Author Nikola Vucic, a journalist and cultural researcher from Bosnia and Herzegovina, reflects on his visiting research in Beirut, Lebanon, in the fall of 2023, as part of the “Peacebuilding Experiences and Alternative Solutions” project implemented through the SMART Balkans AD HOC support . The author explores the potential for applying Bosnia’s peacebuilding experiences to Lebanon’s context, particularly focusing on needed reforms to address governance challenges.
Drawing comparisons between the conflicts in both countries, the article highlights commonalities in their struggles with identity politics and post-conflict reconstruction. The author discusses the role of international intervention, particularly the High Representative in Bosnia, and raises the question of whether Lebanon could benefit from a similar mechanism. Ultimately, the article underscores the urgent need for domestic and international efforts to address Lebanon’s functional stagnation and calls for a deeper understanding of its complex socio-political dynamics.
This article employs a comparative analysis to examine the peacebuilding experiences and governance challenges in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Lebanon. Drawing on scholarly literature, historical background, and the author’s own observations from visiting research in Beirut, Lebanon, in fall 2023, the article explores similarities and differences between the two countries’ conflict contexts and post-conflict trajectories.
The analysis considers the role of international intervention, particularly the High Representative in Bosnia, and evaluates its applicability to Lebanon’s context. Additionally, the article synthesizes insights from academic debates, expert opinions, and empirical evidence to underscore the urgent need for domestic and international efforts to address Lebanon’s functional stagnation. Overall, the methodology combines qualitative analysis with empirical observation to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.
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