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 11, 2023

#BalkansDebrief – Civil society’s role in Western Balkans EU accession | A Debrief with Andi Dobrushi

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare is joined in this episode of #BalkansDebrief by Andi Dobrushi, Western Balkans Executive Director of the Open Society Foundation, to discuss the importance of holding Western Balkan governments and EU member states accountable for their commitments to EU reforms and the role of civil society in the region.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Sep 19, 2023

#BalkansDebrief – How to integrate Serbs in Northern Kosovo? | A debrief with Shpetim Gashi and Milica Andric Rakic

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews Milica Andric Rakic, program manager at the New Social Initiative, and Shpetim Gashi, Vice President of the Council for Inclusive Governance, to discuss steps needed for integrating the Serb community in the north of Kosovo.

European Union
Political Reform

Balkans Debrief

Sep 8, 2023

#BalkansDebrief – Will North Macedonia change its constitution? | A debrief with H.E. Bojan Maricikj

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews H.E. Bojan Maricikj, Deputy Prime Minister of European Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia, on the country’s upcoming constitutional vote and EU accession prospects.

European Union
Political Reform

Balkans Debrief

Jul 26, 2023

#BalkansDebrief – What to expect from the October Berlin Process Summit? | A debrief with Odeta Barbullushi

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews Dr. Odeta Barbullushi, advisor to Albania’s Prime Minister on European issues and regional cooperation.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Jul 19, 2023

#BalkansDebrief – Benefits of regional economic integration | A debrief with Stefan Lazarevic and Enio Jaco

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare speaks to the President of American Chamber of Commerce of Serbia Stefan Lazarevic and President of American Chamber of Commerce of Albania Enio Jaco on the region’s business climate.

The Balkans
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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

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

Balkans Debrief

Dec 23, 2025

One year of Trump 2.0 for the Western Balkans | A Debrief with Europe Center experts

In this special #BalkansDebrief, Ilva Tare sits down with five Europe Center experts to discuss the major US policy developments toward the Balkans in 2025 and what to expect in 2026.

Economy & Business
Europe & Eurasia

Balkans Debrief

Nov 11, 2025

Is Kosovo heading toward another election crisis? | A Debrief with Adriatik Kelmendi

Ilva Tare from the Atlantic Council's Europe Center speaks with Adriatik Kelmendi to discuss Kosovo's election deadlock nine months after national elections.

Elections
Europe & Eurasia

Balkans Debrief

Oct 29, 2025

The Hague vs. KLA leaders: Justice or tragedy? | A Debrief with James Rubin

Ilva Tare, Atlantic Council Senior Fellow, speakers with James Rubin about the Hashim Thaci war crimes trial in The Hague.

Democratic Transitions
Europe & Eurasia

Balkans Debrief

Oct 22, 2025

Can Serbia survive US sanctions on Russian oil? | A Debrief with Igor Novaković

Atlantic Council Senior Fellow Ilva Tare speaks with Igor Novakovic from ISAC Fund on the new US sanctions on Serbia's NIS.

Europe & Eurasia
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Balkans Debrief

Aug 15, 2025

Will Serbia’s protests change its future? | A Debrief with Florian Bieber

Atlantic Council Senior Fellow Ilva Tare speaks with Florian Bieber from BiEPAG to discuss the latest escalations of tension in Serbia's student-led protests.

Corruption
Europe & Eurasia

Balkans Debrief

Jun 17, 2025

What is Brussels’ mood on Balkans EU enlargement? | A Debrief with Augustin Palokaj

Europe Center Senior Fellow Ilva Tare sits down with Augustin Palokaj, Brussels-based correspondent, to discuss the EU's current attitude toward EU enlargement in the Balkans.

European Union
Political Reform

Balkans Debrief

Apr 11, 2025

From Dayton to Dodik, what’s at stake in Bosnia? | A Debrief with Adnan Ćerimagić

Ilva Tare, Europe Center Senior Fellow, sits down with Adi Cerimagic to discuss Bosnia and Herzegovina's political landscape and challenges.

Europe & Eurasia
European Union

Balkans Debrief

Mar 12, 2025

What is the future of Russian immigration to Serbia? | A Debrief with Srdjan Cvijić and Maxim Samorukov

Russians have migrated to Serbia en masse particularly since the Ukraine war began in 2022. Ilva Tare speaks with Srdjan Cvijic and Maxim Samorukov about BCSP's latest findings on Russian immigration to Serbia.

Europe & Eurasia
Migration
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