Senator Jeanne ShaheenEvery podcast appearance, updated as new ones drop

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 this episode of #BalkansDebrief, Ilva Tare speaks to Senator Jeanne Shaheen who is leading this bipartisan effort to bolster American leadership in the region, all the while keeping a close eye on events in the Western Balkans. The Senator addresses concerns about Bosnia's future, questionable extension of the EUFOR mandate, and shares her impressions of the region after returning to the Western Balkans for the second time this year. What is the view in the Senate on Serbia now that Serbia and Russia have agreed to align their foreign policies? How can the United States ensure Serbian alignment with the West? What is the United States doing to ensure renewal of the EUFOR mission. What role will the United States play in assisting Albania following the cyber-attacks launched in retaliation for the Iranian MEK's presence in the country?

Meet Senator Jeanne Shaheen: Senator Jeanne Shaheen is the sitting U.S. Senator for New Hampshire. She is a member of the Senate Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Relations, Appropriations, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and the Select Committee on Ethics. Previously, Sen. Shaheen served as the Director of Harvard University's Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School of Government. She was also elected Governor of New Hampshire, and is the first woman in U.S. history to be elected both a Governor and United States Senator. Key Insights: Senator Jeanne Shaheen is an accomplished politician. She is the highest-ranking woman on the Armed Services Committee, and has been an elected public servant for over two decades. Raise Your Hand . While at the Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School at Harvard, when she asked which student want to run for office, almost every male hand would go up, but only a third of women. Sen. Shaheen emphasizes the importance of having women in office, so policy decisions reflect women’s experiences (4:42) Compromise . Reaching compromise requires a willingness to listen to other points of view, to find common ground, and to be respectful. (16:30) Public Service. For women interested in public service careers, Sen. Shaheen recommends that you reflect on what issues you care about most, and find related work. This is the best entrance into what you might want to do next in politics, policy, or public service. (17:51) This episode is hosted by Joanne Conroy, M.D. She is a member of the Advisory Council for Her Story is the CEO and President of Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health. Relevant Links: Learn more about Senator Shaheen’s campaign Follow Senator Shaheen on Twitter “Partisan politics compromise the bipartisan consensus around energy efficiency” by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen