As Schmidt Abandons Bosnia’s ‘Mission Impossible’ – What Now?

Christian Schmidt’s departure as Bosnia and Herzegovina’s international peace overseer risks adding to the country’s instability – and fuelling calls for the High Representative office’s abolition.

‘Definitively Punished’: Bosnian Serb Strongman Shaken by Narrow Election Win

Bosnian Serb political leader Milorad Dodik’s chosen candidate claimed a narrow victory in the Republika Srpska presidential election – but the weak result shows voters are tiring of his dominance.

On Dayton’s Anniversary, New Threats to Bosnia’s Peace Guarantor

Bosnia might have become a byword for political paralysis, but there’s movement under the surface that could prove terminal for the High Representative, the international guarantor of the country’s...

US Election: Balkan Strongmen Spy New Chances Under Second Trump Term

Political analysts tell BIRN that with Trump heading back to the White House, nationalist leaders in Serbia, Bosnia and elsewhere will feel emboldened to proceed with their agendas.

Geopolitical Strife Fuels Dangerous Parallel Crises in Balkans

With the West distracted by Ukraine and Russia in turmoil, parallel crises in Bosnia and Kosovo risk spiralling violently out of control.

Analytical studies | Balkan Crossroads

Bosnia Elections: One Loser, no Clear Winners – Uncertain Prospects

Amid conflicting views of the results, old-new claims of rigged ballots and Western intervention on the election night, the consequences of Bosnia’s latest election are as yet hard to decipher.

West’s Hesitation to Reform Bosnia Leaves Country on Brink

Faced with implacable Bosniak opposition to planned changes, Bosnia’s Western supervisor has climbed down – leaving the postwar balance of power in the country at risk of unraveling.

EU Has Finally Buried Balkan Dreams of Membership

Undermined by years of mutual ignorance, disrespect and deceit, the Balkans’ EU accession process has finally succumbed to both European and Balkan leaders’ populist, short-sighted policies

Istanbul Mayor: Erdogan Won’t Win Next Presidential Race

In an interview with BIRN made during his visit to Sarajevo, Istanbul’s popular mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, predicts an opposition victory in the 2023 elections against Turkey’s strongman.