Born: November 21st, 1940, at Gacko in southern Bosnia.
Who is he? Former professor of philosophy and ultra nationalist Bosnian Serb.
Why's he in the news? US envoy Richard Holbrooke has announced that former Bosnian Serb president, Radovan Karadzic, wanted for war crimes by the UN, has agreed to stand down as head of the Serb Democratic Party (SDS).
Aleksa is to replace him as party leader.
And: Holbrooke said that Karadzic would be replaced as president by a hardline deputy, the Bosnian Serb "Iron Lady" Biljana Plavsic (66), until elections.
So: The way is now clear for Bosnian elections next September.
Aleksa's story: Studied at Belgrade, Sarajevo, Mostar and Berlin. Taught at Sarajevo university from 1964.
Elected SDS deputy to Bosnian parliament (1990).
By 1992, Aleksa was teaching sociology and philosophy.
Named "foreign minister" just before the Bosnian Serbs split from Sarajevo and Bosnian war started (1992).
Has represented the Bosnian Serbs on several occasions, including talks which led to the Dayton peace agreement. Loyal to Karadzic, sharing his dislike of the Dayton accord.
Last word: Asked what guarantees he had that Karadzic would respect his undertakings, Richard Holbrooke said:
"We have no guarantees. We have the signed statement, witnessed by [Serbian] President Milosevic.
"In our previous experience when President Milosevic witnesses and undertakes, it happens. When he doesn't, it doesn't," he added.