Due to ongoing political obstruction and rising ethno-nationalist tensions, western powers have opted to maintain their political and military presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but still lack a precise strategy for the country’s future, Anes Alic writes for ISN Security Watch. Following a recent meeting in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo, …

As Kosovo goes it alone for the first time in local elections, the results are less significant than the voting process itself, as some Kosovo Serbs defy Belgrade’s boycott demand in a move that may cause a major rift between Serb communities in Kosovo, Igor Jovanovic and Anes Alic write …

Now that Croatia and Slovenia have signed a deal for international arbitration to resolve a long-running border dispute, assuming the deal makes it past public reluctance and opposition accusations of treason, it’s a win-win situation for local politics, Anes Alic writes for ISN Security Watch. Neighbors Slovenia and Croatia have …

The release of Bosnian Serb war criminal Biljana Plavsic for old age and ‘good behavior’ is an embarrassment to international justice, especially with the self admission that her genocidal remorse was staged, Anes Alic comments for ISN Security Watch. The early release of convicted war criminal Biljana Plavsic and the …

With a clear absence of political will on the part of Bosnia’s leaders, US and EU officials recently initiated, organized and led (failed) talks on reforming the country’s constitution – a much needed measure to move it out of political deadlock and closer to EU membership, Anes Alic writes for …

Standing at the door of the EU and NATO clubs, Macedonia’s reception largely depends on one thing: compromise over the long-running name dispute with neighboring Greece. Meanwhile, regional stability hangs in the balance, Anes Alic writes for ISN Security Watch. The 14 October report by the European Commission recommended opening …

Fourteen years after the war ended in Bosnia and Herzegovina, mines continue to claim lives and cause serious injuries, and it would seem that the deminer’s job is never done, Anes Alic writes for ISN Security Watch. “This is not earning for living, it is working for death,” said Habiba …

Critics say there is indeed something fishy going on in the Adriatic, as a sudden and unexpected deal between Croatia and Slovenia hopes to solve an ongoing territorial dispute and unblock Croatia’s EU accession talks. The positive atmosphere is not likely to last, Anes Alic writes for ISN Security Watch. …

As authorities in Bosnia arrest another terrorism suspect believed to be trafficking weapons for radical Muslim groups, sources close to the investigation tell ISN Security Watch’s Anes Alic that they are hoping, finally, to catch up with ‘known’ terrorists before it’s too late. Bosnian border police last week arrested a …

Bosnia’s Federation government starts auctioning off luxury cars in a meager attempt to meet IMF savings demands. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on 8 July approved a previously halted €1.2 billion stand-by arrangement ($1.7 billion) with Bosnia and Herzegovina, designed to ease the effects of the global financial crisis, but …