The Greek Current: Recent Episodes
The Hellenic American Leadership Council
A podcast on Greece, Cyprus and the region brought to you by The Hellenic American Leadership Council and Kathimerini. Hosted by Thanos Davelis.
Europe and Greece are once again under pressure, as crises largely outside their control have left many on the continent feeling exposed. This summer we have seen sweltering heatwaves, unprecedented wildfires, and a sudden migration crisis at Spain’s border.
After facing extended heatwaves last month, fires displaced more than 300,000 people in France and Spain, while firefighters in Greece tragically perished battling fires that have destroyed homes, habitats, and left a landscape covered in ash.
In Greece’s case, despite spending large sums on the latest firefighting aircraft and technology over the past years, and civil society and journalists having tools like “FireWatch” at their disposal, we seem to be having similar conversations every year about what we need to do to better prepare and protect Greece's environment.
As the continent faced these devastating fires, another crisis broke out on its southwestern shores as tens of thousands of migrants sought to cross into Spain from Morocco. Many are blaming either Morocco for weaponizing migrants, Europe for lacking solidarity, or Spain's government for its migration policies. Prime Minister Mitsotakis even penned an op-ed in Politico making the case that the EU needs new tools to fight back against weaponized migration.
As Europe deals with these challenges, the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has kept Greek shipping in the spotlight, as even this week Greek-owned ships were targeted. This gives us a chance to dig into part two of our deep dive into the story of Greek shipping this week.
Professor Costas Synolakis, Nikos Efstathiou, Thanasis Troboukis, Aggeliki Dimitriadi, and John Psaropoulos join Thanos Davelis as we give you an inside look at all these developments.
A little more info on our guests:
Prof. Costas Synolakis is a preeminent authority on the impact of natural hazards.
Nikos Efstathiou is the editor in chief of WIRED Greece.
Thanasis Troboukis is a journalist and the founder of the platform Fire Watch.
Aggeliki Dimitriadi is and independent researcher and expert on issues of migration.
John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist, Al Jazeera's correspondent in southeast Europe, and publisher of Hellenica on Substack.
You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.
With the summer season in full swing, it’s not just vacations, the islands, and pristine beaches that are top of mind for Greeks. Global uncertainty, crises in the Middle East, a cost of living crisis, and the specter of touristification remain key concerns, and tackling these challenges is going to be tricky as Greece inches toward national elections.
The economy is obviously at the heart of many discussions, and while Greece is on a much stronger financial footing today than in the previous decade, it will still need to move carefully if it’s going to weather the twin storms of global uncertainty and political changes at home.
That’s the focus of the Greek government as Prime Minister Mitsotakis engages with voters across the country and prepares an economic package for the Thessaloniki International Fair in September, one that he hopes will boost his party’s chances in the elections.
A key element of this discussion is also inevitably going to be whether Greece’s key industries - tourism and shipping - can continue to serve as drivers of economic growth. When it comes to tourism, Greece has seen record numbers of visitors over the years. This success, however, is also raising important concerns about over-tourism, even on more remote Cycladic islands like Amorgos.
When it comes to shipping, Greece’s global position is unquestionable, and Greek ships are critical for the global economy. Much of this success comes down to a long tradition of seamanship, but also to a unique development in the 20th century involving the US in the wake of World War II.
Thanos Davelis digs into all of these issues and stories this week with experts Wolfango Piccoli, Nick Malkoutzis, Alia Malek, and John Psaropoulos.
A little more info on our guests:
Wolfango Piccoli is the head of geopolitics at the London-based CEO and board advisory firm Consello.
Nick Malkoutzis is the co-founder of Macropolis.gr.
Alia Malek is an author and journalist whose story "Breaking Ground: A road, a port, and the specter of touristification on the small Greek island of Amorgos" was recently published.
John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist, Al Jazeera's correspondent in southeast Europe, and publisher of Hellenica on Substack.
You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.
On July 20th we marked 52 years since phase one of Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus. For 52 years, Turkey has never been held accountable for this illegal invasion and occupation, for the division it imposed on the island, or for the lives and communities it shattered.
Today, despite international condemnation, UN resolutions, and calls for negotiations, the Cyprus issue remains one of the world's longest-running unresolved challenges. While progress toward a solution has been elusive over the last five decades, reports indicate there is a new effort afoot to revive peace talks as UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres prepares to visit Cyprus in the coming days.
Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus was also part of the discussion at the European Parliament this month, as the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the impact of Turkey’s 1974 invasion on Cypriot women and girls. This is seen as an important step acknowledging Cypriot women’s experiences of violence during the invasion, including sexual violence, that can hopefully open the door for survivors to speak and be heard openly and safely.
The Cyprus invasion isn’t just an open wound for the island, but for the Greek diaspora. 1974 was a major turning point, especially in the US, as Greek-Americans mobilized across the country, becoming politically active and advocating in Washington, DC for justice.
Andrew Novo, Harris Georgiades, Natalie Alkiviadou, and Alexander Kitroeff join Thanos Davelis as we look into both phases of Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus in 1974, whether we could be seeing a new push from the UN for talks, the importance of the European Parliament’s resolution on the impact of Turkey’s invasion on Cypriot women, and how the Cyprus invasion mobilized the Greek American community.
A little more info on our guests:
Andrew Novo is a professor of strategic studies at the National Defense University and adjunct professor at Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service and Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies.
Harris Georgiades is Chairman of the Foreign and European Affairs Committee of Cyprus’ Parliament, Chairman of the “Clerides Institute”, and a former Minister of Finance.
Dr. Natalie Alkiviadou is a Senior Research Fellow at the Future of Free Speech project at Vanderbilt University.
Alexander Kotroeff is a professor of history with an expertise in Greece and the diaspora.
You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.
Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey hit the big screen this week. Whether you are a fan of Nolan’s work or not, the reactions and debates we’ve seen across the board remind us of Homer’s immortal appeal, and why the story of Odysseus’ return to Ithaca has captivated audiences around the world for three millennia.
As Daniel Mendelsohn wrote recently, “The Odyssey is a remarkably contemporary story not only because of its hero, but because of the nature of the world around him..” a “postwar world where the old certainties have disappeared.” Those watching current events unfold may have a similar feeling these days.
With the ceasefire with Iran breaking down, we’re left with a good amount of uncertainty over what comes next. This is true for the Strait of Hormuz, for the Gulf, and by extension for the Eastern Mediterranean.
Bringing us to Greece, this uncertainty is playing out on the political scene, where debates about early elections are picking up steam, while SYRIZA, which was once in government, has been in free fall over the last years. A new round of resignations this week has many pondering if the party has completed its historical cycle.
In the spirit of Odysseus’ travels across the Mediterranean, we’re also heading to Turkey, where Ankara and Cairo took steps to deepen their ties when it comes to their defense cooperation and the defense industry.
Daniel Mendelsohn, Elisa Catalano Ewers, Nikos Konstantaras, and Vassilis Nedos join Thanos Davelis as we look into the timeless appeal of The Odyssey, the collapse of the ceasefire with Iran and its wider ramifications, the lessons from SYRIZA’s rise and fall, and the rapprochement between Turkey and Egypt.
A little more info on our guests:
Daniel Mendelsohn is the author of “An Odyssey: A Father, a Son, and an Epic”, whose translation of "The Odyssey” was published in paperback this spring.
Elisa Catalano Ewers is a Senior Fellow for Middle East Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Nikos Konstandaras is a columnist with Kathimerini.
Vassilis Nedos is Kathimerini's diplomatic and defense editor.
You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.
President Trump caused a stir this week at the NATO summit as he praised the host, Turkish President Erdogan, and said he was willing to lift sanctions on Turkey and sell Ankara F-35 fighter jets.
These comments saw an immediate reaction on Capitol Hill as members of Congress urged House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to be prepared to use every legislative tool available to prevent Turkey’s reinstatement into the F-35 program, reminding them that US law prohibits the transfer of F-35s to Turkey unless Ankara no longer possesses the Russian S-400 system.
In the meantime, new reports emerged on Friday that a deal could be taking shape that would see Turkey transfer its S-400 missiles to an unnamed Gulf country in order to convince Washington to lift sanctions and pave the way for its re-entry into the F-35 program.
F-35s were not the only item on the NATO summit agenda making headlines. As reporters on the ground have noted, NATO leaders were also making quiet progress on a new kind of NATO that will see them take on more and more responsibility for the defense of Europe. Something that unfortunately, but predictably, did not receive the attention it deserves as world leaders gathered in Ankara was Turkey’s alarming human rights record.
Endy Zemenides, Steven Erlanger, Steven Cook, and Tyler Stapleton join Thanos Davelis this week as we explore the main takeaways from the NATO summit in Ankara, break down President Trump’s comments on selling F-35s to Turkey, discuss Western hypocrisy when it comes to human rights in Turkey, and look at the latest reports that a deal could be in play over the S400s.
A little more info on our guests:
Endy Zemenides is HALC's Executive Director.
Steven Erlanger is the chief diplomatic correspondent for The New York Times covering Europe.
Steven Cook is the Eni Enrico Mattei Senior Fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Tyler Stapleton is the senior director of government relations at FDD Action.
You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.
In a few days Turkey will play host to NATO’s leaders for a high-stakes summit that some anticipate could be historic. The two main protagonists at the summit will be President Trump, who has consistently slammed NATO since his return to office, and Turkish President Erdogan, who is likely to use this summit to present himself as an indispensable ally and attempt to legitimize his harsh crackdown on political dissent.
In the buildup to the summit we’ve seen President Trump approve a $700 million arms sale to Turkey of fighter jet engines, a move that’s seen as a “gift” to Erdogan. Vice President JD Vance has also raised eyebrows calling for a legal review of whether the conditions exist for a future transfer of F-35 fighter jets to Ankara. Both moves have caused a stir in Congress, and a joint resolution of disapproval was introduced in the House looking to block the sale of jet engines.
In the buildup to the summit we’ve also seen reports that Turkey is planning to allow the reopening, after more than 50 years, of Halki Theological seminary. The reports follow a meeting between Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Turkey’s Erdogan, and it is expected that the issue will feature during President Trump’s meeting with Erdogan on the sidelines of the summit.
Looking beyond this upcoming summit, this past month also marked 10 years since voters in the UK voted for Brexit. Brexit and Grexit - which was something many thought could be a possibility at the height of the financial crisis in Greece - had dominated the headlines at the time. Today, as the UK prepares for its seventh prime minister in 10 years, the trajectories of both countries couldn’t be starker.
Aaron Stein, Ino Afentouli, Elizabeth Prodromou, and Simon Nixon join Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at the stakes ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara, President Trump’s move to sell fighter jet engines to Turkey, reports that Halki seminary could reopen, and the lessons from Greece ten years after Brexit.
A little more info on our guests:
Aaron Stein is the President of the Foreign Policy Research Institute.
Ino Afentouli is a Senior Policy Advisor and Head of the Observatory of Geopolitics and Diplomacy at ELIAMEP.
Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou is an expert on religious freedom issues and cultural heritage and a former vice chair and commissioner of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.
Simon Nixon is an independent journalist, Kathimerini columnist, and the publisher of the Wealth of Nations newsletter.
You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.
This week marked 30 years since Andreas Papandreou, the founder and longtime leader of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement - PASOK, passed away, and Greeks are taking this opportunity to reassess his legacy.
Consistently ranked among the most influential leaders of the post-junta era in Greece, Papandreou left his mark on Greek politics and society. Supporters will point to a charismatic leader who gave voice to the “unprivileged”, while his opponents slam him as a populist whose decisions continue to weigh on Greece. Regardless of where one falls on this spectrum, it’s undeniable that his impact on the country was profound.
Harris Mylonas, Kostis Kornetis, Alan Makovsky, and Lambrini Rori join Thanos Davelis as we dig into Andreas Papandreou’s legacy, exploring what brought him to power, how he reshaped Greece’s political culture after the collapse of the dictatorship, his controversial approach to diplomacy and how this impacted US-Greece relations, and his lasting legacy in Greek politics today.
A little more info on our guests:
Harris Mylonas is a Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at George Washington University’s Elliott School and the producer of the documentary “Searching for Andreas”.
Kostis Kornetis is an assistant professor of contemporary history at the Autonomous University of Madrid, a lead historian at Greece’s National Research Institute, and author of the books A Collective Biography of Southern European Democratization and Children of the Dictatorship.
Alan Makovsky is a senior fellow for National Security and International Policy at the Center for American Progress who worked in the State Department from 1983 to 1994, where he covered southern Europe, including Greece, at the height of the Papandreou era.
Lambrini Rori is an assistant professor of political analysis at the University of Athens.
You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.
The big news of the week is undoubtedly President Trump’s deal with Iran to bring an end to the war that has seen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint, shut for months. This agreement, as experts have been keen to point out, is just a start, creating a process for opening the Strait of Hormuz in the short run, and laying out a sixty-day timetable to address many other outstanding issues.
What will this mean for constraining Iran’s nuclear ambitions? How will it impact Israel’s war with Hezbollah in Lebanon? What will it mean for a rattled global economy that’s seen global trade disrupted and energy prices shoot up? How will a deal impact Europe, Greece and Cyprus? These are just a few questions swirling around in the wake of this deal.
Steven Cook, Vassilis Nedos, Ian Lesser, and Maria Demertzis join Thanos Davelis as we try to answer these questions, breaking down what this deal could mean for Washington, for the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean, for Europe, and for the global economy.
A little more info on our guests:
Steven Cook is the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Vassilis Nedos is Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor.
Ian Lesser is the vice president and Brussels chief of the German Marshall Fund of the United States.
Maria Demertzis is a Professor of Economic Policy at the European University Institute.
You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.
This week was one full of developments for the Eastern Mediterranean. Top of the list was the announcement in Houston of a major milestone for the region, as the US, Greece, Cyprus and Israel inaugurated the East Med Energy Center, putting into action a major provision of the landmark 2019 EastMed Act, a key priority of HALC.
Earlier in the week the East Med Gas Forum was also in the headlines, as ministers and senior representatives from Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Palestine, Italy, the US, and the World Bank sat at the same table in DC. The meeting highlighted both Washington’s and Greece’s increasingly important role in shaping the region’s energy agenda.
As we saw East Med countries expand their cooperation, Turkey’s increasingly confrontational posture in the region was on full display this week as its fighter jets interfered with a military aircraft carrying European defense officials to an EU meeting in Cyprus.
Turning our attention to Greece, we’re shifting gears to look at an ongoing challenge facing the country, which is protecting its natural landscapes. With reports of small wildfires already popping up in local media, and given that last week was World Environment Day, we look into how groups like Ecogenia and the California Conservation Corps are partnering up in the field in this summer to protect Greece’s most valuable natural landscapes.
Lena Argiri, Sinan Ciddi, Lia Papazoglou, and Annie Schroeder join Thanos Davelis this week as we look into the significance of the new East Med Energy Center, Turkey’s harassment of aircraft carrying European defense ministers to Cyprus, and the ongoing efforts to mobilize Greece’s youth around climate action.
Stay tuned as we’re back with another “I am HALC” segment, this time turning our attention to Chicago’s Eleni Apostolopoulos Katsoulis, an attorney working at the intersection of healthcare and law that’s now also tackling the legal dimensions of AI. Recognized as a 40 under 40 attorney to watch in Illinois, Eleni is also a former president of the Hellenic Bar Association, a founding member of the Hellenic Legal Assistance Services pro bono clinic, a member of HALC’s first flagship Leadership 2030 class, and a dedicated mom.
A little more info on our guests:
Lena Argiri is the Washington, DC Correspondent for Greek Public Broadcasting (ERT) and Kathimerini.
Sinan Ciddi is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and director of its Turkey program.
Lia Papazoglou is the co-founder of Ecogenia.
Annie Schroeder is a Project Coordinator for the California Conservation Corps.
You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.
With tensions running high in the Middle East, President Trump on Friday said Iranian leaders had not yet reached a deal with the US to end the ongoing war. President Trump has insisted that he’s in no rush to make a deal, and that he doesn’t care about how the ongoing war could impact the midterms. At the same time, fighting between Israel and Hezbollah is showing little sign of slowing down, despite attempts by the Trump administration to broker a cease-fire between the two.
These conflicts have sounded the alarm in Europe, especially in countries like Cyprus, where dealing with the fallout from these crises has become a key part of the national debate. This was the climate that Cyprus recently held parliamentary elections in, elections that saw anti-establishment parties gain ground. These elections can be seen as a benchmark of trends ahead of the upcoming 2028 presidential election.
Meanwhile, a major tourist development project in Albania, with links to Jared Kushner, has become the focus of protests and political controversy that is even pulling Greece into the story. Local residents, including many ethnic Greeks living in the area, have expressed concerns about the project, with issues ranging from transparency and environmental concerns to long running disputes over property rights.
Aaron David Miller, Nektaria Stamouli, and Yannis Papadopoulos join Thanos Davelis to explore the wider ramifications of the ongoing war with Iran and the fragile ceasefire in Lebanon, look at the latest parliamentary elections in Cyprus, and turn our attention to an evolving story in Albania, where a planned billion dollar tourist project is at the heart of controversy and protests that has had a spillover effect into Greek-Albanian relations.
