BOSNIA | Time for a New Constitution?

[@JamesKerLindsay]

So, does the Constitution need to be reformed? And how could it happen?

[@eazyemco]

The Dayton agreement should be dismantled. It was made by giving the people that produced a GENOCIDE on the Bosniaks, the Serbs, 49% of the territory, which never ever was "Serbian" land. It should be a Republic. There is no other way. The people who don't like or want it... can go elsewhere. There is no other way.

[@nativetorontonian]

@ James, I was debating whether you'd go with whichever topic you initially had for the week , or decide to flip the script with regards to the developments about Western Sahara & Morocco. I guess you chose the former

[@wilhelmstahl6495]

Depends on what are the expectations. If the expectations are for long-term, rather seamless, transformation of Bosnia Herzegovina to Bosniak nation state, current Pax Dayton and surrounding gridlock are perfect for the job. Bosnia has become a state of economic stagnation or regression since late 2000s, causing negative outlook for future among its citizens. Serbs and Croats of Bosnia have dual citizenships, carrying passports of their "mother states". Especially since Croatia has become EU member, emigration is a major stress on a population, along with already net negative birthrates. SNDS and HDZ have been unwittingly helping Bosniak nationalist cause, to the extent that I sometimes wonder whether they are paid for the job. If Bosniaks will wait out patiently and shrewdly while reinforcing their positions, eventually Bosnia's demographic facts will rectify the current state of affairs. One way or another.

[@wilhelmstahl6495]

If the expectations are for functional citizens' state, then yes, constitutional reforms are much needed. Current system had entrenched triumvirate of "constitutional nationalities", therefore fundamentally breaching Bosnian citizens' rights to be themselves. This not only stagnates inter-ethnic relations to the degree of full blown poisoning, also prevents individual development of human beings. Collective identities are cool if you are aware of the excesses. Certainly Bosnia, with the help of Dayton Agreement, went to madness. These changes however needs radical reorientation of Bosnian Serbs and Bosnian Croats to Bosnia itself. This doesn't necessarily needs all encompassing Bosnian national identity to be promoted and accepted; first and foremost for Slavic ethnicities, but also everyone with Bosnian citizenship in general. Bosnian Serbs and Bosnian Croats can still be themselves and postpone grand schemes of new nation-building. Instead they can, as themselves, reorientate towards Bosnia. This can come as a naive proposal to some, but without change of political choices made by individuals, things don't change. This sort of change would lead to or lead by country-scale catch-all parties. Eventually this would somewhat centralize the certain functions to central government's authority. It is my observation that Federation of BiH could become a blueprint for a solution. Republika Srpska would be dismantled to cantons internally, then annexed by the Federation; same way East Germany (DDR) was integrated to Federal (West) Germany. Then, Central Government (currently known as the State of Bosnia and Herzegovina) would be dissolved (with its functions) to the expanded Federation. Then Federation as becoming the new central government, would bestow some of these central government + entity competencies to the Cantons. More autonomy than current Cantons, less autonomous than dissolved entities. A middle ground. Country would be officially called Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (central government). No entities, 15 or so cantons. In future, if things turn out well, number of cantons can be reduced. Instead three Herzegovinian cantons, one can be formed. But that's, as of now, too far ahead.

[@wilhelmstahl6495]

Third and last expectation is to smoothen the existing gridlock: Reverse from near death comatose patient to semi-paralyzed state. This is the safest option: risk of conflict would be averted (or postponed to distant future), it doesn't need that much of a change, out-of-box thinking or significant political capital from Bosnian (or international) actors. This would be simple and minimalist correction of discriminatory elements of current Bosnian constitution and slight but noticable changes in power-sharing and electoral process. One president and three vice presidents through popular election (one Bosniak, one Serb, one Croat, one Other) on the principle of whomever is a candidate must choose three more running mates from other "categories". So if a popular Serb candidate is elected as Bosnia's president, he/she would have one Bosniak, one Croat and one Neither Above vice presidents. This, and some other relatively minimal but surgical changes in the Constitution and electoral law would keep rest of the Dayton provisions intact. This would be relatively uneventful, wouldn't upset international actors and on the long run might help conciliatory candidates prevail. To reduce bureaucratic madness, in case entities stay as they are, Federation might reduce cantons although not to the level of one Bosniak and One Croat. If not, completely abolish cantons and adopt Brcko model for each municipality. Already existing nomenclature, no biggie.

[@redjayblue8885]

Never clicked this fast on a video. Thank you for making another video on Bosnia, sometimes it feels like we are forgotten. Greetings from Sarajevo :)

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much. Yes, sadly, the situation over there does tend to get overlooked. I think that many outsiders have simply given up. My sense is that even amongst the Balkans-focused officials the focus is on Kosovo and Serbia. Once that is dealt with, then I suspect that they’ll make a big push to try to sort out Bosnia as the final major issue to be resolved. What is the sense over there at the moment? Sadly, I haven’t been in a while. (I was meant to go in May.)

[@redjayblue8885]

@@JamesKerLindsay To be honest, I feel like we are constantly running in circles, same old stories are constantly repeated in the news, only positive thing was that SDA party lost Sarajevo in the local elections and SNSD party lost Banja Luka (two nationalistic parties), which was a huge surprise to everyone, hopefully, people are finally waking up. We are losing so many young people, that it's actually frightening, in 26 years of my life I haven't met a single person that didn't think of leaving this country, I feel like we are just over it, honestly. It feels like once they focus on Bosnia there won't be anyone here to focus on haha.

[@wilhelmstahl6495]

@@JamesKerLindsay What kind of a major push you are expecting? Also what's your take on the method of "First Kosovo, then Bosnia"?

[@JamesKerLindsay]

@@wilhelmstahl6495 While I think that it would be good to try to focus on Bosnia and Kosovo at the same time, i just don't think this is possible. The EU and other international just do not have the "bandwidth" to do both. My sense is that it is easier to get a deal on Kosovo-Serbia at the moment and so the focus does seem to be there. Once that it done, then I think that a real effort will then be made to "solve" Bosnia. In fact, there is also a good reason for this. If the two are linked in any way, there might be a temptation to frame tradeoffs one against the other. Better to keep them apart.

[@bonfire4120]

So Bosnia is stuck in more or less the same bad constitutional situation as Lebanon?

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Great point. There are some interesting parallels aren’t there!? Safe to say that the Lebanese constitution wouldn’t make it past the ECHR either.

[@underarock9447]

worse in my opinion

[@truthseeker8273]

Somehow I missed this video when it came out... Thank you, James! It's always refreshing to hear an independent opinion on the situation in my country.

[@BenjiB95]

As a Bosnian I must say "good job" on perfectly explaining the situation with out taking any sides. Good job

[@JJ-zg7ug]

Bosnia has 0 chances of joining the eu with the current constitution.

[@JJ-zg7ug]

@KenWorksEditing The french population of belgium want to be part of Belgium not France. While the croat and serb populations want to be part of Croatia and Serbia. Almost 30 years have passed and nothing has changed another 100 can pass and nothing will change.

[@ToxicDemiGod]

@KenWorksEditing what are you talking about spreading lies arent we we are being oppressed by bosiniaks we dont have right like bosinaks and serbs union with bosinaks was mistake

[@goldzen3019]

@@ToxicDemiGod no you are not. U have every right guaranteed by the constitution of BiH so stfu.

[@FOLIPE]

@KenWorksEditing That's a silly comparison, Bosnia is not at all comparable to Bosnia. Belgium hasn't had a war since WW2 and.it never had a civil war

[@kolobara08]

Yes!! The whole Croat thing is nothing but a BS spin. Comparing Bosnia to Belgium is ignorant. Basic democratic human rights are being violated and the state of BiH (its constitution) has lost many lawsuits on the European Court of Human Rights. At the moment, those verdicts have not been implemented and alone because of that, Bosnia CAN NOT join any democratic society, let alone EU. Bosnia's constitution is discriminatory against its citizens who are not Bosniaks, Serbs or Croats. If those verdicts were to be implemented, Croats would lose any chance of changing the constitution in their favor on the cost of others and democracy itself. Basically, implement the verdicts from ECHR and watch how fast Croat "problems" disolve and become irrelevant/null and void/nugatory! And let me remind everyone that those verdicts are 10+ years old. What Croats are trying to do is nothing short of (fascist) hypocrisy!!

[@mauzer6004]

It's not about dwindling numbers of the Croats. Everyone has dwindling numbers in Bosnia, it's about not being able to elect their own member of the Presidency. Making a 15 minute video about the situation in Bosnia and not even once mentioning the election of Zeljko Komsic is doing a really poor job.

[@Hoheit34]

A very informative, organized and interesting synopsis of this very unusual country. Though they have an EU application filed, there are so many pitfalls in their journey to EU membership, I seriously doubt they will ever make this goal without serious changes in their government, given their lack of capacity to work together. Thanks Dr. Ker Lindsay.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. I agree. Changes are needed. But it’s a question of how and how much. Sadly, it’s a pretty depressing situation.

[@TungShqipe]

A video on Slovenian non paper that recently leaked to the media, about the possibility of redrawing borders in the entire west balkans, would be much appreciated.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. Great suggestion. It was a very strange development indeed. Let me have a think about it. Some subjects are obviously very sensitive and although I don’t shy away from issues, and am used to abuse, I’m not sure if I’m quite ready to go that far! :-)

[@ariefferdaus31]

Just found your channel and I love your videos. As a Malaysian, I hope you can make a video about the South China Sea and other Southeast Asian affairs. In the meantime, keep up the amazing work!

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much! It’s wonderful to hear that the videos are going so far afield! I would love to do more on SE Asia. It’s an area that fascinates me. (My late father actually grew up in Brunei and was a fluent Malay speaker!) As it happens, I keep meaning to do a video in Singapore and Malaysia’s split. A really interesting story. In any case, I will try to do more. In the meantime, very best regards from London. 🇲🇾🇬🇧

[@None-do2qn]

Hey James, Western Sahara was recognised as Morocco’s territory by USA 🇺🇸. What’s your opinion?

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. I wasn’t going to cover this as I have covered Weatern Sahara recently, but a lot of people have raised it, and there are a lot of interesting questions, and so my plan is to put up a video about this on Friday.

[@None-do2qn]

@@JamesKerLindsay oh thanks for replying

[@Joseph-qd9ew]

Commenting for the algorithm !

