The Ottomans and the Austrians are no historical friends as we all know, but wouldn't the early 19th century have been a prime moment for some kind of detente in the face of nationalism? The Austrians were well aware of the ethnic tensions they were facing in Hungary, as were the Ottomans in Serbia. After 1848, you'd think that the Austrians would have gotten over the idea of seeing the Balkans as land to conquer and instead as a land to keep subjugated, no?
Any speculation on why nothing like this came about? Was the 'eternal enemy' factor too strong for Austria to cast aside?
Any speculation on why nothing like this came about? Was the 'eternal enemy' factor too strong for Austria to cast aside?