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

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

Balkans Debrief

Sep 7, 2022

#BalkansDebrief – What is the future of Kosovo-Serbia relations? | A Debrief with Ambassador Christopher Hill

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews Ambassador Christopher Hill, US Ambassador to Serbia, about Serbia’s EU path, issues affecting the EU-facilitated dialogue, and the US support for the Open Balkan Initiative.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Aug 31, 2022

#BalkansDebrief – Why does Russia want instability in the Western Balkans?| A debrief with Fabian Zhilla

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews Fabian Zhilla, Senior Fellow of the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime, on the national security threats posed by Russian intelligence activities and cyber attacks.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Aug 8, 2022

#BalkansDebrief – What set off protests and heated political rhetoric in Bosnia? | A debrief with Adnan Huskic

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews Adnan Huskic, President at the Center for Elections Studies in Sarajevo, on the recent OHR’s proposal to change electoral law.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Aug 2, 2022

#BalkansDebrief – What triggered tensions on the border between Kosovo and Serbia? | A debrief with Petrit Selimi

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews Petrit Selimi, Former Foreign Minister of Kosovo and CEO of Millennium Foundation Kosovo, on the recent tensions on the border between Kosovo and Serbia.

The Balkans

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Content

Balkans Debrief

Oct 18, 2024

How was the CEFTA deal secured before the Berlin Process Summit? | A Debrief with Manuel Sarrazin

Europe Center Senior Fellow Ilva Tare sits down with Manuel Sarrazin from the German Federal Foreign Office to discuss the recent Berlin Process Summit and CEFTA deal, in this #BalkansDebrief.

European Union Germany

Balkans Debrief

Oct 17, 2024

What’s next for the Berlin Process? | A Debrief with Simonida Kacarska and Klodjan Seferaj

At the 10 year anniversary of the Berlin Process, Europe Center Senior Fellow Ilva Tare discusses the future of the Berlin Process for the Western Balkans with Simonida Kacarska and Klodjan Seferaj.

Civil Society European Union

Balkans Debrief

Oct 1, 2024

How do cyber-attacks threaten the Balkans? | A Debrief with Dan Ilazi and Filip Stojanovski

Senior Fellow Ilva Tare speaks with Dan Ilazi and Filip Stojanovski about the political and economic threats of cyber-attacks for the Western Balkans.

Cybersecurity European Union

Balkans Debrief

Aug 29, 2024

What are the challenges for Mickoski’s North Macedonia? | A Debrief with Malinka Jordanova, Branimir Jovanovic and Lura Pollozhani

PM Hristijan Mickoski's new government in North Macedonia has a strong mandate but faces key challenges. Resident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare speaks with Malinka Jordanova, Branimir Jovanovic, and Lura Pollozhani to discuss.

Elections European Union

Balkans Debrief

Jul 30, 2024

#BalkansDebrief – Does the new EU-Serbia lithium deal undermine democracy? A Debrief with Ivan Vejvoda

To discusss the EU's new lithium deal with Serbia, Ivan Vejvoda from the Institute for Human Sciences sits down with Ilva Tare, Nonresident Senior Fellow, for this episode of #BalkansDebrief.

European Union Geopolitics & Energy Security

Balkans Debrief

Jul 24, 2024

#BalkansDebrief – What EU reforms will make enlargement successful? A Debrief with Enrico Letta

Enrico Letta, former Prime Minister of Italy, speaks with Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare in this #BalkansDebrief about EU Single Market reform and enlargement in the Western Balkans.

European Union International Organizations

Balkans Debrief

Jul 3, 2024

#BalkansDebrief – Where next for Serbian foreign policy? | A Debrief with Igor Bandovic and Nikola Burazer

In this episode of #BalkansDebrief, Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare speaks with Igor Bandovic and Nikola Burazer about Serbia's current foreign policy and security challenges.

Civil Society Europe & Eurasia

Balkans Debrief

Jun 26, 2024

#BalkansDebrief – Do Balkan nationalist chants at EURO 2024 fuel ethnic tensions? | A Debrief with Florian Bieber

In this episode of #BalkansDebrief, Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare speaks with Florian Bieber about flaring Balkan ethnic tensions and politics in the UEFA Euro Cup 2024.

European Union Nationalism

Balkans Debrief

May 28, 2024

#BalkansDebrief – Why is distrust in institutions alarming for the Balkans? | A debrief with Amila Karačić

In this episode of #BalkansDebrief, Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare sits down with Amila Karacic of the International Republican Institute (IRI) in Bosnia & Herzegovina to discuss IRI's recent polling trends in the Western Balkans.

European Union Nationalism

Balkans Debrief

May 20, 2024

#BalkansDebrief – What is the US role amidst fragility in the Western Balkans? | A debrief with Gabriel Escobar

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare speaks with Gabriel Escobar, outgoing US Deputy Assistant Secretary and Special Representative for the Western Balkans, about US foreign policy in the region and its future amidst current challenges.

Corruption European Union