Spillover from wars in the Middle East and Ukraine may spread to the Western Balkans, warns Albanian prime minister

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
Spillover from wars in the Middle East and Ukraine may spread to the Western Balkans, warns Albanian prime minister

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
Spillover from wars in the Middle East and Ukraine may spread to the Western Balkans, warns Albanian prime minister

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

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

New Atlanticist

Nov 27, 2023

Spillover from wars in the Middle East and Ukraine may spread to the Western Balkans, warns Albanian prime minister

By Katherine Golden

Western Balkans countries must “work day and night to keep the conflict out of the borders of our region,” Prime Minister Edi Rama said at the Atlantic Council.

Crisis Management
European Union

Balkans Debrief

Nov 10, 2023

#BalkansDebrief – Why does the US want Kosovo to urgently implement the ASM?| A debrief with Jeffrey Hovenier

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare is joined in this episode of #BalkansDebrief by US Ambassador to Kosovo Jeffrey Hovenier to discuss developments in the EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue.

The Balkans

New Atlanticist

Nov 9, 2023

Will the EU get new members soon? Here’s what you need to know.

By Atlantic Council experts

Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia just saw their bids to join the twenty-seven member bloc boosted by the European Commission. Atlantic Council experts explain what it means for EU enlargement.

Europe & Eurasia
European Union

Balkans Debrief

Nov 1, 2023

#BalkansDebrief – What challenges face new Montenegro government? | A Debrief with Ana Nenezic

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare is joined in this episode of #BalkansDebrief by political analyst and the director of the Institute for SocioPolitical Research - Analitico, Ana Nenezic.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Oct 23, 2023

#BalkansDebrief – A view from the European Parliament on Kosovo-Serbia crisis | A Debrief with Viola von Cramon

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare is joined in this episode of #BalkansDebrief by, Viola von Cramon, a member of the EP Foreign Affairs Committee and the Rapporteur on Kosovo, to discuss the implications of the resolution and the EU's role in ensuring that Serbia cooperates fully with the investigation into the Banjska attack.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Oct 13, 2023

#BalkansDebrief – What is the future of normalization process between Kosovo and Serbia? | A Debrief with Alicia Kearns

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare is joined in this episode of #BalkansDebrief by British MP Alicia Kearns, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, UK House of Commons to discuss recent escalation of hostilities in Kosovo and the future of Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Oct 11, 2023

#BalkansDebrief – Civil society’s role in Western Balkans EU accession | A Debrief with Andi Dobrushi

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare is joined in this episode of #BalkansDebrief by Andi Dobrushi, Western Balkans Executive Director of the Open Society Foundation, to discuss the importance of holding Western Balkan governments and EU member states accountable for their commitments to EU reforms and the role of civil society in the region.

The Balkans

New Atlanticist

Sep 28, 2023

Western Balkans ‘nearshoring’ can turn the region into a strategic asset for the EU

By Valbona Zeneli

Focused attention is needed to advance an EU-driven economic growth plan and to accelerate the region’s EU accession.

Economy & Business
Europe & Eurasia

Balkans Debrief

Sep 19, 2023

#BalkansDebrief – How to integrate Serbs in Northern Kosovo? | A debrief with Shpetim Gashi and Milica Andric Rakic

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews Milica Andric Rakic, program manager at the New Social Initiative, and Shpetim Gashi, Vice President of the Council for Inclusive Governance, to discuss steps needed for integrating the Serb community in the north of Kosovo.

European Union
Political Reform
Local Kosovo Serb protesters sit on the ground in front of NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR) soldiers in the town of Zvecan, Kosovo, May 29, 2023. REUTERS/Laura Hasani

New Atlanticist

Sep 13, 2023

The necessary next step to enable Serb reintegration in Kosovo’s north

By Shpetim Gashi and Milica Andric Rakic

Serbia and Kosovo's leaders must take steps to reduce tensions and facilitate Kosovo Serbs' reintegration in the north of the country.

Freedom and Prosperity
Politics & Diplomacy
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Experts

Fellow

Ilva Tare

Resident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Albanian English

Fellow

Earl Anthony Wayne

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoEconomics Center

Afghanistan Americas

Fellow

Valbona Zeneli

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Albanian Corruption