[126][127] During this time he met with at least 150 leaders from 60 countries and international organizations, becoming a well-known Democratic voice on foreign policy.[128]
Biden voted against authorization for the Gulf War in 1991,[127] siding with 45 of the 55 Democratic senators; he said the U.S. was bearing almost all the burden in the anti-Iraq coalition.[129]
Biden became interested in the Yugoslav Wars after hearing about Serbian abuses during the Croatian War of Independence in 1991.[91] Once the Bosnian War broke out, Biden was among the first to call for the "lift and strike" policy.[91][126] The George H. W. Bush administration and Clinton administration were both reluctant to implement the policy, fearing Balkan entanglement.[91][127] In April 1993, Biden held a tense three-hour meeting with Serbian leader Slobodan Milošević.[130] Biden said he had told Milošević, "I think you're a damn war criminal and you should be tried as one.