#BalkansDebrief is an online interview series presented by the Atlantic Council's Europe Center and hosted by journalist Ilva Tare.
The program offers a fresh look at the Western Balkans and examines the region's people, culture, challenges, and opportunities.
Follow along on Twitter @ACEurope with #BalkansDebrief.
Will Merz step up Germany’s role in the Balkans? | A Debrief with Gerald Knaus
Germany’s political landscape is shifting after the parliamentary elections on February 23—conservatives won, the far-right AfD surged, and foreign policy questions loom large over Berlin. What will the next leadership in Germany mean for the country's approach to EU enlargement and, in particular, the Western Balkans?
In this episode of #BalkansDebrief, Ilva Tare, Resident Senior Fellow at the Europe Center, sits down with Gerald Knaus, Chairman of the European Stability Initiative, a leading voice on EU engagement, to discuss why Germany must step up as Europe’s stabilizer. Knaus warns that the next four years are critical: Berlin must push for EU enlargement in the Balkans—no more delays, no vague goals. Without bold leadership, the region risks stagnation.
Knaus also highlights Merz’s recent foreign policy statements as the boldest from any European leader now and argues that Merz's government could be the most consequential in Germany since Konrad Adenauer in 1949.
Will Germany step up as Europe’s stabilizer? As Europe faces a growing security crisis, will Germany push for a stronger NATO presence in the Balkans? Could a potential divide between the United States and the EU weaken efforts to stabilize the region? What one piece of advice would Gerald Knaus give to Germany’s new leadership regarding the Balkans?
6 Feb 2025
The EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans – A Debrief with Zeneli, Ioannides, & Grieveson
The European Union's Growth Plan for the Western Balkans aims to accelerate economic growth and convergence in the region—but can it truly deliver? With reform, investment, and EU integration at stake, how can the region turn this initiative into real progress? Ilva Tare, Resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center, dives into the risks, opportunities, and challenges with three co-authors of the Atlantic Council’s EU Growth Plan report: Valbona Zeneli, economist and Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council; Richard Grieveson, Deputy Director at the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies; and Isabelle Ioannides, Europe’s Future Fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences and the ERSTE Foundation. Can the Growth Plan restore trust in the EU’s commitment to enlargement, or will political deadlock, limited funding, and institutional struggles stand in the way? What role can private sector investment and regional cooperation play in amplifying its impact? And how can the EU ensure stronger rule of law and accountability as part of the process? Join us for an in-depth discussion on #BalkansDebrief (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/balkansdebrief) as we break down what’s at stake for the region’s economic future.
4 Feb 2025
How is the media covering Serbia's protests? A Debrief with Igor Božić and Marko Prelević
Serbia is at a crossroads. What started as grief over the Novi Sad tragedy has become a full-scale protest movement, forcing Prime Minister's Vučević's resignation and even earning students a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. But with no clear leader, how is pro-government media responding? Is this the start of real change, or will the movement be silenced? Ilva Tare, a Resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council's Europe Center, is joined in this episode of #BalkansDebrief (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/balkansdebrief) by Igor Božić, News Director at TV N1, and Marko Prelević, editor of Nedeljnik, one of Serbia's most influential weekly news magazines. Who is the driving force behind these massive protests? How is the government-controlled press handling the massive protests? What comes next after the Prime Minister's resignation? Will this moment define Serbia's future? Tune in for an in-depth look at the movement shaking the Balkans.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 40 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
54
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
68
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