Civil War in Bosnia, 1992-94

by Edgar O'Ballance

The civil war in Bosnia, between Muslims, Serbs and Croats, historical and traditional enemies, fought with ferocity, began in April 1992. After initial successful Serb campaigns, battle positions became entrenched, as warlords, who levied tolls on UN food aid convoys, fought a war of siege, bombardment and starvation, to defend their own locality. Western intervention was disastrous; it was a war which could not be stopped. Western policies changed from supporting Bosnian entity, to division by cantons, and variations of those positions, as negotiations continued fruitlessly and endlessly. Uprooted refugees, ethnic cleansing, atrocities, concentration camps, broken promises and deceit, all became prominent features. Distrustful of Muslims, Western statesmen refused to raise the arms embargo against Bosnia so it could defend itself, or to allow NATO (American) warplanes to bomb Serbs. In March 1994, when rival American and Russian initiatives brought about a ceasefire in Sarajevo, bombed continually for almost two years in full television spotlight, it was hoped it would spread and develop into a peace process. Much of Bosnia lay in media darkness. Bosnia may become some form of UN protectorate, a long-lasting one, as it will take time for roused ethnic emotions to cool down.

269 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1995

About the author

Major Edgar O'Ballance was a British military journalist, researcher, defence commentator and academic lecturer specialising in international relations and defence problems.

He was emergency commissioned a Second Lieutenant from Sergeant in the Sherwood Foresters on 19 January 1941. As a temporary Major he was mentioned in dispatches for service in Palestine between 27 March and 30 June 1948.

He served in the army until 1948.

In April 1953 he was commissioned into the Territorial Army as a Captain, serving with the Sherwood Foresters. He was promoted Major in March 1955. In June 1963 he transferred from the Sherwood Foresters to the General List. In July 1965 he was awarded the Territorial Efficiency Decoration.

In 1968 he transferred from the General List (Territorial Army) to the General List (Regular Army Reserve of Officers) and having achieved the age limit on 17 July 1968 (his 50th birthday) retired retaining the rank of Major.

He worked as a journalist for a US Wire Agency from 1948 to 1962, and was thereafter a freelance journalist. He covered over twenty wars and insurgencies and wrote extensively on international relations, defence and strategic problems. He was a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies and Chairman of the London-based Military Commentators' Circle. He wrote many articles for military journals and was the author of over forty books.

Reviews

[Rich · Rating 4 out of 5]

In depth analysis of the factors responsible for the Balkan Civil Wars and the atrocities committed.