Here’s how a Kosovo-Serbia White House summit could produce progress

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
Here’s how a Kosovo-Serbia White House summit could produce progress

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
Here’s how a Kosovo-Serbia White House summit could produce progress

New Atlanticist Feb 4, 2025

Fearmongering from Western Balkan leaders is no longer working on their citizens—or the EU

By Agon Maliqi

The European Union has ample leverage to press its concerns on reforms, Russia policy, and regional stability to Western Balkan countries.
European Union Eurozone

Explore the #BalkansDebrief Series

#BalkansDebrief

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.

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New Atlanticist

Jun 17, 2020

Here’s how a Kosovo-Serbia White House summit could produce progress

By Damir Marusic

We don’t really know what the goal of the talks is. Most assume that anything short of a final status deal would be a failure, but that could be shortsighted: a smaller win may be possible, and could be significant.

Politics & Diplomacy The Balkans

New Atlanticist

Jun 17, 2020

Why a Kosovo-Serbia White House deal could be dangerous

By Molly Montgomery

While the Trump administration and the EU have both flirted with the idea of territorial exchanges at times over the past three years, experts on both sides of the Atlantic fear the precedent such an agreement would set in a region where nationalists regularly demand secession or union with ethnic brethren. Even if Pandora’s box could be closed, the implementation of such an agreement would almost certainly result in de facto ethnic cleansing, heightened tensions, and the potential for renewed violence.

Politics & Diplomacy The Balkans

New Atlanticist

Jun 17, 2020

Don’t count on a White House Kosovo-Serbia breakthrough

By Dimitar Bechev

Setting expectations high would be ill-advised. For one, Vučić has no incentive to rush with recognizing Kosovo. Prishtina, meanwhile, will view the removal of tariffs on Serbia as having done its share, and will seek concessions. Europeans and Americans should be working side by side, pooling their leverage to move forward normalization. But sadly, this is less and less the case recently.

Politics & Diplomacy The Balkans

New Atlanticist

Apr 20, 2020

What German reunification can teach Kosovo

By Artan Behrami

A reunified Germany has become an inspiration for the people of Kosovo who seek freedom and independence, even in the face of opponents in their region. But Kosovo’s leaders and the international community should heed several lessons from Germany’s example.

Politics & Diplomacy The Balkans

New Atlanticist

Apr 3, 2020

COVID-19 in the Western Balkans

By Dimitar Bechev

COVID-19 overshadowed two major developments in the region: the EU decision to open membership talks with North Macedonia and Albania, as well as North Macedonia’s formal accession to NATO on March 27. In normal circumstances, this would have been huge news. Yet now the pandemic leaves little bandwidth for other matters, even in the Western Balkans.

Coronavirus Democratic Transitions

New Atlanticist

Apr 3, 2020

Can coronavirus achieve elusive unity in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

By Semir Dzebo and Shelby Magid

Their initial response to the COVID-19 outbreak shows that even the staunchest opponents of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s unity are capable of working within its institutions and putting the public interest before their ethno-political ambitions. Now they only need to be willing to do so outside of the threat of a global pandemic.

Coronavirus Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Apr 2, 2020

Forging the Four Freedoms Initiative for prosperity and peace in the Balkans

By Marko Čadež

To demonstrate their readiness to fulfill the responsibilities associated with full-fledged membership in the world’s largest common market, the countries of the region launched the Western Balkans Four Freedoms Initiative to bring down barriers to intra-regional trade, travel, and labor movement. While not identical to Roosevelt’s plans, this project seeks to ensure the same outcome of peace and prosperity through liberty, opportunity, and growth.

International Markets Macroeconomics

New Atlanticist

Mar 26, 2020

EU greenlights North Macedonia and Albania membership talks: Breakthrough or symbolic gesture?

By Jörn Fleck

"The decision by the EU foreign ministers to open accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania comes at a time when Europe is battling a major public health crisis and is bracing for its economic aftershocks," Dimitar Bechev says. "Keeping enlargement alive speaks volumes about the union’s ability to muddle through."

Democratic Transitions European Union

New Atlanticist

Mar 23, 2020

Last time in the waiting room for North Macedonia?

By Teri Schultz

While there may still be a day or two before written EU conclusions seal the political deal, the government of North Macedonia looks forward to the end of this waiting period and the beginning of the rest of its story. With so much gloom in the world right now, it would be an extremely welcome two weeks in Skopje.

European Union The Balkans

New Atlanticist

Feb 19, 2020

Challenges and opportunities for Croatia’s new president

By Claudia Vaughn Zittle

Croatia’s new president Zoran Milanovic entered office on February 18 with a legacy to build upon and several challenges to overcome. Over the last fifteen years, Croatia has made remarkable progress as a democratic state, joining NATO in 2009 and the European Union (EU) in 2013. Even so, the uncertain future of European integration, uneven economic development, and malign foreign influence present challenges for Croatia and the Balkans region. The United States, other EU members, and NATO allies have a role to play in supporting Croatia’s efforts to tackle these challenges.

Economy & Business Elections
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Rudina Hajdari

Former Member of Parliament, Republic of Albania

Millennium Leadership Program

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Daniel Hojnacki

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Lisa Homel

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Adrian Karatnycky

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Ukraine Democratic Transitions

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Marta Kepe

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