Croatia

List of Croatia articles

Conflict-Of-Interest-podcast-playlist-social
Conflict-Of-Interest-podcast-playlist-social

Using Storytelling to Explain the Yugoslav Wars

Foreign Policy Playlist recommends: Conflict of Interest

A migrant walks among tents at the Vucjak camp on the outskirts of Bihac in Bosnia and Herzegovinia on  Nov. 20.
A migrant walks among tents at the Vucjak camp on the outskirts of Bihac in Bosnia and Herzegovinia on Nov. 20.

Croatia Is Abusing Migrants While the EU Turns a Blind Eye

The evidence of Croatian police violence toward migrants is overwhelming, but Brussels continues to praise and fund Zagreb for patrolling the European Union’s longest external land border.

US President Donald Trump speaks during his meeting with Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at Winfield House, London on Dec. 3, 2019.
US President Donald Trump speaks during his meeting with Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at Winfield House, London on Dec. 3, 2019.

NATO Defense Funds Have Been Building for Years, but Trump Wants the Credit

Renewed defense spending by European states is in part a response to Russian aggression.

(L-R) Leader of the Dutch Party for Freedom Geert Wilders, Belgian Vlaams Belang party member Gerolf Annemans, Italy's League party leader, Matteo Salvini, president of the French National Rally party, Marine Le Pen, and others at a rally of European nationalists ahead of European elections on May 18 in Milan.
(L-R) Leader of the Dutch Party for Freedom Geert Wilders, Belgian Vlaams Belang party member Gerolf Annemans, Italy's League party leader, Matteo Salvini, president of the French National Rally party, Marine Le Pen, and others at a rally of European nationalists ahead of European elections on May 18 in Milan.

How Europe’s Nationalists Became Internationalists

Many European far-right parties made their mark by railing against the EU. Now they are appealing to a pan-European identity to further their goal of a racially pure, white Christian continent.

A man holds a picture with Macedonian national hero Goce Delcev in front of the parliament building in Skopje on June 23, 2018 during a protest against the new name of the country, the Republic of North Macedonia.
A man holds a picture with Macedonian national hero Goce Delcev in front of the parliament building in Skopje on June 23, 2018 during a protest against the new name of the country, the Republic of North Macedonia.

Refighting the Balkan Wars Won’t Lead to a Seat at the Table in Brussels

Historical feuds still threaten to stop Eastern European countries from joining the EU.

Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic, Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban shake hands at a summit of 16 Central and Eastern European leaders looking to woo Chinese investment in Bucharest on Nov. 25, 2013. (Daniel Mihailescu/AFP/Getty Images)
Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic, Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban shake hands at a summit of 16 Central and Eastern European leaders looking to woo Chinese investment in Bucharest on Nov. 25, 2013. (Daniel Mihailescu/AFP/Getty Images)

How China Blew Its Chance in Eastern Europe

Seven years on, the 16+1 project has largely flopped.

Migrants camp on the road in the vicinity of the Maljevac border crossing with neighboring Croatia, near the northern Bosnian town of Velika Kladusa, on Oct. 24, 2018. (Elvis Barukcic/AFP/Getty Images)
Migrants camp on the road in the vicinity of the Maljevac border crossing with neighboring Croatia, near the northern Bosnian town of Velika Kladusa, on Oct. 24, 2018. (Elvis Barukcic/AFP/Getty Images)

In Bosnia, a Migrant Way Station Is Becoming a Winter Prison

For years, the country remained untouched by the global migrant crisis, but now, even in a place where many people were once refugees, tensions are on the rise.

People gather to celebrate the return of the formerly banned anti-government group the Oromo Liberation Front at Mesquel Square in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on Sept. 15, 2018.
People gather to celebrate the return of the formerly banned anti-government group the Oromo Liberation Front at Mesquel Square in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on Sept. 15, 2018.

Don’t Let Ethiopia Become the Next Yugoslavia

Federations of ethnonational states can become explosive during moments of political liberalization. Abiy Ahmed must tread carefully to avoid a Balkan nightmare.

Croatian nationalist singer Marko Perkovic (known as Thompson) performs during an event to welcome Zlatko Dalic, Croatia's national football coach, at a local stadium in the Western-Bosnian town of Livno on July 24, 2018.
Croatian nationalist singer Marko Perkovic (known as Thompson) performs during an event to welcome Zlatko Dalic, Croatia's national football coach, at a local stadium in the Western-Bosnian town of Livno on July 24, 2018.

In Croatia, Nazi Sympathizers Are Welcome to Join the Party

The national soccer team celebrated its strong World Cup showing alongside a singer who glorifies the country’s fascist past. But it shouldn’t have come as a surprise.

Members of the Croatian soccer team celebrate after scoring a goal against Nigeria at Kaliningrad Stadium in Kaliningrad, Russia, on June 16.
Members of the Croatian soccer team celebrate after scoring a goal against Nigeria at Kaliningrad Stadium in Kaliningrad, Russia, on June 16.

How a WWII-Era Chant Found Its Way to World Cup 2018

Symbols have power, even in soccer. Just ask Croatia.

Flags with the logo and the World Cup 2018 mascot Zabivaka are seen in front of Saint Basil's Cathedral in Moscow on June 30, 2018 during the Russia 2018 World Cup football tournament. (Photo by Vasily MAXIMOV / AFP)        (Photo credit should read VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP/Getty Images)
Flags with the logo and the World Cup 2018 mascot Zabivaka are seen in front of Saint Basil's Cathedral in Moscow on June 30, 2018 during the Russia 2018 World Cup football tournament. (Photo by Vasily MAXIMOV / AFP) (Photo credit should read VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP/Getty Images)

Read FP’s Coverage of the 2018 World Cup

War is politics by other means — and so is the World Cup.

Croatia and Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric appears in court to testify in a corruption trial in Osijek, Croatia, on June 13, 2017. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)
Croatia and Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric appears in court to testify in a corruption trial in Osijek, Croatia, on June 13, 2017. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)

Croatia’s Soccer Stars Should Be Heroes. Instead, They’re Hated.

A corruption scandal involving the country’s top club and the national team’s captain has enraged Croatian fans.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 19:  Singer and songwriter Lorde at a state luncheon for  Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovicon at Government House August 19, 2017 in Auckland, New Zealand. President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic is on a four day visit to New Zealand.  (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 19: Singer and songwriter Lorde at a state luncheon for Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovicon at Government House August 19, 2017 in Auckland, New Zealand. President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic is on a four day visit to New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Oh, Lorde: New Zealand Singer Picks up Croatian Citizenship

The beloved popstar got the green light to become a Croat.

Black_Legion_1942 crop
Black_Legion_1942 crop

Croatia’s Far Right Weaponizes the Past

The new government includes an outspoken apologist for the country's World War II-era fascist regime.

Serbian nationalist politician Vojislav Seselj (R) surrounded by his supporters holds a burning NATO flag during an anti-government rally on March 24, 2015, in front of the building of the former federal Interior Ministry in Belgrade, which was destroyed during the 1999 NATO air campaign against Serbia and Montenegro. AFP PHOTO / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC        (Photo credit should read )
Serbian nationalist politician Vojislav Seselj (R) surrounded by his supporters holds a burning NATO flag during an anti-government rally on March 24, 2015, in front of the building of the former federal Interior Ministry in Belgrade, which was destroyed during the 1999 NATO air campaign against Serbia and Montenegro. AFP PHOTO / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC (Photo credit should read )

When a Serbian Warlord Celebrates His Escape from Justice, He Burns EU Flags

Despite overseeing the torture, sexual assault, and deaths of hundreds of civilians, Vojislav Seselj is still on the lam.

