#BalkansDebrief

#BalkansDebrief is an online talk show hosted by journalist Ilva Tare and presented by the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center—fresh look at the region, its people, its culture, and its challenges and opportunities.

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The Atlantic Council Europe Center‘s #BalkansDebrief series features timely conversations on key issues impacting the Western Balkans.

Nonresident senior fellow Ilva Tare hosts newsmakers, experts, and officials for discussions on rule of law, energy security, cultural heritage, Russian and Chinese influence in the region, and more.

Watch #BalkansDebrief on YouTube and listen to it as a Podcast.

#BalkansDebrief Episodes

Balkans Debrief

Oct 19, 2022

#BalkansDebrief – What will the Berlin process bring to the Western Balkans? | A Debrief with Manuel Sarrazin 

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews Manuel Sarrazin, German Federal Representative for the Countries of the Western Balkans, about the upcoming Berlin Process Summit in November as well as German engagement in the region.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Oct 13, 2022

#BalkansDebrief – How can US bipartisan legislation help the Western Balkans? | A debrief with Senator Jeanne Shaheen  

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Senator for New Hampshire and Co-Chair of the NATO Observer Group in the US Senate about her recent Congressional trip to the Balkans, elections in Bosnia, EUFOR mandate extension, and other Western Balkan issues.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Oct 5, 2022

#BalkansDebrief – What to expect in Bosnia following the elections? | A debrief with Damir Marusic

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews Damir Marusic, Senior Fellow, Europe Center, Atlantic Council on the outcomes of the elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Sep 28, 2022

#BalkansDebrief – What are the four most likely scenarios for Kosovo-Serbia relations by 2027? | A debrief with Milica Andric Rakic and Agon Maliqi

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews Milica Andric Rakic and Agon Maliqi, Policy Analysts, on the different scenarios predicting the future of Kosovo-Serbia relations by 2027.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Sep 14, 2022

#BalkansDebrief – Will Montenegro hold a general election or find a new majority? | A Debrief with Zeljko Pantelic

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews Zeljko Pantelic, Foreign Policy Expert on the current political developments in Montenegro, Montengro's EU path, and the Open Balkan Initiative.

The Balkans
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MEET THE #BALKANSDEBRIEF HOST

Fellow

Ilva Tare

Resident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Albanian English

The Europe Center promotes leadership, strategies, and analysis to ensure a strong, ambitious, and forward-looking transatlantic relationship.

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Content

Balkans Debrief

Jul 16, 2026

What’s Next for Vučić and Serbia’s EU Future? | A Debrief with Srđan Majstorović

Resident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare speaks with Srdjan Majstorovic to discuss Serbia's EU future.

Elections Europe & Eurasia

Balkans Debrief

Jul 8, 2026

Can soccer unite Bosnia beyond politics? | A Debrief With Jasmin Mujanović And Dženeta Karabegović

Europe Center Resident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare speaks with Jasmin Mujanović And Dzeneta Karabegović about Bosnia and Herzegovina's World Cup run and its significance for the country's political unity.

Europe & Eurasia Migration

Balkans Debrief

Jun 29, 2026

How can gradual EU integration work in the Balkans? A Debrief with Odeta Barbullushi & Adi Cerimagic

Europe Center Resident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare sits down with Adi Cerimagic of the European Stability Initiative and Odeta Barbullushi from the College of Europe to discuss the new Franco-German non-paper on gradual EU accession for the Western Balkans.

Europe & Eurasia European Union

Balkans Debrief

Jun 12, 2026

Unpacking the new US Western Balkans strategy | A Debrief with Fleck, Piscevic, Zeneli & Thorpe

Resident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare sits down with four Atlantic Council experts to discuss the new US report to Congress on policy toward the Western Balkans.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Balkans Debrief

May 8, 2026

Are the Balkans the Key to Europe’s Critical Raw Materials? A Debrief with Rizos, Adams & Pop

Ilva Tare speaks with Vasileios Rizos, Kirk Adams, and Daniel Pop to discuss critical raw materials in the Western Balkans.

Critical Minerals Economy & Business

Balkans Debrief

Apr 17, 2026

Is Hungary’s Influence in the Balkans Over With Orban? A Debrief with Peter Kreko

Europe Center Senior Fellow Ilva Tare sits down with Péter Krekó to discuss Hungary's future approach to the Western Balkans after Viktor Orbán's defeat.

Democratic Transitions Elections

Balkans Debrief

Mar 24, 2026

The Western Balkans in today’s transatlantic landscape | A Debrief with Dimitris Tsarouhas

Ilva Tare sits down with Dimitris Tsarouhas, Washington DC Representative of ELIAMEP, to discuss how the Western Balkans are navigating the current transatlantic landscape.

Europe & Eurasia International Norms

Balkans Debrief

Mar 11, 2026

Kosovo’s Political Limbo Worries Brussels | A Debrief with Augustin Palokaj

Europe Center Senior Fellow Ilva Tare speaks with Brussels-based correspondent Augustin Palokaj about Kosovo's renewed political instability and EU prospects.

Elections Europe & Eurasia

Balkans Debrief

Jan 16, 2026

Is the U.S. Back in the Western Balkans? A Debrief with Congressman Mike Turner

Rep. Mike Turner sits down with Ilva Tare of the Europe Center to discuss the future of US engagement in the Western Balkans.

Europe & Eurasia Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Balkans Debrief

Dec 30, 2025

Will Kurti’s 4th victory reshape Kosovo’s foreign relations? | A Debrief with Yll Sadiku

Ilva Tare and Yll Sadiku break down the results of Kosovo's election and the foreign policy implications of Albin Kurti's victory on December 28, 2025.

Elections Europe & Eurasia
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