A DEBRIEF WITH MIROSLAV LAJČÁK - On February 27th, Serbia and Kosovo agreed that no further discussion are needed on the EU proposal for normalization of relations, which could potentially pave the way for the resolution of an unfinished conflict. The agreement was a step forward in normalizing...

A DEBRIEF WITH TATJANA LAZAREVIC - In the wake of vigorous shuttle diplomacy meant to jumpstart the adoption of an EU-designed proposal to normalize relations between Serbia and Kosovo, the United States is pushing Prishtina to fulfill its prior commitment to create the Association of ethnic Serb...

A DEBRIEF WITH PETAR TODOROV - North Macedonia’s accession to the European Union has been delayed in the last two years due to disagreements with Bulgaria. The dispute centers around the identity of the Slavs in Macedonia and whether there is a distinctly Macedonian ethnicity and language.

Nonre...

DEBRIEF WITH DIANA GLIGORIJEVIC AND MERGIM CAHANI - Even though the situation between Serbia and Kosovo is more tense than in recent memory, with the war in Ukraine as a backdrop, the broader situation in the region remains unchanged. As EU enlargement remains stalled, the best prospect for impro...

A DEBRIEF WITH TIM JUDAH - Another end-of-year flare-up in the north of Kosovo was just the latest in a cycle of crisis that repeats itself every time a deadline for normalization is approaching or a new agreement is about to take effect between Kosovo and Serbia.

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva...

A DEBRIEF WITH MAJA PISCEVIC AND DAMIR MARUSIC - Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has largely defined the year with the crises across the Western Balkans shaping against this grim backdrop. Even though the year-end leaves the region in an uncertain place, with tensions between Serbia and Kosovo at an...

A DEBRIEF WITH PAUL TAYLOR - The recent EU-Western Balkans summit in Tirana, Albania, was seen as a step in the right direction for reinvigorating the EU enlargement process. Is there a new political will for enlargement among the EU member states? How did the new geopolitical momentum following ...

A DEBRIEF WITH MILAN NIČ - With the Berlin Process summit in sight, the first headlines coming from Germany indicate that Berlin will deliver agreements signed by all six Western Balkans countries. Will these new regional dynamics produce long-term meaningful changes?

Nonresident Senior Fellow ...

A DEBRIEF WITH LEA YPI - The quest for freedom has long been the interest of political scholars and philosophers. Yet an 11-year-old girl in Albania began debating the issue with her parents while the streets of Tirana erupted with protests demanding freedom. That girl is Lea Ypi, a political the...

A DEBRIEF WITH MANUEL SARRAZIN - When German Chancellor Olaf Scholz broke the news of a Berlin Process 2.0, the Western Balkans’ hopes for a revival of European enlargement were revived. The Common Regional Market and the ‘four freedoms’ are at the heart of Berlin process, but previous negotiatio...

A DEBRIEF WITH SENATOR JEANNE SHAHEEN - While the United States is expected to bolster its political commitment to the Western Balkans through economic support, a bipartisan bill introduced in Congress aims to enhance those efforts by providing increased funding and technical assistance.

In th...

A DEBRIEF WITH DAMIR MARUSIC - Bosnian citizens voted for new representatives on October 2. Immediately after the polls closed the Office of the High Representative, led by Christian Schmidt, imposed a new election law requiring immediate implementation.

In this episode of #BalkansDebrief, Ilva ...

A DEBRIEF WITH MILICA ANDRIC-RAKIC AND AGON MALIQI - After a decade of attempts to reach an agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, the EU and the US appear to have joined forces to find solutions for a long-lasting deal for the future of both countries. Thirteen policy experts from Serbia and Prist...

A DEBRIEF WITH AMBASSADOR CHRISTOPHER HILL - Another crisis between Kosovo and Serbia was averted following close involvement of the EU and the US officials in facilitating reciprocal recognition of ID cards. Conversation now moves forward under the auspices of the EU-facilitated Dialogue.

In th...

A DEBRIEF WITH FABIAN ZHILLA - Increased Russian intelligence activity and security threats over the last few weeks across the Western Balkans have troubled some NATO allied countries. Has Russia increased its activity in the region as a result of the war in Ukraine?

In this episode of #BalkansD...

A DEBRIEF WITH PETRIT SELIMI - Another escalation of tensions on the border between Kosovo and Serbia raised concerns in Europe and in the US about a potential spillover to the rest of the Balkans.

In this episode of #BalkansDebrief, Ilva Tare speaks to Petrit Selimi, Former Foreign Minister of ...

A DEBRIEF WITH PIERRE MIREL - The start of membership talks with Albania and North Macedonia marked a milestone in the EU enlargement process in the Western Balkans after many years of disappointment.

In this episode of #BalkansDebrief, Ilva Tare speaks with Pierre Mirel, Honorary Director Gener...

A DEBRIEF WITH DAMON WILSON - Russia's war in Ukraine has caused a tectonic shift in Europe and its periphery. It is time for decisive action from EU leaders to engage strategically in the Western Balkans. Ilva Tare interviews Damon Wilson, President and CEO of National Endowment for Democracy, o...

A DEBRIEF WITH DIMITAR BECHEV - While Sofia accepted the French proposal to find a solution between Bulgaria and North Macedonia, protests erupted after the Skopje government decided to consider approving the demands before beginning EU accession talks. Ilva Tare discusses the origins of this dis...

A DEBRIEF WITH DAMIR MARUSIC AND MAJA PISCEVIC - What will happen in the Western Balkans following the European Council's decision?

As Balkan leaders expressed their frustration with the enlargement impasse, they emphasized the importance of strengthening regional cooperation. Ilva Tare, Nonres...

A DEBRIEF WITH IVAN VEJVODA - As dialogue between the two countries is stalled and the region expects anxiously the EU Council decision on accession talks, Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews Ivan Vejvoda, Permanent Fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences and a seasoned observer of ...

A DEBRIEF WITH VETON SURROI - What can Kosovo and Serbia do to normalize their relations?

The dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo has stalled and the two countries seem to be in a state of unfinished conflict. The Europe Center’s Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare speaks to Veton Surroi, a well ...

A DEBRIEF WITH OLGA KHAKOVA - What does Vučić’s gas deal with Putin mean about the Serbian-Russian relationship and what are its implications in the Western Balkans? Are EU sanctions on oil imports enough to hurt Putin's revenues that finance his war in Ukraine?

The Global Energy Center’s Olga ...

A DEBRIEF WITH GERALD KNAUS - #BalkansDebrief is an online talk show hosted by journalist Ilva Tare and presented by the Atlantic Council's Europe Center—fresh look at the region, its people, its culture, and its challenges and opportunities.