The Turbulent History of Western Herzegovina: A Crossroads of Empires and Modern Geopolitics
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Western Herzegovina, a rugged and culturally complex region within Bosnia and Herzegovina, has long been a flashpoint of competing empires, ideologies, and identities. Unlike the more frequently discussed Sarajevo or Mostar, this lesser-known corner of the Balkans holds secrets that reveal much about today’s global tensions—from nationalism to religious divides and the lingering scars of war.
The history of Western Herzegovina is a microcosm of the broader Balkan story. For centuries, it was a contested frontier between the Ottoman Empire and the Habsburg Monarchy. The Ottomans, who ruled the region from the 15th to the 19th century, left behind a legacy of Islamic influence, visible in the mosques and place names still dotting the landscape. Yet, the region was also a stronghold of Croatian Catholic identity, fiercely resistant to Ottoman rule.
When the Austro-Hungarians took control in 1878, they brought modernization—railways, schools, and bureaucracy—but also deepened ethnic divisions by favoring Catholic Croats over Orthodox Serbs and Muslim Bosniaks. This colonial-style governance sowed seeds of resentment that would later explode in the 20th century.
The brutality of World War II left an indelible mark on Western Herzegovina. The fascist Ustaše regime, a Croatian puppet state backed by Nazi Germany, carried out horrific atrocities against Serbs, Jews, and Roma in the region. The memory of these crimes still fuels ethnic tensions today.
After the war, Tito’s Yugoslavia sought to suppress nationalist sentiments, but Western Herzegovina remained a hotbed of Croatian nationalism. The region’s rugged terrain and fiercely independent communities made it a natural stronghold for dissident movements.
When Yugoslavia collapsed in the 1990s, Western Herzegovina became a battleground once again. Croatian nationalists declared the short-lived "Herzeg-Bosna," an unrecognized statelet that sought to unite with Croatia. Ethnic cleansing campaigns targeted Bosniaks, and towns like Mostar were torn apart by artillery fire.
The Dayton Accords in 1995 ended the fighting but cemented ethnic divisions by creating a convoluted political system that rewarded wartime leaders. Today, Western Herzegovina remains politically dominated by Croat nationalists, many of whom still dream of eventual unification with Croatia—a stance that alarms Bosniaks and international observers alike.
In recent years, Western Herzegovina has become a symbol of Europe’s unresolved nationalist conflicts. Hardline Croat politicians, such as those from the HDZ BiH party, frequently stoke fears of Bosniak domination, echoing rhetoric seen in Hungary and Poland. Meanwhile, Serbia’s close ties with Republika Srpska (the Serb-dominated entity in Bosnia) add another layer of tension.
The region’s politics are a warning for the EU: unchecked nationalism can destabilize even a post-war society that has received billions in reconstruction aid.
Another underreported issue is depopulation. Young people are leaving en masse for Croatia, Germany, and beyond, leaving behind aging communities and empty villages. This trend mirrors the broader Balkan "brain drain," but in Western Herzegovina, it has an added ethnic dimension—Croats leaving could shift the demographic balance, further complicating Bosnia’s fragile power-sharing system.
Western Herzegovina’s strategic importance goes beyond Bosnia. Russia has long used the Balkans as a wedge to weaken NATO and the EU, and its support for Serb nationalists is well-documented. Meanwhile, Turkey, under Erdogan, has increased its influence among Bosniaks, positioning itself as their protector.
The region is also a testing ground for hybrid warfare—disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks, and political manipulation—all tactics seen in Ukraine and elsewhere.
Brussels faces a tough choice: push for deeper integration and risk inflaming nationalist backlash, or maintain the status quo and allow corruption and stagnation to fester. The recent EU decision to grant Bosnia candidate status was a step forward, but without real reforms, Western Herzegovina could remain a tinderbox.
Western Herzegovina is more than just a footnote in Balkan history. It’s a living example of how imperial legacies, wartime trauma, and modern geopolitics collide. Its future will depend on whether its people—and the international community—can break the cycle of division.
For now, the hills of Western Herzegovina remain silent witnesses to centuries of conflict, waiting to see if the next chapter will bring peace or another reckoning.