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

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

Balkans Debrief

Jul 26, 2022

#BalkansDebrief – Will the new EU enlargement methodology facilitate the Balkans accession to the EU? | A debrief with Pierre Mirel

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews Pierre Mirel, Honorary Director General of the European Commission, on the impact of the new EU methodology in the accession talks

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Jul 13, 2022

#BalkansDebrief – How can the West support the Western Balkans to shape their European future? | A debrief with Damon Wilson

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews Damon Wilson, President and CEO of the National Endowment for Democracy, on the opportunity for Western support in the region.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Jul 7, 2022

#BalkansDebrief – Is a compromise possible in the dispute between Bulgaria and North Macedonia? | A Debrief from Dimitar Bechev

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare discusses the origins of the Bulgaria - North Macedonia dispute and the path forward for both countries with Dimitar Bechev, lecturer at Oxford's School of Global & Area Studies.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Jun 30, 2022

#BalkansDebrief – The impact of the European Council’s decision on the Western Balkans | A Debrief from Damir Marusic and Maja Piscevic

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare at the Atlantic Council's Europe Center, speaks with Maja Piscevic and Damir Marusic, Senior Fellows at the Europe Center with firsthand knowledge of the situation in the region.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Jun 17, 2022

#BalkansDebrief – Part II: What is the path forward for the stalled Belgrade-Pristina dialogue? | A Debrief from Ivan Vejvoda

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare Interviews Ivan Vejvoda, Permanent Fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences, on the stalled Belgrade-Pristina dialogue.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Jun 9, 2022

#BalkansDebrief – Part I: What is the path forward for the stalled Belgrade–Pristina dialogue? | A Debrief with Veton Surroi

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare Interviews Veton Surroi, a well-known publicist and former politician from Kosovo, on the stalled Belgrade–Pristina dialogue.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Jun 7, 2022

#BalkansDebrief – What are the regional ramifications of Serbia’s gas agreement with Russia? | A debrief with Olga Khakova

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare Interviews the Global Energy Center's Olga Khakova on the Serbia's gas deal with Russia.

Energy & Environment The Balkans
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