Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 12/2009

Bosnia's Dual Crisis

November 2009

International Crisis Group

Abstract

"Bosnia's Dual Crisis", a twenty-page policy briefing from the International Crisis Group, examines the current political turmoil in Bosnia after the authority of the Office of the High Representative (OHR) was challenged by Republika Srpska, one of the state's two entities. Rather than backing the High Representative with a strong political statement of support, the U.S. and the European Union launched talks in October between Bosnian Bosniak, Serb and Croat leaders, seeking constitutional reforms that would propel Bosnia and Herzegovina toward membership in the EU and NATO and allow the mandate of the High Representative to end. Disagreements over the scope and content of reform now make agreement uncertain.