Untold Stories: The Bosnia Series - The Other Archive Episode 8: Collection of Reflections - (With Haris Tagari, Dr Adnan Siddiqui, Shahid Butt & Petrit)
Aug 17, 2025
Shahid Butt, a former foreign fighter in Bosnia and Afghanistan, shares powerful personal reflections on the Bosnian conflict, emphasizing lessons on resilience and unity. Dr. Adnan Siddiqui, representing Cage, provides critical insights into the realities of war in the 90s, discussing the complexities of nationalism and foreign influence in the Balkans. The conversation delves into the potential for harmony through Islamic principles, warning against unresolved tensions that could threaten peace in the region.
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Episode notes
Secret Arms From A Pakistani General
- A Pakistani ex-ISI general secretly supplied arms to Bosnian Muslims during the war.
- The speaker met him in a mosque and learned he was celebrated as a hero for his covert role.
Global Muslim Solidarity Changed The War
- External Muslim communities and foreign fighters materially influenced Bosnia's survival.
- Donations and mujahideen support helped finance and defend Bosnian positions when local capacity was weak.
Leverage Matters More Than Labels
- Labels like 'genocide' or 'civil war' are less useful on the ground than the lived horror of mass death and suffering.
- Effective negotiation requires having leverage, not pleading without strength.