Taking us to our “I am HALC” segment, we’re highlighting one of HALC’s earliest members and a member of its first flagship Leadership 2030 team in Chicago, Peter Kourkouvis. An attorney making a name for himself in real estate law, he’s also playing an integral role in putting Greek culture - from the arts to music - in the spotlight in Chicago, setting up major tribute concerts dedicated to Rebetiko music, Mikis Theodorakis, and Manos Hatzidakis.
A little more info on our guests:
Aaron David Miller is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and expert on the Middle East.
Nektaria Stamouli is the deputy editor in chief of Kathimerini's English Edition and Politico's Eastern Mediterranean correspondent.
Yannis Papadopoulos is a journalist with Kathimerini.
You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.
On May 21st a Turkish court took the unprecedented step of removing the CHP’s elected leadership, led by Ozgur Ozel, the latest sign of Turkish President Erdogan’s tightening grip on the country. It’s also a sign that Erdogan intends to run for another term as president, and with Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu in prison, this move can only mean one thing: Erdogan does not intend to leave the result of a future election up to chance.
The opposition has vowed it will fight back, but the broader question is whether this is the last nail in the coffin for Turkey’s democracy. Can it recover, and if so, is this a fight it will have to undertake on its own? President Donald Trump’s praise of Erdogan as a “tough guy” who has “done a very good job”, and the EU’s wider focus on the transatlantic relationship and Ukraine, have many doubting if the West will bring any pressure down on Ankara.
At the same time, another story is brewing in north Africa, where Turkey is looking to expand its influence in Libya. Recent reports are indicating a new Turkish push to engage with Benghazi, while we’ve also seen headlines hinting at US-Turkish coordination in Libya and a potential US effort to unify Libya. Greece is undoubtedly watching these developments closely, especially considering Turkey is likely to press Benghazi to support its illegal 2019 maritime agreement with Tripoli.
Ayla Jean Yackley, Henri Barkey, Ambassador Marc Pierini, and Aya Burweila join Thanos Davelis as we break down the latest crackdown on Turkey’s opposition and its wider ramifications, while looking into what Turkey is up to in Libya.
A little more info on our guests:
Ayla Jean Yackley is an Istanbul-based journalist covering Turkey with stories in The Financial Times, Politico, and other major outlets.
Henri Barkey is an adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and the Cohen chair in international relations at Lehigh University (Emeritus).
Marc Pierini is a senior fellow at Carnegie Europe and former EU ambassador to Turkey.
Aya Burweila is a widely published expert and public commentator on security with a special focus on Libya.
You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.
Greek politics is shaking up, as it seems the shift into campaigning is kicking into a higher gear. A major shakeup is underway within Greece’s opposition, as this week saw Maria Karystianou, the popular former president of the Tempe victims’ relatives’ association, announce she is stepping into the fray with a new party. In the coming days we’re also expected to see a similar announcement from former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras as he looks to establish himself as the candidate that can unite the left and challenge New Democracy.
At the same time, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis made his case for a third term this past weekend at the New Democracy congress in a speech that dismissed early elections while effectively putting the party into pre-campaign mode. One of the most repeated lines of the congress was that ND is “more united than ever”, but the absence of former Prime Ministers Kostas Karamanlis and Antonis Samaras, and persistent rumours of a new party by the latter, have raised questions about how unified the party is.
In the meantime, one of the top issues all parties will need to find answers to is the cost of living crisis and inflation. A recent report in Macropolis.gr outlined just how dramatically inflation has affected Greek households, with consumer prices increasing by 22.6% between January 2020 and December 2025. While cost of living is likely to dominate debates in the coming months, a number of issues on the foreign policy front are also likely to take center stage, including Turkey’s new “Blue Homeland” legislation, Greece’s support for Ukraine, the crisis in the Middle East, and relations with the US.
Tom Ellis, Nick Malkoutzis, Yiannis Mouzakis, and John Psaropoulos join Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at all of these stories and break down everything you need to know as Greece inches toward elections.
A little more info on our guests:
Tom Ellis is the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition.
Nick Malkoutzis is the co-founder of Macropolis.gr.
Yiannis Mouzakis is the co-founder of Macropolis.gr.
John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist, Al Jazeera's correspondent in southeast Europe, and publisher of Hellenica on Substack.
You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.
Turkey is once again raising tensions in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, this time putting countries in the region on alert as it prepares a “Blue Homeland” piece of legislation that would essentially enshrine Ankara’s maritime claims into domestic law. The move has Athens on alert, and the question everyone is wondering is whether Turkey is now turning its back on maintaining calm in the region - something that was agreed in Athens a few years ago.
Beyond the Aegean and its maritime claims, Turkey is also looking to flex its muscles on the commercial side. This proposed bill comes as Ankara has been looking to send a message that it intends to have the final say on projects being developed in the region. We’ve seen this in Turkey’s interference with projects like the Great Sea Interconnector, while Ankara is now positioning itself as a direct rival to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), a project backed by the US and the EU.
While tensions simmer in the Aegean and the East Med, another story has been developing in the Ionian Sea, on the other side of Greece, where a suspected Ukrainian naval drone was discovered off the island of Lefkada. The news dominated headlines in Greece, and is raising concerns about the war in Ukraine spreading to the Mediterranean.
Kostas Ifantis, Ryan Gingeras, Endy Zemenides, Sinan Ciddi, and Vassilis Nedos join Thanos Davelis this week as we explore what’s at stake in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean should Turkey move forward with its provocative “Blue Homeland” legislation, and what the discovery of a Ukrainian naval drone in Greek waters means for Greece and the region.
A little more info on our guests:
Kostas Ifantis is a Professor of International Relations at Panteion University of Athens who has previously served as Director for Research at the Policy Planning Center of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ryan Gingeras is a professor in the Department of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and an expert on Turkish, Balkan, and Middle East history.
Endy Zemenides is HALC's Executive Director.
Sinan Ciddi is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and director of its Turkey program.
Vassilis Nedos is Kathimerini's diplomatic and defense editor.
You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.
President Donald Trump’s recent announcement that the US would pull five thousand troops from Germany took allies by surprise. The latest comments, which came in the wake of European criticism of the Iran war, were followed by a threat to impose a 25 percent tariff on automobiles and auto parts from Europe, as the US President claimed on social media that Europe was not living up to its end of a trade agreement struck last summer.
The two moves have experts and analysts wondering if this will further weaken the credibility of US deterrence in Europe, while at the same time bracing for the prospect of a renewed transatlantic trade war.
Keeping one eye on the simmering tensions between the White House and the EU, we’re also turning our attention this week to a report that has gone viral recently. For those following international politics on platforms like X - formerly Twitter - they’re sure to have come across a page called “Clash Report”, which was also quick to post about the latest developments in the transatlantic relationship. What most people don’t know, however, is that Clash Report is the English-language arm of a Turkish media operation with close ties to the Erdogan family. These connections were unmasked this past weekend.
Thanos Davelis dig into all of these developments with Max Bergmann, Maria Demertzis, and Eitan Fischberger as we break down what message the withdrawal of US troops from Europe sends, whether we should prepare for another US-EU trade war, and look at who is behind Clash Report and why it matters.
Moving to our I am HALC segment, we’re putting the spotlight on one of HALC’s earliest members, Stathis Theodoropoulos. Stathis is a successful entrepreneur and owner of Firefly Lighting, but beyond this entrepreneurial side, Stathis is also a dedicated advocate for his local community. Aside from his commitment to Hellenic causes, he serves as a councilman in Kearny, New Jersey, where he’s at the frontlines of making sure local government works for the communities it’s designed to serve.
A little more info on our guests:
Max Bergmann is the director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and the Stuart Center in Euro-Atlantic and Northern European Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Maria Demertzis, a Professor of Economic Policy at the European University Institute.
Eitan Fischberger is a journalist and Open Source Intelligence Investigator.
You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.
Last week Cyprus was at the heart of EU developments. For two days it hosted leaders from the EU, from the Middle East, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Topics ranged from critical security issues and the war in Iran, to Europe’s engagement with the broader Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East.
On the security front, Cyprus is keen to make the EU’s Article 42.7, a mutual defense clause similar to NATO’s Article 5, work in practice. There is a new sense of urgency around this issue after Cyprus was targeted by drones amid the fallout of the Iran war, and as a result of questions about Washington’s commitments to NATO and European security.
Konstantinos Letymbiotis, Ian Lesser, and Alexis Papachelas join Thanos Davelis this week as we break down the key takeaways from the EU leaders summit in Cyprus, including the debate around Article 42.7. In addition, we discuss French President Emanuel Macron’s visit to Cyprus and Greece, a visit that raised important questions about Europe’s future and its geopolitical role.
Taking us to our I am HALC segment, we’re highlighting Judge Tom Sianis, a longtime member of HALC with a lifetime commitment to public service and justice. Elected to serve as a Cook County Circuit Court Judge in 2018, Judge Sianis is currently Presiding Judge of the First Municipal District. Throughout his career Tom has been a shining example of Hellenism in public service, from when his career took off at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office to his election to the bench.
A little more info on our guests:
Konstantinos Letymbiotis is the government spokesperson of the Republic of Cyprus.
Ian Lesser is the vice president and Brussels chief of the German Marshall Fund of the United States.
Alexis Papachelas is the Executive Editor of Kathimerini.
You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.
Over the past weeks those watching the Eastern Mediterranean can’t help but notice that tensions are heating up between Turkey and Israel as Erdogan’s escalatory posture has some wondering what the wider risks are should this current war of words take on new dimensions. Questions range from what this will mean for US efforts to manage an already tense Middle East, to how this will impact Greece, which has developed close ties with Israel over the past decade and a half?
Deciding that he needed to chime in, we heard some headscratching remarks from US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, where he dismissed these tensions as “rhetoric”, and added that “Turkey is not a country to be messed with.” These comments drew the criticism of many, including The Wall Street Journal, which accused Ambassador Barrack of undermining US policy and interests.
Sinan Ciddi, Henri Barkey, and Vassilis Nedos join Thanos Davelis as we look into this escalating war of words in the Eastern Mediterranean between Turkey and Israel, break down how US Ambassador Tom Barrack is effectively pursuing his own Middle East policy that’s undermining US interests, and discuss the wider impact of these developments for Greece.
This week we’re also putting the spotlight on a founding member of HALC, Bill Matsikoudis, in our latest “I am HALC” segment. A successful attorney and founding partner of Matsikoudis & Fanciullo, Bill’s career has also seen him work in the Administration of New Jersey Governor James E. McGreevey, for Jersey City where he made headlines suing Fortune 500 companies guilty of polluting, and on Governor Mikie Sherrill’s transition team for housing.
A little more info on our guests:
Sinan Ciddi is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and director of its Turkey program.
Henri Barkey is an adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and Emeritus Cohen chair in international relations at Lehigh University.
Vassilis Nedos is Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor.
You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.
All of Europe’s eyes were on Hungary this past weekend, where voters, in a historic election, brought Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's 16 years in power to an end.
Orban’s close relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and his blocking of multiple EU initiatives - including an urgently needed €90 billion loan for Ukraine - had frustrated many across Europe. At the same time, he presided over a system that saw his party gradually gain control of much of the judiciary, bureaucracy, media, universities, and the economy, which sounded alarms for those concerned about democratic backsliding.
Beyond Europe, this result was also on the White House’s radar, and Vice President J.D. Vance even traveled to Hungary to campaign for Orban - the European leader with the closest ties to President Trump. Orban’s sweeping defeat raises new questions for European far right populist parties, and its leaders are beginning to question the value of their ties to the MAGA movement.
Since our focus is on elections this episode, Greece, which is scheduled to hold national elections in 2027 is also gradually shifting into campaign mode. As parties jostle for a larger share of the electorate, the government looks to be bracing for a number of post-Easter challenges that include rising prices and the ongoing and evolving farm subsidies case.
Steven Erlanger, Simon Nixon, Jennifer McCoy, and Nick Malkoutzis join Thanos Davelis as we look at Hungary’s landmark election, breaking down what it means for Europe and for the war in Ukraine, the message it sends to those concerned about democratic backsliding in the West, and what takeaways there are for Greece as the country inches toward national elections next year.
A little more info on our guests:
Steven Erlanger is the chief diplomatic correspondent for The New York Times covering Europe.
Simon Nixon is an independent journalist, Kathimerini columnist, and the publisher of the Wealth of Nations newsletter.
Dr. Jennifer McCoy is a Nonresident Scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. She is also Regent’s Professor of Political Science at Georgia State University in Atlanta and a research affiliate at the Democracy Institute of Central European University, Budapest, Hungary.
Nick Malkoutzis is the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr.
You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.
Recently we marked 77 years since the NATO alliance was founded. Instead of celebrating this milestone, however, President Trump’s comments slamming NATO over its reluctance to help the US secure the Straits of Hormuz, including calling the alliance a “paper tiger” and saying NATO allies were “tested” and they “failed”, have left allies wondering if the future of the alliance is in doubt.
Given President Trump’s statements, could a US withdrawal from NATO be in the cards, and what would it mean for the US and for allied countries like Greece?
James Lindsay and Ino Afentouli join Thanos Davelis as we break down why NATO matters in a world of increasing great power rivalry, what’s at stake for the US, and why it’s critical for Greece, Southeastern Europe, and the Eastern Mediterranean.
This week we’re also digging into Greek history as Greece recently commemorated the 200th anniversary of the heroic exodus of the Greeks from the besieged city of Messolonghi during the Greek Revolution. We break down this story with Professor Alexander Kitroeff who explains why it was a pivotal moment for the Greek Revolution, how it galvanized philhellenes around the world, and why this story still resonates today.
Taking us to our “I am HALC” segment, we’re highlighting one of HALC’s earliest members, Harry Koulos. A distinguished attorney, Harry has been named one of Best Lawyers’ Ones to Watch since 2024. He honed his skills as a clerk in Federal court and at one of the biggest law firms in the US, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, before taking his expertise to Kibler Fowler & Cave, where he currently practices. A distinguished leader, Harry’s passion for the law is equal to his passion for his Hellenic identity and the community.
A little more info on our guests:
James Lindsay is the Mary and David Boies distinguished senior fellow in U.S. foreign policy at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Ino Afentouli is the Senior Policy Advisor and Head of the Observatory of Geopolitics and Diplomacy at ELIAMEP.
Alexander Kitroeff is a professor of history with an expertise in Greece and the diaspora.
You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.
This past weekend, with Easter celebrations around the corner, Christians in Syria were once again the target of attacks that have rocked their dwindling community. This was the latest in a string of attacks since the fall of the Assad regime that have targeted members of the country’s Alawite, Druze and Christian communities, and many minorities - indigenous to the region - are asking if there is space for them in the Syria that’s emerging under President al-Sharaa.
This attack also sounded alarms in Athens, and Greece is working to ensure that the protection of Christian populations in the Middle East remains on the international agenda. Aside from Syria, Greece is also concerned about Lebanon, where thousands of Christians have departed in recent years, and has raised the issue of access to the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem during Easter, which made international headlines recently.
These are all issues highlighted in the US Commission on International Religious Freedom’s (USCIRF) 2026 report, which also focuses on the troubling religious freedom conditions in another country in the region, Turkey. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, USCIRF is once again reiterating that the US place Turkey on its Special Watch List.
Vicky Hartzler, Nadine Maenza, Vassilis Nedos, and Alexia Kalaitzi join Thanos Davelis this week as we look into USCIRF’s 2026 report and Turkey’s problematic record on religious freedom, the plight of Christians in Syria in the wake of another attack on this vulnerable community, and how Greece is working to ensure that the protection of Christian populations in the Middle East remains on the agenda.
Taking us to our “I am HALC” segment, this week we’re putting the spotlight on Dean Alonistiotis, a long-time member of HALC with a strong commitment to public service and his Chicago community. Dean’s work has taken him from the city of Chicago, where he served as Director of Economic Development for the City Treasurer's Office, to his current position as Chief of Staff for Illinois State Representative Kim du Buclet.
A little more info on our guests:
Vicky Hartzler is the Chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and a former member of the US House of Representatives.
Nadine Maenza is the co-chair of the International Religious Freedom Roundtable and a former chair of USCIRF.
Vassilis Nedos is Kathimerini's diplomatic and defense editor.
Alexia Kalaitzi is an award-winning journalist and features reporter for Kathimerini.
You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.
Over the past weeks, Greece, like the rest of the world, has one eye on the ongoing war with Iran and is looking to see what this ongoing crisis, which continues to shake markets, will mean for the global economy. For Greece, these concerns include rising prices, the country’s dependence on imported gas and oil, and the possible impact this could have on the tourism sector as a prolonged crisis could affect the upcoming summer season.
This has prompted Prime Minister Mitsotakis to announce a package of support measures early this week that seeks to address many of these concerns, especially the rising cost of fuel.
