Southern and Southeastern Europe

Southern and Southeastern Europe

Southern and Southeastern Europe play a critical role in the transatlantic community, given their close proximity to the EU’s Southern Neighborhood and NATO’s Southern Flank. The region has faced significant economic challenges in recent years, along with an influx of migrants and foreign interference. While these concerns persist in some countries, the region has seen rapid economic growth, a revival of democratic institutions, and new opportunities for leadership in major international organizations.

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Dispatch from Greece: Geopolitical crises are accelerating collaboration between Europe and the Gulf

Report Nov 10, 2025

Italy’s policy on China: The Belt and Road gamble and its aftermath

By Valbona Zeneli

From the Silk Road to the Belt and Road Initiative, Italy’s relationship with China has shifted from early enthusiasm to cautious recalibration. Once Europe’s gateway for Beijing’s ambitions, Rome now frames its China policy around transatlantic solidarity, balancing economic opportunity with strategic prudence.
China Economy & Business
Dispatch from Greece: Geopolitical crises are accelerating collaboration between Europe and the Gulf

Report Nov 10, 2025

Greece’s policy on China: Debt-era deals and recalibration

By Valbona Zeneli

From the port of Piraeus to Brussels, Greece’s China policy has evolved from enthusiastic engagement and post-crisis dependency to strategic caution. Today, Athens’s is balancing economic pragmatism with transatlantic security commitments.
China Economy & Business
Dispatch from Greece: Geopolitical crises are accelerating collaboration between Europe and the Gulf

Report May 20, 2025

The European Union Growth Plan for the Western Balkans: A reality test for EU enlargement

By Valbona Zeneli, Richard Grieveson, Isabelle Ioannides, Dimitar Bechev

EU enlargement faces a test case in the Western Balkans. The current plan offers real benefits before accession, creating incentives for reform, but questions of enforceability and the relatively low amount of financial support threaten the success of the EU’s political influence in the region.
Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Program

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

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Content

Dispatches

May 21, 2026

Dispatch from Greece: Geopolitical crises are accelerating collaboration between Europe and the Gulf

By Jonathan Panikoff, Jörn Fleck, and John Cookson

A look behind the scenes at the recent Europe Gulf Forum, hosted by the Antenna Group in partnership with the Atlantic Council.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Dispatches

May 21, 2026

Montenegro at twenty: What kind of state will it become?

By Ratko M. Knežević

Even as Montenegrins mark today’s anniversary, the true meaning of independence must be something far more ambitious.

European Union Politics & Diplomacy

Dispatches

May 19, 2026

Dispatch from Bucharest: NATO’s center of gravity is shifting eastward

By Alex Șerban, Dorian Obreajan

A recent summit shows that Eastern and Northern European allies are increasingly shaping the Alliance’s strategic agenda on defense and resilience.

Eastern Europe NATO

UkraineAlert

May 14, 2026

Bulgaria is unlikely to become Putin’s new proxy within the European Union

By Kristian Kafozov

Newly elected Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev is unlikely to replace recently ousted Hungarian leader Viktor Orban as Vladimir Putin's proxy within the EU and NATO, writes Kristian Kafozov.

Conflict Defense Policy

In the News

May 8, 2026

Kroenig quoted in The Wall Street Journal on Rubio’s trip to Italy

By Atlantic Council

On May 7, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was quoted in The Wall Street Journal about Secretary of State Marco Rubio's trip to Italy, arguing that he is the Trump administration's most effective foreign policy communicator.

Italy Politics & Diplomacy

Balkans Debrief

May 8, 2026

Are the Balkans the Key to Europe’s Critical Raw Materials? A Debrief with Rizos, Adams & Pop

Ilva Tare speaks with Vasileios Rizos, Kirk Adams, and Daniel Pop to discuss critical raw materials in the Western Balkans.

Critical Minerals Economy & Business

In the News

May 8, 2026

Kroenig interviewed on KNX News on the conflict in Iran

By Atlantic Council

On May 7, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on KNX News about the conflict in Iran.

Italy Security & Defense

In the News

May 8, 2026

Kroenig quoted in Semafor on Rubio’s trip to Italy

By Atlantic Council

On May 7, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was quoted in Semafor about Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s trip to Italy.

Italy Politics & Diplomacy

Dispatches

Apr 23, 2026

From Dubrovnik to Dubrovnik: The evolution of the Three Seas Initiative

By Ian Brzezinski

While there is much to celebrate about the initiative’s accomplishments over the past decade, leaders will also need to make important and difficult decisions in Dubrovnik about how it should evolve.

Central Europe Eastern Europe

Dispatches

Apr 22, 2026

What Orbán’s defeat in Hungary means for the Western Balkans

By Agon Maliqi

During his sixteen years in power, Orbán built an infrastructure of influence in the Western Balkans to support his political allies.

Elections European Union
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Experts

Staff

Denise Forsthuber

Deputy Director, Strategic Engagement and Operations

Europe Center Transform Europe Initiative

Central Europe Eastern Europe

Fellow

Daniel Fried

Weiser Family Distinguished Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative Eurasia Center

Eastern Europe Democratic Transitions

Staff

Bailey Galicia

Assistant Director, Strategy and Operations

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Disinformation Politics & Diplomacy

Fellow

Gorana Grgić

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Croatian Democratic Transitions

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Rudina Hajdari

Former Member of Parliament, Republic of Albania

Millennium Leadership Program

Human Rights Political Reform

Fellow

Christopher Hill

Distinguished Fellow

Europe Center

Europe & Eurasia French
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