Building a Multiethnic Military in Post-Yugoslav Bosnia and Herzegovina

On January 1, 2006, soldiers from across Bosnia and Herzegovina gathered to mark the official formation of a unified army, despite having been adversaries during the vicious conflict that left the Balkan state divided and impoverished. Building a Multi-Ethnic Military in Post-Yugoslav Bosnia and Herzegovina offers the first analysis of the armed forces during times of peace-building in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This sophisticated study assesses Yugoslav efforts to build a multi-ethnic military during the socialist period, charts the developments of the armies that fought in the war, and offers a detailed account of the post-war international initiatives that led to the creation of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The military became the largest multi-ethnic institution in the country and was regarded as a model for the rest of Bosnian society to follow. This multi-ethnic army became the most significant act in stabilizing the country since the end of the Bosnian War, as Elliot Short adroitly contends. Drawing upon a wealth of primary sources, this book explores the social and political role of the Bosnian military and provides fresh insight into the Yugoslav Wars, statehood and national identity, and peace-building in modern European history.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 21 September 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

On January 1, 2006, soldiers from across Bosnia and Herzegovina gathered to mark the official formation of a unified army, a remarkable achievement considering the country's troubled history. Just over a decade prior, these men had been adversaries in the vicious conflict that left the Balkan state divided and impoverished.

Building a Multi-Ethnic Military in Post-Yugoslav Bosnia and Herzegovina is a groundbreaking study that delves into the armed forces during the post-war peace-building era. This comprehensive analysis assesses the Yugoslav government's efforts to create a multi-ethnic military during the socialist period. It charts the development of the armies that fought in the war and provides a detailed account of the international initiatives that led to the creation of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

At this juncture, the military became the largest multi-ethnic institution in the country, serving as a model for other sectors of Bosnian society. As Elliot Short astutely observes, this multi-ethnic army played a pivotal role in stabilizing the country since the end of the Bosnian War.

Drawing upon a wealth of primary sources, including interviews with leading diplomats and archival documents made available in English for the first time, this book explores the social and political role of the Bosnian military. It provides fresh insights into the Yugoslav Wars, statehood, national identity, and peace-building in modern European history.

The book sheds light on the challenges faced by the Yugoslav government in building a multi-ethnic military during a period of political and social uphe. It examines the efforts to integrate soldiers from different ethnic backgrounds, the training and education programs designed to promote unity, and the role of the military in post-war reconstruction and peace-keeping operations.

The book also explores the social and political dynamics that shaped the post-war military. It examines the role of the military in promoting national identity and reconciliation, the challenges of managing ethnic tensions within the armed forces, and the impact of the military on the broader political landscape of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Overall, Building a Multi-Ethnic Military in Post-Yugoslav Bosnia and Herzegovina is a valuable contribution to the study of peace-building, statehood, and national identity in modern European history. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the armed forces during a critical period of transition and offers valuable insights into the complex social and political dynamics that shaped the post-war era.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350191013