Nikos Vettas, John Psaropoulos, and Yiannis Tsakalos join Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at how the ongoing crisis in the Middle East is impacting Greece’s overall economic outlook, what steps the government is taking in response to this crisis, and what this could mean for Greece’s tourism sector as tourists factor wider global uncertainty into their travel plans.
Taking us to our “I am HALC” segment, this week we’re putting the spotlight on Jonathan Vasdekas. Jon walked through HALC’s doors in 2013, and since then has distinguished himself not only as a leader in the Greek-American community, where he was part of HALC's original class of Leadership 2030 fellows, but as a recognized leader in the energy sector. After stints with major players like Invenergy and Ørsted, where he worked on major renewable energy projects, he now serves as Executive Vice President of Development at Linea Energy.
A little more info on our guests:
Nikos Vettas is the general director of Greece’s Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE) and a professor economics and business at Athens University.
John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist and Al Jazeera's correspondent in southeast Europe. He publishes Hellenica, a weekly deep dive into Greek current affairs and history that you can find on Substack.com.
Yiannis Tsakalos is a professsional with over 30 years of experience in tourism and hospitality. He has worked extensively with hotels and destinations across Greece, and played a key role in shaping tourism strategy at a national level, including contributing to the strategic planning of the Greek National Tourism Organization and the Ministry of Tourism during COVID, helping define the direction of the sector for the years that followed.
You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.
With the war in Iran dragging on, its ripple effects are being felt around the world. Beyond the clear questions around regional security, stretching from the Middle East to Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean, we are also in the midst of what could be an unprecedented and escalating global energy crisis as strikes on international shipping in the strait of Hormuz, which is critical to the oil and gas industry, have essentially shut this vital chokepoint.
The war is also testing transatlantic unity, as President Trump warned in a recent interview with the Financial Times that “it will be very bad for the future of NATO” if European nations do not join the US in reopening the strait of Hormuz. So far, the message from European leaders is that this isn’t Europe’s war.
Despite this message, developments in the Middle East impact Europe, and the case of Cyprus is not only raising questions in Brussels about the EU’s ability to defend its own members, but in Washington as well, where the recent targeting of Cyprus is renewing efforts to permanently end the Cyprus arms embargo.
Ian Lesser, Zissis Marmarelis, Damian Murphy, and Endy Zemenides join Thanos Davelis this week as we look into Trump’s calls for Europe to join the US in the Straits of Hormuz, the unfolding global energy crisis and what it means for Greece, and why now is the time to end the Cyprus arms embargo.
Taking us to our “I am HALC” segment, we’re highlighting Lexy Prodromos, an emerging leader in the Greek-American community, where she is part of HALC’s class of Leadership 2030 fellows, and a recognized leader when it comes to blockchain technology who is now making waves both in the US and internationally as COO at the Prodromos Stem Cell Institute.
A little more info on our guests:
Ian Lesser is the vice president and Brussels chief of the German Marshall Fund of the United States.
Dr. Zissis Marmarelis is a Stavros Niarchos Foundation Academy Fellow at Chatham House with a focus on the geopolitics of energy.
Damian Murphy is the senior vice president for National Security and International Policy at the Center for American Progress.
Endy Zemenides is HALC's executive director.
You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.
This week kicked off with Turkey announcing the deployment of a number of fighter jets to the occupied part of Cyprus, a move that not only represents a significant escalation in the militarization of the Eastern Mediterranean, where Cyprus has already been targeted by Iranian-made drones, but that may also violate US law.
This isn’t the only thing putting Cyprus in the headlines this week. Axios and the Financial Times reported Cyprus could potentially mediate talks between Israel and Lebanon after violence broke out between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group.
Turkey’s moves in the Eastern Mediterranean aren’t the only thing worrying analysts and observers. Developments on the domestic front are also keeping those watching the region on alert, as the trial of Ekrem Imamoglu, the imprisoned mayor of Istanbul, kicked off this week. Imamoglu’s trial is largely seen as politically motivated and an effort to prevent him from challenging President Erdogan.
Sinan Ciddi, Elisa Ewers, Lisel Hintz, and Henri Barkey join Thanos Davelis this week as we take a closer look at Turkey’s decision to deploy fighter jets to the occupied part of Cyprus, Israel’s escalating offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the trial of Ekrem Imamoglu.
Taking us to our “I am HALC” segment, we’re spotlighting Eleni Delimpaltadaki Janis, a founding member of HALC with a career that spans across government and the private sector. This includes serving as Vice President at the New York City Economic Development Corporation, and working to transform and solve some of the world’s most persistent socio-economic problems as a founder of Equivico. Stay tuned as we dig into her story.
A little more info on our guests:
Sinan Ciddi is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and director of its Turkey program.
Elisa Ewers is a senior fellow for Middle East Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Lisel Hintz is an Assistant Professor of International Relations at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
Henri Barkey is an adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and the Bernard L. and Bertha F. Cohen chair in international relations at Lehigh University (Emeritus).
You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.
Given the incredible feedback we’ve gotten for our "I am HALC" profiles, we will re-release each feature as an individual episode so that you can easily find them and share them.
Today, we’re kicking off with our first “I am HALC” profile from January 15th, 2026, where we put the spotlight on Dr. George Chiampas, someone who is not just a national, but a global leader in emergency and sports medicine - whether it’s with US soccer, the Blackhawks, the Chicago Bears, the Chicago Marathon, and now the MLS - and is at the core of the work HALC does.
On the last day of February the United States and Israel launched a major assault on Iran, killing the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and sounding alarm bells across the region. Those sirens also went off in Cyprus, which saw Iranian-made drones target Britain’s Royal Air Force base at Akrotiri, prompting a response from Greece and other European partners who deployed ships, jets, and air defense systems to Cyprus. The strikes on Iran also caught European leaders unprepared, and there are many questions - which we will dig into - about whether Europe can play a constructive role here, or whether Washington has relegated it to the role of spectator.
At the same time, in another major development this week, French President Emanuel Macron announced that France - one of only two nuclear powers in Europe - would boost its nuclear arsenal and extend deterrence to European allies - including Greece.
Laurence Norman, Max Bergmann, Nektaria Stamouli, Vassilis Nedos, and Eleni Ekmektsioglou, join Thanos Davelis this week as we look at the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, what this crisis means for Europe, Greece and Cyprus, while breaking down the significance of President Macron’s historic update of France’s nuclear strategy, including how it will impact Greece.
A little more info on our guests:
Laurence Norman is a reporter for The Wall Street Journal who has covered Iran, Europe, and this ongoing crisis.
Max Bergmann is the director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and the Stuart Center in Euro-Atlantic and Northern European Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Nektaria Stamouli is the deputy editor in chief of Kathimerini's English Edition and Politico's Eastern Mediterranean correspondent.
Vassilis Nedos is Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor.
Eleni Ekmektsioglou is a Policy fellow with the British American Security Information Council where she leads a project on emerging technologies and the future of anti-submarine warfare, is a non-resident fellow with ELIAMEP, and a member of the IFRI nuclear strategy network.
This week marked 4 years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the start of a war that served as a wakeup call for Europe and the West. Since then, we’ve seen Europe take drastic steps to cut its ties to Russian gas, redrawing the region’s energy map. Greece has played, and continues to play, a key role in this story. At the same time, questions remain about European security, the continued Russian threat, and whether the Trump administration can deliver a negotiated peace. Finally, the war in Ukraine also brought the world’s attention to a murkier side of the Kremlin’s playbook, and that’s the weaponization of the Orthodox Church and its campaign to undermine the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt, Charles Kupchan, Elena Lazarou, and Aristotle Papanikolaou join Thanos Davelis this week for a deep dive into how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine four years ago has changed Europe, reshaped the region’s energy map, and impacted the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Orthodoxy around the world.
Taking us to our “I am HALC” segment, we’re putting the spotlight on Andreas Akaras, looking at his time on Capitol Hill and his work bringing Turkey to justice over the attack by Turkish President Erdogan’s bodyguards against US protesters in Washington, DC.
A little more info on our guests:
Charles Kupchan is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and professor of international affairs at Georgetown University in the Walsh School of Foreign Service and Department of Government.
Elena Lazarou is the Director General of ELIAMEP and an expert specializing in EU foreign policy, global geopolitics, transatlantic relations, and security and defence issues.
Amb. Geoffrey Pyatt is former US ambassador to Greece and Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources.
Aristotle Papanikolaou is a Professor of Theology and the Archbishop Demetrios Chair in Orthodox Theology and Culture. He is Co-founding Director of the Orthodox Christian Studies Center at Fordham University.
You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.
Over the past weeks we’ve seen some major developments in the region, with Greece stepping into the limelight. These include Greece’s announcement that it will send a special battalion to participate in the International Stabilization Force in Gaza, its decision to join the Board of Peace as an observer, and a key briefing hosted by the Eastern Mediterranean Knesset Caucus bringing together legislators and experts from Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and the US. At the same time, we’ve also seen Greece’s defense ties with Israel come under the spotlight as Athens looks to grow its own defense industrial base.
Tom Ellis, John Psaropoulos, Gregg Roman, and Endy Zemenides join Thanos Davelis this week as we dig into Greece’s decision to be part of the Gaza Stabilization Force and the Board of Peace, deepening Greek-Israeli defense ties, and the challenges and opportunities for the 3+1 partnership between Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and the US.
Taking us to our “I am HALC” segment, we’re taking a look at one of HALC’s emerging leaders and Leadership 2030 fellows, Alexis Nash, exploring how advocacy - on Hellenic issues and in her professional life - has become a key part of her story.
A little more info on our guests:
Tom Ellis is the editor in chief of Kathimerini's English Edition.
John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist and Al Jazeera's correspondent in southeast Europe. He publishes Hellenica, a weekly deep dive into Greek current affairs and history that you can find on Substack.com.
Gregg Roman is executive director of the Middle East Forum.
Endy Zemenides is executive director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council.
You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.
About a year into President Trump’s second term, it seems he is on a mission to rewrite the rules of trade, one deal at a time. His Liberation Day tariffs last year rattled markets, and his insistence on using them as a tool to pressure both adversaries and allies has left many - especially in Europe - in disbelief and wondering what’s next.
Experts Edward Fishman, Maria Demertzis, Yiannis Mouzakis and Nick Malkoutzis join Thanos Davelis this week to take a closer look at this new age of economic warfare, and break down what it means for America’s global standing, how it’s spurring Europe into action, and what impact all of this could have on Greece.
Taking us to our “I am HALC” segment, we’re putting the spotlight on HALC’s Bill Thanoukos, who is launching a campaign for alderman of Chicago’s 1st Ward, and looking to continue a long tradition of Hellenes committing themselves to public service.
A little more info on our guests:
Edward Fishman is a Senior Fellow and Director of the Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, and is the author of the New York Times bestseller Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare.
Maria Demertzis is a Professor of Economic Policy at the European University Institute and leader of the Economy, Strategy, and Finance Center at the Conference Board Europe.
Yiannis Mouzakis and Nick Malkoutzis are the founders of Macropolis.gr, a political and economic analysis site that focuses on Greece.
You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.
Greece and Cyprus took center stage this week in Washington, DC, as HALC, the Delphi Economic Forum, and Kathimerini’s english edition once again brought top officials and leading experts together to highlight the important role both countries are playing in the Eastern Mediterranean, and the major opportunities - and challenges - ahead for Greece, Cyprus and the US. A few of the headline attendees included Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos and Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, who engaged with leading think tanks, members of Congress, and US officials.
Lena Argiri, Nik Nanos, and Vassilis Nedos join Thanos Davelis this week as we give you an inside look at what took place in DC, break down what the Greek brand is today and how to strengthen it, and shift to the Aegean where we explore how the 30 year anniversary of the Imia crisis still impacts Greek-Turkish relations.
Taking us to our “I am HALC” segment, we’re putting the spotlight on Dimitri Eliopoulos, the CEO of Curi Capital and a national leader in finance and wealth management.
You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.
Since its announcement, President Trump’s “Board of Peace” has made a number of headlines, and many in the region are asking if it can live up to its name, especially when it comes to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. As the President talks peace, he’s also raising the temperature with Iran, with a US aircraft carrier and warships approaching the region. More alarming however, is what seems to be an abandonment of Syria’s Kurds and the message it sends not just to America’s partners and allies, but to minorities in the region.
Thanos Davelis is joined by experts Aaron David Miller, Nadine Maenza, Sinan Ciddi, and Michael Rubin as we try to make sense of what’s going on in a region of particular importance to Greece and Cyprus.
Taking us to our “I am HALC” segment, this week we are dedicating it to the life and legacy of a giant in the Greek-American community, John Marks, who passed away this month. He was a man who not only poured himself into Greek causes, but helped build the community that we all cherish.
You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as member here.
Defense, security, peace, and alliances are top of mind these days. This is clear in Greece, where we saw Athens take a major step - one that Prime Minister Mitsotakis called historic - toward upgrading its defense capabilities as it welcomed its latest top of the line frigate. The move, however, comes as we see issues over Greenland raise new questions about European security and America’s commitment to the transatlantic relationship. This week, Thanos Davelis digs into what this means for Greece with Kathimerini’s Tom Ellis, ELIAMEP’s Elena Lazarou, journalist John Psaropoulos, and HALC’s Endy Zemenides. As we wrap up, pour yourself a glass as we’ll be highlighting the rise of Greek wines and the important role one of HALC’s very own - Ted Diamantis - has played in this story.
The Greek Current is shifting from a daily show to a weekly program, allowing us to bring you deeper analysis and more cutting edge insights on Greece, Cyprus, our diaspora community, and the wider region. We’ll still bring you analysis from thought leaders on the breaking issues of the week, but will also introduce our very own “Meet the Press” roundtable featuring leading experts and journalists from around the world, and are introducing an “I am HALC” feature, where we put the spotlight on HALC members at the forefront of their fields.
This week we’re kicking off the year with a look ahead at 2026, featuring interviews with Kathimerini’s Editor in Chief Alexis Papachelas and the Council on Foreign Relations’ Steven Cook, analysis from Lena Argiri, Nektaria Stamouli, and Loukas Kozonis in our “Meet the Press” segment, and taking a closer look at someone who is not just a national, but a global leader in emergency and sports medicine - whether it’s with US soccer, the Blackhawks, the Chicago Bears, or at the Chicago Marathon - and is at the core of the work HALC does: Dr. George Chiampas.
An important note. As we move forward, access to our full episodes will be limited to paid HALC members and subscribers. If you’re not already a paid member of HALC, make sure to get your membership today so you don’t miss any of The Greek Current’s content. Also, please let us know what you think of the new format, and make sure to follow the Greek Current wherever you get your podcasts.
Sign up for your HALC membership here: https://hellenicleaders.salsalabs.org/membership/index.html
Since it was introduced, President Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine has put many European leaders in a bind. With Turkey’s occupation of Cyprus in its 51st year, and amid open Turkish threats against Greece’s Aegean islands, Greece is also worried about the precedent this plan would set. John Psaropoulos joins Thanos Davelis as we break down these concerns, the latest comments by US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack about resolving Greek-Turkish differences, and Greece’s efforts to aggressively court US investments.