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Haha! Great stuff. Many thanks! 😀

[@dzonikg]

Bosnia is smaller poorer version off Yugoslavia..it only survives because off outside pressure

[@catalinmarius3985]

EU has a point that the requirements of being Serbian, Bosniak or Croat to become the president of Bosnia is discrimination. But at the same time, Bosnia was created based on the delicate balance of power between the Serbs, Bosiaks and Croats to keep them from fighting each other. If the ethnicity criteria is removed, there's nothing stopping Bosnia from eventually having 2 Bosniaks and 1 Serb and see the conflict degenerate again. Given the fragile state of Bosnia I think removing the ethnicity criteria will have unforeseen long-term consequences. It won't be a patch but rather the removal of a patch which may break the whole tyre. If stable change is to be made, the whole constitution must be changed, and the possibility of willing mutual succession must not be ruled out. No matter the new form of the constitution, there will always be tensions between the Bosniaks, Croats and Serbs. Personally, I believe the only way to reach true stability in that region is to willingly split Bosnia into 3 independent state: a Croat, a Bosniak and a Serbian state. From then on, every independent state can do whatever he wants. Should the Croat and Serbian sides join with their respective neighbours, the Bosniak side will not be a Bosniak-dominated state with absolute Bosniak majority and the argument of equal grounds with the Serbs and Croats cannot be made anymore for the 3 republics of former Bosnia were not split and this was the one given to the Bosniaks. Will this lead to a domino effect? If the breakup happens willingly like in Czechoslovakia, I think not. The only precedent set would be that of split based on mutual agreement like Ethiopia and Eritrea. Is this realistic? The Croats, Bosniaks and Serbs in Bosnia already dislike each other, it's not far fetched for them to realise that the most peaceful solution is to split up for good, the real debate is agreement upon the new borders, which has to happen before independence, otherwise the conflict will remain and all of this would have been for nothing.

[@thegreatpretenderorale9965]

You made the whole video based on the assumption that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a centralized country like any other, and that Constitution change is something that happens like in any other state in the world, skipping the fact that aggressive and illegal Constitution changing lead to the war of the 90s in the first place. BiH as a state, has almost no centralized institutions or mutual institutions, even the one it does have, are done illegally by the foregn occupation of High Representative since 1995 till today. Literally all power and rights based on Deyton agreement is in the hands of the Republic of Srpska, and Federation of BIH, and any changing or will for change can only lead to a final independence of the Republic of Srpska on one side, and a Muslims-Croat conflict inside Federation on the other hand(which is already happening just not with arms yet)

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. Take a look at my profile. I do know a little bit about the Balkans! :-)

[@thegreatpretenderorale9965]

@@JamesKerLindsay I dont doubt you do, the problem is that BiH is such complicated and complex to comprehend and understand, that usually, foreigners need a couple of years to understand the whole concept, and even most Serbs/Croats outside Bosnia don't understand the complexity either. BiH is basically a country of 2 states(Croats would argue 3 states because the Canton system in F BIH allows them alot of power) , who are just internationally recognized as one, but in fact, the difference is literally on the level of proclaiming today that Israel and Palestine are one state, and the whole construction for that claim would be having 1 guy from Israel and 1 guy from Palestine having veto option for national interests, being the only mutual institution. Literally Portugal and Estonia are more unified through EU, then Republic of Srpska and Federation of BIH, and this is internationally recognized by the entire World (including NATO and EU) up to an extent, where the Republic of Srpska has its own Army in example legally, not just police, or special forces, or security forces, no, an Army.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. I am a professor of South East European Politics. I have been to Bosnia many times and know RS very well. By the way, RS doesn’t have its own army anymore. It did. But it was integrated with the Bosnian Armed forces well over a decade ago. It was one of the major success stories of the post-Dayton era.

[@thegreatpretenderorale9965]

@@JamesKerLindsay I was talking about given rights by the Dayton to understand the concept of how far are the 2 states from being 1 country. The BiH army forces are also devided in 3 Corps, and again, just like the country, it only looks as 1 on the surface, in fact they just changed the names, which is okay in peacetime, especially since Srpska has its own special forces, gendarmerie, and police. The Army of Srpska can be declared in a day if needed. That's not really succesful, its just cosmetics, and it was done against everyone will, which is quite a colonizing attitude of the High Representative. Did you watch "Srebrenica the betrayed city" , I'm asking as an expert as well?

[@SultanFSTeam]

Long live Republic Bosnia and Herzegovina ! ⚜

[@kosovoisserbia8937]

Long live Republika Srpska, long live Herzeg bosnia , idc about 23% of ottomans

[@An89Go]

Those who believe splitting Bosnia into some new states or joining parts of Bosnia to neighboring states is a solution should look into history books to learn what happened every single time when somebody tried to divide the country. It is impossible to divide Bosnia peacefully. Despite internal divisions, the majority of citizens do not support such ideas. Also, there are no significant geopolitical factors to support partition or redrawing of internal borders anyway. However, Bosnia does need a new constitution which will eliminate discriminatory elements and support state institutions since entities are already strong.

[@MultiSciGeek]

This is so complicated yet so superficial. I feel like you need to make an hour long episode to explain this properly.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

In my experience, any issue can be as complex or as simple as you want to make it. As with most of my videos, the purpose is not to be the final word on an issue, but instead to give a brief overview for viewers who would like an brief explanation of an issue and understand how it fits into bigger discussions in world politics. That’s why I preface many of my videos with a few words on why I think it is interesting. So, yes, a full explanation would in fact require far more than an hour (people run whole courses on Bosnian politics), but I like to think that a brief outline of the problem - of any problem - is perfectly possible in 15 minutes.

[@tsogbejehoshaphat5655]

We the western Togoders are suffering from Ghana intimidation. Killing some of our people buried them in the night without the knowledge of Western Togo peoples , some women were locked up with five months pregnant. In fact we are suffering from Ghana intimidation we plead you to do something about Western Togo thanks

[@katitobyt]

In my opinion, the same political system in Switzerland should ne applied to Bosnia with a few changes.

[@Untrus]

I’m really curious about how this “new constitution” would work when the current one “Dayton” has never even been ratified in the Republics parliament

[@regiumcroatiumrexbh6003]

I would revive the Vanc-Owen plan or just link those cantons into one of three republics. You can't have a tripod on two legs. Let them not make a mistake like the first Yugoslavia, they will not end nicely if they continued like this.

[@regiumcroatiumrexbh6003]

@Ararune You said it spot on.

[@masp809]

What about if 🇭🇷 annexes the Croat Regions and 🇷🇸 annexes Republika Srpska?... Problem solved 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@zipkitty]

Would not be enough, fascists always want more. :) Never gonna happen by the way, unless these countries want more bombings and casualties.

[@kosovoisserbia8937]

@@zipkitty Croatia is in NATO so idk who will bomb them. If Serbia and Croatia agree on something it's gonna happen since Croatian allies are US and Nato while Serbian are Russia and China so nobody would actually help you except for Saudi Arabia and Turkey but they don't border you so no help for ya. Long live Republika Srpska in Serbia and herzeg bosnia in Croatia.

[@kosovoisserbia8937]

@Aidin Custovic That agreement is already broken by not respecting RS terotorial integrity and making Brčko district. That's just a paper nobody cares about. If great powers decide there will be no more Bosnia.

[@arminxvs3372]

As usual a non-biased, objective, informative video. Great channel! To be honest - how can a system work where a citizen votes for 33% of its president? Or where Roma and Jews are not even allowed to become Presidents of their own homeland? Or where you have to split the power and positions by 3? Imagine applying the same constitution on ANY other country: Germany: if the Chancellor is bavarian, the president must be a Hesse but the vice-president ist then from Hamburg etc. Or in the States... It cannot work, right? Your opinion: is it possible to somehow elevate the identities to the next step and leaving ethnicities behind to create a common identity -> Bosnian and Herzegovinian? Is yes, how? If no, then what?

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. Great questions. To a point, I agree. It would be nice where you don't have to set aside strict quotas. But sometimes it is necessary. But overall, the problem isn't so much the system as the attitudes towards it. I believe that Bosnia could work if there was the genuine political will to make it work. And it could be reformed, if there was the political will for reform. But, if I am to be honest, I also think that talk of removing RS or trying to create a single, overarching identity could actually also be part of the problem. While this might seem logical to one community, the Bosniaks, to the others this sounds like Bosniak attempts at domination. Personally, I don't think having different communities is necessarily a problem. And I don't think it makes sense to think of trying to persuade people not to have those identities. They exist everywhere. I would hate the thought of getting rid of a distinct Scottish and Welsh identity within Britain, in favour of mere Britishness. Instead, it needs to be about respecting the right of Bosnian Serbs to have their distinct identity and entity, but also for Bosnian serbs to accept the Bosnian state and commit to making it work in the interests of all the people of Bosnia, be they Serbs, Croats, Muslims, Jews, Roma, etc.

[@arminxvs3372]

@@JamesKerLindsay Thanks for the long and quick reply. I agree with some points. The stubborn position of bosniaks that the rest has to accept their will is wrong. Also, any separatist ideas are wrong as well. I feel sorry for all the "normal" people trapped in this ethnical tribalism. I mean people who declared themselves BOSNIANS on the popular vote from (what was it 2013?14?) are now considered a constitutional minority and thus have no rights for any political carreer and function or even representation. And that is a constitutional atrocity in my opinion. Is this the only european country where the ethnical background dominates over the national one? I mean a bosniak - someone who is just one of many ethnicies - has more rights than someone who is a bosnian (citizen of the state). This is really crazy. And speaking of bosniaks. I understand the fear of serbs and croats that a centralised state would be dominated by bosnians but would that be a) the case and b) even that wrong? I mean it should be a democracy where the majority of the citizens decide - whether the rest likes it or not. That is the point. Also, a lot of bosniaks voted for Komsic (an ethnical croat) not because of ethnicity but because they like the man as a man, not as a in-group member. Do you think with a centralised state, transformed into 4 or 5 bigger multiethnical reagions (Mostar, Tuzla, Sarajevo, Zenica, Banja Luka with all 3 big ethnicities), people would stop spitting on each other and work together because they would share the same region and thus would be kinda like forced into it?

[@RottenFlag]

What Bosnia and the entire region need is a clear answer to the following question: "Can a region populated by an ethnic community unilaterally secede from the state that it is living in, even though that goes against the constitution of the state, and under which conditions?". And the same standards and principles applied everywhere. Everybody is talking about how secession of Republika Srpska from Bosnia and Herzegovina is illegal and would lead to war, how about the secession of Bosnia and Herzegovina from Yugoslavia? That was also illegal and that DID lead to war. Not to mention Croatia and Serbs in Croatia... Reeks of "quod licet Iovi, non licet bovi".

[@underarock9447]

not the same the latest was built on genocide RS secession is akin to Isil secession

[@Nista357]

@@underarock9447 What genocide?

[@mtrb5072]

Yeah but when Macedonia seceeded no one cared about it.It is over 25 years ago Slovenia started first then Croatia and then Bosnia.It doesent matter anymore it is the 21st century and we need to go on to destroy the hatred and nationalism in our countries and disolve the problem that more and more young people are leaving our countries because they have no future here and the people who make money they are going to because the can make more money with thier education degree more in Gernamy than in Bosnia or other Balkan coutrys.

