Geopolitical curse and states born to be failed: A case study of Iraq and Bosnia

Failed states are fast becoming a central issue in the field of global security. In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of internationally recognized states. Especially, following the dissolution of USSR, numerous states have declared their independence. Western policymakers have claimed that the end of Cold War and spread of democratization and globalization would make the world more peaceful. Yet, some specific areas like Middle East and Western Balkans have remained unstable. In the absence of a central authority that maintains the global order, these regions have become the focus of permanent conflicts. In view of above, this study aims to explore the impact of permanent conflicts on state failure and the role of great powers that shaped post-war conditions in Iraq and Bosnia. The examination of these cases via using Most Similar Systems Design method has showed that while they both share some certain characteristics of a typical failed state, Bosnia, today is more stable relative to Iraq owing to acceleration of the process of the EU membership. Keywords: Iraq, Bosnia, failed state, structural realism