded Afghanistan on Oct. 7, 2001. UNSCR 1368 (establishing NATO-led ISAF) was adopted on Dec. 20, 2001. UNSCR 1401 (establishing UNAMA) was adopted on March 28, 2002.
What makes you think Kosovo is so different from Afghanistan? Why is one “UN” and “multinational” in your mind, and the other “NATO”? Note, please, that ISAF and RSM had *more* troops from *more* non-NATO countries than KFOR.
The UN passed Resolutions 713 (1991); 757 (1992); 781 (1992); 787 (1992); and 816 (1993) which allowed for NATO to begin and gradually increase its involvement in the Balkans in the wake of the disintegration of Yugoslavia. By 1996 things had relatively stabilized. Then, in 1999 NATO got active again and bombed Serbia. This was NOT authorized by the UN Security Council, as Russia and China set to veto it.
I was opposed to this 1999 NATO action at the time and I have taken that very same position countless times here on FR.
“What makes you think Kosovo is so different from Afghanistan? Why is one ‘UN’ and ‘multinational’ in your mind, and the other ‘NATO’? Note, please, that ISAF and RSM had *more* troops from *more* non-NATO countries than KFOR.”
We were justified in attacking Afghanistan in 2001; we were not justified in bombing Serbia in 1999.
UNSCR 1244 really had nothing to do with the 1999 NATO bombing of Serbia, as it was passed the day the bombing stopped; but it had everything to do with what was established in the Balkans afterward (and hence the approval for the current NATO-led multinational peacekeeping force that has put you into such a tizzy).
NATO attacked Afghanistan before the UN ever even put on its pants. Several weeks later, the UN issued its resolution, after the fact.