The Balkans

The Balkans

The Western Balkans has seen significant progress toward stability and toward regional and Euro-Atlantic integration in the form of developments such as Albania’s, North Macedonia’s, and Montenegro’s NATO accessions and the resolution of the Greece-North Macedonia dispute. While the Balkan countries continue to work on strengthening their democratic institutions, combating corruption, addressing human rights concerns, and countering the spread of disinformation, they also grapple with persistent regional tensions, such as those between Kosovo and Serbia. US and EU commitment remains crucial to ensure that progress toward prosperity, stability, and regional political and economic integration continues.

The Western Balkans: A growing disinformation battleground

Dispatches
Aug 19, 2026

Bosnia’s high representative succession dispute exposes a deeper transatlantic rift

By
Amanda Thorpe and Olivia Olson

A deadlock over Bosnia and Herzegovina’s next high representative reflects competing US and EU visions for the country ahead of its national elections.

Europe
Politics & Diplomacy

The Western Balkans: A growing disinformation battleground

Report
Jul 29, 2026

Boosting the Western Balkans’ digital transformation: The key role of the private sector

By
Jelisaveta Lazarević and Zoja Kukic Dordevic

In the Western Balkans, the private sector can play a meaningful role in promoting economic development through information and communication technology and digitalization.

Economy & Business
Europe & Eurasia

The Western Balkans: A growing disinformation battleground

Dispatches
Jun 5, 2026

A deeper look at Trump’s new policy toward the Western Balkans 

By
Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts examine the recently released, congressionally mandated report on US policy toward the Western Balkans.

Politics & Diplomacy
The Balkans

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.

Explore the Series

Program

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

EXPLORE THE PROGRAM

Content

New Atlanticist

Mar 7, 2019

The Western Balkans: A growing disinformation battleground

By David A. Wemer

The region has been increasingly targeted by foreign-backed and homegrown disinformation in recent years, made worse by deep public mistrust of governmental institutions.

Disinformation The Balkans

New Atlanticist

Jan 25, 2019

A ‘monumental day for the Western Balkans’

By David A. Wemer

Members of the Ohrid Group provided their reactions to the passage of the Prespa deal in the Greek Parliament on January 25.

Greece Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

New Atlanticist

Jan 25, 2019

Greek Parliament approves Macedonia name change deal

By David A. Wemer

The name change now opens the door for Macedonian accession to NATO and potentially the EU.

Greece Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

New Atlanticist

Jan 11, 2019

Macedonian parliament endorses name change

By David A. Wemer

“Today, the people of Macedonia secured their future and assured their place in the heart of Europe,” Atlantic Council Executive Vice President Damon Wilson said.

NATO Security & Defense

Uncategorized

Jan 10, 2019

Balkans Forward Congressional Fellowship

The Atlantic Council’s Future Europe program invites applications for its inaugural Balkans Forward Congressional Fellowship designed to deepen the expertise and networks of eligible United States congressional staff in Member offices and on congressional committees (see criteria below). The 8-month fellowship entails monthly master classes in Washington and a study tour of the region. The Atlantic Council’s Balkans […]

Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jan 6, 2019

Vajdich Quoted in Washington Post on peace effort between Serbia and Kosovo

By Daniel Vajdich

Read the full article here.

The Balkans

New Atlanticist

Nov 30, 2018

Kosovo’s president pushes for peace deal with Serbia

By David A. Wemer

Both Kosovo and Serbia now have their sights set on EU and NATO membership, but must first come to a formal peace agreement and normalize relations.

Eastern Europe NATO

In the News

Oct 24, 2018

Future Europe Initiative’s Event on Macedonia with Lord Robertson Featured on Balkan Insider

By Future Europe Initiative

Read the full article here.

The Balkans

New Atlanticist

Oct 23, 2018

Macedonians should embrace ‘an alignment of stars,’ says former NATO secretary general

By David A. Wemer

The deal sought to end a twenty-seven-year dispute between the two countries over the name “Macedonia,” which was adopted when that country gained independence in 1991 following the break-up of Yugoslavia.

NATO Security & Defense

In the News

Oct 11, 2018

Vajdich in Washington Post: Let Serbia and Kosovo Define Their Own Peace

By Daniel Vajdich

Read the full article here.

The Balkans
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Experts

Staff

Lisa Homel

Associate Director

Europe Center

Eastern Europe Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Jeffrey Hovenier

Nonresident senior fellow

Europe Center

Croatian Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Adrian Karatnycky

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Ukraine Democratic Transitions

Fellow

Marta Kepe

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Defense Industry English

Fellow

Ville Korpela

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Digital Currencies Europe & Eurasia

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Leon Leskovec

Policy Advisor, Legislative Coordination Unit, EPP Group in the European Parliament

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Politics & Diplomacy
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