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

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

Balkans Debrief

Mar 7, 2025

Will Merz step up Germany’s role in the Balkans? | A Debrief with Gerald Knaus

Ilva Tare, Europe Center Resident Senior Fellow, speaks with Gerald Knaus about the German elections on February 23 and the next government’s approach to the Western Balkans.

Elections
European Union

Balkans Debrief

Feb 13, 2025

Is Kosovo Headed for Political Gridlock? | A Debrief with Jeff Hovenier

Resident Senior Fellow speaks with Jeff Hovenier, retired former US Ambassador to Kosovo, to debrief Kosovo’s 2025 parliamentary elections.

Elections
Europe & Eurasia

Balkans Debrief

Feb 6, 2025

The EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans – A Debrief with Valbona Zeneli, Isabelle Ioannides, & Richard Grieveson

The European Union’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans aims to accelerate economic growth and convergence in the region—but can it truly deliver? With reform, investment, and EU integration at stake, how can the region turn this initiative into real progress? Ilva Tare, Resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center, dives into the […]

Economy & Business
European Union
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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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Balkans Debrief

Jan 4, 2024

#BalkansDebrief – Unrest in Serbia after elections: is democracy at risk? | A debrief with Rasa Nedeljkov

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare speaks to Rasa Nedeljkov, Program Director of the Center for Research, Transparency and Accountability which has monitored closely the election with particular focus on the capital, Belgrade. 

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Dec 19, 2023

#BalkansDebrief – What’s next for the Balkans after EU enlargement decision? | A debrief with #BalkansForward team

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare speaks to Atlantic Council Europe Center's Balkans Forward team: Maja Piscevic, Amb. Cameron Munter, and Valbona Zeneli about the impact the future of EU enlargement process.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Nov 29, 2023

#BalkansDebrief – What’s behind Italy-Albania immigration deal? | A debrief with Natalie Tocci

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare speaks to Nathalie Tocci, Director of the Instituto Affari Internazionali in Italy, about the political and social implications of Italy-Albania Immigration deal.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Nov 10, 2023

#BalkansDebrief – Why does the US want Kosovo to urgently implement the ASM?| A debrief with Jeffrey Hovenier

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare is joined in this episode of #BalkansDebrief by US Ambassador to Kosovo Jeffrey Hovenier to discuss developments in the EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Nov 1, 2023

#BalkansDebrief – What challenges face new Montenegro government? | A Debrief with Ana Nenezic

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare is joined in this episode of #BalkansDebrief by political analyst and the director of the Institute for SocioPolitical Research - Analitico, Ana Nenezic.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Oct 23, 2023

#BalkansDebrief – A view from the European Parliament on Kosovo-Serbia crisis | A Debrief with Viola von Cramon

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare is joined in this episode of #BalkansDebrief by, Viola von Cramon, a member of the EP Foreign Affairs Committee and the Rapporteur on Kosovo, to discuss the implications of the resolution and the EU's role in ensuring that Serbia cooperates fully with the investigation into the Banjska attack.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Oct 13, 2023

#BalkansDebrief – What is the future of normalization process between Kosovo and Serbia? | A Debrief with Alicia Kearns

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare is joined in this episode of #BalkansDebrief by British MP Alicia Kearns, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, UK House of Commons to discuss recent escalation of hostilities in Kosovo and the future of Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue.

The Balkans

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
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