Explore the #BalkansDebrief Series

Program

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

Content

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

The Big Story

Dec 11, 2025

Bosnia’s forgotten war is still with us

By Thom Shanker

Fewer than fifty years after the end of World War II, genocide returned to Europe in Bosnia. The carnage ended on December 14, 1995, with the signing of the US-brokered Dayton Accords. Thirty years on, have the war's lessons—for Europe; for diplomacy, humanitarian intervention, and more—been heeded?

Conflict
NATO

New Atlanticist

Nov 26, 2025

What prolonged Russian aggression against Europe could mean for the Balkans

By Agon Maliqi

The prospect of a prolonged, wider European war in the coming years is reshaping strategic calculations throughout the Balkans.

Conflict
Crisis Management

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

Issue Brief

Oct 29, 2025

Democracy at a crossroads: Rule of law and the case for US engagement in the Balkans

By Stephen Nix and Megan Tamisiea

This issue brief is the third in the Freedom and Prosperity Center's "Future of democracy assistance" series, which analyzes the many complex challenges to democracy around the world—and highlights actionable policies that promote democratic governance.

Democratic Transitions
Elections

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

New Atlanticist

Oct 2, 2025

What the looming verdict in Thaçi war crimes trial could mean for Kosovo, the Balkans, and beyond

By Agon Maliqi

No matter its final verdict, the current case in The Hague against Kosovar politician Hashim Thaçi is likely to have wider repercussions.

International Norms
Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Sep 18, 2025

Why did the US suspend its strategic dialogue with Kosovo? And what’s next?

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts answer four pressing questions about a surprise recent announcement by the US Embassy in Pristina.

Europe & Eurasia
European Union

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

Experts