[@mtrb5072]

@@Nista357 Dont be a fool you know not one but more dead civilian people died for nothing the politicians are stealing from us and we are not doing anything about that.We need to stick together to solve the problems in our coutry.

[@Nista357]

@@mtrb5072 You are right...But what genocide?

[@williamhamenoo8779]

Western Togoland for real, Then this is a serious issue I never knew this was how the history was. Hmmmm

[@GeographyWorld]

Another great video. I love how the names of one of Bosnia's cantons is just Canton 10, very creative! After some research, it's local constitution calls it Herzeg-Bosnia County but this was declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court of the Federation because "neither part of the territory of the canton belongs to Herzegovina as a region". Because of this, it's sometimes named North Herzegovina or Livno Canton (after its capital) on a national level. So it's in a similar situation to where another certain Balkan country was.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Haha! I rather thought the same. Canton 10 is just wonderful in a futuristic dystopian sort of way. Thanks for the explanation. One for you to take on!?

[@GeographyWorld]

@@JamesKerLindsay After some further research, its not just their name which they're not allowed to use. This is too interesting not to be made a video.

[@sriharshacv7760]

ROFL for Macedonia. I find that dispute really cute. (compared to what's going on with Serbia, Bosnia etc.)

[@mashinajoe]

Dayton was 100% rubbish. Serbs were the minority in Posavina. However they were given it under the Dayton Agreement.

[@erikk.137]

Croats were also manority in Knin etc. and it was given to Croatia.

[@richodulio7550]

The only country in the world with three presidents representing the three ethnic groups.A country without a central government? THEY ARE PROUD OF THEIR OWN ETHNIC GROUP THAN BEING A BOSNIAN. Though there is nothing wrong with that but it should be second .Your priority should be your Nationality .If the people of Bosnia will not unite ,if they will continue to be loyal to their own ethnic group rather than to their country it's better to separate and have your own country.

[@АлексаРадујковић]

Well, both of ethnic groups other than Bosniaks are trying to do just that, gain independence and/or join their respective mother states of Croatia and Serbia. I couldn't care less about federal government in Bosnia - as a matter of fact I'd gladly vote for its disintegration.

[@armin814]

@@АлексаРадујковић RS is Bosnia, a state built on genocide is illegitimate in a court of international law. Bosnia should have one leader and be a unified country. The balkans would be great if there werent nationalists, nationalism killed Yugoslavia.

[@armin814]

@@АлексаРадујковић Norhing against Serbians btw, just hate nationalism and the crooked politicians.

[@АлексаРадујковић]

@@armin814 Just for the sake of knowledge, could you inform me when had the international court of law confirmed that the genocide happened? By the way, the UN definition of genocide includes even cultural suppression and displacement of people for the sake of ethnically cleansing a region or a country as a genocide. By that definition, every one of three constituent peoples had committed a genocide. Also, I think that that you mix the definitions of nationalism and chauvinism a bit. In the eyes of international law Republika Srpska was an independent state that willfully united with Croat-Muslim Federation and created the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as signed by Bosniak, Serb and Croatian leaders in the Dayton Peace Agreement, which also functions as a constitution of B&H to this day. I respect and wish the best to both Bosniaks and Croats, but I also respect a right for my people to self-govern. Kind regards and best of health from Banja Luka :)

[@AmarEcd1233]

@@АлексаРадујковић Bosniaks definitely did not commit Genocide. Your downplayign of the bosnian genocide shows how ignorant and nationalistic you are.

[@Nista357]

Bosnia should be divided into 3 parts so that every party loses something and gains something. Its actually pretty easy to do.

[@zipkitty]

A fascist wet dream, never going to happen. Treaties have been signed by all parties.

[@Nista357]

@@zipkitty It has nothing to do with fascism. BiH is a failed project that will only burden this region for ages to come. It was planed for BiH experiment to bring development, peace, love, stability, economic stability...It brought nothing. It failed in all ways. Its just people don't want to live together, put together to live by force. BiH will never work, not because I say so but because it had 40 years to prove. The country is just a banana republic. No one can even tell how many presidents or parliaments or governments it has, its a complete mess. Self-determination of the BiH peoples would finally bring some change for the better.

[@amirmonem8080]

@@Nista357 you cant divide Bosnia without war .

[@Nista357]

@@amirmonem8080 If smart and intelectual people sit at the table and make agreements, you can. The problem is that great powers (USA, Russia, Islamic world) see Bosnia as a field where they battle with their interests and that is why people suffer.

[@yassers5970]

Wouldn't it be more efficient to unite the country? You are not as diverse as France, Egypt, China, or UK, yet they seem to function than you could ever be with this mentality.

[@artukmi91]

Make a follow up video about how you think they should restructure

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. Great suggestion! It's not really something I have done before, but I certainly have some ideas.

[@artukmi91]

@@JamesKerLindsay please do it, I would love to hear what you think and would share the video

[@northernstar4811]

If anyone is interested in "Bosnian" history I suggest they look up Hungarian ( & Croatian) King Matthias Corvinus and the Black Army. He managed to stop and thwart the Ottoman Turks in Bosnia for decades. He recaptured the town of Jajce. The town of Jajce which was defended by Hungarians & Croats was the last Christian "Bosnian" town (Roman Catholic) to fall to the Ottoman Turks in 1527. Matthias Corvinus also created the "Banovina of Jajce" which was a buffer area between Croatia & the invading Ottoman Turks.

[@annurissimo1082]

Short answer : Yes Long answer : Yeeeeeeeeeees

[@killerpotato5445]

As always great content 👏🏽👏🏽

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks so much. I’m glad you liked it. Unfortunately, it was posted a little later than usual. It’s been an incredibly busy week!

[@Larzh220469]

I never understood why international borders should be regarded as sacrosanct. If one third of the population of country A wants to secede and join neighbouring country B, and if managable borders can be drawn, and if country B agrees, and if the whole process can be managed peacefully, why on earth shouldn't one third of the population of country A be allowed to have their way? If that leaves country A "small", so what? Small is beautiful, and sometimes quite wealthy too, if you look at the 193 UN Member States. I realise that economic interests, notably access to natural resources, may often complicate the issue, but the bottom line is that the primary duty of a sovereign state is to create conditions that enables its residents to lead decent, fulfilling lives, irrespective of its borders. If it fails at that, it is nothing but a big failure - whether big or small in terms of territory.

[@Sardiatae]

The first decade of the Dayton constitution came with 60,000 strong NATO force and a high representative that ran the country and mowed over any local politicians were the main reasons why the construction "worked". You know what adds to the complication more is that the Dayton constitution actually has no legal basis as it was never ratified by the parliament of the Republic of BiH. Its sad that the international community has failed this country and its people even though they carried the values of western civilization and died for it during the war.

[@_.13_]

BiH 🇧🇦

[@srdjanvlaovic1433]

As Kissinger has said in the interview in '95., letting this state to exist was a huge mistake on US part. Three sides that in essence don't want to live with each other should not be forced to live with each other. The problem is several centuries old, and they should have completely resolve it back then. They should have resolve it after WWI, then after WWII... This way they left it unresolved for the third time and now we have building up of the tensions once again. I think that constitutional change is needed with referendum. Every ethnicity should wote do they want theirs own ethnic country. I'm sure that they would wote yes. I'm from Serbia and I really don't care for Bosnia, nor what would happen with it. I just don't want another war. We need peaceful solution finally

[@_.13_]

Yes no one wants war but as Bosnian Muslims we want what's ours, our own that was taken. Easy for thives to say what you said

[@srdjanvlaovic1433]

@@_.13_ Funny to say that for someone who is descendent from thieves who come from Middle East to Europe to steel and kill 🙂 Don't turn this into something that wasn't supposed to be

[@AmarEcd1233]

@@srdjanvlaovic1433 Your Comment shows how ignorant and stupid you are, to call him a Thief from Middle East even though Bosniaks are from Europe. It wasn't USA's mistake that Bosnia exists, America had no influence whether Bosnian existed or not, prior to American involvement Bosnia almost captured Banja Luka and almost put an end to the genocidal monstrosity that is RS, but NATO did not want another Operation Storm with serbs cowardly escaping on their tractors. It's sad what America and NATO have done.

[@Omnigreen]

Great channel and really interesting content!

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much!

[@peacefulworld1717]

Another beautiful episode! Thank you James. Please I am still hoping to read a message from you based on the last email

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. Apologies. I have had a lot on recently and my inbox is rather full. I will reply when I can. Sorry again.

[@asirnewazkhan4172]

Just when you think the Balkans couldn't get more complicat... No wait, this episode was exceptionally well made.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much. This was actually a surprisingly tricky video to script and then make. On top of an exceptionally busy week, this is why I posted it later than usual. But really glad you liked it. And, yes, it’s certainly complicated, isn’t it!? Sadly, I can’t see a way out of it.

[@asirnewazkhan4172]

@@JamesKerLindsay from what I understand, mountainous regions are difficult to aptly summarise; say explaining the socio-political cultures of the Caucasus, Ethiopia, Afghanistan and even Indonesia. I think you've done an exceptional job.

[@fudbalkosarka9799]

@@asirnewazkhan4172 .This is real story about Bosnia: 1."Bosnia is part of Serbia",Eastern Roman Emperor Constantine VII (De Administrando Imperio). De Administrando Imperio ("On the Governance of the Empire") is the Latin title of a Greek-language work written by the 10th-century Eastern Roman Emperor Constantine VII. 2. "Serbia (with Bosnia and Herzegovina),Montenegro,Dalmatia(today part of Croatia) are lands with Serbian population",Eastern Roman Emperor Constantine VII (De Administrando Imperio). 3.Stephen Tvrtko I (c. 1338 - 10 March 1391) was the first king of Bosnia. His title is : "King of Serbs,Bosnia,Primorje and Zapadnih Strana" 4. 1463. Turks came in Bosnia and starting islamization of Serbs. 5. In time of Turks(1463-1878) Serbs were enemy of Turks and islamized Serbs who became Turks. 6.1875-78 Serbian uprising against Turks 7.1878. Austro-hungary occupied Bosnia 8.Bosnia and Herzegovina: 1879 census: Eastern Orthodox Christians(Serbs) - 496,761 (42,88%) Muslims - 448,613 (38.75%) Roman Catholics(Croats)- 209,391 (18.08%) 9. World War One :Serbs vs Austro-hungary,Croats,Muslims (so-called Bosniaks) 10.Bosnia and Herzegovina was part of Kingdom Serbs,Croat,Slovenians (1918-1941) 11. World War Two(1941-45) - The Genocide of the Serbs was the systematic persecution of Serbs which was committed during World War II by Independent State of Croatia (Croats and Muslims). This genocide was simultaneously carried out with the Holocaust in the NDH as well as the genocide of Roma, by combining Nazi racial policies with the ultimate goal of creating an ethnically pure Greater Croatia. 12. In time of SFR Yugoslavia (1945-91/92) Bosnia was land of equal peoples :Serbs,Croats and Muslims. 13. 1992. Croats and Muslims without necessary constitutional permission of Serbs voted for Independent Bosnia and Herzegovina. That started war ! 14. 1993.They changed name Muslims to Bosniaks because they wanted that West public think that Bosnia is land of "Bosniaks" and that Serbs came from Serbia like occupators. 15. Today so called Bosniaks lying about past of Bosnia,about name Bosniaks ,about name of language (so-called Bosnian language),about Bosnian kings and many other things. They lying on TV,Wikipedia,Internet and they paid even some foreign historians. 16. *So-called Bosniaks in time of Turks(1463-1878):" We are Turks". *So-called Bosniaks in time of Austro-hungary(1878-1918):"We are Muslims". *So called Bosniaks in time of Kingdom Yugoslavia(1918-41):"We are Muslims" *So-called Bosniaks in time of Independent State Croatia(1941-45):"We are Croats with muslim faith. *So-called Bosniaks in time SFR Yugoslavia(1945-92):"Our ethnic name is Muslims" . *So-called Bosniaks since 1993.:"We are Bosniaks". 17. Today in Bosnia and Herzegovina BOSANCI mean citizens of Bosnia (Serbs,Bosniaks,Croats...) and BOŠNJACI mean name one of ethnic groups(Bosniaks). 18. Like I said Muslims with intention 1993. done that hoax with names BOSNIAKS(Bošnjaci),BOSNIA(Bosna),BOSNIANS(Bosanci) etc.

[@asirnewazkhan4172]

@@fudbalkosarka9799 irrespective of their history, it doesn't change the fact that the Serbs committed genocide and that Bosnia is now an independent (albeit disfunctional) nation. The past despite the ghosts that may haunt is just that. The past. The present is what matters to us and our children and our children's children. Nonetheless, didn't know about the Byzantine era. Thanks I'll look it up.

[@f7dvic812]

@@fudbalkosarka9799 The typical attempt by a Serb to excuse expulsion and genocide with a loose collection of 'facts' stretching from the Roman Empire to NATO in a few lines. It is just hopeless with you isn't it? Regarding the national identify of Bosniaks, look up the term of 'Bosnjanin' from the middle ages and the first Bosnian (1631) vs Serbian (1818) dictionary, that alone explains enough.

[@milekrizman]

All this ethnic division has no sense. Bosnia was mostly modernized in a period from 1966 until 1990. In 1966 governing Bosnian communist party had conference in Mostar where iz was decided that Croat regions will be put forward in development and all three nations will be equal. Some say that if peace lasted for another 20 years, there would be no more ethnic hate. And the most important thing - they all speak the same language - shtokavian dialect of the common serbo croatian language. There are no two languages like in Belgium or three languages like in Switzerland. It can be unitary state, administatively divided on natural, geographical regions, centered around big cities - Sarajevo, Mostar, Tuzla and Banja Luka, as Catholic bishop conference suggested.

[@agilelynx2008]

I know I am late, but my opinion would be to change the constitution. Make it a parliamentary system. If a bosnian becomes PM, then a serb/croat would become president, and the chairman of upper house would be serb/croat(if serb is president then croat as chairman). The ministries would be divided in three ethnicities and the PM can choose which ministry to which ethinicity.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. The problem is that the European Court of Human Rights has ruled that dividing things on a strict ethnic basis is illegal as it excludes those who don't belong to one of the three groups from high offices. This is the problem. The constitution needs to be amended to make it less ethnically focused - and yet maintain the delicate ethnic balances that exist the country.

[@agilelynx2008]

@@JamesKerLindsay thanks for replying. Does that mean that the current constitution is illegal as well considering it is based on ethinicity as well?

[@hellhound9318]

Best thing is to split up. Serb terytorys to join in with Serbia, Croat parts with Croatia, muslims can live in theyr leftover part

[@bigbadwulf5785]

Bosnia cannot be split up into 3 regions and here is why: The ethnicities are not nicely placed into 3 regions but intermixed with eachother. Places that are now majority Serbian were NOT Majority Serbian before the war. They even changed the names of towns to sound more serbian after they captured them. Would you let a criminal go into your house, kill all of your family and then take your house and say it is now mine? So that means the there will never be a splitup without war. There is literally nothing you will achieve with a splitup except for WAR, other regions wanting to split from Serbia like Sandzak. And the cycle of balkanization continues until we are all splitup into small little micro states. And then after 50 years because of migration you will have to split the countries AGAIN, because there are new minorities etc. IT IS SO DUMB. Why is it that in every video i have to watch about Bosnia its about ethnicity this, ethnicity that, who fucking cares, do you think Russia is a homogenous country???? NO, its full of minorites and different religions. Just focus on the financial aspect of the country and bring in some economist, throw out these inbred retards who call themselves politicans. You will see everyone shuts the hell up after they get a decent wage and a good perspective for life.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. You were doing so well until you starting swearing and asking why it is always about ethnicities. It is always about ethnicities because this is the fundamental defining feature of the country. As we both know, and whether we like it it not, Bosnia’s functionality, its progress, its stability are all rooted in its ethnic make up. Indeed this whole video was about trying to explain to people just how embedded this is. Now, I agree that it would be better if this wasn’t the case. But that’s how it is and that’s why people make videos about it. As it happens, I know Bosnia very well and I have been many times. It is a wonderful country with so many wonderful features. But it is a country that has deep problems. And, as I made clear, the solutions to those problems are not as simple as many imagine. Bosniaks see it as about forming a civic identity. In part it is. But, equally, I don’t believe that ethnic identities have no place. And being British, I also have a problem with the idea that sub-unit identities don’t and should matter. They do and they should. I am British, but I have a Scottish surname and English, Welsh and Irish ancestry. I am truly British, but I would never want that identity to ignore the contribution of each of those constituent parts. I believe in a devolved Wales and Scotland. In this case, the problem is exacerbated by allegiances to external states. But even that can be accommodated. The problem is that it requires compromise and politicians who are willing to work with each other. The conundrum is whether the problem is with the politicians or the system?

[@bigbadwulf5785]

@@JamesKerLindsay I'm not talking about not respecting other cultures/ethnicities. All i'm saying is if there is a splitup on the "current" ethnic there will be war. Other regions will see it as an invitation to slaughter their minorites and claim land. This is not what the average joe in Bosnia or in Serbia wants. The average joe doesn't care about this stuff but rather that he has a good job and a family he can support. I don't think the argument about minorities is a good one as many other countries have minorities and other ethnicities living in those countries like Russia or Singapore. Sorry if my swearing upsets you, but it is unavoidable when speaking about politicans in the balkans.

[@nivbri]

Not true. There was no war when Serbia was carved up to creat Kosovo. That left some serbs in Kosovo and some Albanians in Serbia. It’s all working out fine and both sides agree peace will come further when Serb and Albanian areas are swapped. Peace came through more ethnic homogeneous states not multi ethnic states. No one ever ever ever considered trying to have a multi ethnic Serbia with Kosovo

[@hellhound9318]

No Republika Srpska no nothing

[@Robertbrown08049]

What language do the Bosniaks write in ?

[@masafelipe7033]

First we should repair the Federation of BiH, there is no chance of consolidating BiH in general when Federation is not working. Federation should be kept but divided in two mega cantons, larger Bosniak and smaller Croat with more autonomy than current cantons. Government of Federation should be streamlined and filled regardless of nation or on a proportional basis. That should be satisfactory to Croats who get something in regards to their autonomy while Bosniaks get the Federation which works. Serbs would need to be pressed hard to give up a piece of their autonomy and I doubt its possible in near/mid term. Federation is economically much stronger and this could be a bait for RS to integrate more deeply with BiH in long term.

[@fpsserbia6570]

1st: Bosnian muslims are afraid to give croats autonomy because they fear that serbs and croats would make an agreement and separate from BiH , in 90s war croats tried to take some parts of the BiH but were stopped by UN under the threat of a sanctions, giving croats autonomy would be just 1 step closer to the end of BiH 2nd: Forcing serbs to give up autonomy will be hard, this year in Serbian security council 1st time i think in history has brought R. of Srpska as one of the topic aside from KiM and it protection is a priority , military exercise will be conducted in this or next year with military of BiH but probably only serbs will be included and Serbian military as a show that Serbia can and will act if existence of R. of Srpska is threatened, at least that is what analysts said in current state BiH is a mess and unsustainable, either all 3 side should work together ( which will be impossible because neither Serbia nor Croatia will give up their interest in BiH ), or BiH should be separated which is impossible to achieve, because if we start separating countries only because people can't agree and separate countries based on ethnic or religious groups that will just open a door for other minorities in any country to do the same thing ..........so i'dont know what is the solution

[@masafelipe7033]

@@БрусЛи-м3ю Noone will touch RS, Croats have absolutely no interest in it and International Community won't indulge extreme Bosniaks like Bajrovic etc. As I said, it isn't realistic.

[@neokorteks2009]

All complexity is in the Muslim-Croat federation. It makes little sense to dissolve Republika Srpska on the grounds of complexity.

[@amirmonem8080]

Many cities in RS were thriving or much better off in the Yugoslav period. After killing and expelling all Croats and Bosniaks very few have come back. What once were towns or cities are more like villages.

[@MarkPopArt]

M8 about the war in 90, like Croats and Muslim wants to break away from Yugoslavia, the Serbs want to break away from Croatia and thesame from Bosnia, becouse of what happend in ww2, if u know history (thay didnt want to repeat thesame lesson again), so thats way broak away, just NATO and USA and Germany give recongnision for thair independet. So now u have this today....

[@carolynt5445]

Partitioning up the country into three sections based on main ethnic boundaries seems like the best choice, I guess. The Bosniaks could continue on with their country (or their new beta version), and the predominantly Serbian and Croatian sectors could possibly rejoin their respective countries. If the Balkan region allowed for a period of relocation, assimilation, and assistance to the different ethnic groups, I'm sure it would be quite smooth, compared to what has happened since Yugoslavia. As for the smaller ethnic minorities (i.e. Albanians), they could choose as well where to live, though I don't believe Bosniaks and Albanians have much tension between them, though I could be wrong. Hopefully, the country solves this soon. I doubt most of the denizens really care as long as war is out of the picture. Much love from the United States to everyone from and in the Balkans! I really love your culture (lately, I've been really into your music, it's amazing!). P.S. Great video as always, James! It was perfect timing to the end of autumn quarter finals haha!

[@underarock9447]

that would be rewarding genocide

[@underarock9447]

@15 1 eyeroll

[@eugenegvozdetsky2673]

Maybe silly question, but why not just to copy Belgium constitution which works for the similar case?

