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

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

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

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

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

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

Balkans Debrief

Apr 17, 2026

Is Hungary’s Influence in the Balkans Over With Orban? A Debrief with Peter Kreko

Europe Center Senior Fellow Ilva Tare sits down with Péter Krekó to discuss Hungary's future approach to the Western Balkans after Viktor Orbán's defeat.

Democratic Transitions Elections

UkraineAlert

Apr 16, 2026

Could Bulgaria replace Hungary as Putin’s proxy inside the EU?

By Jan Surotchak

Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán's recent election defeat was widely seen as a major setback for Russia, but victory for the pro-Kremlin candidate in this week's Bulgarian parliamentary elections could provide Putin with a new proxy inside the EU, writes Jan Surotchak.

Conflict Defense Policy

Dispatches

Mar 27, 2026

The Eastern Mediterranean won’t replace Russian or Gulf gas—but it can be Europe’s energy shock absorber

By Hany Ghanem and Chrissy Bishai

Eastern Mediterranean gas will not eliminate Europe’s exposure to global volatility, but it can help reinforce the continent’s resilience on the margins.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Balkans Debrief

Mar 24, 2026

The Western Balkans in today’s transatlantic landscape | A Debrief with Dimitris Tsarouhas

Ilva Tare sits down with Dimitris Tsarouhas, Washington DC Representative of ELIAMEP, to discuss how the Western Balkans are navigating the current transatlantic landscape.

Europe & Eurasia International Norms

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Mar 18, 2026

Italy faces a dangerous gap between stability on paper and citizens’ lived experience

By Massimo Morelli

Giorgia Meloni’s three-year tenure as prime minister is unusually long by recent Italian standards. As her government faces its biggest test yet with a referendum on judicial reforms, what explains Meloni’s relative stability—and the frequent turnover that preceded it? A deep dive into economic and political indicators sheds light on Italy’s path forward.

Elections Fiscal and Structural Reform
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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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Events

Online Event Fri, May 15, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

The Western Balkans’ entry into SEPA and their European market future
Digital Currencies Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia Eurozone