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Friday, June 11, 1999 Published at 16:20 GMT 17:20 UK

Britain in the Balkans

Britain's armed forces have played a key role in the Nato attacks on Yugoslavia - only America has contributed more of its military might. The war of words has seen Prime Minister Tony Blair standing shoulder to shoulder with President Clinton.
Here BBC News Online presents the key elements of British involvement in the Kosovo crisis since the air strikes campaign began on 24 March.

For full Kosovo coverage see the Kosovo Crisis special report.

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MILITARY MIGHT

Just how much of the UK's armed forces are committed to the Kosovo crisis? Are they under strain?

We look at the hardware involved and what that means for military capability elsewhere.

Features:

Troops face massive challenge
Mines, snipers, and humanitarian devestation - we look at what K-For troops will face when they step inside Kosovo.

Tough training for Kosovo troops
Three army regiments have undergone intensive training to prepare to join Nato's expanded Balkans force. BBC News Online looks at what they have gone through.

Gurkhas: A force to be reckoned with
As the Gurkha regiment adds to the K-For presence in the Balkans, we look at their formidable reputation.

Navy's biggest ship prepares for action
The Royal Navy's largest warship is to be deployed near the Mediterranean in readiness for possible involvement in the Kosovo conflict.

UK Balkans troops 'under strain'
The defence secretary admits that sending more UK soldiers to the Balkans will put them under "substantial strain", but insists they can still meet Nato's demands.

UK military tightens its belt in the Balkans
Britain's armed forces are struggling not only against Yugoslav forces but also against a background of cutbacks. Could they cope with further commitment?

Marchwood: The unknown port
The low-key port at Southampton has been the services' deployment lynch-pin.

On board Nato's 'eyes in the sky'
Chief News Correspondent Kate Adie reports from the air strikes nerve centre

Stories:

UK military tightens its belt in the Balkans 20.4.99
Chaos fear as army quits refugee camp16.4.99
SAS 'on ground in Kosovo' 13.4.99
HMS Invincible: Floating fortress 11.4.99
Weather outwits 'smart' weapons 31.3.99
Britain's best in Kosovo action 29.3.99
Low-level flight, high-level danger 29.3.99
Frontline squadron's proud history 25.3.99

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WAR OF WORDS

PM Tony Blair has strongly led Britain's involvement in Kosovo, with Robin Cook, George Robertson and Clare Short in support.

But Britain's involvement in the bombing campaign has not gone unopposed in Parliament.

Features:

Blair: My pledge to the refugees
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair writes for BBC News Online.

Kosovo: Voices of dissent
BBC News Online asked some of the most prominent critics of the allied strategy to set out their views.

'Moral outrage' underpins Blair's war
PM Tony Blair has expressed strong views about the war in Kosovo, which some analysts believe may be taking him towards the deployment of ground troops.

Tony Blair: Kosovo crusader
Tony Blair is playing a passionate and prominent part in the Kosovo crisis, writes Diplomatic Correspondent Barny Mason.

The politics of Kosovo
Political Correspondent Nick Assinder assesses the problems that could lie ahead for Tony Blair in the Commons.

Stories:

Kosovo 'no threat' to Treasury 11.5.99
Blair justifies bombing 28.4.99
Blair pledges Balkans aid 23.4.99
Straw defends Kosovo refugee policy 23.4.99
Hague supports ground troop option 23.4.99
Cook boost to war crimes probe 20.4.99
Blair stresses scale of 'ethnic cleansing'19.4.99
Keep ground options open - Robertson16.4.99
Rifkind: Bombing will fail16.4.99
Blair stiffens Nato's punch 28.3.99
'It's the right thing to do' 26.3.99

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HUMAN COST

Service personnel from bases such as RAF Wittering risk their lives in the Kosovo conflict while their families stay at home and watch the war on the news.

But Britain is also host to people who can see their friends, their family and their houses in the midst of the bombing. All they can do is wait for news of home.

Features:

Braving it in Belgrade
Englishman Dave Atherton - still living in Belgrade - tells the BBC how the people are 'absolutely fantastic'.

Britain's rough refuge
Bob Walker looks at what refugees coming to Britain can expect to find

Home of the Harrier
James Blatch reports on life at RAF Wittering - the home base of Britain's Harrier pilots involved in Kosovo.

Harrier husband left holding the baby

'Now I am scared to open my mouth'
A Serb living in London says freedom of speech only seems to work for one side of the conflict.

'Hello? Are you still alive?'
A Kosovo Albanian who has sought asylum in the UK tells us of her campaign against President Milosevic - and her fear for her family still in Pristina.

Stories: