Bosnia and Beyond

Sound Bite

Bosnia is a case study similar to the other "color" revolutions. If 200 people are manipulated into taking to the streets and are given almighty support from the outside, against their legitimate government — then 2,000 will demonstrate tomorrow, and the targeted government will sit paralyzed and watch the takeover. Only, Bosnia fought back. The author examines the dire consequences of the rapid economic reforms demanded by the West and asks where responsibility lies when external pressures destroy a nation and lead to genocide.

About the Book

Bosnia and Beyond: The "Quiet" Revolution that Refused to Go Quietly by Jeanne Haskin is a compelling exploration of the seismic political, social, and cultural shifts that have shaped Bosnia and the surrounding region. Haskin delves into the complexities of a society transformed by war, resilience, and revolution, offering readers a nuanced understanding of a nation’s struggles and triumphs during a pivotal period in history.

The Roots of Conflict: The book begins by tracing the historical and geopolitical forces that set the stage for Bosnia’s challenges. From the breakdown of Yugoslavia to the devastating Bosnian War, Haskin outlines the layers of ethnic, religious, and political tensions that culminated in widespread violence and suffering.

The "Quiet" Revolution: Central to the narrative is the so-called "quiet" revolution—a collective resistance movement marked by determination and ingenuity rather than overt aggression. Haskin examines how ordinary people, activists, and reformers fought against oppression and systemic corruption, often risking everything to demand justice and change.

Rebuilding a Nation: Haskin chronicles Bosnia’s arduous path to recovery, highlighting the resilience of its people in the face of economic hardship, political instability, and lingering scars of war. She captures the spirit of a nation striving to rebuild itself, reclaim its identity, and forge a future rooted in unity and progress.

Beyond Bosnia: The book expands its scope to examine how the Bosnian experience resonates with struggles for justice and equality worldwide. Haskin draws parallels between Bosnia’s journey and other global movements, emphasizing the universal nature of resistance against oppression.

Personal Narratives and Insights: Interwoven with Haskin’s analysis are personal stories of individuals who lived through the revolution and its aftermath. These firsthand accounts bring humanity and depth to the broader historical and political narrative, ensuring that the voices of those who endured and resisted are heard.

A Call to Reflection: Bosnia and Beyond is not just a historical account but also a call to reflect on the enduring consequences of war and the importance of global solidarity in the pursuit of peace. Haskin’s incisive prose challenges readers to consider their roles in fostering a more just and compassionate world.

This book is an indispensable resource for readers interested in the history of the Balkans, the dynamics of revolution, or the resilience of the human spirit. Haskin’s work offers both a detailed examination of Bosnia’s past and a hopeful vision for its future.

Introduction

The break-up of Yugoslavia was a terrible tragedy in which the West was deeply involved. Its generosity during the Cold War toward non-aligned countries that were of strategic value to the West abruptly came to an end once the Soviet Union crumbled. Thus, Yugoslavia was suddenly informed that it must face significant financial restructuring in order to pay back the loans that it had received from the West while the Cold War was raging. From prosperity to ruin While no one questions that borrowed money must eventually be repaid, it was the terms of financial restructuring that devastated Yugoslavia. The harshness of economic reform resulted in 17 percent unemployment by the end of the 1980s, while those who were employed were subjected to wage cuts and freezes. The situation was so terrible that it forced people to rely on family, kin, and their extended ethnic communities in order to survive. Nor was there an end in sight. Instead, Yugoslavia was directed to enact further reforms that would result in more decline. In the United States, a series of Ã??'Secret SensitiveÃ??' Directives of the National Security Agency dated 1982 and 1984 indicate that the purpose of economic reform was to bring down YugoslaviaÃ??'s Communist government. They advocated a Ã??'quiet revolutionÃ??' of the type that was envisaged for the former Soviet bloc countries. Political liberalization coupled with economic reform was supposed to bring about regime change. And this did happen. Elections were held in the different republics in the year 1990, and ethno-nationalist leaders were swept to victory. What the elections did not produce was a series of moderate leaders who could allay the fears of the people and hold the country together. But this was largely due to the economic and political climate that the West had contrived to achieve, a possibility matrix in which people made various decisions. The situation when most of these leaders came to power was one of serious unrest, such that they had either to put down strikes and organized mass protests or try to co-opt the people in the name of other causes....

Table content

IntroductionPart I. Breaking Up Yugoslavia1. The pre-war situation2. Propaganda versus truth3. Milosevic and Izetbegovic4. War in Croatia5. The prelude to war in Bosnia6. War in Bosnia-Herzegovina7. Aid, safe havens, and betrayal8. The Markale Massacre and the slaughter at SrebrenicaPart II. Lessons from Yugoslavia's Tragedy1. Recognizing genocide2. Fighting genocide3. Collective security4. When and how to intervene5. Partition and peace agreements6. Humanitarian aid7. War crimes8. Peacekeeping reform9. The Psychology of genocideBibliographyIndex