[@tauceti8060]

Proberbly because of plagerism.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Good question. I think that there’s now a general wariness if copying the Belgian model. Belgium is also seen as politically dysfunctional, although its mould does through. It is also extremely costly. (Although their problems are exacerbated by having to provide everything in two separate languages. Of course, Bosnian has three, but who are we kidding! The problem is that strict language adherence requires everything to be in Latin and Cyrillic script.) The problem is that Bosnia faces the same forces affecting every major ethnically diverse country that has recognised that diversity: how to maintain a strong sense if national unity while giving communities control over their own affairs?

[@ivanmarovic3363]

@@JamesKerLindsay There isn't any sense of national unity in Bosnia. In Belgium, Switzerland and all European countries model came as agreement between people of those countries. Simple truth is Bosnian statehood was always imposed from outside it never evolved from within. Bosnia is like a bad marriage where one side is not allowed to divorce.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

@@ivanmarovic3363 I know that there isn’t much of a sense of national unity. But equally many countries have come into existence with such deep divisions. Indeed hardly any countries around the world as ethnically homogenous. The problem in Bosnia is that political leaders have seen the value of exploiting nationalism for their own ends and have their own visions if what the country should look like, or ether their it should even exist. Meanwhile, the international community are committed to making it stay together. This creates a very difficult situation. But I do believe things could work a lot better. Most Bosnian Serbs I know (and I know a lot), while owing little allegiance or love to Sarajevo, nevertheless see themselves as distinct from Serbs in Serbia. They are, of course, part of the same broad nation as Serbs, but Bosnia is very much their homeland. The key is to let this continue - and I don’t hold to the idea of trying to create a single Bosnian civic identity devoid of ethnic-cultural identity - but also create a functional Bosnian state.

[@ivanmarovic3363]

@@JamesKerLindsay If there was a poll, more than 90%of Serbs would be in favour of secession. There isn't similar example in the world, especially example of succesful country like Bosnia. It's ridiculous to blame everything on politicians, they don't come from vacuum. High representative banned few hundred politicians in early 2000's and it didn't produce any difference.

[@MrKruska11]

Any normal person would want a normal united Bosnia with one president no matter of his religion or ethnicity. Federation and RS are so split that people in RS live even worse than already bad Federation. Once we unite we might have a chance to do something. Our politicans hold the power beacuse of hate.

[@joeblack5393]

Except that you are missing some small tiny, yet crucial details. The Bosniak political party has something called "Islamic declaration" in its political program. Among other things, it states that Bosnia should be an Islamic state with the Sharia law. Now any normal person who is also not a Muslim, would not want to live in a Islamic state with Shariah law in the 21st century. And this is precisely why neither Serbs nor Croats want to live in a Bosniak dominated Bosnia. So in reality any normal person would try to build their own country, have their own president, and mind their own fucking business. Instead of trying to dominate other people and make theocratic state in the middle of Europe. But alas, we are talking about Bosnia and not normal people.

[@AmarEcd1233]

@@joeblack5393 Trust me Bosnia does not care SDA nor would Bosniaks let SDA make Sharia Law. WHen SDA was fully in power in 1992 did they implement the Sharia Law? no.. Go away Joe Black you don't know shit.

[@branedan8620]

Changing constitution wouldn't matter, it may make the state more efficient and less bureaucratic but the main problem would remain, you have three sides that dont agree, and everybody vote for their own party, its not Dayton agreement that made it that way. This is how people divide in that region, its been like that for hundreds of years, in both Yugoslavias and before that too. There is no constitution that can change that, it was tried in socialist Yugoslavia and it didnt go very well.

[@nedimvelic2610]

I agree, I am bosnian but i wouldnt mind a democratic election where you dont look at a persons ethnicity. The most competent people should lead a country.

[@omaralkayal7598]

Amazing as always 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much, Omar. I hope that you are keeping well.

[@schmirgldecks]

I have better question…why it has to be fixed?

[@aco654]

As usual your clips are very vell measured and you don't to any of subjects you talk about. Very well James. New constitution for Bosnia is impossible. Some reforms might be needed, as you point out well Federation is more complicated, let changes begin from there. If it can work, it might work for whole country. Both entites can function independently regarding economy, and I always say to people here try to make things good in your backyard, increase prosperity and economy for a bit percentege and you will make me believe that this is possible for whole country. Otherwise, constitution can be changesd overnight toward unitaristaion, things will not get better for majority of its citizens. Problems here are deep and historicly rooted only time can bring wind of changes to overcome ethnic tensions.

[@peacefulworld1717]

Please more update on Western Togoland

[@nivbri]

It doesn’t need a new constitution more than it needs to pared down to just the Bosniaks! Kosovo was carved out of Serbia creating a new country. If Serbia borders arent important neither should Bosnia borders be important and Bosnian desire to rule over Serbs and Croats for some reason

[@underarock9447]

we don't reward genocide

[@nivbri]

@@underarock9447 since when?! Lol

[@underarock9447]

@@nivbri since seeing how arrogant the rewarded are

[@underarock9447]

@Draga or maybe wait until Bosniaks become the vast majority and Serbia and Croatia become less homogeneous then let's see

[@underarock9447]

@Draga you are not interested in peace but to take the spoils of genocide, I can see that as an outsider

[@KOSOVA-IS-Albania]

It’s sad what European Union have done to Bosnia🇧🇦 Croatia🇭🇷and Kosova🇦🇱 European Union made a big mistake

[@hamobu]

There is a lot wrong with the official narrative that you are relying on. That is not unusual, because what most people don't realize is that in all conflicts there is also a battle to control the narrative and what ends up being accepted can be very inaccurate. For one, war in Bosnia wasn't a civil war, but an aggression from Serbia, and later Croatia. Aggressor countries presented the narrative of a civil war to shield themselves from International law. Many local Serbs and Croats may have supported and participated in the aggression, but these separatist governments were wholly created, financed, and run by Serbia and Croatia, and their militaries were basically militaries of Serbia and Croatia, with same equipment and slightly different uniforms. This is exactly the same as situation in Crimea, where Russian invasion is being presented as some sort of Crimean independence movement. UN resolution 752 recognized that these so called separatist armies are in fact armies of Serbia and Croatia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_752 Resolution 757 puts sanctions on Yugoslavia for violating resolution 752 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_757 War didn't happen as a result of referendum, but was in fact planned well in advance by Serbia. In fact, Yugoslavia fell apart because of Serbian project to centralize the country under the rule of Serbia and create a so called 'Greater Serbia' For example, Yugoslav Army, which was controlled by Serbia, disarmed state reserve militias in 1990, (two years before the war) in preparation for the war. The guns that were targeting Sarajevo from surrounding hills were put in place by the Yugoslav army months before the war started. Here is a Serbian journalist recalling how Serbia tried to get her to misrepresent Yugoslav army aggression as if it were a civil war: www.rferl.org/a/milosevic-war-crime-deniers-feed-receptive-audience/27910664.html (starts in 13th paragraph) Ethnic cleansing wasn't an unfortunate result of the war, but the reason for war. Before taking over a city, Yugoslav army knew who non-serbs were, where the concentration camps would be, etc. There is more I could say, but this comment is way too long already.

[@dlik6823]

I’m from Bosnia!

[@hbpen4553]

Bosnia who is bosnia 🤣🤣

[@ThienHoang-tr3dh]

Thank you for your share. I think that the Dayton agreement has many flaws but strongly restores the peace and ends the war in Bosnia. Reforming the Bosnia Constitution is necessary and the self-determination right in both political entities of Bosnia should be respected. Only the people in Bosnia today have the right to change/reform their constitution and even dissolute Bosnia through peaceful solutions in accordance with international laws. Firstly, Let both political entities of Bosnia decide their future as independent states or part of Bosnia Hold the referendums in both entities. If the Republic of Srpska (Serbs) decided to become an independent state like Kosovo, it should become an independent state. We should avoid wars and the bloody dissolution of the former Yugoslavia should be a lesson for not only Serbs but also Croats and Bosniaks. Serbs could not prevent the collapse of the Former Yugoslavia and the independence of Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosniaks, Why did the Bosniaks and Croats in Bosnia prevent the independence of Serbs in Bosnia? Second, If both the political entities of Bosnia agreed to remain their statehood - Bosnia, they should form an effective government to rule their country instead of a flawed constitution like so.

[@ukilectric]

Hello James, I'm curious as to what is your take on Gideon Greif's recent investigation that concluded that genocide hasn't in fact been committed there.

[@ermmeoruch9087]

an israeli concluding what is a genocide and what is not is equivalent to listening nazi's opinion on Holocaust.

[@ukilectric]

@@ermmeoruch9087 I'm not sure what you mean by that. Greif is a scientist, and is only one member (althoughbeit its chief) of the diverse team that made this conclusion. His ethnicity doesn't discredit his work, just as any German can make scientific conclusions about Holocaust. Besides, being Israeli is *not* an ideology, its nationality. I do seem to note a racist undertone to your comment, and that is not the most heartful characteristic.

[@ermmeoruch9087]

@@ukilectric being Israeli is being a Zionist and you are trying to twist my words here. I didn't mention German opinion on Holocaust but rather Nazi opinion :). On top of that his was assigned by the entity of Republika Srpska to investigate the genocide so yeah his conclusion doesn't surprise me at all

[@ukilectric]

@@ermmeoruch9087 No, not all Jews are Zionists, that's just your assumption. German/Israeli are nationalities, being born a certain nationality doesn't discredit your scientific work. If you disagree with the conclusion that the team of scientists came up with, why do you not read the paper itself and then debunk it instead of attacking one member of the team in an attempt to discredit him, it just seems lazy.

[@ermmeoruch9087]

@@ukilectric Not all Jews are Zionist I agree but all Israelis are Zionist since the country itself it Zionist. You are the one that should read and research more and please stop twisting my words. Republika Srpska is accused of genocide and they're the one assigning some random dude to investigate it? lmao still no matter of that dude's nationality or religion RS assigned him. that research cannot be relevant.

[@CounterIntelCS]

What do you think about the fact that the Daytona agreement was made before it was known about the genocide? The court ruled that the military of Republica Srpska was guilty. Isn't there an international law that makes every agreement invalid if one of the parties committed genocide?

[@CounterIntelCS]

@@БрусЛи-м3ю you're a really bright one I see

[@CounterIntelCS]

@@БрусЛи-м3ю i wouldn't say that, but since you said a lot of stupid stuff, this doesn't surprise me coming from you

[@CounterIntelCS]

@@БрусЛи-м3ю first of all you have to learn english, then you have to read carefully what I said, if you do so, you will see that I didn't say anything about it

[@AbidHussain-gl5pc]

Perfectly detailed information (thanks for it)

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you very much indeed!

[@keo8380]

The only thing that Bosnia needs rightnow is the Nato membership. This would prevent that serbia has influence on Bosnia and it would give the country stability.