John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist and Al Jazeera's correspondent in southeast Europe. He publishes Hellenica, a weekly deep dive into Greek current affairs and history. You can find it on Substack.com.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Why Trump’s plan for Ukraine alarms the Greeks
Cyprus pitches plan to untangle Turkey tensions
Farmers’ protests escalate into third week
Protesting farmers present their demands
In a recent speech Turkish President Erdogan praised Syrians who were born and raised in Turkey, speak Turkish, and are now in Syria, saying, "Right next door to us… a brother nation that speaks our same language is rising anew from the ashes.” The quote has drawn the attention of experts like Ryan Gingeras, who joins Thanos Davelis as we look into what it tells us about Erdogan’s worldview, and why this is something to keep an eye on as we look at the shifting power dynamics in the Levant.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Erdogan praises Syrians born and raised in Turkey
From Grexit to Eurogroup chief: Greece’s recovery story
Pierrakakis elected Eurogroup chief
European Commission firmly behind Greece-Cyprus power link
The Trump administration’s NSS - and its scathing critique of Europe - has drawn a lot of attention over the past days. Yet, this is only part of the big picture when we talk about the problems facing European leaders, which include everything from the war in Ukraine - where pressure is mounting - to a sluggish economy and the far right. Steven Erlanger, the chief diplomatic correspondent for The New York Times covering Europe, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the stakes Europe’s leaders face.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
The Challenges to Europe’s Security Go Beyond Trump’s Lack of Support
Tom Barrack: Turkey has to give up the S-400 to return to F-35 program
Mounting pressure on farm policy
Blockades deepen political strain
PM holds talks with senior officials on farmer payments plan as protests escalate
The Economist just highlighted Greece as an example for countries looking to digitalize, recognizing the efforts Athens made between 2018 and 2024 to transform its public services and embrace the digital transformation. Diomidis Spinellis, a former Greek official now with the Athens University of Economics, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at this story.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece is teaching Germany how to get government online
The Greek economy’s drawbacks
Elefsina port tender coming
This weekend we heard Hakan Fidan say he believes Ankara and Washington will find a way to remove CAATSA sanctions "very soon". His comments echo those of US Ambassador Tom Barrack, who was quoted saying that the “hurdle” blocking F-35 access for Turkey might be resolved within 4 to 6 months. Sinan Ciddi, a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and an expert on Turkish politics, joins Thanos Davelis as we look to break down why Barrack and Fidan insist a “solution” is within reach despite Turkey refusing to get rid of its Russian S-400s.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey Closer to Clearing Way for F-35s, Says Trump Ally Barrack
Turkey, US will find way of removing CAATSA sanctions ‘very soon’, Turkish FM says
Berlin-Athens migrant returns ‘understanding’
Iraklio airport resumes flights after farmers end protest
Protesting Greek farmers swarm onto airport tarmac in Crete, forcing halt to flights
The Trump administration’s new National Security Strategy is causing a stir in Europe with its searing critique of America’s closest allies, including a warning that the continent is facing “civilizational decline”. Ian Lesser, the vice president and Brussels chief of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at what some are already calling the “mother of all wake-up calls” from Washington toward Europe.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Trump Administration Says Europe Faces ‘Civilizational Erasure’
Trump warns Europe faces ‘civilizational erasure’ in explosive new document
U.S. Flips History by Casting Europe—Not Russia—as Villain in New Security Policy
Farmers step up road blockades across Greece
PM urges farmers to scale back protests, promises payments by year-end
Turkey, US will find way of removing CAATSA sanctions ‘very soon’, Turkish FM says
Last week Cyprus and Lebanon signed a long-awaited maritime demarcation deal, an agreement that not only paves the way for potential exploration and energy cooperation, but also checks Turkey’s revisionist “Blue Homeland” doctrine in the Eastern Mediterranean. Constantinos Filis, the director of the Institute of Global Affairs and a professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into what’s being called a “historic” deal that also serves to bridge the EU with the Middle East.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Cyprus–Lebanon deal sets new legal line in the Eastern Med, and Ankara isn’t loving it
Lebanon, Cyprus sign maritime deal, paving way for possible energy exploration
Greece, Bulgaria and Romania sign agreement on Aegean-Black Sea corridor
Cyprus pledges Ukraine will be ''front and center” during EU presidency
Greek farmers are making headlines amid an escalating confrontation with the government, as thousands of tractors continue to block traffic on highways and at border crossings. What began as a dispute over delayed EU-backed subsidy payments linked to a corruption scandal is quickly turning into a political test for the government. Nick Malkoutzis, the co-founder of Macropolis.gr, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the stakes as farmers take to the streets.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Farmers dig in as clashes and political tension escalate
Farmers not going anywhere as protest action persists
Christodoulides rolls into Kyiv for face-to-face talks with Zelensky
US presses Athens on Ukraine fund
What’s Tom Barrack, the US Ambassador to Turkey, up to? That’s a question that’s emerged after a recent interview he gave to Kathimerini, where he talked about Washington’s aspiration for a “new regional ordinance” and made head-scratching comments about Greek-Turkish relations and Cyprus. Henri Barkey and Endy Zemenides join Thanos Davelis as we look to tackle this question.
Henri Barkey is an adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and the Cohen chair in international relations at Lehigh University.
Endy Zemenides is Executive Director of HALC.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
The US ‘goal’ is to serve as a ‘bridge’ in Greek-Turkish ties
PM urges farmers to avoid roadblocks, pledges faster subsidy payments
Greece to repay €5.29 billion early under first memorandum loans
As countries around the world scramble to see who is going to win the AI race, Greece is also looking to secure its own AI future. Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ emphasis on AI, coupled by signature deals with OpenAI and Mistral AI, is putting a spotlight on Greece’s efforts to play a larger role on the AI frontier. Niko Efstathiou, an Athens based journalist and author, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into these developments and explore the ways Greece is betting on AI.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Mitsotakis meets Mistral AI CEO to discuss AI collaboration
Watch: Συζήτηση Κυριάκου Μητσοτάκη με τον Arthur Mensch | GenAI Summit
Greece joins EU defense program
Farmers blockade highways over payments
With talks over a deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war moving along, the latest peace proposals have caught the attention of many, including Cyprus, where Turkey’s 51 year illegal occupation serves as a stark reminder of what happens when revisionist powers are not checked. Harris Georgiades, the Chairman of the Foreign and European Affairs Committee of the Cypriot Parliament, a former Minister of Finance, and the chairman of the Clerides Institute, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at these peace talks, the parallels between what Russia is doing in Ukraine and what Turkey has done for over 50 years in Cyprus, and more.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Rubio Says ‘Much Work to Do’ After Talks With Ukrainian Delegation
EU tells Trump: You can’t pardon Putin for war crimes in Ukraine
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Europe Fears It Can’t Catch Up in Great Power Competition
Lebanon, Cyprus sign maritime deal, paving way for possible energy exploration
Joint declaration signed in Pope’s historic first visit to Patriarchate
Two of America’s key Mediterranean partners, Greece and Israel, are deepening their defense and security ties, a trend that extends beyond arms sales to joint exercises. The move comes amid Turkish provocations and as US interests in the Mediterranean, particularly on energy security, are growing. The Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Ryan Brobst and Justin Leopold-Cohen join Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at Greece and Israel’s growing defense ties and the opportunities it presents for the region and the US.
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Eyeing Turkey, Israel and Greece Work To Deepen Defense Ties
Pope Leo XIV visits Turkey and Lebanon on first foreign trip
Pope Leo to take peace message to Turkey, Lebanon on first overseas trip
Greek households’ real incomes still below 2004 levels
Halki Theological Seminary, shut by Turkey in 1971, is back in the headlines ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Turkey. Journalists are reporting that there is a sense of optimism that Turkey will reopen the school. This attention on Halki follows a renewed focus on Orthodox Christianity that includes the Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit to the White House, references to the Russian Orthodox Church in Trump’s Ukraine peace plan, and questions about whether the Russians are running an influence operation in DC. Endy Zemenides, HALC's Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis as we break all of this down.
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Optimism ahead of pope’s visit to Turkey for reopening of Istanbul’s Greek Orthodox seminary
‘We must strive for unity of the churches’
White House to meet clergy with ties to pro-war Russian Orthodox Church
Are the Russians Running an Influence Operation in Congress?
Greek secondary school teachers to be trained in using AI in classroom
Turkish delegation meets Ocalan for first time to discuss PKK disarmament
Last week we got a look at the details of President Trump’s 28 point plan for an end to the war in Ukraine, with the President setting a Thursday deadline for Ukraine - where many see the proposed plan as a capitulation - to agree to it. US and Ukrainian officials met on Sunday in Geneva, with the White House hailing talks as constructive. Paul Stares, the director of the Center for Preventive Action and coordinator for the "Special Initiative on Securing Ukraine's Future" at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into this plan and what it means for Ukraine, Europe, and NATO.
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Trump Peace Plan Demands Major Concessions From Ukraine
Ukraine and U.S. Cite Progress in Talks on Ending War With Russia
Trump's growing impatience to end Ukraine war is a concern for Kyiv
PM says new energy initiatives boost Greece’s geopolitical role
Optimism ahead of pope’s visit to Turkey for reopening of Istanbul’s Greek Orthodox seminary
The New York Times just ran a piece about a wave of new converts to Orthodox Christianity in the US, especially among young conservative men, the so-called “Orthobros”. The trend is largely driven by hard-line influencers on YouTube and other social media platforms, and has put parishes in uncharted territory. George Demacopoulos, the co-director of the Orthodox Christian Studies Center at Fordham University, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into the “Orthobro” phenomenon and what it means for the church.
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Orthodox Church Pews Are Overflowing With Converts
An ‘exceptional’ brand looking for a new identity
Mitsotakis: Greece aims for ‘win-win’ with US without undoing China deals
This week Italy’s defense minister accused Russia of waging a hybrid war on the continent, while Poland's Donald Tusk said that Russia was behind an explosion on Saturday on a railway line used to transport weapons to Ukraine. This is pushing Europe to take additional steps to beef up its defense amid wider concerns that Russia could take these hybrid attacks a step further. Charles Kupchan, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and expert on Europe, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into Russia’s hybrid attacks on Europe, asking the question whether Russia could escalate.
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EU Proposes Multibillion-Euro Plan to Boost Military Mobility, Defense Tech Amid Russia Tensions
How the EU plans to get troops and weapons across the continent to deter Russia
‘We are under attack’: Italian defense minister accuses Russia of waging hybrid war
Poland plans to charge 2 Ukrainians with sabotage of terrorist nature for railway explosion
China lashes out against US’s Greece ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle
President Christodoulides to meet with newly elected Turkish-Cypriot leader
Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington this week, with the foreign minister stressing how the relationship with the US is “a compass” in Cyprus’ foreign policy. Evangelos Savva, the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the United States, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down the significance of this meeting, and look at the message it sends about ever-deepening US-Cyprus ties.
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US and Cyprus reaffirm deepening ties
US-backed Elefsina port plan advances
Athens and Kyiv seal naval drone deal
The Wall Street Journal ran a story earlier this month highlighting how the problem economies in Europe are no longer in the south, but in the north, with France and Germany dealing with budget deficits and debt while the former crisis hot spots like Greece look financially healthier. Mij Rahman, managing director for Europe at the Eurasia Group, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at this story.
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Europe’s Role Reversal: The Problem Economies Are Now Farther North
Kombos highlights Cyprus’ growing value to the U.S.
PM says government will allocate over 2 billion euros to support incomes
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was just in Athens on Sunday, signing an agreement with Greece for gas imports ahead of what’s expected to be a tough winter. John Psaropoulos joins Thanos Davelis as we look at this agreement, which comes days after Greece signed landmark energy deals with the US, and which puts Greece’s role in supporting both Ukraine and Europe’s effort to break its dependence on Russian gas in the spotlight.
John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist and Al Jazeera's correspondent in southeast Europe. He publishes Hellenica, a weekly deep dive into Greek current affairs and history. You can find it on Substack.com.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Ukraine secures winter gas support from Greece
Cyprus urges Turkey to drop two-state demand to advance EU bid
Athens tightens security as events peak for Polytechnic uprising anniversary
President marks 52 years since Polytechnic uprising
Last week’s deal between ExxonMobil, Energean and Helleniq Energy for exploration and drilling in the Ionian Sea generated a lot of buzz both in Greece and - as we saw at P-TEC in Athens - among US officials. This move comes as another US energy giant, Chevron, is also engaging with Greece and Cyprus. Energy expert Dr. Theodoros Tsakiris joins Thanos Davelis to break down why these deals could be game-changing for Greece.
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Exxon enters Greece with gas deal that expands US footprint in eastern Med
Greece names Chevron, Helleniq Energy consortium as preferred bidder for offshore gas search
Fresh push for Greece-Cyprus cable
New US ambassador says Greece key to countering Russian and Chinese influence
In a recent interview former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras - who was expelled from New Democracy a year ago - took a swing at the government, and many are asking not if, but when he will form a new party. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English edition, joins Thanos Davelis as we explore what this could mean for Greece’s ruling party and Greek politics.
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Samaras critical of Mitsotakis, closer to forming a new party
Greece, Cyprus, Spain and Italy eligible for new help dealing with migration, EU says
Europe should align with Donald Trump on Middle East strategy, Cyprus says
In a move that no one could have seen coming a year ago, President Trump hosted Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa - formerly on Washington’s list of wanted terrorists - at the White House this week. Thanos Davelis is joined by Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and expert on the Middle East, as we look into al-Sharaa’s transformation and the message this meeting sends about US priorities in the region.
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Syria’s President Meets Trump at White House for First Time
Syria to join US-led coalition to defeat IS group after Trump meeting
Pivotal U.S. Summit Could Help Mend a Fractured Syria
Power link’s European shield
Turkey demands more than 2,000 years in jail for popular Istanbul mayor
Energy is at the heart of the US-Greece relationship these days, especially with a landmark offshore gas exploration deal with ExxonMobil and a 20-year LNG agreement with the US. Thanos Davelis is joined by Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt, as we look at how energy is driving US-Greece relations forward, and how it’s giving the 3+1 partnership of Greece, Cyprus, Israel and the US a new boost.
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Greece deepens US energy ties with first gas exploration deal in 40 years
Greece, US ink 20-year LNG contract
‘Achilles’ Shield’ defense program moving forward again
Syrian President Sharaa arrives at White House in historic first
Syria’s President Meets Trump at White House for First Time
The election of Egypt’s Khaled El-Enany as the new Director General of UNESCO and the recent announcement from Prime Minister Mitsotakis that Greece and Egypt have worked to preserve the status of Saint Catherine’s Monastery at Mount Sinai have put cultural heritage in the spotlight. Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou, an expert on religious freedom issues and cultural heritage, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into these developments, the concerns around El-Enany’s election, and the broader use of cultural heritage as a geopolitical tool.
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Khaled El-Enany elected Director-General of UNESCO
Egypt's Enany set to lead UNESCO despite criticism of heritage record at home
PM: Greece and Egypt have safeguarded spiritual character of Sinai Monastery
Greece, US ink 20-year LNG contract
UAE envoy says aid to Gaza will be scaled up, Cyprus is key route
This week President Erdogan said Turkey had entered a ‘new juncture’ in the Kurdish peace process, signalling he was open to the idea of jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan addressing lawmakers. In another startling move, he also suggested that he was open to the release of the jailed Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtaş. Lisel Hintz, Assistant Professor of International Relations at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and an expert on Turkey, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what these steps could mean for the Kurdish peace process.
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Erdoğan says Turkey has entered ‘new juncture’ in Kurdish peace process
Ionian Sea gas exploration deal a ‘vote of confidence’
Greece deepens US energy ties with first gas exploration deal in 40 years
Ankara dismisses Eurofighter use conditions
Turkey has been expanding its diplomatic, economic, and security footprint in Africa over the past decade. A surge in arms sales is now raising alarms, as Turkish arms - primarily drones - end up in conflict zones and in the hands of unaccountable actors. William Doran, the co-author of the recent Foreign Policy Magazine piece “How Turkish Arms End Up In African Conflicts”, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why Ankara’s engagement on the continent is generating violence, not stability.
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How Turkish Arms End Up in African Conflicts
Mitsotakis meets new US ambassador, highlights energy and investment ties
US-Greece strategic cooperation deepening
Turkey is eager to capitalize on its role in the Gaza ceasefire, and is now looking to have an active presence - even with troops on the ground - in a post-war Gaza. It seems President Trump also sees a role for Turkey here, something that is alarming Israel. Henri Barkey, an adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and the Cohen chair in international relations at Lehigh University, joins Thanos Davelis to take a closer look at this story, breaking down what it means for Washington and the region.
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Trump sees central role for Turkey in Gaza peace, but Israel is crying foul
Greece scrambles to secure farm funds
Water overuse has led Cyprus to shortages
An unlikely figure, Maria Karystianou, is at the heart of political speculation in Greece. Local media is filled with rumors that the mother of one of the victims of the deadly Tempe train crash and figurehead of a wave of protests that followed may enter politics, and polling shows she could draw in significant support. Nick Malkoutzis, the co-founder of Macropolis.gr, joins Thanos Davelis to look at this story, and break down what it tells us about the state of Greek politics today.
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Greeks look to grieving mother in search for a political savior
Karystianou denies reports she is launching political party
US Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle meets embassy staff in Athens
New US ambassador to meet Gerapetritis
Mussels reveal growing microplastic pollution in Greece's prized seas
Last week we looked into the US quest for energy dominance and what it means for Greece. This week energy is back on the agenda, as Greece plays host to top energy officials from the US, Cyprus, and Israel. These meetings also mark the first official appearance of US Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle in Athens. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis as we explore whether energy diplomacy can give the “3+1” partnership a new boost, and what it means for the bilateral relationship to have a new US ambassador in Athens.
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Energy diplomacy brings 3+1 format back to life
PM: Greece and Egypt have safeguarded spiritual character of Sinai Monastery
Karystianou denies reports she is launching political party
A little over 2 years ago, the October 7th attack by Hamas shifted the world’s attention away from the newly announced India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, or IMEEC, a project Greece and Cyprus are also vying to play a key role in. With the Israel-Gaza ceasefire in place, is it now time to revive this project? Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and director of policy analysis at the Middle East Forum, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why it’s time to refocus on IMEEC, and how Greece and Cyprus have the potential to be crucial lynchpins in this project.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
For India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor to succeed, Delhi must invest more in Greece and Cyprus
River diversions to end Attica drought risk
Merz backs Turkey's EU bid despite strains over Gaza, rights
Turkey and Germany must focus on joint defence projects, Erdogan says
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer just called Turkey’s purchase of 20 Eurofighter jets - a deal that has gotten a lot of attention - a “landmark moment.” This move comes as Turkey looks to fill gaps in its aging air-force, and as Ankara attempts to make up ground with countries like Greece and Israel. Ryan Gingeras, a professor in the Department of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and an expert on Turkish, Balkan, and Middle East history, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down what Turkey is actually getting in this deal, and what it means for the region.
