The West Point Department of History. On 19 March, the Balkans staff ride group returned to USMA. Here are CDT Sasha Mokhtari's thoughts on the experience as a whole: "After 13 long hours of flying from Dubrovnik to Zagreb to Frankfurt to then New York, we finally returned back to West Point. The last eight days have not only been rejuvenating but also extremely eye opening. For most of us, our knowledge of the Balkans prior to the staff ride was very limited. However, our experiences in Sarajevo and Srebrenica proved to be invaluable when it came to comprehending the gravity of the Bosnian genocide. Listening to the tragic stories of many Bosnians throughout the trip, particularly the survivors of the 1995 Massacres in Srebrenica, reminded us how crucial internalizing the past is in preventing future.
Our time in Dubrovnik was equally as important. Dubrovnik provided the perfect setting to reflect on our experiences in Bosnia as a group as well as develop a new appreciation for the Balkans. The picturesque beauty of Dubrovnik took our breathes away, as we walked above the Old Town along its towering fortress walls. The endless view overlooking the the Adriatic Sea reminded us how fortunate we were to be able to visit such a extraordinary place. The warm, cloudless, Mediterranean climate of Croatia was the perfect ending to our Balkan adventure. Ultimately, the juxtaposition between Bosnia and Croatia made for a very insightful staff ride--a trip that none of us will never forget."