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G08: Civil Wars around the world: Yugoslavia

A guide to major (non USA) Civil Wars in Modern history

Overview Yugoslavia

The Yugoslav Wars were a series of conflicts that took place in the 1990s, following the breakup of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The power dynamics of the conflict were shaped by ethnic and nationalist tensions, as well as the struggle for political and economic power.

The conflict was fought between various ethnic groups in the former Yugoslavia, including Serbs, Croats, Bosniaks, Albanians, and others. The power dynamics were influenced by historical grievances, such as the Serbian nationalist desire for a "Greater Serbia," as well as by broader geopolitical factors, such as Cold War politics and the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The conflict was marked by brutal tactics on all sides, including ethnic cleansing, mass killings, and rape. The war ultimately resulted in the breakup of Yugoslavia, with the creation of several new countries, including Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and others.

The conflict had a lasting impact on the region, with ongoing political tensions and ethnic divisions remaining to this day. The legacy of the conflict is still felt today, particularly in debates over the role of nationalism, ethnicity, and power dynamics in the politics of the Balkans and the wider European region.