[@bogdanjovanovic5067]

That's just not possible, because serbs have power of veto in Bosnia

[@darkoratic2339]

We Serbs don't want in the NATO Military(and maybe Political) Neutrality would be good for Bosnia and Herzegovina

[@richodulio7550]

If they don't unite as one country it's better to separate. Threre are many multi ethnic countries but they don't have this kind of set up. The best example is Singapore. They have three major ethnic group CHINESE, Malay and Indian .They live in harmony in a unified country.

[@aleks_andar_dj4736]

This would be possible if one ethnic group (muslims) wouldn't constantly try to "erase" the other two ethnic groups (serbs & croats) and treat them with no respect...

[@danis9813]

@@aleks_andar_dj4736 Yes of course and remind me who erased most of the Bosniaks from eastern Bosnia.

[@aleks_andar_dj4736]

@@danis9813 I can ask you the same question about Serbs in federation...

[@AmarEcd1233]

@@aleks_andar_dj4736 They freely left the federation, same way they left Knin bruh

[@markon2385]

You didn't mention the ruling of Constitutional Court (Ljubić) where muslims (now bosniaks) choose Croat member of presidancy and Croat members of House of Peoples. This ruling said that Croats should choose their representatives (doesnt't matter which nation they are) - this is solution to Sejdić-Finci at the same time. However, the muslim (bosniak) nationalists do not want to consider it. You talk about "Serbian nationalists" and you do not see that the main problem in the country is muslim/bosniak nationalism. They are much worst than Milošević nationalism in Yugoslavia in 1991.

[@kristijanEX]

No, no Herzeg Bosnia was originally a Community, an internal solution, the Republic was proclaimed in 1993 following the start of Croat Muslim conflict in Central Bosnia.

[@darkoratic2339]

I think I've been saying for years that the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina should reduce the ten federal units into three: A Bosniak canton (consisting of Una-Sana, Tuzla, Zenica-Doboj, Gorazde and Sarajevo) with a Prime Minister as head of government, A Croatian County (Zupanija) (consisting of Posavina, West-Herzegovina and Herzeg-Bosnia / Canton 10) with a Prefect (Župan) as head of the goverment since the Croats have never called their federal units "Cantons" and did not do so after the constitutional court of the Federation has banned it and a Bosniak-Croatian province (consisting of central Bosnia and Herzegovina-Neretva) with a governor as head of government The neutral federal unit is a preventive measure to avoid disputes over cities and municipalities such as Mostar, Novi Travnik, Busovača, Kiseljak and Kreševo, but in practice the terms "canton, county and province" and "prime ministers, Prefects and Governeurs" are one and the same and are only formally different titles, since the federal units are in practice one and the same

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. Interesting suggestion. I’d go a little further. I’d reduce the Federation to four federal units: three predominantly Bosniak and one predominantly Croat. At the same time, it would be worth trying to split RS into two federal units. And have Brcko as a final federal unit.

[@rohitingle9477]

i think they should come to india and study its executive and legislative structure

[@hello7522]

Lol why not just skip a step and go to the Uk. After all, India just stole the British system.

[@thelastmohican741]

I would agree that Bosnia needs a new constitution. However, the mere advocacy for a new constitution does not have the benevolent desire for Bosnia to progress, but has in the background the desire of the Bosniak political leadership to take over the dominance of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

[@thelastmohican741]

@@PLC303 its more complicated. Already Bosniacks chosing Croat represent... That mean Croats don't have real represent... They have on paper and him work for Bosniacks goal.... Next move is to make posible to put they man for Serb represent...

[@schmirgldecks]

Another thing…too many bad things happened in that area for that frankenstein state to survive, so it will be forever mess state like this or it will be divided, second option is healthier.

[@alexcorleone3926]

If you ask me they must start by changing the name of Republika Srpska since the name itself is offensive. The name suggests that that part is solely land of the serbs amd all others are not welcome.

[@alexcorleone3926]

@Agim Skifteraj Thats how they built Republika Srpska. They built it with ethnic cleansing and GENOCIDE. So yes you are right that name would fit them perfectly.

[@darkoratic2339]

No it doesn't who don't like the Name can leave freely

[@tvojslauf]

Just have them fight it out one last time. Everyone gets equal ammo and move to their positions. Ready, set go. Lol

[@joeblack5393]

Why is Bosnia the way it is? 1.) Because Bosniaks want to dominate politically, economically and demographically the other two groups (even you noted that Croats are having great times without their own entity, practically disappearing). 2.) Because Bosniak main political party which is in power since the war - SDA - still has a document written by Alija Izetbegovic called "Islamic declaration" in its political program. And this little fun document written by the Bosniak war leader has a lot of fun ideas that he wants for Bosnia; such as Islamic state and Sharia law (really fun and exciting things for the non Muslim half of the country, im sure you will agree). Not to mention that they settled however many thousand mujahadeen in Federation after the war. You know those nice people funded and sent to Bosnia by Osama Bin Laden (but he was a freedom fighter back then), who then later did 9/11 and crated Caliphate in Syria and Iraq, im sure it rings a bell mister Ker-Lindsay. 3.) Because for whatever reason the West thinks this is a great and noble idea, while completely ignoring the other 2 side's feedback or even like basic needs or desires. 4.) Because for whatever reason the West is obsessed with autistically supporting Bosniaks in their attempt to centralize and dominate. 5.) Because for whatever reason the West *believes* with religious fervor that any moment now a "civil society" in Bosnia will somehow materialize our of thin air, and that 20 year old Serb and Croat kids who have lost fathers, uncles and relatives in the war will *somehow* lose their national identity, become this new and cool thing called Bosnians, and all of a sudden choose to basically rebuild Yugoslavia, only this time smaller, and called Bosnia. Seriously? Does Bosnia need a new constitution? Well when it comes to American policies and projections, there are: bad policies - such as dumping millions of dollars out of helicopter over Iraqi cities after occupation of Iraq to achieve exactly precisely nothing - there are BAD policies - such as spending 100s of millions of dollars on "promoting female equality and gender roles" in Afghanistan to achieve exactly precisely nothing and then there are absolutely idiotic, bat shit crazy autistically retarded level bad policies (that honestly i suspect only Americans are capable of coming up with) and thats American policy for Bosnia. Essentially forcing 3 nations that have just genocided each other, to live in the same country, of which 2 are 100% against it with every fiber of their body, willing to kick, scream and abuse ANY tool or mechanism out of sheer frustration, just to harm this country and reduce it to absolute absurdum. And you (the Westerners) think this can be anything other than an absolute dysfunctional failure? Well duh. Why on earth would Serbs do ANYTHING but undermine Bosnia? They are in that country entirely against their will, forced by US policies and bombs, literally being held hostage and threatened by Bosniaks who want to completely deconstruct RS ans basically bring us precisely to the point where the war started. Hoping for what exactly? Not another war? Does that make any sense? So yes, mister Ker-Lindsay, if you want to maintain Bosnia as a thing - instead of doing the only possible alternative any sane person with half a brain would have done 20 years ago - *send them each their own fucking merry way* - yes, mister Key-Lindsey, in that case Bosnia needs a new constitution. Why will Bosnia not get a new constitution? Well precisely because of people who choose to ignore the above mentioned reality, and instead pretend that tomorrow this new beautiful Bosnian civil society will arise out of ether and unite all 3 nations into this new and beautiful identity that will then lead Bosnia into rosy multi-culti future - thats exactly why there wont be a new constitution. The power brokers in Bosnia (i mean lets not kid ourselves, its the US) will simply be unable to stop themselves from abusing ANY opportunity to change the constitution in order to give Bosniaks more centralization. And they have 0 credibility after setting up Kosovo to declare independence. Why would Serbs in Bosnia expect that if Americans redid Dayton, the new Dayton II wouldnt be just simply worse? Why would Croats? They were literally traded off for lands in Croatia... And thats why, unfortunately, if you wish any good to the people of Bosnia, you must join those of us who support the shitty dysfunctional Dayton system which is rotting that country away from the core - as any alternative would be far, far worse leading to a new round of bloodshed. Or, you know, you Westerners can simply face the reality and accept that this whole civil society and nation building is just pure bullshit that hasnt worked and will not work, send everyone their own merry way, and kill the lights out as you leave and fuck off on your way back home. I know, i know, wholly unrealistic thing to ask for.

[@v21829]

Bosnia needs a new election law so Bosniaks don't opress Croats in the Federation anymore.

[@BIastProcX]

I mean the Bosniaks haven't done anything wrong

[@domagoj3474]

@@BIastProcX yes, they just caused a war in the war.

[@v21829]

@@BIastProcX They attacked Croats (their ally) in Bosnian War and they elect Croat member of presidency every time against the will of Croats (like they elected Komšić).

[@BIastProcX]

@@v21829 Wasn't it because the Croats wanted a piece in the middle of the Bosnia, from what I've heard from my mothers brother, he was a soldier and during Jajce they just hissed the flag up claiming it was theirs. Now of course compare this to any other country, would you be happy if another country demanded a city in the middle of your land? Also the amount of Croats killed in the war were 1/10th of the Bosnian losses. Plus the 2.2 million people who fled from Bosnia.

[@v21829]

@@BIastProcX @BlastProcX First of all, no. The war between Bosniaks and Croats didn't happen because of one guy who flew the Croatian flag over Jajce. Secondly, Jajce WAS a Croatian city before the Ottoman invasion so it was a historical claim. And it was never a flag of Republic of Croatia that flew in Bosnia. Bosnian Croats always used flag of Herzeg-Bosnia or old Croatian flags designed before 1990's. So, your and your mother's claims are wrong because Croatia as a country never claimed a single centimeter of Bosnia. Herzeg-Bosnia was a legitimate claim of croatian self-governance in sovereign and free Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Bosniak-Croat war started because Croats didn't wan't to give Bosniaks their fuel and weapons (because they needed it to fight the Serbs obviously), and Bosniaks knew that they can't defeat Serbs and JNA so they started to get more territory in Croat or half Croat and half Bosniak cities and villages. So they started capturing them. Also, you know who gave shelter to Bosniak refugees? CROATIA. Even when Bosniak-Croat war started, refugees kept coming to Croatia where they were protected (of course, as they should). A lot of them still live in Croatia and still hold to their islamic religion. And of course that Bosnikas had more war casualties because: Serbs commited several war crimes against Bosniaks (Srebrenica), and siege of Sarajevo was a brutal battle. Also, Croats, with operation Storm (Oluja) in 1995 rescued Bihać from falling in Serbian control which prevented a lot of Bosniak casualties. All of that to not have a legitimate member of presidency (again, Komšić) and not having autonomy (like Serbs do).

[@johannesluoeman9817]

unfortunately more and more women are wearing a headscarf, people are also becoming more religious. In Bosnia there is radicalization going on

[@tvojslauf]

@@PLC303 you may be right but he ain’t wrong either.

