The David McWilliams Podcast

When the West Woke Up: How Yugoslavia Fell Apart

12 snips
Jul 24, 2025
Delve into the chaotic end years of Yugoslavia and the ethnic conflicts that shook Europe. Discover how opportunistic leaders fueled rivalries, resulting in horrific violence and ethnic cleansing, with over 100,000 lives lost. Explore the international response, from U.S. air strikes to the Dayton Accords that aimed to restore peace. Contrast Slovenia’s rise as a modern state with Croatia's demographic challenges and Serbia's struggles against hyperinflation and nationalism. Reflect on the lingering effects of historical tensions and alliances in today's geopolitics.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Ethnic Nationalism Breeds Chaos

  • Yugoslavia's breakup showed how ethnic nationalism leads to violent conflict and chaos.
  • David McWilliams warns Europe of repeating this past by ignoring such divisive forces.
ANECDOTE

Inside Serbia's Mafia State

  • David McWilliams describes meeting Slobodan Milosevic's private banker amid Serbia's mafia state.
  • He shares a vivid club encounter with Milosevic's son, highlighting the regime's violent control.
INSIGHT

Divergent Post-War Trajectories

  • Slovenia emerged as an economic success with high company density and EU integration post-Yugoslavia.
  • Croatia struggles despite victory, facing emigration and rising nationalism, hindering progress.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app