At stake is the area around Brcko, a community in northeastern Bosnia along the Sava River where the war began 14 months ago-and where it is likely to end. The Serbs need to win that territory to secure a corridor that will connect Belgrade to Banja Luka, a critical logistical path and a spiritual artery linking Serbian nationalists. The Muslims-outnumbered 3 to 1 in men and outgunned immeasurably-hold on because they have to. Their cause is hopeless, and they know it. But once they yield ground, they surrender their future: tens of thousands will flee to Tuzla, already swollen with some 850,000 people, mostly homeless.