[@armin814]

How is being a better believer correlated to being radical?? The women who choose to wear a hijab are not harming anybody, it’s simply their choice to be modest. What’s radical is Serbs having portraits of terrorists like Mladic and Karadzic in their churches and homes. Not only is it radical but a completely contradictory to the Bible because it is the sin of idolatry.

[@bosnianmemer9126]

yes.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

How? What specific measures would you like to see?

[@theunicategames2557]

2 more districts and cantonise country is the solution and reduce canton numbers in federation and make 3 assembly of ppl wich would act as lower chamber and 1 assembly on state level. 3 prime ministers instead 3 presidents and 1 president that would just have diplomatic authority.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. I tend to agree that a more typical federal model would probably be the best route. As I said somewhere else, maybe do it in a 3:2:1 model. 3 predominantly (not exclusively) Bosniak states/cantons, 2 predominantly Serb ones and 1 predominantly Croat. Brcko, which I didn’t mention in the video, would also remain separate. Continue to devolve as many competences as possible to the states, but then have a more unified central system. The trouble is getting Serbs to divide RS and to get Bosniaks to rationalise the Federation.

[@nedimbajgoric2909]

@@JamesKerLindsay the main problem with that is how to divide/merge the Herzegovina-Neretva canton and the Central Bosnia canton which are multiethnic(Bosniaks and Croats) cantons.

[@cilex8576]

As a true Bosnian, I would say that Serbian and Croatian people attacked and killed a lot of Bosnians. Bosnians did not attack anyone; we cannot dismiss that. We didn't go into Serbia and kill a bunch of Serbs; we were in Bosnia defending against their attacks on our land. We also didn't go into Croatia and kill a bunch of Croats; we were in Bosnia defending against their attacks on our land. Deyton locked Bosnian people in this country with our killers. We are trying to work better with them, but they want too much. Killers of Bosnian people (Serbs) got away with half of Bosnian territory, and they claim that territory is Serbian and don't allow anyone who isn't Serbian to be in that entity. How The so-called Republika Srpska is filled with Bosnian blood and built literally on Bosnian people; that land was never Serbian and it will never be Serbian. It doesn't matter how badly they want that. (Milorad Dodik and SNSD) Croatians locked only Bosnian Town on Sea Neum; now they want a third entity; they are somehow misrepresented; They don't have power in Bosnia. No, they have too much power in Bosnia, but they want more. If Croatians don't have power in Bosnia, then how are they able to block the entire FBIH entity and even BIH? (Dragan Čović and HDZ) Also, there are a lot of Bosnians in Serbia and Croatia, and why we Bosnians don't have our entities in Serbia and Croatia if they have them in my Bosnia. Bosnians don't have another country like Serbians and Croatians to go back to. We just want our country, Bosnia and Herzegovina, to be a country that is ours and unified. Just like any other country.

[@IbrahimAhmed-eb6pq]

What about Ogaden the holy land of Absamian people.

[@richodulio7550]

Where is that sir?

[@sargehena]

And here we are today , talks about another war starting again 🤦‍♀️

[@mihaivo4113]

Can Bosnia be fixed,? NO !!!

[@MultiSciGeek]

Really such a shame seeing a post-war political mess holding this beautiful country back from progressing. Bosnia has so much potential! I hope to see a great, peaceful and unified country one day. In fact reunify the whole of Yugoslavia while we're at it! Kick out the fascist dictators, and build a brand new federation/country based on Secular, Socialist, and Liberal values. Europe is anyway falling apart... this is a great moment to progress and inspire!

[@regiumcroatiumrexbh6003]

Pliz make more videos about Bosnia

[@MisterJovke]

The Serbian leadership understands very well that the Republika Srpska, thanks to its geographical shape (the shape of deer antlers), represents a geostrategic anomaly. And how it would be indefensible in the event of a war in which Croatia and Bosnian Muslims would be involved together. The Western part is especially at risk. That is why the current Serbian strategy is based on the idea of ​​including the whole of Bosnia through the "Open Balkans" initiative, first in economic integration with Serbia, and eventually in political integration. Thanks to the status of Republika Srpska, Serbia can control Bosnia as its puppet state and determine Bosnia's foreign policy. That is why Bosnian politics must always take Serbia's interests into account. That is why Bosnia will never join NATO, nor will it recognize Kosovo. Demographic trends in Bosnia favor Serbia's interests. The birth rate of Bosniaks is decreasing and they are emigrating to the West in large numbers. While the birth rate of Serbs is stable, the share of Serbs in the total number of newborns in Bosnia is increasing. The share of Serbs in newborns in Bosnia and Herzegovina increased from: 2011: 27.98% 2021: 32.93% While the share of Bosniaks decreased from: 2011: 57.40% 2021: 52.43% In absolute terms: Serbs: 2011: 8,868 2021: 8,890 Bosniaks: 2011: 18,191 2021: 14,153 With the current number of newborns, Bosniaks can keep the population at less than 1 million. In 1991, there were almost 2 million Bosniaks in Bosnia (1.9). Bosniaks, as such a micronation, will not be able to survive independently, and will have to side with a stronger neighbor. Croatia is in the EU, where neither Serbia nor Bosnia will ever enter. And Croatia no longer has its own foreign policy, but instead carries out the directives of Germany and the USA. The Croatian population in Bosnia will fall below 10% and thus the foundation for Croatian influence in Bosnia will disappear. So Bosniaks only have Serbia left. Which has already created a regional economic union and is pushing towards the inclusion of the entire region of the Western Balkans in Serbia's sphere of interest. 💪😎🇷🇸

[@MisterJovke]

Bosnia is becoming more and more Serbian. National structure of newborn children in Bosnia and Herzegovina: 1990: Total: 66,952 Muslims: 32,534 (48.59%) Serbs: 15,734 (23.50%) Croats: 11,424 (17.06%) Yugoslavs: 5,758 (9.51%) 2011: Bosniaks: 18,191 (57.40%) Serbs: 8,868 (27.98%) 2020: Total: 27,156 Bosniaks: 14,614 (53.81%) Serbs: 8,611 (31.71%) Croats: 2,673 (9.84%) Others: 1,258 (4.63%) 2021: Total: 26,993 Bosniaks: 14,153 (52.43%) Serbs: 8,890 (32.93%) At this rate, in a few years, Serbs will reach 35% of newborns in Bosnia, while Bosniaks will fall below 50%. In some further perspective, Serbs can reach 40%. And Bosniaks may fall to 45% of the total number of newborns in Bosnia.

[@rupalitales5444]

Please make a video on india china conflict.

[@VIC-hx2ny]

excellent video James! I sometimes wonder if the best idea could be leaving some parts of Bosnia join Serbia and Croatia (minor territories that current Sprska and without Mostar for Croatia) so as to achieve yes, federal Bosnia, but much more functional

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks so much. I didn’t go into it, but of course there is a view that says that if Yugoslavia couldn’t work, what ever made anyone think that a mini-Yugoslavia could? This is one if those situations where I am really not certain what the best answer would be. Personally, I think they key ficus at this stage is trying to get the country into shape for EU accession. Focus on that as a priority. Also, I’ve always thought centralisation and decentralisation don’t need to be incompatible. If competences are handed to the central government then the institutions for handling them could be located else where. If RS gives up X, the the administration of X is run from Banja Luka.

[@antel704]

@@JamesKerLindsay no James borders of every states in ex yu must be. Every states now are in EU and NATO garden peacfully program be inside or not and borders of independent states are recognise from UN. If help with independent states of ex yu after wars we resolved more then 90 % of job wholle job now is on the table in free west democracy rulles. If we changin borders we betraying our free west rulle of democracy. If can help more about BiH its good to see what Serb did with agresion on map and what Croats Herceg Bosnia did in defending southern move action which defended independent BiH and pushed all in Dayton. Dayton was good for peace but now we see Dayton was hide Herceg Bosnia constitution and gave place for great Bosniak politics where Serbs part of constitution been in safer position with 49% of BiH after great serb agresion. Thats mean Herceg Bosnia of Croat people lost name and lost constitution part after liberated and defended BiH. For better understanding BiH is real compromise state between Croatia and Serbia now with three constitutive Nations Croat Serb and Bosniak but war been cose great serbian politics want make great Serbia hiden in ex yu that is truth of free speech. Serbs agresion. changin position Croats and Bosniak with ethnic genocide or cleaning. In that moment pushed Bosniak more in strategic place of Croat what Herceg Bosnia HVO needed to defend Croatia and BiH independent and broken greatserbian politics. Everything is conect with greatserbian genocidal agression on Croatia first. If you better look BiH is inside Croatia in history Croatia independent Kingdom thousand years ago and more. When Bosniak needed more position in war they awakaned greatbosniak politics and what we mix now. We dont recognised what is normal constitution politics or using constitutional politics for great politics. I will not sugest you anything but Croats dont using great Croats politics they defended BiH lost constitution and in this time using constructive politics throuh EU and NATO. Great Croats politics be wholle BiH but we dont use that and constantly talking about changin borders and making great states is not from Croatia side we only must defend constructive constitutive Herceg Bosnia in BiH like part of three constitutive Nations some say ethnic group me Nations couse to better respect. Croatia won and helped BiH but in last wars we didnt been in same position with weapons we didnt had weapons for war in begining its diferent what many forgot in same position been Bosniak and Albanian people in Kosovo. When we finished war and won we didnt have weapons like Serbia had only what inaf for won. Serbia been sixt states with weapons strong in Euroupe. At the and we got independent states and Croatia and BiH for Croatia didnt need war for that only free west rulle independent Nations and war been in Croatia and BiH not in Serbia I ask you who is agressor or we all constantly mixing facts.

[@antel704]

And more If we concantrate on teritorial constitution after southern move action of Croats HVO Herceg Bosnia we have no greatserbian politics and have no greatbosniak politics thats what is hide and that what make secure Croats side to blocking conection with Serbian minority to built great serbian politics and thats Herceg Bosnia in BiH with Croat defended towns in middle Bosnia and when we liberated our Croatia kingdom town Jajce we gave Mrkonjic Grad in Dayton but Dayton give more to south and again open way to great serbian politics in future for only few procent but did it. Same did in middle Bosnia to Bosniak and open way to greatbosniak politics Dayton didnt gave few peocent of Serb part between river Bosna and Drina and Bosniak more force middle Bosnia. With southern move defended action we won greatserbian politics what they did when create same politics on east border of BiH to blocking conection Bosniak from BiH to sandzak in Serbia but they did it with agression on BiH. We lost name Herceg Bosnia and teritorial constitucion in federation and now have greatbosniak politics in BiH and constantly position of separation of Serb.Croats looking for constitutive rights of Herceg Bosnia what defended we are not in same pocket with others two constitutive Nations. Serb have state in state after Dayton, Bosniak domination in federation. If concentrate on Kosovo its state with two constitutive teritorial Nations two like peacefully compromice between Serbia and Albania. Independent BiH and Kosovo and constitution of Nations is answer for long time peace.

