Explore the #BalkansDebrief Series

Program

The Europe Center promotes the transatlantic leadership and strategies required to ensure a strong Europe.

Content

New Atlanticist

Aug 25, 2025

Trump should kickstart Kosovo-Serbia talks into making real progress

By Agon Maliqi

The Trump administration has an opening to reinvigorate dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, but it must avoid the mistakes of past mediation processes.

European Union Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

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

New Atlanticist

Jun 17, 2025

Are Albania and Montenegro on the fast track to EU membership?

By Agon Maliqi

Albania and Montenegro are capitalizing on the European Union’s renewed momentum for enlargement as a result of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Elections International Norms

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

Inflection Points

May 28, 2025

Dispatch from Dayton: What Trump can learn about ending war

By Frederick Kempe

A recent visit of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly to Ohio—thirty years after the Dayton Accords ended the Bosnian War—raised important questions about what lessons can be applied to ending Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Conflict Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

Event Recap

May 21, 2025

Southeast Europe Transatlantic Economic Forum 2025

On May 21, 2025, the Atlantic Council's Europe Center hosted the annual Southeast Europe Transatlantic Economic Forum - Five sessions convening leaders and stakeholders from business and government across SEE, the US, and the Western Balkans.

Economy & Business Geopolitics & Energy Security

Report

May 20, 2025

The European Union Growth Plan for the Western Balkans: A reality test for EU enlargement

By Valbona Zeneli, Richard Grieveson, Isabelle Ioannides, Dimitar Bechev

EU enlargement faces a test case in the Western Balkans. The current plan offers real benefits before accession, creating incentives for reform, but questions of enforceability and the relatively low amount of financial support threaten the success of the EU's political influence in the region.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Eye on Europe's elections

May 7, 2025

Your primer on Albania’s parliamentary election

By Ilva Tare, Agon Maliqi, and Valbona Zeneli

In the lead-up to Albania's parliamentary election on May 11, experts from the Europe Center unpack the key players, issues, and dynamics shaping this weekend’s election.

Elections Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Apr 23, 2025

What’s at stake for Bosnia and Herzegovina as Milorad Dodik faces a political reckoning?

By Agon Maliqi

With his secessionist threats seemingly at a dead end, Milorad Dodik’s external backers might view him as more of a liability than an asset.

Corruption Freedom and Prosperity

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

Experts