Croatia and the Development of a Democratic Intelligence System (1990–2010)

Croatia's accession to NATO, and soon the European Union, presupposes that its intelligence system has already been the subject of in-depth reforms based on sound democratic and human rights principles and the rule of law. Has this, in fact, been the case? This article answers this question and in doing so breaks down the intelligence reforms undertaken into three distinct phases. It concludes that changes in governance, organization, oversight, and accountability, along with pressures to join European institutions, have helped Croatia develop an intelligence system increasingly respectful of democratic norms, human rights, and the rule of law.