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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Content

Balkans Debrief

Dec 21, 2022

#BalkansDebrief – Will the regional crises turn into opportunities? | A debrief with Maja Piscevic and Damir Marusic

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews Maja Piscevic, Nonresident Senior Fellow, and Damir Marusic, Senior Fellow with the Atlantic Council's Europe Center on the high and low points of the year and challenges ahead.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Dec 14, 2022

#BalkansDebrief – Why should the EU speed up the integration process in the Western Balkans? | A debrief with Paul Taylor

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews Paul Taylor, Senior Fellow for Peace, Security and Defence at Friends of Europe, on the outcomes of the EU-Western Balkans summit.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Nov 2, 2022

#BalkansDebrief – What challenges do the Western Balkans face after the Berlin Process? | A debrief with Milan Nič

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews Milan Nic, Senior Fellow at the German Council on the Foreign Relations, on the upcoming Berlin Process summit.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Oct 26, 2022

#BalkansDebrief – What is the problem with democracies representing people’s interests? | A Debrief with Lea Ypi

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews Lea Ypi, political theory professor at the London School of Economics, about the her book "Free", democratic backsliding, and post-communist transitions.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Oct 19, 2022

#BalkansDebrief – What will the Berlin process bring to the Western Balkans? | A Debrief with Manuel Sarrazin 

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews Manuel Sarrazin, German Federal Representative for the Countries of the Western Balkans, about the upcoming Berlin Process Summit in November as well as German engagement in the region.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Oct 13, 2022

#BalkansDebrief – How can US bipartisan legislation help the Western Balkans? | A debrief with Senator Jeanne Shaheen  

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Senator for New Hampshire and Co-Chair of the NATO Observer Group in the US Senate about her recent Congressional trip to the Balkans, elections in Bosnia, EUFOR mandate extension, and other Western Balkan issues.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Oct 5, 2022

#BalkansDebrief – What to expect in Bosnia following the elections? | A debrief with Damir Marusic

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews Damir Marusic, Senior Fellow, Europe Center, Atlantic Council on the outcomes of the elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Sep 28, 2022

#BalkansDebrief – What are the four most likely scenarios for Kosovo-Serbia relations by 2027? | A debrief with Milica Andric Rakic and Agon Maliqi

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews Milica Andric Rakic and Agon Maliqi, Policy Analysts, on the different scenarios predicting the future of Kosovo-Serbia relations by 2027.

The Balkans

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