Instead of Serving Foreign Interests, Let's Decide for Ourselves: The Importance of Strengthening Ties Between Iran and Bosnia and Herzegovina!

By: Prof. Dr. Jahja Muhasilović for pisjournal.net

In the context of increasingly dynamic geopolitical changes globally, for small countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina, the key imperative is to pursue a wise, balanced, and pragmatic foreign policy primarily aimed at protecting national interests.

One of the important elements of such a policy is certainly nurturing good bilateral relations with all relevant actors in the international community, especially those with whom we share a tradition of long-standing friendship and cooperation.

In this context, the relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Islamic Republic of Iran deserve special attention from the authorities. Namely, despite significant cultural differences, these two countries are bound by a rich history of friendly ties and constructive cooperation at crucial moments. Especially during the difficult times of aggression and genocide against Bosniaks in the 1990s, it was Iran that was one of the first allies to selflessly provide significant humanitarian, financial, and military assistance, thereby making an immeasurable contribution to the survival of Bosnia and Herzegovina as an independent state. On the other hand, cooperation with Iran enabled BiH to establish valuable diplomatic channels and enhance its international credibility at a time when it was almost completely isolated.

Unfortunately, due to strong pressure from the West, these traditionally good bilateral relations have been seriously damaged in recent years. Instead of continuing cooperation with Iran, the authorities in Sarajevo, under the influence of the United States and the European Union, have adopted an extremely hostile tone towards this regional power. I believe that such a shift in foreign policy actions directly harms the national interests of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that such an exclusive approach needs to be re-examined.

Firstly, despite sanctions and international isolation, Iran remains a respectable regional power with significant political, economic, and military capabilities. It is a country that actively projects its influence from the Middle East to the Caucasus, Central Asia, and beyond. Especially after the geopolitical rift caused by the conclusion of the nuclear agreement in 2015 and the gradual lifting of sanctions, Iran experienced a strong economic recovery with the then realistic prospect that its economy could become one of the leading in the region. Although this economic prospect was partially undermined by the US unilateral withdrawal from the Agreement in 2018, we can confidently say that Iran, along with its extensive network of proxies, has never been better positioned in its surrounding region in its modern history. This has earned Iran the status of a relevant international factor with whom it is very worthwhile to work on deepening bilateral cooperation.

Furthermore, continuing active diplomatic communication and pragmatic economic cooperation with Iran would be a wise move that would strengthen the international position of Bosnia and Herzegovina vis-à-vis the policy of balance that, due to geopolitical circumstances, is imposed as necessary. Cooperation with Iran would enable BiH to strengthen its position in the region. This has been proven to us time and again by a series of examples, such as regional countries that have strengthened their position in the region by pursuing an active foreign policy beyond the narrow confines of Western bloc alignment. In addition, strengthening trade and economic ties with Iran would positively impact the Bosnian economy, given that it is a country that stands out as an energy giant in times of energy crisis. On the other hand, continuing to neglect relations with Tehran leaves room for other sub-state actors like Milorad Dodik, as well as other regional countries, to fill that vacuum to the detriment of BiH.

One only needs to look at the examples of other countries in the region, such as Serbia, Hungary, or Turkey, which, despite pressure from the West, continue pragmatic cooperation with Iran and other 'Eastern powers' guided by their own national interests. Serbia, in particular, has recently seen an expansion of economic and political exchange with Iran, which allows it to balance the influence of the EU and Russia. So why shouldn't Bosnia and Herzegovina follow such a foreign policy model, instead of servilely adapting to the demands of Brussels and Washington at the cost of sacrificing its own interests and traditional friendships?

Therefore, it is of vital importance for Bosnia and Herzegovina to urgently re-evaluate the current treatment of non-Western countries like Iran and to reconsider the possibilities for improving bilateral relations. Cooperation with Iran, as well as with other Asian and Middle Eastern countries, should become one of the pillars of diversifying BiH's foreign policy partnerships. In a time of increasingly pronounced geopolitical polarization into 'geopolitical East and West,' it will be precisely states like BiH that establish multiple channels of communication with different centers of power that will fare the best.

BiH should therefore strive to build active relations with Iran, China, Russia, and Turkey in parallel with the continuation of the process of Euro-Atlantic integration. Such a multi-vector orientation would enable Sarajevo to optimally diversify its partnerships, and thus maximize its own development potential while preserving independence and sovereignty in shaping foreign policy. Conversely, unilateral bias towards either the West or the East leads to a trap of dependence and subjugation to foreign interests in the long run.

In conclusion, the competent authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina should urgently set about strengthening bilateral ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran. This includes establishing regular political communication at the highest level, improving trade and investment cooperation, and expanding cultural and scientific exchanges. This would compensate for the damage caused by two decades of cold relations. Strengthening cooperation with Iran should certainly not come at the expense of Bosnia and Herzegovina's traditionally good relations with the United States and the European Union. On the contrary, diversifying foreign policy partners would strengthen Sarajevo's negotiating positions and ensure a balance of interests of the great powers in the Balkans, which is of crucial importance for preserving BiH's sovereignty.

In this regard, the visit of the Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs to Sarajevo during the mandate of the former BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bisera Turković, was a positive signal of a possible improvement in bilateral relations at the time. Unfortunately, instead of a constructive and pragmatic approach to cooperation with Iran, some pro-Western media used this opportunity for another round of demonization of a traditionally friendly state and to exert pressure on the then BiH authorities. Accusations of alleged "spreading radical Islam" and "endangering the secular character of BiH" are typical clichés used by certain media outlets navigated by Western embassies in Sarajevo to thwart any attempt to strengthen communication with countries of the Islamic world, which is certainly part of the comprehensive elimination of the Bosniak factor as a political one that culminated in the suspension of their rights on the night of the 2022 elections, and which, it seems, will continue in the coming period.

Unfortunately, a part of the Bosnian political elite, most embodied in the policies pursued by the Trojka and their loyal media, unconditionally adopts this pro-Western rhetoric, thereby directly undermining the national interests of their own country. Instead of us, as a sovereign state, assessing which foreign policy partners are beneficial to us, we have delegated this role to Washington and Brussels and diplomats of mediocre diplomatic capacity to navigate our main policy courses. In doing so, we have become hostages of our own naivety and inability to recognize where BiH's interests lie, as well as the necessary alliances in the coming geopolitical uncertainties.

Therefore, it is high time we took responsibility for our own destiny in a rapidly changing world. Strengthening cooperation with Iran and other Asian and Middle Eastern countries should be placed on the agenda of Bosnian foreign policy in the coming period. This is the only way to achieve true emancipation of BiH as a subject of international relations, rather than an object of others' interests. We hope that those responsible in Sarajevo will recognize the wisdom of such an approach, despite the permanent pressures from the West, which will continue regardless of what we do or do not do. Because what is at stake is nothing less than the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a sovereign, prosperous, and globally relevant state.

*The author is a professor of international relations and geopolitics at the International University of Sarajevo, and a prominent geopolitical analyst.