Historical Relations and Current Dynamics Between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany
Understanding the complex relationship between Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and Germany requires a deep dive into historical events, cultural zones, and economic factors. This article explores how historical alliances and past events have shaped the current state of affairs between these two nations.
Historical Alliances and Colonial Context
During World War I, Germany had a significant ally in Turkey, which was used to rebel against British and French colonial powers. Similarly, during World War II, Germany allied with Muslim factions, including Ustasha and Chetniks, to support their strategic interests. The geopolitical complexity extended to the Balkan region, where Croats were often aligned with Germany in both wars. In Yugoslavia, Croats had promises of a Slavic kingdom, which temporarily united them with German interests.
Cultural and Economic Factors
The cultural and economic zones of the region played a crucial role in shaping historical alliances. Muslims in Bosnia were divided into factions such as the Handari Ustasha, Partizana, and Chetniks, each with their own affiliations and motivations. Montenegro's pro-Albanian factions further added to the complexity. In the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, Muslims were even allowed Sharia law, indicating that not all Muslims opposed Serbia.
During the breakup of Yugoslavia, the interests of Muslims were primarily to remain within Yugoslavia. This was strategically important because the separation would have given Croatia an opportunity to conduct ethnic cleansing in Krajina. However, US and German interests influenced the Bosnian Muslim leaders to separate BiH with the Croats, aligning with the Croat-led regime's goals. This strategic decision left behind unresolved issues for Serbs in Croatia, which were only partially addressed during the war.
The Dayton Agreement and Current Implications
The Dayton Agreement in 1995 further complicated the dynamics, forming the Federation of BiH, under which Croats and Muslims were pushed together. This was done despite their recent war with each other. Bosnian President Franjo Tudjman, who signed the agreement, hoped that one day Croatia would also receive a portion of BiH territory.
Following the Dayton Agreement, a strong Bosniak identity began to develop, making it difficult for Croatia to annex 51% of BiH. This development has further distanced Bosniaks from German interests, which have since shifted towards supporting Croat-dominated interests.
Modern Relations and Future Prospects
Currently, the Bosniaks' interests diverge significantly from those of Croatia and Germany. The Bosniaks are no longer seen as useful allies by Germany, especially as Germany's stance against Serbs is re-emerging, such as in the case of Kosovo. In such scenarios, Germany may attempt to engage Bosniaks again to further its geopolitical interests.
Historical processes, therefore, continue to influence the current dynamics between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany, highlighting the resilience of historical alliances and their impact on modern relations.