The views expressed by Professor Gingeras in this interview do not reflect the views of the US government.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
UK signs £8bn Typhoon fighter jet deal with Turkey
Turkey signs deal to buy 20 Eurofighters from Britain for 8 bln pounds
War memorial under 24-hour police guard
Schools close and island life is under threat as Greece reckons with low birth rates
Energy has become a critical piece of the puzzle for the Trump administration as it looks to project strength abroad, and it seems Greece is on Washington’s radar. Richard Goldberg, a senior advisor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and director of its newly established Energy and National Security Program, joins Thanos Davelis as we look at America’s quest for energy dominance and the potential for deeper cooperation on this front with Greece and other countries in the Eastern Mediterranean.
As we’ve seen time and time again in the past, the Greek diaspora has always played a key role in standing with Greece in its time of need. World War II was no exception. As Greeks delivered their famous “Ohi” - or “NO” to the Axis powers on October 28th, 1940, Greek-Americans also stepped up to the plate. Professor Alexander Kitroeff, a historian and expert on the Greek diaspora, joins Thanos Davelis as we explore how Greek-Americans took action, and how “Ohi” became a turning point for the Greeks in the US.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Parades marking World War II campaign to close streets in Athens, Thessaloniki
Turkey signs deal to buy 20 Eurofighters from Britain for 8 bln pounds
UK signs £8bn Typhoon fighter jet deal with Turkey
Best year for Cyprus tourism ever
Last week President Trump hit Russia’s biggest oil producers - Rosneft and Lukoil - with sanctions, a move many see as a major shift from the Trump administration that puts it on the same page as Europe when it comes to pressuring Moscow. Laurence Norman, the European reporter for The Wall Street Journal, joins Thanos Davelis as we look at this shift from President Trump and break down what it means for Europe and the war in Ukraine.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
U.S. Oil Sanctions Strike at Russia’s Economic Lifeline
Three Years of War in Ukraine: Are Sanctions Against Russia Making a Difference?
Burgum highlights Greece’s role in reducing Europe’s dependence on Russian gas
Powering U.S. Energy Dominance with Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum
Turkey court orders arrest of Istanbul's jailed mayor for 'political espionage'
The British Museum has once again stirred controversy with its latest “Pink Ball” dinner gala taking place in the hall housing the Parthenon Sculptures, a move that has elicited strong reactions from both Greece, cultural heritage experts, and leading advocates for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures to Greece. Professor Paul Cartledge, the Vice chairman of the British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles and a renowned scholar of ancient Greek history, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down why the British Museum’s glitzy gala only adds to the reunification cause.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece criticizes British Museum dinner among Parthenon Sculptures
British Museum glitzy gala ball, Janet Suzman agrees with Greece and suggests that the publicity adds to the reunification cause
Greek leader pushes EU on joint defense debt
Greece acts on housing crunch as shortages pile pressure on government
Earlier this month we saw Turkey issue a NAVTEX, or a navigational text message warning, for research in the Aegean Sea, a provocative move called out by Greece. This has once again put Turkey’s disregard for international law and contempt for Greece’s sovereignty in the spotlight. Elizabeth Samson, an international lawyer and Writing Fellow at the Middle East Forum whose work has appeared in major outlets like the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into why it’s important to call out Turkey’s spurious claims over the Aegean.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Europe and United States Must Deny Turkey’s Spurious Claims Over the Aegean
Gaza reconstruction: Cyprus has a plan
Senate Foreign Relations Committee extends lifting of Cyprus arms embargo from annual renewal period to 5 year period
Bipartisan US push to extend Cyprus defense access
Turkish Cypriots went to the polls in the occupied northern part of Cyprus this weekend, electing a reportedly moderate candidate in Tufan Erhurman. His landslide victory, unseating hard-line incumbent Ersin Tatar, has led to cautious optimism that talks on the reunification of Cyprus could resume. Nektaria Stamouli, the deputy editor in chief of Kathimerini's English Edition and Politico's Eastern Mediterranean correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down the key takeaways from this election.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkish Cypriots elect moderate leader in crucial policy switch
Nicosia weighs Turkish-Cypriot leader change
Turkey pressing for Western fighter jets to claw back regional edge
Dozens arrested in OPEKEPE subsidy fraud bust across Greece
An issue that’s been top of mind in Greece for some time now is the demographic crisis. This isn’t unique to Greece, however, as it’s a problem most of Europe is also looking for answers to. Jacob Funk Kirkegaard, a Senior Fellow at Bruegel and a non-resident Senior Fellow with the Peterson Institute for International Economics, joins Thanos Davelis as we look at how an aging population is challenging Europe, and why migration remains an important part of the equation.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
The macroeconomic impact of ageing, EU immigration policy and pension expenditures
Mitsotakis calls for united European defense, energy strategy at MED9 summit
Erdogan heads to Gulf as Turkey looks to ease energy dependence on Russia
A few big headlines have come out of Brussels recently, including the presentation of the EU’s new "Pact for the Mediterranean", its executive body approving a 5-year defense road map that features plans for a “drone wall”, and the debate about Turkey’s participation in the SAFE program. Alexandra Voudouri, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into these developments and what they mean for Greece and Cyprus.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
EU presents new pact to reshape relations with Mediterranean countries
EU scramble for anti-Russia ‘drone wall’ hits political, technical hurdles
European Commission Unveils 'Drone Wall' Plans As Part Of 5-Year Defense Road Map
Wadephul: Turkey ‘must solve its problems in the region’
Newfound optimism for resumption of Cyprus talks
FM Gerapetritis hopeful for an agreement on Mt Sinai monastery
While celebrating the Gaza ceasefire agreement in Egypt, President Trump made a point to single out Turkey’s President Erdogan, thanking him for his role in bringing about this deal. Erdogan is now eager to leverage this praise in order to become a key player in shaping Gaza's future. Can he achieve this? Sinan Ciddi, a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and an expert on Turkish politics, joins Thanos Davelis as we look to answer this question, breaking down Turkey’s role in this ceasefire, Erdogan’s ambitions in Gaza, and what the Trump administration should be looking out for when dealing with Turkey here.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Erdogan's Turkey Wants to Be a Key Player in Post-war Gaza. It's a Fantasy
Trump signals new trust in Erdogan, raising concerns over Turkey’s ambitions in Gaza and beyond
Greece revives Eastern Med forum plan
Controversial labor bill passed by Parliament with government majority
A recent report in the Financial Times has outlined how a state fund in Turkey has become one of the country’s largest business holdings, controlling over 1,000 companies. This comes in the wake of an anti-corruption drive that moved hundreds of private companies into government hands, raising the question: Is this asset grab politically-motivated? Wolfango Piccoli, the co-founder of risk analysis company Teneo, joins Thanos Davelis today as we dig into this story.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Crackdown or capital grab? Turkey state fund controls 1,000 businesses
Greece reaffirms stance on Turkey’s participation in EU SAFE program
Athens faces two drone fronts
Greece’s government recently tabled its budget for 2026, a budget that foresees a jump in spending, growth for the economy, and a drop in Greece’s debt. Yiannis Mouzakis, the co-founder of Macropolis.gr, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into Greece’s budget, looking at some of the positive trends like increased revenue from electronic payments and Greece’s declining debt, while breaking down some of the potential challenges Greece still needs to pay attention to.
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State spending to jump €5 bln next year
Government budgeting on a late RRF sprint
Lawmakers in fervent clash over 13-hour workday
In EU first, Greece set to introduce 13-hour workday
PKK leader Ocalan appeals to Iraqi Kurdistan president for help in Turkey peace talks
It’s safe to say President Macron has shown he is one of Europe’s most important leaders, but domestic challenges seem to be undercutting him on the global stage. Steven Erlanger, the chief diplomatic correspondent for The New York Times covering Europe, joins Thanos Davelis as we look to answer what this means for Macron and France, but also for Europe, especially as the continent looks to meet challenges ranging from defense spending to Ukraine.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
France’s Domestic Instability Has Weakened Its Diplomatic Clout
'Now the rebuilding begins,' says Trump as he signs Gaza peace plan
Mitsotakis meets Trump ahead of Gaza summit
Trump, Christodoulides discuss Cyprus issue at Gaza summit
World leaders - including Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and President Nikos Christodoulides - are meeting today in Egypt to cement a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and to help lay the foundations for broader regional stability. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English edition, joins Thanos Davelis as we look at why the Greek and Cypriot presence at this summit matters, and break down how Athens and Nicosia can play a stabilizing role here.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece to participate in Gaza peace summit in Egypt, Mitsotakis announces
Trump and el-Sisi to lead Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt; Greece and Cyprus among invited nations
EU wants Turkey to be part of SAFE
EU begins gradual rollout of digital border system
Last month Turkey's President Erdogan and his loyalists blasted Cyprus for its purchase of Israeli Barak MX air defense systems, claiming it was a threat to Turkey, all while Turkish media has announced Ankara plans to send more occupation troops to Cyprus. William Doran, the co-author of the recent piece in Kathimerini titled “Erdogan’s imagined ‘arms race’ in Cyprus”, joins Thanos Davelis as we look at Erdogan’s hypocritical outrage here, and break down why Cyprus’ decision to upgrade its air defense systems in fact strengthens Eastern Mediterranean security.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Erdogan’s imagined ‘arms race’ in Cyprus
Greece hails ‘historic agreement’ over Gaza
Turkey emerges as key player in Gaza ceasefire deal
Third-country buyers grab Cyprus realtyCy
The latest European data shows that Greeks are working many more hours than their European counterparts, with one in five Greeks working more than 45 hours a week. This data comes amid wider discussions about productivity in Greece’s economy, developments in AI, and recent moves by the government to introduce a 6 day workweek and a 13-hour work day. Nikos Efstathiou, an Athens based journalist and author, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into this story.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greeks work the longest in EU
General strike against 13-hour work day brings Greece to a halt
Greece's new 6-day workweek law takes effect, bucking a trend
Greece’s success ‘an example’ for Germany
Athens watching Turkey moves for signs of aggression
Two years ago, on October 7th, the Middle East was upended after Hamas’ deadly attack against Israel. This had a clear ripple effect across the Eastern Mediterranean as well, impacting Greece and Cyprus. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis as we look at the monumental shifts ushered in two years ago on October 7, and where they leave Greece and Cyprus today.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
PM: Greece ready to support diplomatic efforts for peace in Gaza
Déjà Vu or a Peace Breakthrough in Gaza?
Erdogan hopes for resolution on sanctions, F-35s, Halkbank after Trump talks
Turkey floated $100 million Halkbank settlement idea at White House last month, sources say
SYRIZA MPs ready to follow ex-leader
The headline political news coming out of Greece this week is former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ resignation as a SYRIZA MP, a move that has many wondering if it’s only a matter of time before Tsipras announces a new party. The news also comes as polls and surveys show a lack of confidence among voters in the political system. Nick Malkoutzis, the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr, joins Thanos Davelis as we look at whether Tsipras is angling for a comeback and what impact this could have on Greece’s political scene.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Tsipras quits as MP; new party ahead?
Greeks crying out for political change but doubt it will happen, poll finds
Greece Forecasts Debt Ratio for 2025 to Reach Pre-Bailout Low
Recent reports, primarily in Bloomberg, indicate that Turkey anticipates a settlement to the Halkbank issue that would allow the bank - indicted in 2019 for conspiracy to evade US sanctions on Iran to the tune of tens of billions of dollars - to avoid a protracted legal fight and pay what it called a “manageable” fine. Thanos Davelis digs into this story with Jonathan Schanzer, the Executive Director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, as we look at the message such a settlement would send to others around the world about the seriousness of US sanctions.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey Anticipates Manageable Fine to Settle Halkbank-US Dispute
PM: Greece ready to support diplomatic efforts for peace in Gaza
Former PM Tsipras resigns as MP, pledges continued political activism
Kimberley Guilfoyle, the first woman to serve as US ambassador to Greece, was sworn in this week, and is expected in Athens soon. With the US-Greece relationship at historic heights, Ambassador Guilfoyle is now in a position to take it a step further. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at both the opportunities and the potential pitfalls that Ambassador Guilfoyle needs to be aware of as she looks to add her mark to the bilateral relationship.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
New US ambassador to Greece sworn in
Endy Zemenides on X: Promises and pitfalls Ambassador Guilfoyle needs to be wary of
EU subsidy fraud isn’t just a Greek problem, it’s everywhere, warns top prosecutor
General strike against 13-hour work day brings Greece to a halt
US officials and lawmakers seem to be increasingly concerned about China's global network of ports, including Greece’s port of Piraeus, and reports indicate the Trump administration is on a mission to weaken Beijing’s hand here. Dr. Elizabeth Economy, an acclaimed author and expert on Chinese domestic and foreign policy and a former senior advisor for China in the Department of Commerce, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into this dimension of the US-China power struggle, breaking down what it means for Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
U.S. targets China's grip on global ports in sweeping maritime mission
US monitoring Piraeus Port
Gov’t unveils ‘bold’ military overhaul
US committed to bizonal, bicommunal federation in Cyprus
Turkey has been scrambling to contain the fallout from comments made by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan recently, who said that Turkey’s hyped-up KAAN fighter jet couldn’t be produced because of US CAATSA sanctions. He even said Ankara would seek alternative solutions if CAATSA is not lifted. Aaron Stein, the President of the Foreign Policy Research Institute, joins Thanos Davelis today as we explore whether Turkey’s KAAN fighter - and its defense industry at large - is hostage to CAATSA sanctions.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey scrambles to contain fallout after Fidan says KAAN jet dependent on US
Turkey to seek alternatives if US fails to lift CAATSA sanctions, Fidan says
Christodoulides vows support for Great Sea Interconnector project
Common Greek-US plan on shipping American LNG in the next few months
While in New York for the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis made a point to highlight Turkey’s long-standing threat of war against Greece - or the casus belli as it’s widely known - urging Ankara to finally lift it. John Psaropoulos joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into Turkey’s 30-year threat of war against Greece, which doesn’t only hang over Greek-Turkish relations like a dark cloud, but has wider implications for Europe, NATO, and the US.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
PM urges Turkey to lift war threat
Greece is leveraging defence tech to bring Turkey to arbitration
New US ambassador to Greece sworn in
ExxonMobil’s big finding off Cyprus
Turkish President Erdogan finally made his way back into the White House last week, meeting with President Trump as issues like the F-35s, the lifting of CAATSA sanctions, and Turkey’s purchase of Russian oil topped the list. Alan Makovsky, a senior fellow for the Center for American Progress and an expert on Turkey and US foreign policy, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down whether we’re seeing the revival of a bromance between the two leaders, and look at what this means for key issues like the sale of F-35s.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Trump urges Turkey to stop buying Russian oil as Erdogan chases deal on F-35s
Erdogan hails 'meaningful progress' in his talks with Trump
Labor market opens up to refugees
PM urges Turkey to lift war threat
While the world focuses on the UN General Assembly, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has also been in the US, holding key meetings in Washington and New York with President Trump, members of Congress, and world leaders. At the same time, his visit put a spotlight on the important role the Ecumenical Patriarch has played and continues to play on the environment, interfaith dialogue, and peacebuilding. Elizabeth Prodromou and Aristotle Papanikolaou join Thanos Davelis as we dig into Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s recent visit to the US.
Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou is a previous Vice Chair and Commissioner on the US Commission on International Religious Freedom and Visiting Professor in the International Studies Program at Boston College.
Aristotle Papanikolaou is the Archbishop Demetrios Chair in Orthodox Theology and Culture and the co-founding Director of the Orthodox Christian Studies Center at Fordham University.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew discusses Halki, religious freedoms with Trump
Patriarch Bartholomew defends recognition of independent Ukrainian church
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew receives the Templeton Prize in New York
Trump urges Erdogan to stop buying Russian oil as they meet at White House
Trump pushes Turkey on Russian oil, hints at lifting sanctions
Year after year Greece has seen record numbers of tourists arrive in the country, and all data indicates that this upward trend - which is a global phenomenon - will continue in the coming years. While this has been pivotal for Greece’s economy, it also raises a number of concerns about the future of Greek tourism and whether the current model is sustainable. Stathis Kalyvas, the chairman of the board of directors at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center and Gladstone professor of government at the University of Oxford, joins Thanos Davelis as we ask whether Greece needs to radically change the way it thinks about tourism.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
What future for the ‘Greek summer?’
