UNDER A FEATHERED SKY: THE UNTOLD STORY OF NATO’S ROLE IN NEWLY INDEPENDENT KOSOVO

by Ade Clewlow

Offering a unique perspective on the legacy of conflict between Kosovo and Serbia, Lieutenant Colonel Clewlow’s revealing first-hand account offers an honest and fascinating insight into the dramatic events of 2008/09 when he was deployed to Kosovo to be NATO’s eyes and ears inside the Kosovo Protection Corps (the KPC) – Kosovo’s revered civil emergency organisation. Acting as a mentor, advisor and confidante to its senior leadership, during one of the most profound periods of change in Kosovo’s turbulent history, he faced a plethora of challenges. During his six-month tour of duty, this army officer, husband and father was torn between a commitment to make a difference to the lives of the people of Kosovo, and balancing his family life back in England. Immersed in Kosovo’s rich culture, and operating in an unpredictable security environment, this deeply personal and candid memoir shows the lines he had to cross, and the risks he felt compelled to take, that ultimately led to the heart of the country’s political elite. Caught in the middle of an intense battle of wills between the KFOR commanders and the Kosovan Generals leading the KPC, Clewlow had a stark choice; follow his orders from his KFOR command team, or discreetly side with the Kosovan leadership in order to shape events for the benefit of the KPC, putting his career and his reputation at risk in the process. This book paints a vivid picture of what it is like to work for NATO in a highly politicised environment, amongst a divided international community exposing a clash of cultures, and with local politicians pursuing their own agendas. Under A Feathered Sky offers a unique insight into NATO’s role in newly independent Kosovo, a country nestled in Europe’s most unstable and politically fragile region. “This fascinating and highly readable book unpacks the reality of post conflict dynamics like no other I have encountered.” - General The Lord Richards of Herstmonceux GCB CBE DSO “Entertaining, gripping at times, and recommended reading…” - Pieter Feith, International Civilian Representative for Kosovo

346 pages, Paperback

Published July 30, 2020

About the author

Thanks for reading my author profile.

I am very excited to be here and to be able to share my books with you.

My backstory is pretty varied; Army Officer, journalist, security consultant, one time political candidate and traveller.

It is through overseas trips, one while serving in the military and one immediately after I hung up my uniform, that led me to write two books.

UNDER A FEATHERED SKY: THE UNTOLD STORY OF NATO’S ROLE IN NEWLY INDEPENDENT KOSOVO was the result of witnessing some terrible decision making and profound indifference towards the Kosovan people by NATO senior officers. You can read the book for more of the detail.

Then, after leaving the military I lived and worked in East Africa, where my role gave me the idea for a book. I started writing A DENIABLE CONSPIRACY in 2021 and am delighted that it was published on 17th September 2025. The response so far has been very positive. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

I am always up for talking about my books, so drop me a line at my website or here on goodreads.

Reviews

[Diona]

I have to say that this was a really insightful book - not just for explaining more about Kosovo’s case, but for bringing to us, the readers, a chronological, piece-by-piece account of some of the most critical times, especially after the 1998–1999 war. It is an important and very unique book, spanning from the personal to the diplomatic level, and a really important one for Kosovo’s history. Very interesting, and I quite enjoyed it!