Author: Semran Murtezani, Master of International Law "The Vinca Case" is a novel by Goran Milasinovic that recounts a tragic incident at the Vinca Nuclear Institute in 1958. Although a work of fiction, the novel’s subject matter is specific and unique, holding significant historical value for understanding the political, scientific, and security dynamics of former Yugoslavia and beyond. The narrative explores the ethical, humanitarian, and scientific complexities surrounding nuclear research, detailing how the futures of six scientists at the Vinca Nuclear Institute transformed in unimaginable ways. Notably, the novel is grounded in real events. The title, "The Vinca Case" refers to the village of Vinca, home to a laboratory dedicated to nuclear research during the Cold War. This era in Yugoslav history was characterized by a complex interplay of scientific ambition and political tension, particularly in the realm of nuclear weapons development. Six scientists at the laboratory suddenly found themselves in a life-altering situation following a catastrophic accident, exposed to lethal levels of radiation during a nuclear experiment. Milasinovic’s fluid narrative style provides a detailed and accessible portrayal of the events, creating a vivid and compelling account of this pivotal moment. After World War II, nuclear weapons development reshaped international relations and marked a new phase in human history. Rivalry among states centered on advancing their nuclear capabilities, posing new challenges across economic, political, and scientific spheres. Nations sought to adapt to contemporary policies to gain prestige on the international stage, while also striving to establish protective mechanisms against potential threats to national security. The Vinca incident marked a turning point in Yugoslavia’s approach to nuclear technology. It drastically altered the lives of six ambitious scientists, some just at the outset of their careers, who suddenly faced a life-or-death situation due to high radiation exposure. The need for urgent medical intervention was critical, as the consequences of the incident were severe and shocking. Fortunately, the Yugoslav state decided to cover all medical expenses for their recovery, bolstering the state's image as a caring protector of its citizens. This was not mere political rhetoric; from start to finish, the state ensured the injured scientists received world-class treatment at the renowned Curie Institute in France. However, an unexpected challenge awaited them during their treatment. At the heart of "The Vinca Case" is an ethical dilemma faced by a French doctor involved in the scientists’ recovery. This character personifies the moral conflicts that arise when medical experimentation intersects with nuclear science. As the doctor confronts the consequences of the accident, readers are invited to reflect on the complexities of scientific progress and the ethical weight of human life in its wake. Despite using all conventional methods, the doctor’s efforts to treat the scientists prove unsuccessful. He is left with a profound ethical dilemma: should he proceed with a groundbreaking, experimental treatment or leave the scientists’ fates to chance? This decision is fraught with uncertainty; the doctor must first convince himself and then his colleagues, aware that success is far from guaranteed. Nevertheless, the severity of the circumstances drives him to make a historic choice—to proceed with the bold experiment. Under the careful supervision of the Curie Institute, preparations for the treatment begin. Ultimately, the experiment succeeds with five of the six scientists, marking the first successful human bone marrow transplants and a major milestone in medical history. However, Vladimir Gavric, one of the scientists, does not survive the transplant process. This event is not only a significant scientific breakthrough but also an emblem of friendship between France and the former Yugoslav Republic, particularly among the survivors, donors, and medical personnel involved. In summary, the novel underscores the delicate balance between fortune and misfortune. In the aftermath of the incident, the Yugoslav government formed a commission to examine the causes and consequences of the tragedy, concluding that the incident was due to "unprofessionalism and negligence." Through this novel, readers are given an in-depth exploration of both a tragic incident and a remarkable story of medical success, conveyed with meticulous detail.

