How troubles in Bosnia and elsewhere obstruct the Balkans’ path to Europe

“I DON’T want to be the rider on a dead horse.” You could hardly describe the situation more bluntly. Since 2007 Miroslav Lajcak has been the international high representative in Bosnia. But late last month he suddenly announced that he was off to become Slovakia’s foreign minister. And his undiplomatic language shocked Bosnians even more than his abrupt departure.

Bosnia is not the only western Balkan country that is going through a difficult patch. As it marks its first anniversary of independence, Kosovo remains unreconciled to Serbia (see article). Croatia, Macedonia and Serbia have all run into different obstacles on their long road towards the European Union. But Bosnia may be the most troubled of all. ...