reimagining yugoslavia

The politics of nationalism and ethnic cleansing broke up the federation, leaving successor states blighted by economic crisis, corruption, and dependency on the international community. Yet amidst deep controversy over the Hague tribunal and the future of Kosovo, a still raw democratic politics is developing across the region. Reimagining Yugoslavia reassesses the lessons of tragedy, its wider historical and international context, and discusses the possibilities of a future beyond fate.

Tuesday 7th February

Bosnia: blood, honey, and war's legacy

Peter Lippman, 7 February 2012

A film portrayal of the horrors of systematic rape during Bosnia's war of 1992-95 highlights the victims' suffering and bravery. But the romantic thread of Angelina Jolie's work fails to convince, says Peter Lippman.

Monday 12th December

Ante Marković: the last Yugoslav leader

Goran Fejic, 12 December 2011

A sustained effort to reform Yugoslavia before the country was drowned in tide of senseless nationalism has been near forgotten. The death of the prime minister who led it has lessons for today, says Goran Fejic.

Wednesday 27th July

ICTY vs Mladić-Hadžić: good defence, better history

Eric Gordy, 27 July 2011

The arrests of the wartime Bosnian Serb general Ratko Mladić and the Croatian Serb president Goran Hadžić are a vital step in completing the work of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. In the context of previous trials, their courtroom testimony promises to deepen understanding of the conflicts and crimes of the 1990s, says Eric Gordy.

Monday 11th July

Srebrenica: genocide and memory

Ed Vulliamy, 11 July 2011

The systematic killing of around 8,000 Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslim) men and boys in Srebrenica began on 11 July 1995. Ed Vulliamy (2005) and Peter Lippman (2010) revisit the scene, meet families and survivors, and report on the search both for human remains and for justice.

(These articles were first published on 4 July 2005 and 15 July 2010) (archive)

Monday 6th June

Ratko Mladic and justice: another route

Katharine Engelhart and Ozren Jungic, 6 June 2011

The effect of the international tribunal where those accused of crimes during the Balkan wars face trial is to reinforce divisions in the region. It’s time to consider other justice mechanisms that could address this problem, say Katharine Engelhart & Ozren Jungic.

Tuesday 31st May

Ratko Mladic’s arrest and international justice

Benjamin Ward, 31 May 2011

The forthcoming trial in The Hague of the arrested Serb warlord is an occasion to assess the achievements of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, says Benjamin Ward.

Saturday 28th May

Bosnia: what course after the storm?

Christophe Solioz and Wolfgang Petritsch, 28 May 2011

Between the advocates of interventionism, who think that only action from the international community can prevent Bosnia’s implosion, and those who, on the contrary, deem Bosnians to be the only ones who should be responsible for their future, we are convinced of the necessity of a middle path: one of shared responsibility, with a demanding partner who can go beyond the past errors and put the country on the road to EU membership

Ratko Mladić's arrest: a start, but let it not obscure how much more is needed for justice

Heather McRobie and Sadzida Tulic, 28 May 2011

Poisonous ethno-nationalist political rhetoric, genocide denial and the celebration of war-time leaders are still routinely permitted in the discourse of Bosnian politicians, the media and citizens – if ‘citizens’ is the right word to describe the Bosnians who live in this protectorate-state purgatory

Tuesday 19th October

Bosnia’s politics of paralysis

Peter Lippman, 19 October 2010

Bosnia’s tenth election since the end of the war of 1992-95 highlights the damaging influence of a post-war settlement that institutionalises ethnic politics, says Peter Lippman.

Friday 30th July

Kosovo, law and politics

Engjellushe Morina, 30 July 2010

The International Court of Justice ruling on Kosovo’s independence offers the European Union a vital opportunity to lead the process that must follow, says Engjellushe Morina in Pristina.

Wednesday 28th July

Kosovo, Serbia and Bosnia: after the ICJ

Florian Bieber, 28 July 2010

The International Court of Justice ruling on Kosovo’s declaration of independence benefits Serbia too. But what of its effects on Bosnia? Florian Bieber considers the implications of the ICJ opinion.

Thursday 15th July

Srebrenica, fifteen years on

Peter Lippman, 15 July 2010

The dignified commemorations of the massacre of Bosnian Muslims in July 1995 retain their integrity and human core, even as the leaders of a divided Bosnia seek to channel the grief into political pageantry. Peter Lippman, in eastern Bosnia, reports.

Monday 12th July

Midnight in Belgrade, dusk in Brussels

Goran Fejic, 12 July 2010

Europe’s symbolic effort to prevent Yugoslavia’s breakup in mid-1991 has a lesson for the continent today, says Goran Fejic, then an advisor of Yugoslavia’s foreign minister.

Thursday 17th June

Visegrad, memory and justice

Peter Lippman, 17 June 2010

The survivors of a terrible but neglected atrocity in a historic Bosnian town continue to campaign for remembrance and accountability. Peter Lippman joins them on their return to the site.

Wednesday 14th April

Serbia’s mixed messages

Eric Gordy, 14 April 2010

The war-crimes trials that divide the states of post-Yugoslavia underline the temptations of retreat to the nationalist past, says Eric Gordy.

Sunday 14th February

Bosnian voice, Yugoslavian memory

Peter Lippman, 14 February 2010

The sense of justice and consistency of principle of the Bosnian activist Mladen Grahovac should be a reference-point for those attempting to repair a fragmented country, says Peter Lippman.

Friday 26th June