Balkan troubles: The European perspective and the case for US engagement

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
Balkan troubles: The European perspective and the case for US engagement

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
Balkan troubles: The European perspective and the case for US engagement

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

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

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Content

Event Recap

May 16, 2017

Balkan troubles: The European perspective and the case for US engagement

By Catherine Schaper

On May 16, the Atlantic Council’s Future Europe Initiative, in partnership with the European Fund for the Balkans, hosted a panel discussion on European perspectives regarding US engagement in the Balkans. Moderated by Damon Wilson, executive vice president of the Atlantic Council, and introduced by Igor Bandovic, senior programme manager at the European Fund for […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

May 10, 2017

The Avoidable Return of Geopolitics in the Balkans

By Florian Bieber, Dane Taleski and Nikola Dimitrov

Political crises, regional tensions, and the decline of democracy point to an increased risk of conflict and instability in the Balkans. Peace, democratic reform, and stability in the Balkans have been guaranteed for the past two decades by the prospect of European Union (EU) membership and by US and NATO security guarantees. Both pillars of […]

European Union International Organizations
https://mwi.usma.edu/ghosts-soviets-past-bulgarias-historical-russian-ties-spell-trouble-nato-black-sea-coast/

NATOSource

May 4, 2017

Do Bulgaria’s Historical Russian Ties Spell Trouble for NATO and the Black Sea Region?

By Adam Maisel and Will DuVal, Modern War Institute

The November election of Rumen Radev as president of Bulgaria has contributed to growing concerns that several former Soviet satellite states are drifting back into the orbit of Putin’s Russia.

NATO Russia

UkraineAlert

May 1, 2017

What Can Ukraine Learn from the Balkans?

By Gunther Fehlinger

Ukraine wants to join the European Union, but the level of support among many EU member states is low or nonexistent. Many are afraid of Russia’s reaction and lack a clear understanding of both the climate in post-Euromaidan Ukraine and the country’s strong commitment to Western integration. The situation is challenging in all aspects. War […]

Moldova The Balkans

UkraineAlert

Apr 10, 2017

Is Russia Winning in Serbia? Maybe, But Not for the Reasons You Think

By Dimitar Bechev

One year ago, in April 2016 when Serbia held snap polls, the BBC ran the headline “Pro-EU Prime Minister Vučić Claims Victory.” One year later, after Aleksandar Vučić’s resounding win in the presidential election on April 2, the international media has styled him “Putin’s Serb ally.” Who’s right and where is Serbian foreign policy heading? […]

European Union International Organizations

Transcript

Mar 30, 2017

Securing Southeastern Europe: A New Model for Progress in the Balkans?

Securing Southeastern Europe: A New Model for Progress in the Balkans?  Introductions:Damon Wilson,Executive Vice President,Atlantic Council

The Balkans

Video

Mar 28, 2017

Montenegro in NATO?
The Balkans

New Atlanticist

Mar 22, 2017

US Engagement in the Balkans Seen as Vital

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Albanian foreign minister said United States has a ‘decisive’ role in Balkan reforms It is critical for the United States to deepen its engagement in the Balkans—a region that faces threats from terrorists as well as Russia, Albanian Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati said in Washington on March 21. In February, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama […]

European Union International Organizations
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dhsgov/33133469112/in/photolist-StTG1Q-SPJncV-T1EEJ5-StTF7W-RLasV3-SsNUBq-T9zGit-SwjDHa-StTFxW-RKiDBv-m9MW9r-SQhxHz-RM7eWX-SG5gAY-T4DcGd-SE1CTs-SdmPhZ-SFmuyw-RLasJS-SZJTL4-SuoijN-Srn9qA-kGQ2is-QDxFTU-RxcVRQ-SPwgVX-S93viJ-SLLhRP-RdnrKG-SZ54hN-RM4rBe-kUed9d-T2sbjg-SvcBp1-RnwurS-SrjQdZ-RJyPT1-RwPv4Z-SXpz6u-RNZZYg-8aHDTh-SLLi4T-StTEpJ-S8N9Eb-S85F5u-SfQsvm-RS4aJW-QWKNfA-R6BpYT-SMhuWN

NATOSource

Mar 22, 2017

Tillerson Urges Senate Ratification of Montenegro’s NATO Membership

By Patricia Zengerle, Reuters

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has written to the leaders of the U.S. Senate urging the ratification of Montenegro as the newest member of the NATO alliance

NATO Russia

New Atlanticist

Mar 22, 2017

Despite Sen. Rand Paul, Montenegro’s Foreign Minister is Confident of NATO Membership

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Montenegro’s Foreign Minister Srdjan Darmanovic is confident that, despite a procedural setback, the US Senate will ratify a protocol that will allow his nation to become the twenty-ninth member of NATO. This, he said, should happen before the Alliance’s summit in Brussels in May. NATO foreign ministers signed the Accession Protocol with Montenegro in May […]

European Union International Organizations
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Experts

Fellow

Valeska Esch

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

European Union Germany

Fellow

Jonathan Moore

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Bosnian Croatian

Fellow

Gorana Grgić

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Croatian Democratic Transitions

Fellow

Dimitar Bechev

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

The Balkans Security & Defense

Fellow

Daniel Fried

Weiser Family Distinguished Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative Eurasia Center

Eastern Europe Democratic Transitions

Millennium fellow

Aleksandar Vratonjić Gligorijević

Chief Marketing Officer, TeleGroup

Millennium Leadership Program

Digital Currencies Europe & Eurasia
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Events

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