#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 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
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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

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

Balkans Debrief

Dec 30, 2025

Will Kurti’s 4th victory reshape Kosovo’s foreign relations? | A Debrief with Yll Sadiku

Ilva Tare and Yll Sadiku break down the results of Kosovo's election and the foreign policy implications of Albin Kurti's victory on December 28, 2025.

Elections Europe & Eurasia

Balkans Debrief

Dec 23, 2025

One year of Trump 2.0 for the Western Balkans | A Debrief with Europe Center experts

In this special #BalkansDebrief, Ilva Tare sits down with five Europe Center experts to discuss the major US policy developments toward the Balkans in 2025 and what to expect in 2026.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Balkans Debrief

Nov 11, 2025

Is Kosovo heading toward another election crisis? | A Debrief with Adriatik Kelmendi

Ilva Tare from the Atlantic Council's Europe Center speaks with Adriatik Kelmendi to discuss Kosovo's election deadlock nine months after national elections.

Elections Europe & Eurasia

Balkans Debrief

Oct 29, 2025

The Hague vs. KLA leaders: Justice or tragedy? | A Debrief with James Rubin

Ilva Tare, Atlantic Council Senior Fellow, speakers with James Rubin about the Hashim Thaci war crimes trial in The Hague.

Democratic Transitions Europe & Eurasia

Balkans Debrief

Oct 22, 2025

Can Serbia survive US sanctions on Russian oil? | A Debrief with Igor Novaković

Atlantic Council Senior Fellow Ilva Tare speaks with Igor Novakovic from ISAC Fund on the new US sanctions on Serbia's NIS.

Europe & Eurasia Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Balkans Debrief

Aug 15, 2025

Will Serbia’s protests change its future? | A Debrief with Florian Bieber

Atlantic Council Senior Fellow Ilva Tare speaks with Florian Bieber from BiEPAG to discuss the latest escalations of tension in Serbia's student-led protests.

Corruption Europe & Eurasia

Balkans Debrief

Jun 17, 2025

What is Brussels’ mood on Balkans EU enlargement? | A Debrief with Augustin Palokaj

Europe Center Senior Fellow Ilva Tare sits down with Augustin Palokaj, Brussels-based correspondent, to discuss the EU's current attitude toward EU enlargement in the Balkans.

European Union Political Reform
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