DOI: https://doi.org/10.52510/sia.v3i1.43 UDK:327.39(497.6)
Professional paper

European collective security has been fundamentally shaken by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In this context, Bosnia and Herzegovina is recognized as one of the most vulnerable points of the European security framework. This paper analyses the position of BiH in the wider context of regional Balkan security.

Referring to the history of BiH in the 20th century and its relations with its neighbours, the analysis dives into the most important issues of security and stability of BiH in the struggle with two “Greater-state” projects: "Greater Serbia", today known as Srpski svet, and "Greater Croatia", indirectly, through the formation of the third Croat entity on the territory of BiH. The paper also analyses the geopolitical context of current events in Europe to explain how Russia's role fits into the background of BiH's Euro-Atlantic integration. This role is demonstrated through constant support to various Serb and Croat actors who are working to destabilize the political and territorial integrity of BiH. As such, the paper offers a new political paradigm as an alternative to the ethno-national exclusivity on which the Dayton Peace Agreement is based. The new political paradigm in BiH entails the formation of expanded capacities of the state that would make it self-sustainable and capable of independently fulfilling all its international obligations.

Key words: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosniaks, Balkan, Russia, Euro-Atlantic security, Srpski svet, “Greater Serbia”, “Greater Croatia”, new political paradigm, ethno-national exclusivity.