PATRIA ON THE LINE - Denis Hadžović: BiH must protect its interests alone in a volatile world!

(Patria) - Security in a country like BiH, often shaken by various crises, is probably one of the issues that often gets lost from the media space. On security issues, BiH's path to NATO, the "spengavanje" affair, special warfare, and the role of the media, Denis Hadžović, Director of the Center for Security Studies of BiH, speaks on Patria on the line.

Interview by: Rasim Belko

Patria: You have stated on several occasions that the Balkan region is between great powers, influenced by the West and its interests. What specifically worries you most at this moment regarding the actions of these powers in the territory or in the country of BiH?

Hadžović: One of the key things is unpredictability on the international stage. We see a lot of tensions and conflicts in the world where great powers are trying to solve problems that are familiar to them, and the Balkan region is still undefined - it does not belong to either alliance. It has remained in a kind of crossfire, and history teaches us that when great powers "play", small countries usually suffer. Thus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, burdened by its internal problems, is certainly in that crossfire. We must do much more to position and protect our interests in this unstable and unpredictable era, where the international order is seriously threatened, and we are witnessing the restructuring of the global system that has so far functioned on the basis of the dominance of one hegemon. Now we see that this is changing, that new winds are blowing, and it is very important to make maximum efforts to protect the interests of citizens, and thus the state.

Patria: This year we mark 30 years of Dayton, and some international activities are also announced. What, in your opinion, can be expected regarding the future actions of the West in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Hadžović: We see that, after the aggression against Ukraine, the interest of the EU and NATO, i.e., the West, in the Balkans has increased. They are aware that they have neglected this region and that other actors – primarily Russia, China, some Arab countries, and Turkey – have exploited this vacuum. Now, with the threat to the European continent and the endangerment of a European country like Ukraine, they are aware that the "soft belly" of Europe is a weakness for both Europe and the West. That is why they have reactivated themselves to strengthen their position, achieve democratic goals, and expand their influence. This process has been going on for a long time, but now it is being done more concretely and seriously in this regard.

Patria: Politics and security are often intertwined in our country. In recent days, we have witnessed the "spengavanje" affair, as the media called it, involving the Prime Minister of the Federation, Nermin Nikšić, and the Director of the Federal Police Administration, Vahidin Munjić. After everything we have heard, can we consider the police apparatus to be separate from political influence - specifically in the Federation, but also in the entire country? And does what we have seen carry criminal responsibility for the actors mentioned?

Hadžović: We should not prejudge. We only have some recordings in the media, and we do not know how they were collected, nor whether they can be used as evidence in court practice. However, the fact is that neither the prime minister nor the minister should interfere in the operational work of police structures. This is clearly defined by law. Even the independent board, which directly oversees the work of the Police Administration of the Federation, the commissioner, and the directors of other agencies, does not have access to ongoing operational activities. Therefore, the law clearly stipulates what is allowed and what is not.

This is not an exemplary relationship between the prime minister and the director of the Police Administration – information about ongoing activities should not be sought. Of course, communication and cooperation are allowed, but interference in operational activities is certainly not.

Is there politics in the police? Of course. We are all aware, from the state to the cantonal level, that politics is the main actor in appointing the heads of police structures, despite the formal mechanisms of independent boards.

Patria: On the other hand, we have very little action in the field of hybrid warfare against BiH. Many experts believe that this war is already underway to a serious extent, with long-term consequences for our country. You have stated that there is no absolute security. How can BiH strengthen its resilience and respond to hybrid threats, challenges such as cyber attacks, disinformation, and foreign influence?

Hadžović: We cannot equip all capacities alone. Even much more developed countries are trying to do so, but in the era of globalization and transnational crime, it is simply not possible. The best protection is to share responsibilities and capacities with partners.

Watch the full interview below: