#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

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

Balkans Debrief

Mar 11, 2026

Kosovo’s Political Limbo Worries Brussels | A Debrief with Augustin Palokaj

Europe Center Senior Fellow Ilva Tare speaks with Brussels-based correspondent Augustin Palokaj about Kosovo's renewed political instability and EU prospects.

Elections Europe & Eurasia

Balkans Debrief

Jan 16, 2026

Is the U.S. Back in the Western Balkans? A Debrief with Congressman Mike Turner

Rep. Mike Turner sits down with Ilva Tare of the Europe Center to discuss the future of US engagement in the Western Balkans.

Europe & Eurasia Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion
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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

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

Balkans Debrief

Jun 2, 2022

#BalkansDebrief – EU enlargement: a process that is lacking political fuel? | A debrief from Nikola Dimitrov

By Ilva Tare

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia Nikola Dimitrov on his expectations for EU enlargement.

English Europe & Eurasia

Balkans Debrief

May 10, 2022

#BalkansDebrief – What is the future of EU enlargement? | A debrief from Gerald Knaus

By Ilva Tare

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare spoke with Austrian social scientist Gerald Knaus on the two-stage EU accession process for the Western Balkans.

English Europe & Eurasia