Discussion paper: Bosnia on the Brink

Bosnia and Herzegovina stands at a dangerous crossroads. Milorad Dodik, president of Republika Srpska (RS), the smaller of the country’s two entities, has launched a full-scale assault on Bosnia’s post-war constitutional order. The situation risks spiralling into violent conflict between RS police forces loyal to Dodik and state-level agencies. Yet, if managed well, this crisis could become a turning point toward strengthening Bosnia’s fragile constitutional state. Europe’s rol – especially that of the Netherlands, with its historic responsibility – is crucial.