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

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

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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