Nebojsa Malic

Nebojsa Malic left his home in Bosnia after the Dayton Accords and currently resides in the United States. During the Bosnian War he had exposure to diplomatic and media affairs in Sarajevo. As a historian who specializes in international relations and the Balkans, Malic has written numerous essays on the Kosovo War, Bosnia, and Serbian politics. His exclusive column for Antiwar.com debuted in November 2000.

Falling Towards Entropy

Stubborn Balkans Realities “The more things change, the more they stay the same,” wrote a French columnist back in 1849 – but the witticism applies just as well in 2012. Recall, for example, that Barack Obama became Emperor in 2008 by promising Hope and Change, only to embrace continuity instead. His challenger this year campaigned … Continue reading “Falling Towards Entropy”

Injustice for All, Again

Not for the first time, the Hague Inquisition (ICTY) has done something stupid. The quasi-court, claiming nonexistent authority from the UN Security Council to prosecute war crimes during the Yugoslav wars of the 1990s, last Friday released two Croatian generals, convicted last year of war crimes. Notorious for redefining the standards of evidence, logic and … Continue reading “Injustice for All, Again”

Winter of Discontent

After the Afterglow At least one national nightmare finally ended on the morning of November 7, when the media frenzy over the election finally abated. An entire industry devoted to perception management dutifully created the perception that the race was close and the outcome fateful. In actuality, it was nothing of the sort. The Clinton … Continue reading “Winter of Discontent”

Hamlet in Belgrade

In describing Balkans politicians, the Western media have abused the term "extremist" so much, it has just about lost all meaning. What has been extreme lately, however, is the weather: after a Narnian winter with record snowfall, the peninsula was hit by a Saharan summer with record highs and a prolonged drought. Rising taxes have … Continue reading “Hamlet in Belgrade”

The Enduring Schism

History, Religion and the Great War In October 1912, the Balkan Alliance – Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria and Greece – declared war on the Ottoman Empire. At its conclusion in 1913, the Ottomans’ presence in Europe was reduced to a bridgehead in Thrace. To the victors, this was the capstone of their centuries-long struggle for freedom … Continue reading “The Enduring Schism”

In Death Ground

The warmed-over Cold War continues: this week, Moscow booted the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), accusing the agency of unacceptable interference in Russian sovereignty. Washington countered with claims that USAID has promoted only "civil society, democracy [and] human rights" and that "the United States is extremely proud of what USAID has accomplished in Russia … Continue reading “In Death Ground”

Pussy Riot Politics

The obsessive focus of the U.S. media on the upcoming election is evocative of countries where life has the singular misfortune of being dependent on politics. Elections in Serbia this spring were of crucial import for the country’s survival — let alone future — yet the campaign there seemed almost subdued when compared to the … Continue reading “Pussy Riot Politics”