Structure, Frameworks, Processes, Institutions, and Actors of BiH Foreign Policy Since Independence

Abstract

The book’s introduction draws out the basic contours and scope of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s (BiH) foreign policy in various contexts. It highlights the basic structures, frameworks, processes, institutions, and actors of BiH foreign policy. Moreover, it introduces the reader to the guiding theoretical and empirical contributions of the book including how the foreign policy of BiH evolved by responding to internal pressures and adapting to external structures over time. This is particularly important as understanding how post-conflict countries pursue foreign policies can in turn also better inform how interactions with other international actors and organizations are shaped in response. Moreover, this chapter provides an overview of the layout of all chapters in the volume. It highlights both the importance of proper positioning of the foreign policy of BiH over the last 25 years since its independence and thus the relevance of this approach for research on the foreign policy of similar states.