Calm waters risk turning turbulent again
Trump is hosting Turkey’s Erdogan at the White House as the US considers lifting ban on F-35 sales
Turkey’s Erdogan gets Trump’s red carpet — but don’t reward his treachery with US fighter jets
President Trump is about to roll out the red carpet for Turkey’s President Erdogan this week in the White House, with issues like a “large-scale” purchase of Boeing aircraft, a “big deal” for F-16s, and Turkey’s desire to acquire F-35s set to dominate the agenda. Sinan Ciddi, a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and an expert on Turkish politics, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down what’s at stake and why the US is facing a moment of truth when it comes to Turkey.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
An autocratic Turkey does not deserve US military aid
Turkey’s Erdogan gets Trump’s red carpet — but don’t reward his treachery with US fighter jets
Turkey plans to buy hundreds of Boeing airliners and Lockheed Martin fighters, Bloomberg News reports
High-tech tax authority helps Greece return to Europe’s financial mainstream
How Greece’s neglected power grid fuels wildfire destruction
Chevron’s recent bid to explore in Greek waters and Secretary Doug Burgum’s recent visit to Greece have put energy in the spotlight, with the discussion shifting to how Greece and the US can work together to ensure a more secure energy future for the region. Constantinos Filis, the director of the Institute of Global Affairs and a professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down Chevron’s interest in Greece and look at how energy is set to take center stage in the US-Greece relationship.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Let’s not waste any more precious time
Greece emerging as critical energy hub in Eastern Mediterranean
Chevron’s here and must stay
PM Mitsotakis announces EEZ delimitation talks with Libya
Tensions shadow Mitsotakis-Erdogan talks
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and President Trump’s calls for Europe to increase its defense spending have served as a wake up call for European governments who are committing to boost both military spending and investments in their defense sector. Max Bergmann, the director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and the Stuart Center in Euro-Atlantic and Northern European Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, joins Thanos Davelis as we look at where Europe is today on defense, and how this could impact the Transatlantic alliance.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Defense Budgets in an Uncertain Security Environment
Loss for Trump as Denmark chooses Franco-Italian air defense system over US Patriots
Brussels approves Germany’s mega spending plan
Trump to host Erdogan at White House on September 25
PM heads to New York, plans meetings all week
At the beginning of the year there was optimism in Europe that, despite a long to-do list, the Trump shock might lead to a “European moment”. Today, sluggish economic growth and political uncertainty seem to have stalled this momentum, with many wondering where Europe’s sense of urgency is. Simon Nixon, an independent journalist and the publisher of the Wealth of Nations newsletter, joins Thanos Davelis as we look at the challenges facing Europe and whether it can revive the sense of optimism in this “European moment”.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Europe's missing moment and the back-to-school blues
Europe’s great stockmarket inversion
Kimberly Guilfoyle confirmed as US ambassador to Greece
Turkey and Egypt launch joint drills
Over the past days we’ve seen tensions rise in the Aegean, with the planned deployment of Turkey’s research vessel Piri Reis - which remains docked - raising eyebrows in Athens ahead of an expected meeting between Prime Minister Mitsotakis and President Erdogan on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to take a closer look at these developments and at the state of Greek-Turkish relations today.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Measured strain ahead of New York
Ankara halts ship, Athens on alert
Benghazi won’t ratify Turkey deal
Greek-owned fleet ready to transport more American LNG around the world
Patriarch Bartholomew honored at Capitol Hill
The world’s attention will be on New York later this month, as world leaders prepare for the UN General Assembly. The Cyprus problem - one of the longest standing issues before the UN - will also be on the agenda, with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres scheduled to meet with President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar. In a slightly different approach to the issue, Michael Rubin, who joins Thanos Davelis, explains that the US has enabled Turkey’s occupation in Cyprus by granting Tatar - the leader of an illegitimate state - a visa to attend the UNGA, and breaks down how it can correct course.
Michael Rubin is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and director of policy analysis at the Middle East Forum.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Rubio Should Correct Course on Turkish Occupation of Cyprus
Should the Foreign Missions Travel Controls Program Extend to Turkey?
US targets China’s grip on global ports in sweeping maritime mission
Greece stages military exercise in Aegean after Turkish survey warning
Ankara halts ship, Athens on alert
Israel’s recent airstrike targeting Hamas officials in Qatar seems to send a clear message that it is willing to go anywhere to eliminate Hamas. This has cast a cloud of growing concern in Turkey that it could be a target, especially considering President Erdogan’s open embrace of Hamas and his escalating rhetoric against Israel. Henri Barkey, an adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and the Cohen chair in international relations at Lehigh University, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into this story.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey wary of Israeli threat following airstrike on Hamas in Qatar
Israel Risks a Gaza Ceasefire in Strike on Qatar—and Hamas
Ecumenical Patriarch discusses Halki, religious freedoms with Trump
Rutte signals support for SAFE bid by Turkey
Earlier this month, as the new school-year kicked off around the world, Greece announced it was closing more than 750 schools as a sharp decline in births over the years has left them without enough students. The story has made the rounds on social media, even getting picked up and shared by figures like Elon Musk. Eleni Varvitstioti, the Financial Times correspondent for Greece and Cyprus and author of this report, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at this story and the broader demographic challenge facing Greece.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece suspends 5% of schools as birth rate drops
Greek companies tour Europe to lure back skilled nationals
Tens of thousands protest against legal crackdown on Turkey's main opposition party
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew arrives in Washington
This week a swarm of Russian heavy drones flew into Poland, a NATO member, and several of them were intercepted and shot down. The incident has raised a number of questions, as Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called it “a large-scale provocation”. Thomas Graham, a Russia expert and a distinguished fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Thanos Davelis as we look at what this incident means for Europe, for NATO, and for ongoing talks on Ukraine.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Russia Tests NATO With Poland Drone Breach
Russia’s Strategy Against the West: Escalate Slowly and See if It Responds
Putin’s Message to Ukraine, Europe and Trump: I Won’t Back Down
‘Intensified interest’ in passing Russia sanctions bill, says Thune
Cooperation signal on US LNG
Greece weighs additional F-35 jets
US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum - and chair of the influential White House National Energy Dominance Council - will be the first cabinet-level official to travel to Greece this presidential term, highlighting Greece’s role as a key US partner on energy. At the same time, it looks like new developments on Capitol Hill could soon pave the way for US ambassador–nominee to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle to finally take up her post in Athens. Lena Argiri, the DC correspondent for ERT - the Greek Public Broadcasting Company - and Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to break all of this down.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece deemed critical to US energy plan
Senate GOP advances Guilfoyle’s nomination for Athens
Athens wary of domino effect of instability
Chevron entry elevates Greece geopolitically
The latest chapter in a nearly year-long crackdown on the main opposition is unfolding in Turkey, where it seems Turkish President Erdogan is using the courts to effectively neuter the opposition. As Erdogan moves Turkey closer to a Russia-style autocracy, what does this mean for the opposition and ultimately for the West? Thanos Davelis breaks these questions down today with Wolfango Piccoli, the co-founder of risk analysis company Teneo.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey’s opposition head accuses Erdoğan of legal ‘coup’
Turkey's 'tough guy' president says he's tackling corruption. Rivals say he's silencing opposition
Greece deemed critical to US energy plan
Senate GOP advances Guilfoyle’s nomination for Athens
This weekend in Thessaloniki Prime Minister Mitsotakis laid out his vision for the coming year, announcing 1.6 billion euros in tax cuts - a package he called the boldest tax reform enforced in Greece in more than 50 years - and various measures to tackle the cost of living challenge facing many Greeks and the demographic crisis. John Psaropoulos joins Thanos Davelis as we break down these announcements and what they mean heading into the upcoming national elections in 2027.
John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist and Al Jazeera's correspondent in southeast Europe. He also publishes Hellenica, a weekly deep dive into Greek current affairs and history that you can find on Substack.com.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Tax cuts nudge Greece towards prosperity, but will they save it?
Greek premier rules out snap election, says tax cuts will help families
Greece announces €1.6bn relief package to tackle population decline
Greece’s population decline and its need for growth
Benghazi won’t ratify Turkey deal
Turkey opposition uses tables, chairs to block police besieging headquarters
In July Turkey hosted the 17th International Defense Industry Fair, and over 100 countries sent representatives to see what’s behind all the hype around Ankara’s defense industry. Despite the attention it’s gotten over the last years, a lot of Ankara’s new military technology remains in development and untested, posing the question: Can Turkey deliver on its defense ambitions? Ryan Gingeras, a professor in the Department of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and an expert on Turkish, Balkan, and Middle East history, joins Thanos Davelis as we try to answer this question.
The views expressed by Professor Gingeras in this interview do not reflect the views of the US government.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Can Turkey Deliver on Its Armament Ambitions?
Greece announces €1.6bn relief package to tackle population decline
Greece, OpenAI agree deal to boost innovation in schools, small businesses
With the US focused on Ukraine, the Middle East, and President Trump’s trade deals, it seems the Western Balkans are flying under the radar in Washington. In fact, there are growing concerns in the region about a quiet US withdrawal and what this could mean as countries like Russia, China and Turkey vie for influence. Professor James Ker-Lindsay, who has worked extensively on the EU, the Balkans and Southeast Europe, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at these developments.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Risky jockeying for position in the Balkans
Serb separatist Dodik defies Bosnian state in government reshuffle
Greece toughens penalties for rejected asylum seekers, speeds up returns
PM to unveil tax breaks as popularity dips
The Economist just ran a story about the Shanghai Co-operation Organization summit that took place, calling it Xi Jinping’s anti-American party. This party also included world leaders like Turkish President Erdogan. Sinan Ciddi, a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and an expert on Turkish politics, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into Erdogan’s cozying up to China and what it means for the US.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Xi Jinping’s anti-American party
Turkey’s Erdogan holds hands with Iran’s Pezeshkian, sparks online buzz
Putin, Modi and Erdoğan among leaders in China for talks with Xi
Mitsotakis and Erdogan likely to meet this month
Athens sends message to Nicosia over power cable project
This weekend Prime Minister Mitsotakis is heading to Thessaloniki, where he’s going to deliver a sort of state of the union address, outlining his agenda and key priorities for the year ahead. Today Thanos Davelis brings on Nick Malkoutzis, the co-founder of Macropolis.gr, as we break down what issues are top of the list, and what moves Mitsotakis is planning for the year ahead.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
PM finalises relief measures in ambitious but risky move to sway voters
Turkish court ousts main opposition's Istanbul head over congress irregularities
EU foreign policy chief: Turkey-Libya maritime deal violates rights of third countries
Constantine Cavafy, the Greek poet whose work not only charted a new path for Greek poetry, but also inspired countless readers around the world - including figures like David Hockney, Leonard Cohen, and Jackie Kennedy Onassis - is back in the spotlight thanks to the publication of his first biography in roughly 50 years. Professors Gregory Jusdanis and Peter Jeffreys, the authors of the book, join Thanos Davelis as we take a deeper dive into the life and work of Constantine Cavafy.
For those who are interested, the book is available for purchase in the US and the UK, and is expected in early October in Greece as well.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Constantine Cavafy: A New Biography
Alexandrian Sphinx: The Hidden Life of Constantine Cavafy
‘Constantine Cavafy’ Review: A Poet’s Odyssey Within
The mysterious life of Constantine Cavafy
Ankara bristles at Athens’ energy moves
Greece suspends 5% of schools as birth rate drops
Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, is joined by Michael Rubin, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, to break down reports that Israel is closing in on a security deal with Syria as a U.S. envoy meets with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and to analyze what this means for the region, from Turkey to broader U.S. strategy in the Middle East.
You can read the article we discuss on our podcast here:
- Syria's Sharaa confirms 'advanced' talks with Israel on security deal; US envoy meets Netanyahu
- Birth rate decline a threat to universities
- Greece issues very high wildfire risk alert for Aegean islands and Crete
HALC Executive Director and host Endy D. Zemenides is joined by Mariam Wahba, Research Analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, to analyze the Egyptian government's efforts to control St. Catherine's monastery, the world’s oldest continuously inhabited Christian monastery.
You can read the articles we discuss in the podcast here:
- Egypt’s War Against the World’s Oldest Christian Monastery
- On migration, Greece takes a Trumpian turn - The Washington Post
- Energy minister dismisses report on possible Turkey-Libya maritime deal approval | eKathimerini.com
HALC Executive Director and host Endy D. Zemenides is joined by Tyler Stapleton, Director of Government Relations at FDD Action, to analyze the State Department's response to a Congressional letter calling on holding Turkey accountable and the F-35 program.
You can read the articles we discuss in the podcast here:
- State Department: The US position regarding Turkey’s acquisition of F-35s remains unchanged | eKathimerini.com
- A Gaza-bound ship that left Cyprus with 1,200 tons of food aid nears Israeli port
- Giannis leads way for Greece in Eurobasket exhibition game
HALC Executive Director and host Endy D. Zemenides is joined by Patrick Theros, former U.S. Ambassador to Qatar, member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and former Deputy Coordinator for Counterterrorism, to analyze the freezing of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem's bank accounts.
You can read the articles we discuss in the podcast here:
Jerusalem freezes Greek Orthodox Patriarchate's bank accounts over tax dispute | The Times of Israel
Serbia rocked by ongoing anti-government clashes – DW – 08/19/2025
President of Syria Al-Shara met Patriarch of Antioch in Damascus | Orthodox Times (en)
HALC Executive Director and host Endy D. Zemenides is joined by Ilan Berman, Senior Vice President of the American Foreign Policy Council, Board Member at Radio Free Europe, and author of Implosion: The End of Russia and What It Means for America to analyze the aftermath and impact of President Trump's meeting with with President Zelensky and European Leaders.
You can read the articles we discuss in the podcast here:
- Major Takeaways From Trump’s Meeting With Zelenskyy and European Leaders | Council on Foreign Relations
- UN publishes Greek response rejecting Libya hydrocarbon claims | eKathimerini.com
- Rhodes beach violations persist despite crackdown | eKathimerini.com
- Construction on the islands getting worse every year | eKathimerini.com
Host Endy D. Zemenides, HALC Executive Director, welcomes Matthew Boyle, Washington, D.C. Bureau Chief for Breitbart News, for a deep dive into the implications of President Trump’s recent meeting with President Vladimir Putin, the latest developments in the war in Ukraine, and what all of this means for international relations.
Greece - and much of southern Europe - has faced a series of wildfires over the past weeks, prompting evacuations and even resulting in deaths. As Greece grapples with another summer of wildfires, questions abound over how to combat this phenomenon and build resilience, and the role of the media, the government, and civil society. Niko Efstathiou, an Athens based journalist and author, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into these questions.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Wildfires: What we don’t know is what burns us
Overhead power lines under scrutiny after wildfires
Riyadh requests Greek mission renewal
Turkey’s deepening ties with Italy, Spain
Earlier this week we took a look at the stakes ahead of President Trump’s meeting with Russian President Putin in Alaska. Today, Professor Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, the president of the Yale Chief Executive Leadership Institute who has advised the White House, the State and Treasury Departments, and the Council of Economic Advisers on Russian economic sanctions and business retreats, joins Thanos Davelis as we explore how sanctions have crippled Russia’s economy, leaving Putin with very few cards.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Trump Has the Upper Hand Going into His Meeting with Putin
In a Trump-Putin Summit, Ukraine Fears Losing Say Over Its Future
Firefighters contain most wildfires across Greece, but risk remains
Government makes relief measures top priority
After inking military pact, Turkey to provide Syria with weapons, training
Turkey to help Syria with weapon systems, equipment under signed MoU, source says
Is Israel risking overplaying its hand in Gaza and the Middle East, and, as European countries like France and Britain move to recognize Palestine, what are the broader ramifications for the region? Steven Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Thanos Davelis as we look to answer these questions, and more.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Israel Risks Overplaying Its Hand in Gaza and the Middle East
Why Recognizing Palestine Is Meaningless or Even Harmful
Senegalese diplomat set to lead UN mission in Cyprus
Souda, Larissa base upgrades on agenda
Are Armenia and Azerbaijan on a path to peace, or is the latest deal signed at the White House a rushed agreement that lets Baku off the hook for its aggression - from the ethnic cleansing of Nagorno Karabakh to its unlawful detention of Armenian POWs? Thanos Davelis digs into this question with Aram Hamparian, the executive director of the Armenian National Committee of America, as we look at what this deal means for peace and stability in the region.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan Sign Peace Pledge at White House
If Azerbaijan Breaks its Agreements, Are Armenians Prepared to Resist?
Donald Trump brokers a peace plan in the Caucasus
Wildfires sweep Greece, trigger mass evacuations
Brussels wants to ditch Russian gas. Turkey could keep it flowing undetected.
All eyes will be on Alaska this Friday as President Trump meets with President Putin to discuss Ukraine, a high stakes summit with risks for Europe, Ukraine, and President Trump. Will Ukraine’s fear of a deal struck between Trump and Putin - and excluding Kyiv - be realized? What about the political risks for President Trump both at home and with US allies? David Sanger, the White House and National Security Correspondent for the New York Times, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into all of these questions.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
In a Trump-Putin Summit, Ukraine Fears Losing Say Over Its Future
Athens walks Middle East tightrope
Seoul offers Athens major defense proposal
Almost a month since Kimberly Guilfoyle received the nod from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, we are still waiting for her to take up the job of US ambassador in Athens. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis as we try to answer the question everyone’s thinking in Greece: “When is Kimberly arriving?”
