About the American Council for Eastern Europe

About us

The American Council for Eastern Europe (ACEE) serves as a catalyst for fostering international comprehension and collaboration across the diverse nations and communities within the Eastern European region. Through a wide range of events, ACEE aims to forge meaningful connections that engage broad audiences and networks. Committed to an interdisciplinary approach, ACEE has emerged as a nexus for the augmentation of area-specific knowledge, relevant both in a regional and global context.

In pursuit of scholarly depth and practical impact, ACEE sponsors initiatives that foster constructive dialogues and the mutual exchange of insights. These endeavors link scholars, policy-makers, and the general public, and showcase a wide spectrum of ideas aimed at enhancing comprehension of the region's contemporary issues and its potential trajectory.

To enrich the discourse, ACEE hosts a dynamic interplay of cultural activities that probe key questions and challenges facing the region. By providing an accessible platform, the Council ensures that knowledge and perspectives about Eastern Europe reach diverse and expansive audiences.

Miloš Rastovic | Founder & President

My life story offers a unique view of national shifts in Yugoslavia, Serbia, and the United States. I was born and raised in the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, a country that once occupied a non-aligned position between the Eastern communist and Western capitalist blocs in the Cold War era. Much of my early life played out against the backdrop of Yugoslavia skillfully playing one side against the other to its advantage. Yugoslavia’s unique position during these years shaped my early understanding of Eastern and Western policies and maneuverings, especially as they played out in the Balkans. Growing up, we had a saying, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket," which seemed to reflect the historical challenges of keeping today's Eastern European lands unified.

“Towers” Painting by Dragan Mikhailovich
Credit by Arta pentru oameni simpli

Just a few years after the Berlin Wall fell, the dissolution of Yugoslavia became a major piece in the broader political restructuring of Eastern Europe. Following World War II, Yugoslavia decided to go its own way in 1948, rejecting alignment with the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact nations. Embracing what was known as Tito's "liberal socialism,” the nation followed a path that was fraught with challenges. The demise of Yugoslavia in the 1990s was accompanied by the bloody civil wars, intense national and ethnic rancor, United Nations sanctions on Serbia and Montenegro, and NATO bombing of these states in the 1990s. Many lives were disrupted—people died, lost homes, or lived in poverty. While my family and I were fortunate to survive those turbulent times, it was an ordeal that left a lasting impact on us.

After the collapse of the Milosevic regime in 2000, Serbia started its transition toward democracy and a market economy. During these times of profound change in national life—everything from communist totalitarianism and authoritarianism to civil war and U.N. sanctions—I witnessed the many changes in ideology, borders, economy, culture and politics first-hand. These changes raised questions for me about authority, totalitarianism, borders, equality, democratic values, justice and how we can make sense of our world.

Motivated by my thirst for knowledge, I continued my education in the United States. While I faced early challenges, I brought a wealth of experience, skills and dedication to the ideals of knowledge from my Eastern European heritage. My years studying the region have given me a unique and realistic perspective on how new national and regional security structures among Eurasia, Europe and the world can be built, informed by personal experiences and deep reflection.

The more we understand the Eastern European region, the more we can appreciate the complex interplay of cultures, influences, needs and ideas that have shaped its history. The region constitutes a cultural crossroads connecting Eurasia with the West, and vice versa. Those who understand Eastern Europe will find it easier to understand Eurasia in the 21st Century.

In summary, my lived experiences through different stages in the national lives of Yugoslavia, Serbia and now America, combined with my academic research and work through the American Council for Eastern Europe, have given me a unique perspective, one deeply grounded in realism and insights into the evolving cultural, political, economic and social landscapes of Eastern Europe and beyond.

Milos Rastovic
Founder & President

“Town of Mushrooms” Painting by Dragan Mikhailovich
Credit by Arta pentru oameni simpli