At a time when Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Euro-Atlantic path remains both a strategic objective and a subject of political debate, one of the country’s most experienced senior military officials offers a perspective shaped by decades of operational command and high-level international engagement. A career officer with extensive multinational experience – including service at NATO Joint Force Command Brunssum and as Head of the Military Component of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Mission to NATO in Brussels – Brigadier General Edin Fako has combined field leadership with academic training at the University of Sarajevo, the University of Bologna, and the NATO Defense College.
Today, as Inspector General of the Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, he stands at the intersection of operational professionalism, institutional accountability, and strategic reform. In this interview, he speaks about how academic rigor and military practice have shaped his leadership philosophy, how Bosnia and Herzegovina is perceived within NATO structures, what reforms remain on the country’s path toward membership, and why accountability and integrity are not only institutional obligations but strategic assets in an increasingly complex security environment.
“I’m a senior military professional with extensive multinational experience, including three years of serving as Officer of Primary Responsibility for Operational Capability Concept at NATO Joint Force Command Brunssum, where I evaluated partner nations’ units against NATO standards and led multinational engagements,” he starts the interview.
Reflecting on the interplay between field experience and academic rigor, he underscores how both dimensions have been essential in forming his approach to leadership.
“My background combines operational leadership, strategic evaluation, and high-level stakeholder coordination. My academic education at the University of Sarajevo, the University of Bologna, and the NATO Defense College, together with decades of operational military service and delivering academic-level lectures, has profoundly shaped my leadership philosophy. Operational experience teaches you responsibility, clarity under pressure, and accountability for decisions that directly affect people’s lives. Academic study, on the other hand, broadens perspective and compelling one to analyse complex geopolitical environments, understand historical contexts, and think strategically beyond immediate tactical concerns.”
“This combination has shaped my leadership approach, which is grounded in professionalism, critical thinking, and adaptability. I firmly believe that modern military leadership must integrate intellectual rigor with operational competence. In today’s complex security environment, leaders must be both practitioners and thinkers.”
Having also served as Head of the Military Component of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Mission to NATO in Brussels and as BiH Military Representative to the EU, Brigadier General Fako offers insight into how allies currently view the country’s Euro-Atlantic path.
“During my tenure as Head of the Military Component of the BiH Mission to NATO and Military Representative to the EU, I observed that allies generally recognize Bosnia and Herzegovina’s strong commitment to Euro-Atlantic integration. Within NATO structures, Bosnia and Herzegovina is regarded as a partner that has made tangible progress in defense reform and interoperability.”
At the same time, he notes that international partners closely follow political developments within the country.
“However, allies also closely monitor the political dynamics within the country. They value consistency, unity of purpose, and a clear strategic direction. The prevailing perception is that while the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina are professional and increasingly interoperable, sustained political consensus is essential for achieving full NATO membership.”
When it comes to the reforms still required for meaningful advancement toward NATO membership, he emphasizes that significant groundwork has already been laid.
“First, it is important to emphasize that Bosnia and Herzegovina has already achieved substantial progress in the NATO integration process. Since joining the Partnership for Peace framework and activating the Membership Action Plan, the country has implemented comprehensive defense reforms. We have unified the Armed Forces under a single state-level command, developed interoperable units, participated in international peace support operations, and aligned numerous procedures and doctrines with NATO standards. These are not merely symbolic steps; they represent genuine structural transformation.”
Nevertheless, the reform process remains ongoing.
“That said, NATO membership remains an ongoing reform process. One of the key remaining issues is the full and sustainable resolution of defense property registration, which involves both legal and political considerations. Ensuring clarity and functionality in this area strengthens state-level defense governance and demonstrates institutional maturity.”
He further highlights the importance of democratic oversight and continued modernization.
“Another essential area is the further strengthening of democratic oversight of the Armed Forces. Bosnia and Herzegovina has established the necessary legal and parliamentary frameworks for effective oversight. However, it requires continuous professional development, transparency, and political accountability. Civilian control of the military remains a cornerstone of NATO’s value system.”
