Marko Attila Hoare: Bosnia must regain autonomy and create a new system under the control of pro-Bosnian forces

(Patria) - Professor Dr. Marko Attila Hoare, a British historian and Associate Professor at Sarajevo Schools of Science and Technology, is the author of numerous works, four of which focus on Southeast Europe, and particularly on Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Dr. Hoare focuses his research on topics related to nationalism, genocide, fascism, and antifascism, and state-building. His seminal work "Bosnian Muslims in World War II" attracted significant attention in BiH, and during his guest appearance on BIR radio, he explained why the role of Muslims, which manifested in several areas, was crucial.

- Muslims in Bosnia during World War II were threatened with national annihilation; the Ustaše wanted to turn Muslims into Croats, while the Chetniks wanted to commit genocide against Muslims. Since they faced threats of genocide, they sought salvation in various ways. Muslims in the Partisans were key to liberating Bosnia from fascist occupation and creating Bosnia as a state within Yugoslavia. Therefore, their role was very important. Each sought in their own way to preserve the Muslim being from destruction - stated Professor Attila Hoare.

However, he warned that today Muslims in Bosnia are again facing the destruction of their country, and they must be prepared to fight.

- Whoever loves their homeland must again be ready to fight for it - is Attila Hoare's stance.

He also recalled that the period of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia between the two world wars was a period of struggle for Yugoslav peoples over the national question.

- Western powers hesitated to accept the breakup of Yugoslavia. They did not understand that Milošević and Serbia were the ones destroying Yugoslavia to create Greater Serbia. The support they provided led to the war and genocide in the 1990s. Furthermore, Western powers rewarded those who committed genocide against Bosnia and Bosniaks. The West thought Serbia was the strongest, operating on the principle that it was smartest to be on the side of the stronger party. They thought Serbia would win easily and crush Bosnia and the Muslims, but it didn't turn out that way. Bosniaks defended themselves, and it turned out they were on the verge of victory in the end. The West could not change its policy so quickly. They remained in Bosnia with the old policy of apartheid. They always thought that the war in Bosnia could only be resolved by rewarding the stronger side. They never changed that policy - emphasized Attila Hoare.

He added that "the West is morally declining," and that the European Union is not the moral force it once was.

- The EU has not admitted new members for a long time. Balkan peoples who want to join the community think they can, but they will never get the chance to join. Unless the West changes its policy, but for now, that is not the case - believes Attila Hoare.

He also stressed that the Dayton system is the biggest problem for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

- Bosnia must regain its autonomy, control over its future, and create a new system under the control of pro-Bosnian authorities - says Attila Hoare.

This British historian also points out that the world is in big trouble, especially because the West is very indecisive today.

- They have not defeated Russian aggression in Ukraine. It is a mistake that they did not defeat Putin. They should have confronted and intervened in the conflict between Israel and Palestine, not allowed Israel to do all this. The world sees that the West has lost control, that it cannot stop Israel, which is a bad image, because the West should be more principled and stronger in relation to Putin and Netanyahu. The solution is two states, which everyone should support. That is the only way to peace. This is not a religious war; it is a political conflict of two extremisms. Extremists are interested in this spreading so that this conflict turns into a religious war. And extremism is dangerous for Bosnia - concluded Attila Hoare.