Croatia's leading rights group chief Ivan Zvonimir Cicak's (C) looks down after his trousers fell down while posing for a photo with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic (2nd R) on December 8, 2015 in Zagreb.
Croatian Helsinki Committee president Ivan Zvonimir Cicak's trousers suddenly slipped to his ankles while he was posing in the front row of a group photo along with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, during a photo session of an event marking the forthcoming international human rights day. / AFP / STRINGER        (Photo credit should read STRINGER/AFP/Getty Images)
Croatia's leading rights group chief Ivan Zvonimir Cicak's (C) looks down after his trousers fell down while posing for a photo with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic (2nd R) on December 8, 2015 in Zagreb. Croatian Helsinki Committee president Ivan Zvonimir Cicak's trousers suddenly slipped to his ankles while he was posing in the front row of a group photo along with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, during a photo session of an event marking the forthcoming international human rights day. / AFP / STRINGER (Photo credit should read STRINGER/AFP/Getty Images)

The President of Croatia Doesn’t Seem to Care That This Man’s Pants Fell Down During a Photo-Op

Croatia's president barely seemed to notice that her honoree's pants fell down during a photo-op.

A Bosnian Muslim woman, survivor of Srebrenica atrocities in 1995, Sehida Abdurahmanovic, arrives at Potocari memorial cemetery, near Srebrenica, on March 31, 2010, to visit graves and pay her respects to relatives, victims of the Bosnian-Serb ofensive in July 1995. Serbia's Srebrenica apology on Wednesday March 31 met with bitterness and cynicism in Bosnia where Muslim survivors of the massacre slammed Belgrade for dodging the term genocide and Bosnian Serbs felt betrayed. AFP PHOTO / ELVIS BARUKCIC (Photo credit should read ELVIS BARUKCIC/AFP/Getty Images)
A Bosnian Muslim woman, survivor of Srebrenica atrocities in 1995, Sehida Abdurahmanovic, arrives at Potocari memorial cemetery, near Srebrenica, on March 31, 2010, to visit graves and pay her respects to relatives, victims of the Bosnian-Serb ofensive in July 1995. Serbia's Srebrenica apology on Wednesday March 31 met with bitterness and cynicism in Bosnia where Muslim survivors of the massacre slammed Belgrade for dodging the term genocide and Bosnian Serbs felt betrayed. AFP PHOTO / ELVIS BARUKCIC (Photo credit should read ELVIS BARUKCIC/AFP/Getty Images)

The Bosnian War Cables

The 20th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords is a time to reflect on the power of American diplomacy. But it is also a time for a reckoning of America’s dismal diplomatic response to genocide in the heart of Europe.

Migrants and refugees cross the Greek-Macedonian border near Gevgelija on November 10, 2015. More than 3,000 refugees and migrants have drowned among the nearly 800,000 who have reached Europe this year. However, EU states have bickered for months over a joint solution, particularly over plans to relocate a total of 160,000 asylum seekers from frontline countries to other parts of the EU bloc. AFP  PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI        (Photo credit should read ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
Migrants and refugees cross the Greek-Macedonian border near Gevgelija on November 10, 2015. More than 3,000 refugees and migrants have drowned among the nearly 800,000 who have reached Europe this year. However, EU states have bickered for months over a joint solution, particularly over plans to relocate a total of 160,000 asylum seekers from frontline countries to other parts of the EU bloc. AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI (Photo credit should read ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Slovenia’s Solution to the Refugee Crisis? ‘Technical Obstacles’ on its Borders

Overwhelmed by the number of migrants and refugees crossing its borders each day, Slovenian officials announced plans to install obstacles on their borders as a deterrent.

TOVARNIK, CROATIA - SEPTEMBER 23:  Migrants stand in line at Tovarnik station as they wait to board a train heading to Zagred as more migrants arrive from the Serbian border on September 23, 2015 in Tovarnik, Croatia. Croatia has built a refugee camp to control the transit of migrants to Hungary with a capacity of 4,000 people. EU leaders attended an extraordinary summit today in Brussels in an attempt to resolve the ongoing crisis. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
TOVARNIK, CROATIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Migrants stand in line at Tovarnik station as they wait to board a train heading to Zagred as more migrants arrive from the Serbian border on September 23, 2015 in Tovarnik, Croatia. Croatia has built a refugee camp to control the transit of migrants to Hungary with a capacity of 4,000 people. EU leaders attended an extraordinary summit today in Brussels in an attempt to resolve the ongoing crisis. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Balkans

Refugees fleeing war in the Middle East have stumbled into older enmities between Croatia and Serbia.

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