The process of indicting war crimes suspects and bringing them to trial in UN courts across the world has often been frustratingly slow and cumbersome. However, with news of the International Criminal Court’s move on Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir earlier this, there were signs the deadlock might be easing. In February, the UN tribunal in Cambodia began the trial of senior Khmer Rouge leader Duch, and on Sunday, a new tribunal for Lebanon was opened in The Hague. But now Radovan Karadzic is refusing to attend the opening of his own international trial, possibly delaying its progress.

Listen to Gideon Rachman’s analysis in the slideshow below.