“Interoperability also remains a key priority. While our units have demonstrated strong performance in joint exercises and international deployments, continued modernization of equipment, logistics systems, and command-and-control capabilities is essential. Investment in cyber defense, resilience planning, and protection of critical infrastructure is becoming increasingly important, given NATO’s evolving strategic focus.”
Brigadier General Fako also stresses the importance of public communication in the integration process.
“Strategic communication is another area where progress is vital. NATO integration is not merely a technical defense matter. It is a strategic choice that requires informed public dialogue. Clear communication helps counter misinformation and strengthens societal resilience.”
Ultimately, he frames NATO membership as a broader reflection of institutional strength.
“Ultimately, NATO membership is not only a military benchmark; it reflects the strength of democratic institutions, the rule of law, and political cohesion. Bosnia and Herzegovina has already made notable progress in this process. Most recently, in October 2025, NATO and Bosnia and Herzegovina established the country’s first Individually Tailored Partnership Programme (ITPP), outlining key objectives of mutual interest. Accordingly, sustained commitment, unity of purpose, and continued reform will determine the pace and credibility of our progress.”
Addressing concerns that NATO membership could heighten geopolitical tensions in the Western Balkans, he offers a measured response.
“It is important to emphasize that NATO is a defensive alliance, with its core purpose being collective defense, stability, and deterrence. Experience in the Western Balkans demonstrates that security vacuums tend to generate instability, whereas clear security frameworks foster predictability and facilitate cooperation.”
“NATO integration should not be viewed as being directed against any country, but rather as a sovereign decision reflecting a state’s security orientation. For Bosnia and Herzegovina, the primary objectives are stability, institutional strengthening, and the promotion of long-term peace. Although transparent dialogue with all regional actors remains essential, maintaining strategic clarity is equally critical for ensuring security and stability.”
In his current capacity as Inspector General of the Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, he sees institutional accountability as both a professional duty and a strategic imperative.
“As Inspector General of the Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, my responsibility goes beyond formal oversight. The role of the Inspector General is fundamentally to safeguard professionalism, integrity, and institutional credibility within the defense system.”
“The Office of the Inspector General safeguards integrity across the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, ensuring that all actions reflect the highest ethical standards and reinforce institutional trust and accountability,” he adds.
He underscores that accountability is not merely corrective, but preventive and developmental.
“Accountability begins with transparency and strict adherence to the law. Our duty is to ensure that all members of the Ministry and the Armed Forces operate in full compliance with national legislation, internal regulations, and international commitments. Effective oversight, however, is not only about identifying deficiencies but also preventing them through education, the establishment of clear standards, and promotion of a culture of responsibility.”
“Professionalism is central to this effort. A modern defense institution must be built on merit-based advancement, ethical leadership, disciplined conduct, and respect for democratic civilian oversight. By reinforcing internal control mechanisms, strengthening inspection procedures, and promoting ethical awareness at all levels of command, we enhance institutional resilience and the overall credibility of the defense sector.”
Aligning with NATO standards, he adds, requires consistent and proactive effort.
“Aligning with NATO best practices also requires a proactive approach. NATO standards emphasize transparency in procurement, financial accountability, human resource management, and the protection of rights within the armed forces. Through systematic reviews, the issuance of recommendations for corrective measures, and close cooperation with other oversight bodies, the Office of the Inspector General ensures that our systems consistently meet these standards and expectations.”
Trust, he concludes, is central to the entire system.
“Equally important is building trust both within the ranks and among the public. Soldiers, non-commissioned officers, officers and civilians who serve in the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina must have confidence that the system is fair, transparent and impartial. Citizens must be assured that their Armed Forces operate responsibly and in the national interest, while international partners must recognize Bosnia and Herzegovina as a reliable and principled actor in defence and security.”
Brigadier General concludes that accountability, therefore, is not a bureaucratic formality; it is a strategic asset. It strengthens operational effectiveness, reinforces democratic governance, and supports Bosnia and Herzegovina’s broader Euro-Atlantic aspirations. In this context, the work of the Inspector General directly contributes to institutional maturity and advances our continued alignment with NATO standards and values.
