#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

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

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
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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

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

Balkans Debrief

May 1, 2024

#BalkansDebrief – Why do North Macedonia’s elections matter for its EU future? | A debrief with Aleksej Demjanski

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare is joined in this episode of #BalkansDebrief by Aleksej Demjanski to discuss North Macedonia's 2024 parliamentary elections and implications for EU integration.

Elections European Union

Balkans Debrief

Apr 15, 2024

#BalkansDebrief – Why is France refocused on security in the Balkans? | A debrief with Alexandre Vulic

In this episode of #BalkansDebrief, Europe Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare welcomes Alexandre Vulic. They discuss France's security concerns for the Western Balkans.

Cybersecurity Disinformation
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