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Chair: Professor Martin Bricknell, Professor of Conflict, Health and Military Medicine

Speaker: Ade Clewlow MBE, former Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army

 

Join Ade Clewlow as he discusses his first book Under A Feathered Sky - a unique first-hand account of a complex and highly sensitive phase of security sector transition after Kosovo’s declaration of independence in February 2008. The book is Clewlow's account of the intimate details of the political and military challenges of winning the peace, post conflict.

Deployed to Kosovo as NATO’s liaison officer to the Kosovo Protection Corps, Clewlow was in the eye of the storm, managing the dissolution with dignity of one of Kosovo’s most trusted institutions, whilst attempting to influence NATO’s role in the formation of the Balkans’ newest security institution, the Kosovo Security Force.

Navigating a highly politicised environment, a divided international community, an ambivalent in-country NATO headquarters and local politicians pursuing their own agendas, the book exposes the clash of cultures and political expediency that continues to characterise post independent Kosovo.

Clewlow chose to rely on mission command to achieve a successful outcome. But this path carried risk to his career, reputation, and his health. The human story, managing relationships at home and in Kosovo, highlights in stark terms the difficulties faced by military personnel intent on making a difference, and establishes Under A Feathered Sky as an essential read for those engaged with winning the peace in a post conflict environment.

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Bio

Ade Clewlow MBE served in the British Army for 25 years, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During his military career he served across the world, including on operations in Baghdad and Kosovo. After attending Staff College and commanding his Regiment, Ade led the UK’s defence policy and planning for the Horn of Africa over the period 2010/12, deploying into the region on several occasions. Since leaving the military he has worked in a number of security sector related roles, including delivering strategic communications in Somalia for the UN, and conducting defence reform in the Middle East. In the last few years he has been working in senior roles within the cyber security industry. Ade started writing Under A Feathered Sky in 2015. It is his first book.

 

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