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Another hurdle delays Guilfoyle’s arrival
US Senate gridlock further delays Guilfoyle’s arrival to Greece
Congress is in August recess, but tensions lie ahead on spending and Trump nominations
Greece, US discuss possible new military bases
Ankara blocks research on cable route
Greece may extend North Africa asylum ban if migrant flow resurges
Syria stands at a pivotal moment. As the violent persecution of Syria’s minorities intensifies, key voices are calling on the US and the international community to help steer the country away from authoritarianism and toward a future that ensures equal citizenship for all Syrians. Two of those voices - Nadine Maenza and Aykan Erdemir - join Thanos Davelis as we break down why these steps are needed, before it’s too late.
Nadine Maenza is the chair of the Institute for Global Engagement, co-chair of the International Religious Freedom Roundtable, and former chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. Aykan Erdemir is the Anti-Defamation League’s senior director of Global Research and Diplomatic Affairs.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
The path to security for Syria’s minorities goes through equal citizenship
As Trump warms to Syria, US pushes UN to lift Sharaa sanctions
Egypt reaffirms support for Sinai Monastery amid speculation over its future
Cyprus property disputes threaten UN peace talks
Despite Cyprus being better prepared than ever ahead of the wildfire season, last month Cyprus was hit with its worst wildfire in decades. As Cypriots look for answers, countries in the region - including Greece - are also facing similar challenges as they struggle to build resilience and keep up with the impacts of climate change. Nektaria Stamouli, the deputy editor in chief of Kathimerini's English Edition and Politico's Eastern Mediterranean correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into this story.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Confused politics fans the flames of Southern Europe’s wildfires
Turkish parliamentary committee begins work on PKK peace initiative
Anti-drone system propels Greek plans for home-grown defence industry
With the summer holiday season kicking into full gear, Greek politics doesn’t seem ready for a break just yet. Nick Malkoutzis, the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into what’s keeping Greek politicians busy in the summer heat - whether it’s the continued fallout over an EU farm subsidy scandal, speculation that former prime minister Antonis Samaras could form his own party, or new relief measures set to be announced after the summer.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Gov’t faces battles on multiple fronts
Parliamentary chicanery raises doubt about PM’s grip on party as he looks ahead to relief package
Greece, US discuss possible new military bases
Greek, Egyptian FMs meet; Sinai in spotlight
Over the past month we’ve seen a battle of maps in the Eastern Mediterranean, with the Tripoli-based government in Libya, backed by Turkey, raising the temperature with Greece. Thanos Davelis brings on Constantinos Filis, the director of the Institute of Global Affairs and a professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, as we dig into Greece’s Libya conundrum and break down whether it’s time for Athens - given Ankara’s role here - to rethink its Turkey strategy.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece’s tricky Libyan balancing act
Time for Athens to rethink its Turkey strategy
Warming waters transforming Greece’s seas
Greece condemns Turkey’s marine parks as ‘unacceptable, unilateral and illegal’
Earlier this week we dug into the EU-US trade deal, a deal that many Europeans feel is a humiliation and a surrender. As the dust settles around the details of this agreement, Thanos Davelis brings on Yiannis Mouzakis, the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr - a political and economic analysis site that focuses on Greece, to take a closer look at what this deal could mean for Greece.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece digests EU-US trade deal amid mixed reaction
First foreign universities to be approved
Turkey government 'manufactures' enemies, opposition tells AFP
The past week has seen a number of developments on defense making headlines in Greece, whether it’s news that Athens will tap into Europe’s SAFE program, or plans that foresee self-sufficient military units on Greece’s islands. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why these moves matter, and look at what else he is paying attention to, including Turkey’s deal for Eurofighter jets and its expected response to Greece’s new maritime park in the Aegean.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece to tap EU loans to aid defense industries
Greece, 17 EU states apply for SAFE defense financing tool
Armed Forces plan foresees self-sufficient army units on islands
Greece awaiting Turkey’s marine park response
Athens not surprised by Turkey’s Eurofighter acquisition
Libyan coast guards train in Greece under plan to stem migrant flows
Erdogan shouldn’t bank on Trump
Earlier this month about 30 Kurdish PKK fighters put their assault rifles in a cauldron and set them on fire, a symbolic move after Abdullah Ocalan, the PKK’s imprisoned leader, issued a call for the PKK to lay down its arms. Thanos Davelis is joined by Piotr Zalewski, The Economist's Turkey correspondent, as we look into whether Kurds and Turks, after more than four decades of conflict, are closer than ever to peace.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Kurds and Turks are closer than ever to peace
Peace in Turkey must not become a smokescreen for repression
Awaiting the details of the EU-US trade deal
MPs vote to probe subsidies scandal
Surrender, submission, humiliation. Those are the words floating around in Europe after the US and the EU reached a tariff deal this weekend that President Trump described as the “biggest deal” ever made. Thanos Davelis brings on Simon Nixon, an independent journalist, Kathimerini columnist, and the publisher of the Wealth of Nations newsletter, as we ask the question: big beautiful deal, humiliating surrender, or a little bit of both?
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Europe's Surrender
Paying to Play: Europe’s Costly Concessions in Trump’s New Trade War
Trump and EU Reach Tariff Deal, Avoiding Trade War
Europe averts its Trumpian trade nightmare
Yemen’s Houthi rebels threaten to escalate attacks on ships linked to companies dealing with Israel
Wildfire burns 1.3% of Cyprus’ land, satellite data shows
Real cost of Cyprus fire near €20 mln
With President Trump’s tariffs putting a sharp focus on China, most will likely be closely watching negotiations between the two as they look to avoid a full-blown trade war. In the meantime, the EU also has its eye on China, as Beijing’s wide trade surplus with the bloc and its backing of Moscow are key concerns. Brad Setser, the Whitney Shepardson senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations with an expertise in global trade, joins Thanos Davelis today as we take a closer look at how Europe is shifting when it comes to China.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Ursula von der Leyen tells Xi Jinping EU-China ties are at ‘inflection point’
Wildfires rage in Greece and Turkey as extreme heat persists
New legislation will grant legal status to Mt Sinai monastery
Seeing little progress in its effort to get back into the F-35 program, Turkey is now turning to the Eurofighter, with reports this week indicating a deal with both the UK and Germany for 40 jets. Tyler Stapleton and Sinan Ciddi, two experts tracking this issue closely, join Thanos Davelis today to look at what this deal means for Turkey and President Erdogan, and whether this could pose a risk for Europe in the long run.
Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and an expert on Turkish politics.
Tyler Stapleton serves as director of congressional relations at FDD Action. He previously spent eight years working in Congress where he served as a senior advisor on national security, foreign policy, defense, and intelligence for two members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
UK and Germany Agree to Sell Eurofighter Typhoon Fighter Jets to Turkey
UK, Turkey Sign Eurofighter Deal After Germany Gives Nod
Cyprus gets help from other countries to battle huge wildfire that has killed 2
Mitsotakis invites Tripoli to engage in EEZ delimitation talks
Syria has been rocked lately by sectarian violence, something that’s not only putting the country’s minorities on edge, but is also posing a challenge to ongoing US efforts led by Ambassador Tom Barrack to push for the Syrian Kurds’ full integration into the Syrian government. Amberin Zaman, Al-Monitor's chief correspondent covering major stories on the Middle East and North Africa, joins Thanos Davelis today as we dig into this story.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Suwayda violence boosts Kurds’ leverage as US Syria envoy, SDF chief meet
US envoy urges Syria's Sharaa to revise policy or risk fragmentation
Greece unveils five-pillar plan to tackle growing water scarcity
Turkey nears Eurofighter jet purchase after UK, German agreements
Athens not surprised by Turkey’s Eurofighter acquisition
While Libya - and the Turkish presence there - has long been on Greece’s radar, the war-torn country is now attracting Brussels’ attention as well amid concerns about migration and Russia’s expanding influence there. Jalel Harchaoui, a Libya specialist based in Paris, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into Europe’s concerns about migration and Russia’s expanding footprint in Libya, and look at Turkey’s charm offensive toward the government in the east.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
We must work with Libyans to stop Putin weaponizing migrants, top EU official says
Tripoli asserts claims against Athens
AJC and HALC urge Congress to block Turkey’s reentry into the F35 program and uphold CAATSA sanctions
Greek companies tour Europe to lure back skilled nationals
Greece is in the middle of a new heatwave that will see temperatures pass 40 degrees celsius - or 104 Fahrenheit - this week. While the government issues warnings to stay out of the sun and remain cool indoors, this is not an option for many Greeks living in buildings that are not designed to cope with these high temperatures. Today we're bringing on Alexia Kalaitzi, an award-winning journalist and features reporter for Kathimerini, who joins Thanos Davelis as we look into the question: How hot is too hot when you’re inside your own home?
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
How hot is too hot when you’re inside your home?
Greece to create two national marine parks in Ionian and Aegean Seas, PM says
Sea parks an assertion of sovereignty
Turkey Nears Preliminary Deal for Eurofighter Combat Jet Order, Sources Say
At the beginning of the year Lebanon found itself with a new president, a weakened Hezbollah, and the collapse of Assad in Syria, and many - including leaders in Athens - were asking if now was an opportunity to reimagine Lebanon's future. Today Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into Greece’s ties to Lebanon and its message of support as the country looks to rebuild.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece backs Lebanon’s efforts to restructure its armed forces
Greek PM calls for reunification of Cyprus on anniversary of 1974 invasion
Erdogan visits Turkish-occupied north Cyprus on 51st anniversary of 1974 invasion
Athens hits back at Tripoli sea claims
Over the last decade we’ve gotten used to Congress driving policy on the East Med, yet since President Trump’s inauguration in January, all eyes have been on the executive. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis today to see how Congress - on the heels of passing Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” - is stepping back into the spotlight, introducing key bills on Greece and Cyprus.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Bill proposes 5-year extension of Cyprus arms embargo waiver
Meng, Bilirakis, Titus, And Malliotakis Introduce Legislation To Support The US-Hellenic Relationship
Kimberly Guilfoyle receives nod as US ambassador to Greece
Tripoli asserts claims against Athens
US lawmakers launch bipartisan effort to block Turkey’s return to F-35 program
Earlier this week it seems President Trump took a new stance on Ukraine, announcing a new plan to speed weapons to the war-torn country along with the threat of a new round of punishing sanctions. At the same time, he doubled down on tariffs this past weekend, threatening 30% tariffs on the EU. Ian Lesser, the vice president and Brussels chief of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, joins Thanos Davelis to look into what these shifts mean for Europe.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Trump’s Shift on Ukraine Is Good News for Europe, for Now
Trump intensifies trade war with threat of 30% tariffs on EU, Mexico
Europe's freedom faces greatest threat since WW2, Macron says
Turkish court sentences Erdoğan’s top rival to almost 2 years in prison
Tourism receipts fall despite visitor surge
Recent statistics show that home ownership is declining in Greece, while the number of people living on rent is shooting up. At the same time, the supply of apartments for sale or rent in the center of Athens continues to drop, while prices are on the rise. This is all contributing to a deepening housing crisis for many Greeks. Nikos Roussanoglou, a journalist at Kathimerini covering the economy and the housing market, joins Thanos Davelis to break down these trends, and look at what they mean for Greeks.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Share of tenants is growing
House supply keeps declining
Tripoli evasive on maritime boundaries
Bill proposes 5-year extension of Cyprus arms embargo waiver
Meng, Bilirakis, Titus, And Malliotakis Introduce Legislation To Support The US-Hellenic Relationship
Italy and Greece are sounding the alarm in Brussels over a spike in migrant flows from Libya which has seen at least 9,000 people arrive in Crete since the start of the year, most of them in recent weeks. Athens has responded with new tough migration rules, and the Greek navy is also present in the area. Angeliki Dimitriadi, an independent researcher and expert on migration, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into this latest migration challenge facing the region.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Italy and Greece sound the alarm over Libya. But allies aren’t rushing to help.
Athens rethinks southern sea strategy
EU trade ministers plan countermeasures to Trump’s ‘unacceptable’ 30% tariffs
Libya files UN complaint over Greek maritime zones
There are few media outlets - let alone businesses or organizations - around the world that can boast 100 years of existence. As of this weekend, Apogevmatini, the Greek newspaper founded in 1925 in Istanbul, can do just that. Niko Efstathiou, an Athens based journalist and author, joins Thanos Davelis to look into the legacy of Apogevmatini, the paper of the Greeks of Istanbul, tracing its history over the last century and exploring the challenges it faces today - from a shrinking Greek community to media freedom in Turkey.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Apogevmatini marks centenary as voice of Istanbul’s Greek community
«Απογευματινή»: η ελληνόφωνη εφημερίδα της Κωνσταντινούπολης που κοντεύει να κλείσει 100 χρόνια ζωής
Niko Efstathiou’s tweet on Apogevmatini’s 100 year anniversary
Athens rethinks southern sea strategy
Turkish president hails the start of disarmament by militant Kurdish separatists
It seems Erdogan's main political opponents - primarily from the main opposition - are up against an unprecedented crackdown over the past months that has seen more than 500 people detained. Erdogan has said this government probe targets what he has called a network that is like "an octopus,” both within Turkey and abroad. Ayla Jean Yackley, an Istanbul-based journalist covering Turkey with stories in The Financial Times, Politico, and other major outlets, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at this story.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey detains hundreds of Erdogan opponents in pursuit of 'octopus' of corruption
Turkey's Erdoğan makes high-stakes Kurdish gamble
Greece PM defends halt to asylum processing for North African migrants
Demographic crisis spells end for 146-year-old village school
We’re turning our attention to Libya today, as a surge in the number of migrants traveling from the divided country to Greece’s shores is sounding alarms in Athens and in Brussels. As Greece and the European Union look to tackle this new challenge, Athens is also looking to engage diplomatically with the two rival factions in Libya’s east and west. Alexandra Voudouri, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Brussels gets blamed for Libya trip fiasco
Benghazi expels EU migration envoys
Athens adopts measured response to recent diplomatic incident with Libya
Athens steps up efforts to build links with Libya as EU steps in to assist
PM unveils tough new migration measures
Trump’s pick for US ambassador completes senate hearing smoothly
Originally by today - July 9th - we were supposed to have 90 trade deals in 90 days, and new tariffs were supposed to go into effect. This week, the Trump administration extended the deadline to August 1st. President Trump is now insisting that there will not be another extension to this deadline. Maria Demertzis, the chief economist for Europe at the Conference Board in Brussels, joins Thanos Davelis as we look at what message this latest extension of the tariff deadline sends to America’s trading partners, particularly Europe.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
No TACO Tuesday: Trump insists Aug. 1 tariff deadline won’t be extended
Trump delays tariffs as the rest of the world plays hardball
What Trump Trade Policy Has Achieved Since ‘Liberation Day’
Greek PM to brief Parliament on migration surge from Libya
Benghazi expels EU migration envoys
Houthi rebels release video of attack on Greek ship Magic Seas
Death toll from Red Sea attack on Greek-owned vessel rises to three
Speaking at an event organized by Kathimerini last week in Athens, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel reflected on her tenure, touching on a number of issues, from her relationship with leaders like former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to the Greek financial crisis. Iliana Magra, a journalist with Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down the main takeaways from this visit.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Τι είπε και τι είδε η Μέρκελ στην Αθήνα
Merkel says Trump is an attention seeker and Greek debt crisis brought her to tears
Merkel: Tsipras’ call about 2015 referendum was ‘most surprising’ in her career
Withdrawing 2011 referendum idea was ‘best possible decision,’ says Merkel
Cyprus goes high-tech in search for people missing from past conflict
US transforms Souda base into fortress
Recent reports indicate that the White House is looking to find a way to move past Turkey’s purchase of Russian S-400 missiles, and pave the way for Ankara to return to the F-35 program. Sinan Ciddi and Bradley Bowman, the authors of the recent op-ed “S-400s or not, don’t give Turkey the F-35”, join Thanos Davelis to make the case that even if Turkey gives up the S-400s, F-35s should be off the table for both practical and moral reasons.