Author: Vladimir Stojković Florian Biber's book The Rise of Authoritarianism in the Western Balkans is a handbook for understanding social conditions in the region. He points out in detail and precisely the similarities and differences in the unfolding of socio-political processes in the countries of this region. All social aspects and processes, such as media, corruption, reform, governance rights, etc., are covered. All the events that significantly influenced the emergence of authoritarianism are described in detail and chronologically framed. This book is written so that it can be understood even by people who know nothing about the situation in the Western Balkans. It gives them a complete picture of events and social oscillations in these countries. Its core consists of three chapters, which discuss the challenges of democratic consolidation, patterns of authoritarianism, and mechanisms of authoritarianism. Challenges of democratic consolidation This chapter primarily deals with the causes that led to the emergence of a semi-authoritarian regime throughout this region during the nineties. The beginning of these processes is linked to the fall of communist regimes throughout Central and Eastern Europe, first in Romania and Bulgaria and then in Yugoslavia and Albania. Interestingly, the Balkan countries lagged far behind Central European countries in deconstructing the communist regimes in their countries. This book segment also discusses the first multiparty elections in this part of Europe and the democratization process in these societies. However, multiparty politics marked the first years after the Union of Communists' monopoly, but without realized democracy. For the political parties that came to power after those elections, the priority wasn't the development of democracy and the democratization of society but the preservation of the monopoly over the management of the state apparatus. At the end of the 1990s and the beginning of the 2000s, there was a breakthrough and strengthening of democracy in these areas. That period didn't last long, but during 2002 and 2003, nationalist parties returned and took over power, primarily in Serbia and Bosnia. Unlike Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic, which quickly established democratic regimes and moved on through European integration, the countries of the Western Balkans cackled with regimes that brought them only instability, troubles, and wars. Patterns of authoritarianism In this part of the book, Bieber describes the situation in each country of the region in detail. The author identifies all the different social factors that led to the decline of democracy and the slowing down of its processes. External influences, internal circumstances, and economic crises have all contributed to the strengthening of authoritarianism and the decline of democracy in the region's countries. In Montenegro, the dominant Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) evolved over the years and underwent different phases of ruling style. North Macedonia's direction towards authoritarianism was achieved after the conflict with Greece regarding the country's name and the failed attempt to enter the NATO alliance in 2008. After Kosovo declared independence, the ruling elite relied on external support. The external partners, in turn, ignored Kosovo's society's problems, primarily problems in the rule of law and anti-corruption. The external factor allowed this to secure consent to cooperation with Serbia. Authoritarianism returned to Serbia in 2012 with the coming to power of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and Aleksandar Vučić. Party clientelism reaches its peak. In Albania, the government of Salia Berisha is characterized as a stabilocracy. This term was first used in that context. After that, the socialist government of Edi Rama made progress in reforms, but the main characteristic of his rule was the remnants of the old system in the form of party clientelism. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the government was mainly composed of ethno-nationalist parties, which always aspired to absolute control over the state. In Croatia, the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) was passing through several phases. During the nineties, the Croatian regime went through two stages. In the first phase, which lasted until the end of the war in 1995, the ruling party encouraged a nationalist atmosphere, and after that, the regime led by Tudjman switched to a sultanist form of ruling. It's a political system in which he relied on the closest people around him. So, there is no single authoritarian model, but there are common circumstances that repeat and which, together, strengthened authoritarianism in the Western Balkans. Mechanisms of authoritarianism In the third part of this book, the author talks about the different ways authoritarian regimes led until the capture of the state. These are political crises, nationalism, weak opposition, media control, etc. This chapter also discusses the role of the external factor and its contribution to maintaining this regime, namely the so-called regimes of competitive authoritarianism. Given that democracy and European integration have been important goals for the region's countries in the last twenty years, open authoritarianism is not possible. Therefore, the rulers of these countries apply competitive authoritarianism, which implies a model of governance in which rulers use authoritarian forms of governance, mostly informal, to avoid formal rules of democracy. So, it is about the simultaneity of these two systems (democracy and authoritarianism) in the way regimes in the countries of the Western Balkans work. Conclusion Apart from individuals who usually deal with this topic and monitor socio-political processes in the Western Balkans, this book is very good for those who need to know more about this topic. Florian Biber clearly and objectively processes and explains the circumstances that led to certain socio-political events and changes. A gradual familiarization with the political history of each country, framed by a chronological framework for each of those events, provides us with an exact overview of all those events. In addition to getting to know the situation in these countries, the book can also serve as a guide it gives us direction to understand, in the best possible way, how certain political systems work. Also, as individuals, we can see the mistakes and the bad things and try to correct them in the following period so that similar negative processes are not repeated. That would be our contribution to the further development of democracy and improving the socio-political situation in the Western Balkans.