[@generalaladeen1159]

The approach of changing the Federation constitution would move the country forward by leaps and bounds.The Canton divide is very unnecessary and a nightmare for everyone.It is also very crippling for the country given that you have a huge amount of ministers,prime ministers,governments,etc.I think that a reform in which you would give the big cities the role of leading,essentialy creating regions is something that might work,but the best way would be to just give municipalities more control and create the internal situation that is currently in Republika Srpska.As for the National Constitution,the presidency definitely needs to be resolved,a police reform needs to happen,and thats pretty much it.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you. I would tend to agree. Alternatively, you could reform the federal structure and make it more like a ‘normal’ federation. But this would probably have to be ethnic based to win over the Serbs and Croats. The Croats get one federal unit. RS is split into two. And the Bosniaks have three units. This would still give the Bosniaks the largest share, but would streamline a lot of the decision making. It would certainly be a lot more manageable than the present structure. Not sure what to do about Brcko, though.

[@georgedemarco6477]

Dear Mr. James, I'm not sure what are you trying to say here. Talking about people you do not know I highly recommend studying long history before you make any comments about any place or people around the world. These countries and peoples in the Balkans would be living in peace and brotherhood if they were left alone as they are brothers and sisters with the same DNA, language, culture, mentality etc. all of this makes them one people or one nation more then any country around the globe. The only problem they have in very long history is that outsiders are doing the same for thousands of years. DIVADE AND CONQUER . Mr. James LEAVE AS ALONE PLEASE. God bless you. Please find bellow the translation from English to Slovenian, Croatian, Bosnian, Srpska Republika, Serbian, Monte Negro, Kosovo, Macedonian and I believe most of Slavic people can understand. U nastavku pogledajte prijevod s engleskog na slovenski, hrvatski, bosanski, Republiku Srpsku, srpski, crnogorski, kosovski, makedonski i vjerujem da većina Slavena može razumjeti. Dragi gospodine James, Nisam siguran šta pokušavaš ovdje reći. Govoreći o ljudima koje ne poznajete, toplo preporučujem proučavanje duge istorije prije nego što date bilo kakav komentar o bilo kojem mjestu ili narodu širom svijeta. Te bi zemlje i narodi na Balkanu živjeli u miru i bratstvu da se drugi nisu mijesali tokom istorije jer su braća i sestre sa istim DNK, jezikom, kulturom, mentalitetom itd. Sve ih to čini jednim narodom ili jednom nacijom više od bilo koje zemlje širom svijeta. Jedini problem koji imaju u vrlo dugoj istoriji je taj što autsajderi isto rade tisućama godina. PODIJELI I OSVOJI. Gospodine James OSTAVITE NAS NA MIRU MOLIMO VAS. Bog te blagoslovio.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

I could say the same to you. I’m not sure what your point is. I’m certainly not stranger to the region. I’ve worked on it throughout my career. (Check my profile.) I know it extremely well. You seem to think that if ‘outsiders’ just left the region alone, all would be fine. Sorry, but that is naive.

[@legoshi7350]

Bosnia and Herzegovina should work like Switzerland

[@ivopatiera8427]

bosnia?...bosnia and herzegovina.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

There’s always one! Seriously, I don’t get offended when someone calls my country the UK or the United Kingdom and point out that it is actually the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Life will be a lot easier if you get over it.

[@ivopatiera8427]

@@JamesKerLindsay republika srpska

[@JamesKerLindsay]

@@ivopatiera8427 Your point?

[@ksilofonija2]

"The story really begins in 1991", please stop, it's utterly ignorant to state this. And also, by using year from which you'll "count history", you'll favor one or other side. Story could easily begin in 1941 with Independent State of Croatia, or with State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs prior to unification with Kingdoms of Serbia and Montenegro, or in 1908 with annexation of Bosnia, or with Nevesinje uprising in 1875-77, or with Ottoman Empire declining with Great Turkish War, or with 1463. when Bosnia become Ottoman province, or with Serbia and Croatia early states in 8th century. And also context is and was heavily dependent on the will of the Great Powers. Bottom line is and said truth it's hard to maintain multicultural society or state in Europe, even in places like Belgium or UK or Spain, only success story in this regard is Switzerland and I think it's just because of money, nothing else...

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you for making my point perfectly. In any situation, there are any number of possible starting points. These are short videos to get across a key conceptual issue. They are not meant to be the last word on any conflict. So, as someone who has spent years working on conflict, I focus on the key moment when the story starts for the purpose I am trying to get across. So, thanks again for showing so neatly why one of the most important issues for anyone looking at international affairs is to know what matters and what doesn’t for the analysis you are trying to carry out!

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Oh, and if you look at my profile, I think you’ll find that I really don’t need a lecture on Balkan history and politics. :-) www.lse.ac.uk/LSEE-Research-on-South-Eastern-Europe/People/James-Ker-Lindsay

[@ksilofonija2]

@@JamesKerLindsay Thank you for your reply. Honestly I wasn't expect it, that's why I've tried to sound a bit sarcastic and relativistic...

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Sadly, one of the most depressing aspects of KZbin is the failure of many channels to ever respond to comments. I have always tried. Likewise, unlike many channels that are effectively anonymous, I have always been open about who I am and my qualifications. There is so much bad information out there, I think it is important that those of us who do have a track record of peer-reviewed academic research get out there and try to present information accurately. But I think one of the reasons why so many colleagues don’t do it is precisely because of the comments and abuse. After spending decades working on a subject, it’s really not that pleasant to publish a video and then be accused of being a liar, an idiot, a paid shill, etc. Don’t be that person - at least not with people who are trying their best to fix the worst aspects of YT, and doing it for free and at the cost of a lot of their free time! (In my day job, I get paid rather a lot for my classes!)

[@aesthetic2660]

Tell me please do u think B&H will fall apart?

[@bosanceros2465]

There is no way that could happend.

[@erikk.137]

At the end it will, besause the state in not functioning, you can clearly see it in last 25 y,, but it has to separate peacefully, like Czech and Slovaks.

[@zipkitty]

Bosnia would be fine if it were not for nationalist right-wing leadership and traumatised citizens. But by now the hate, corrupt political landscape and faulty bureaucratic systems are rooted too deep as to allow a constitutonal reform (Because a lot of rich and powerful people would be prosecuted :) ) My fellow peers as well as I fled that mess for a western country where our higher education and work ethic are rewarded heavily. Bosnia may you rest in peace, eventually.

[@khadracabdillahi6497]

Love ❤️

[@samist8792]

i mean we surely could trust the heritage, experience and expertise of an English double-barrelled surname. How to ignore such expertise of slicing and dicing territories which are nothing to do with old good England. It is always amusing when academics trade their academic integrity for whatever otherwise agendas. I mean there is absolutely no chance that Professor Ker-Lindsey doesn't know that the 2013 census in Bosnia is a sham. He more than very well know that the overall population figures and those of Bosnian muslims are grossly inflated but don't hesitate to use those figures in order to justify whatever agenda he is employed to defend. So what happened in the consensus of 2013? Bosnian muslims run a campaign inviting people of the Bosnian muslim heritage to register for the census which those did on an en-masse basis. By doing this they subsequently screwed up genuine residents of Bosnia by making the country more expensive as by-consensus-expected tax income levels never materialized and taxes subsequently increased. Since it is simply impossible that an LSE Professor is not aware of controversies related to the 2013 census the only conclusion is that he only use those figures because they support the agenda for which is he employed and in the name of which he is putting his academic integrity on the line. Another example is insisting on over 8000 massacred muslims in Srebrenica. While the overall account of killed people is about right most of the people died in legitimate fight between two armies, part of the victims died in mutual fights between musilm fractions (as thy weer also taking several million Deutschmarks from the town too) and part were executed by serb pramilitary groups. I dont know but to me this appears as if a wow factor of an lse Professor is becoming a damaged good.

[@cicibannncicibannn680]

If Kosovo can be independent, then why can't the Republika Srpska? answer my question ?

[@JamesKerLindsay]

You’ve asked the wrong person to ask the right question! It’s not why isn’t RS allowed to be like Kosovo. It’s why Kosovo wasn’t treated like any other breakaway territory. (The reaction to RS is actually the standard reaction in international relations.) If you speak Serbian, can I suggest my book www.knjizara.com/Kosovo-put-ka-osporenoj-drzavnosti-na-Balkanu-Dzejms-Ker-Lindzi-133354 It’s complicated, but it comes down to Milošević bad handling that led to international intervention, the West getting themselves into a situation they hadn’t really considered, and then growing tensions with Russia that prevented the West from cementing Kosovo’s independence. And it is worth remembering that despite Western support, Kosovo is still recognised by only half the members of the UN and has no prospect of membership.

[@cicibannncicibannn680]

@@JamesKerLindsay thanks for the reply, i just wanted to hear your opinion. why, kosovo is different from all the others. I will do my best to find your book, thank you.

[@erikk.137]

@@JamesKerLindsay Other territory was republics not just territory like Kosovo. Intetnational community shold impose sanctions until human rights would be respected, not to recognise this fake state. Orthervise, Catalunia, Baskia, Corsica,... can do the same. What a double standards

[@rickrolld1367]

Solution: parliamentary political system, with 2 states, one for each major ethnic group, keeping the current boundaries. The 3 person presidential process will be the same, plus 1 for each state. Also, make it only 3 parliament's, 1 for each state, and 1 for the nation as a whole. Give the parliament's an equal amount of power as the president(s), and have state courts. Federal laws overrule state laws. Use the preferential voting system to avoid gerrymandering in such a politically delicate area. Make corruption illegal nationwide. Oh, and, set the number of representatives per person to 1:50000, for each of all the parliaments, to accurately represent the people. Finally, make democratic institutions and safeguards, including but not limited to an independent anti corruption body, which cannot be touched by political entities, corruption, or be influenced by politicians and/or lobbyists of any kind, shape or form. They shall have many powers to regulate political figures, and should have access to as many tools of power as possible, as long as they don't infringe on freedoms or rights, to pass out a myriad of punishments on politicians who are lobbied, accept bribes, or other acts of corruption. Members of this independent anti corruption body are raised or lowered in positions of power based on how reliable and trustworthy they are.

[@rickrolld1367]

@Ararune Can't forget about the Serbians, but it's quite difficult to redraw borders especially with the Serbs being scattered all over the place.

[@rickrolld1367]

@Ararune true. There really isn't a magic cure for this though. Dividing Bosnia and Herzegovina up into states isn't really a solution either. The only way the country can grow out of this is through negotiation and compromise.

[@Manuqtix.Manuqtix]

You know what can help this country? If they can start bringing in more Africa immigrants