#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

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
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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

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

Balkans Debrief

Mar 29, 2024

#BalkansDebrief – Why is the UK focused on reconciliation in the Balkans? | A debrief with Lord Stuart Peach

In this episode of #BalkansDebrief, Europe Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare welcomes Lord Stuart Peach. Together, they discuss the UK perspective on reconciliation in the Balkans.

Europe & Eurasia Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding
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