Bradley Bowman is senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), and Sinan Ciddi is a senior fellow at FDD and director of its Turkey Program.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
S-400s or not, don’t give Turkey the F-35
US expands military footprint in Greece as priorities evolve
Foreign minister in Benghazi Sunday for high-level talks
While everyone’s attention has been on the Middle East over the past weeks, I want to turn us to the Black Sea. The Black Sea is not just critical to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine, but it is a key part of the wider standoff between Moscow and the West, raising questions about European security and drawing in other powers as well like Turkey and the US. Dimitar Bechev, a senior fellow with Carnegie Europe, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at why the Black Sea is increasingly on the West and Europe’s radar.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
The Black Sea Has Become the Fulcrum of Europe’s Security
US sanctions on Turkey could be lifted, envoy says
S-400s or not, don’t give Turkey the F-35
Rival leaders in Cyprus will meet informally with UN chief this month
A scandal involving EU funds and farm subsidies has rocked the Greek government and is the lead story coming out of Greece. Over the weekend we saw the resignation of a few ministers, including migration minister and former agriculture minister Makis Voridis, and we’ve seen Prime Minister Mitsotakis acknowledge the government’s failure while announcing steps to address the issue. Nektaria Stamouli, the deputy editor in chief of Kathimerini's English Edition and Politico's Eastern Mediterranean correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this story.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece names new ministers after high-level resignations over farm scandal
Greek farm scandal triggers top-level government resignations
Mitsotakis: Task force to trace illegal farmer subsidies
‘We failed’: Mitsotakis addresses OPEKEPE scandal and party’s role
Turkey detains 120 opposition officials including former mayor
We’re turning to Turkey today, where Turkish markets rallied on Monday after a Turkish court adjourned a case that could force the removal of the main opposition party's leader. Despite this decision, there is still rising political uncertainty in the country as Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu remains imprisoned, and questions remain about the direction Turkey’s economy is heading. Wolfango Piccoli, the co-founder of risk analysis company Teneo, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into these developments.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkish Markets Rally After Key Opposition Case Adjourned
Turkey’s economic woes catch up with Erdoğan
Cyprus invites Erdogan to summit despite long rift over 1974 invasion
Inviting the invader?
Trump Lifts Sanctions on Syria, Tightening His Embrace of Its New Leader
Since President Trump stepped back into the Oval Office, Greece has been on the lookout for the arrival of a new US ambassador. While nominee Kimberly Guilfoyle has yet to go through her Senate hearing, the US ambassador in Ankara, Tom Barrack, seems to be charting a new course for US-Turkey ties. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down why the US can not afford to be under-represented in Southeast Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
No US ambassador in Athens
US envoy signals restart in US–Turkey relations as F-35 thaw begins
Subsidy scandal shakes ruling party
‘We failed’: Mitsotakis addresses OPEKEPE scandal and party’s role
Greece names new ministers after high-level resignations over farm scandal
Severe heat wave hits southern Europe and raises wildfire risks
Firefighters in Turkey battle to contain wildfires for second day
Today we’re turning to Greece’s south, and looking at developments in Libya which are increasingly moving onto Athens’ radar. Greece is closely monitoring recent energy agreements between Libya’s Tripoli-based government and Turkey, and is moving ships south of Crete amid a new surge in migrants crossing the Mediterranean from Libya and heading to Greece. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at Libya, and break down what recent developments there could mean for Athens.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey to start exploring for gas off Libya
Mitsotakis: EU must use ‘carrot and stick’ in approach to migration
Erdogan says Trump would join Ukraine peace talks in Turkey if Putin attends
EU leaders seek a big boost in Ukraine military support but make little progress on Russia sanctions
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited Turkey late last week for talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the first formal meeting of its kind and a move Yerevan described as a "historic" step. Despite previous efforts - and a slew of concessions by Pashinyan to both Azerbaijan and Turkey over the past years - there has been little tangible progress in normalizing relations. Dr. Laurence Broers, an associate fellow in the Russia and Eurasia Program at Chatham House and an expert on the South Caucasus region, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at this normalization effort.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Armenia's Pashinyan, Turkey's Erdogan to hold 'historic' talks amid Iran-Israel war
Armenian PM Pashinyan meets Erdogan in Turkey on 'historic' visit
Armenian prime minister discusses reconciliation with Erdogan in landmark Turkey visit
PM touts defense spending at NATO summit
Libya, Turkey sign MoU on offshore areas, Athens reiterates rejection
A few days ago the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus, Syria, was bombed in a terrorist attack that left dozens of people dead. The attack has left Syria’s Christians struggling to understand why their community was targeted, and wondering if they can rely on the government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa for safety. Nadine Maenza joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at what this deadly attack means for Syria’s Christians and minorities.
Nadine Maenza is the President of the IRF Secretariat, an international organization focused on building infrastructure to support the religious freedom movement globally. She also serves as a Global Fellow at the Wilson Center, and previously served as chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Syria's Christians ask 'Why us?' after suicide bombing at Damascus church
Attack on Christians threatens Syria's postwar cohesion
Syrian Christian leader chides president over deadly church bombing
Greece to deploy frigates off Libya to curb increased migrant flows, PM says
Wildfires wreak widespread destruction on Chios
Authorities begin damage assessment in Chios, woman arrested for arson
We’re turning our attention to the Hague today, where NATO leaders are gathering this week for a two day summit. While European allies - keen to avoid clashing with President Trump - already agreed to Washington’s demands that they increase defense spending, key questions loom over Ukraine, the Middle East, and the future of the transatlantic alliance. Ian Lesser, the vice president and Brussels chief of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into what’s at stake at this summit.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Weathering the Storm: The Hague Summit and the Future of NATO
NATO members agree to increase defense spending to 5%
How Europe would fill an America-shaped hole in NATO
Iranian spies target bases on Crete and Cyprus
Live Updates: Israel and Iran Agree to Cease-Fire Announced by Trump
Israel accuses Iran of violating ceasefire, vows to 'respond forcefully'
Turkey’s latest move to submit a new so-called maritime spatial plan to UNESCO laying claim to half of the Aegean Sea is once again putting the spotlight on its revisionist Blue Homeland doctrine, and raising questions about its commitment to maintaining calm in the region. Constantinos Filis, the director of the Institute of Global Affairs and a professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at this development, breaking down what it means for Greece and the sense of calm that has prevailed over the past few years in the Aegean.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey draws line of marine influence right down the Aegean Sea
Athens navigates the day after the US inserted itself into the wars in Israel
Middle East conflict’s intensity, duration to shape impact on Greek economy
Shipping faces elevated risk, Strait of Hormuz closure looms
FM to visit Libya amid maritime tensions
Over the past decades we’ve heard a lot about the potential impacts of climate change, from rising temperatures to wildfires and droughts. Greece is on the frontline of many of these shifts. Today we’re taking a closer look at how climate change will impact Greece’s economy. Nikos Vettas, the General Director of the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research and a Professor of Economics at the Athens University of Economics and Business, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down the challenges and opportunities for Greece’s economy.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Climate change to cost up to 327,000 jobs
Competitiveness deficit shows no sign of easing
Greek PM opens door to a shift on nuclear power
Armenia's Pashinyan, Turkey's Erdogan to hold 'historic' talks amid Iran-Israel war
Earlier this week Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis essentially launched his pre-election campaign, unveiling a roadmap to the 2027 elections. As Mitsotakis prepares for 2027, we’re also seeing former prime minister Alexis Tsipras take steps that are fueling speculation about a political comeback, while the far-right is back in the headlines. Lamprini Rori, an Assistant Professor in Political Analysis at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at these developments.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Mitsotakis outlines four key priorities ahead of 2027 elections
Tsipras pitch for progressive opposition presents New Democracy with new adversary
Greek court strips three far-right MPs of seats over electoral fraud
Parliament votes to investigate former transport minister
Patriot missile systems being moved to Souda base
The G7 leaders just met in Canada where the focus quickly turned to geopolitics, primarily the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, which saw President Trump leave the summit early and return to Washington as conflict escalated between Israel and Iran. At the same time, trade remains a key concern among the G7 nations, as tariffs loom on the horizon. Matthew Goodman, the director of the Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into the latest G7 summit and the broader questions still at hand about the ongoing and evolving conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, trade, and tariffs.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Trump Renews Embrace of Putin Amid Rift With Allies
Trade, a sudden exit, Middle East conflict - five takeaways from G7
G7 leaders urge 'de-escalation' but stop short of calling for Israel-Iran ceasefire
‘Donald is right’ and China is the problem, EU chief says
Trump and Trade Loom Over Canada’s G7 Summit
Greece aims to lead in tech and innovation, Mitsotakis tells Les Échos
EU plans to squeeze out Russian gas with tough new rules
Kathimerini just ran a piece highlighting the efforts of teachers and community schools in keeping Greek education alive in Turkey. These schools are central to the Greek community in Istanbul, a community that once had a significant presence but has dwindled to roughly 2,000 individuals over the last century as a result of government policies, persecution, and a pogrom in the 1950s. Dr. Ilay Romain Ors, a social anthropologist whose work has largely focused on the Greek Orthodox community of Istanbul, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at this historic community and the challenges it faces today.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Keeping the Greek education flame alive in Turkey
Remembering forced migrations: The 1964 expulsion of Greeks from Istanbul
Former Byzantine churches are being converted to mosques – this threatens Istanbul’s cosmopolitan identity
Mitsotakis outlines four key priorities ahead of 2027 elections
Turkey challenges Greek maritime zones with UNESCO map submission
Since arriving in Ankara, US ambassador Tom Barrack has been thrown into the spotlight. Aside from his active role in Syria, reports indicate he is laying the groundwork for an Erdogan visit to Washington. If we take a closer look, however, the argument could also be made that he is seemingly promoting a number of Turkish positions across the board - from selling Turkey F-35s to presenting Turkey as an indispensable actor for regional stability. Now Israel’s strike on Iran could throw many of these calculations up in the air. The FDD’s Sinan Ciddi and Tyler Stapleton join Thanos Davelis to break all of this down.
Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and an expert on Turkish politics.
Tyler Stapleton serves as director of congressional relations at FDD Action. He previously spent eight years working in Congress where he served as a senior advisor on national security, foreign policy, defense, and intelligence for two members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Israel and Iran Trade Attacks on 4th Day of Conflict
Plans afoot for an Erdogan trip to the White House
Iran denies asking Cyprus to convey messages to Israel
Cyprus on high alert as regional tensions escalate
Modi begins two-day visit to Cyprus, set to sign joint declaration on strategic cooperation
Last year Greece’s two biggest teams achieved big triumphs at the European level, with Panathinaikos winning the Euroleague in basketball, and Olympiakos winning the Conference League in soccer. While this year didn’t deliver any major silverware, we stll saw important runs for both teams. At the same time, the Greek national team in soccer has many fans excited for what lies ahead as it sets out to qualify for next year’s World Cup. Prof. Alex Kitroeff, a professor of history who also studies and writes extensively about Greek sports, joins Thanos Davelis as we look back at another Greek sports season to remember, from both major Greek teams making it to the final four of the Euroleague to the Greek national soccer team raising expectations ahead of the World Cup.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Reds wrest Greek basketball throne from Greens
Olympiakos finishes third in Euroleague
Four Greek talents among world’s most experienced young soccer players
Greece’s ‘nouvelle vague’ sinks the Scots in Glasgow
Israeli Strikes Wipe Out Iran’s Top Military Chain of Command
Greece to hold emergency security meeting following Middle East escalation
Bipartisan bill aims to strengthen US-Cyprus security partnership
We’re almost at the halfway point of Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ second term. Despite a few political storms over the past years, New Democracy, the prime minister’s party, is riding out a wave of dissatisfaction among voters, holding steady at about 30 percent. At the same time, a rudderless and divided opposition can’t seem to translate this into votes. Nektaria Stamouli, the deputy editor in chief of Kathimerini's English Edition and Politico's Eastern Mediterranean correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a deeper dive into Greece’s current political landscape, from the ruling party to the fragmented opposition.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greeks feel they have no one to vote for
Tsipras slams government, calls for progressive unity
Athens agrees to send APCs to Lebanon
Greek court strips three far-right MPs of seats over electoral fraud
Despite pressure from the Trump administration for a peace deal or a ceasefire in Ukraine, Russia appears to be stepping up its attacks, launching almost 500 drones and missiles at Ukraine earlier this week. With President Trump keen on bringing this war to an end, or washing his hands of what he views as a European issue, Europe is debating how to build up their defense capabilities and support Ukraine. Professor Lawrence Freedman joins Thanos Davelis as we break down whether Europe is in a position to support Ukraine without Washington, and look into the broader lessons from the war in Ukraine.
Lawrence Freedman is an emeritus professor of War Studies at King’s College London, the author of Command: The Politics of Military Operations From Korea to Ukraine, and a co-author of the Substack Comment Is Freed.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
As Trump Wavers, Europe Is More Optimistic About Defending Ukraine
Russia Launches Biggest Drone Assault of the War, Ukraine Says
The Age of Forever Wars: Why Military Strategy No Longer Delivers Victory
Growing Conflict and Uncertain Alliances: On the Future of European Security
Mitsotakis visits Odessa on Wednesday
American AI powerhouse eyes Cyprus
Kathimerini featured a story recently on the Cyclades, specifically sounding the alarm over what some are calling the “Disneyfication” of the islands amid unchecked tourism and construction. This is an issue that has been at the forefront of discussions over the past years when talking about striking a balance between sustainability and tourism in Greece, and the Sustainable Cyclades project has been a key part of this debate. Yannis Palaiologos, a journalist at large with Kathimerini and the co-editor of the Sustainable Cyclades project, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into this issue just as the tourism season kicks off in Greece.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
‘Disneyfication’ looms as nature on islands dwindles
Οι «Βιώσιμες Κυκλάδες» & το συντηρητικό ένστικτο
Macron links ocean protection to national sovereignty, voices support for Greece, Cyprus
Looking for new approach towards Libya
At the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens last year, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that Greece would create two marine parks that would raise the extent of Greece’s marine protected areas to 30 percent. Last year’s announcement also led to objections from Turkey, adding a geopolitical angle to this discussion. Now, reports indicate Greece is about to pass legislation to make this a reality. John Psaropoulos joins Thanos Davelis as we break down what this could mean for Greece’s delicate marine areas, while looking at how Turkey’s objections are complicating this story.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece poised to make marine parks a reality
Plans afoot for an Erdogan trip to the White House
“The right time is coming and it will come soon,” vows Greek Foreign Minister regarding Crete-Cyprus power link
As Europe faces increasing pressure over access to fresh water, the problem has become particularly acute in Greece. Reports indicate that Athens and the Attica region will face a water crisis in the coming years under current climate conditions, while the spotlight is increasingly on how to preserve and manage water resources across the country. In addition, this challenge has taken on a European dimension, as the continent grapples with similar questions and the EU unveils a new water resilience strategy. Giorgos Lialios, a journalist at Kathimerini covering issues related to the environment, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into the looming water crisis facing Greece.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
EU warns Greece over lack of water strategy
Satellite images reveal significant decline in Lake Mornos water levels
The EU's water crisis by the numbers
5 mayors are suspended from duty as authorities expand the crackdown on Turkey’s opposition
EU conjures up surprise law to govern use of ocean resources
Reports that Eastern Libya's parliament is considering endorsing the 2019 maritime agreement between Turkey and the Tripoli-based government in Libya that attempted to split the eastern Mediterranean between the two - and at the expense of neighboring countries - is sounding the alarm in Greece and Egypt. Sean Mathews, a journalist for the Middle East Eye covering the Middle East, North Africa and the Balkans, joins Thanos Davelis as we look at why the Turkey-Libya deal is back in the headlines, and examine what a decision to endorse it in eastern Libya would mean for Greece, Egypt, and the East Med.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Exclusive: Greece to lobby Egypt against Haftar endorsing Turkey-Libya maritime deal
EU warns Greece over lack of water strategy
Athens, Cairo back at the table over ancient monastery status
Last week a $7 billion energy deal involving the United States, Turkey and Qatar, was signed in Damascus, a move designed to revive Syria's crippled power sector. The move raises questions about Qatar and Turkey’s role in post-Assad Syria and about the Trump administration’s Syria policy. The move also comes as Turkey’s President Erdogan is continuing his crackdown on opposition voices. Henri Barkey, a Professor of International Relations at Lehigh University and an Adjunct Senior Fellow for Middle East Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into Washington’s green-lighting of Turkey and Qatar’s embrace of Syria, and look at how this could impact Erdogan at home.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey's big Syria play: Rebuild, but only if Gulf can pay for it
Turkey and Qatar Are Buying Into Syria. The US Should Be Wary of Their Motives
The End of Erdogan
Fresh hope for Europe’s largest wooden building, a Greek Orthodox orphanage
Libyan House reportedly looks to ratify Turkey maritime deal
From the “Vertical Gas Corridor” to projects in the Eastern Mediterranean, Greece is stepping up its efforts on the energy front. This is placing it at the heart of exciting new developments that will link the East Med with Central Europe and even Ukraine, while drawing the attention of US energy giants like Exxon Mobil and Chevron. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down some of the latest developments on the energy front, and look at what they mean for Greece and its partners in the region.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece on the regional energy map
Greece an ‘ideal connector’ in the IMEC corridor
Gas to flow from Greece to Slovakia, Ukraine
Greek delegation heads to Egypt amid controversy
Ankara eyeing Aegean in new exercise
A recent court ruling in Egypt has sounded alarm bells in Athens and around the world as it seems to put the status of St. Catherine’s monastery in Sinai, a UNESCO world heritage site, at risk. This has prompted reactions at the highest levels, with Prime Minister Mitsotakis speaking with his Egyptian counterpart and emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the monastery’s status as a Greek Orthodox place of pilgrimage. Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou joins Thanos Davelis as we break down what’s at stake for St. Catherine’s monastery and why it matters as we look at the broader state of international religious freedom in the region.
Dr. Prodromou is a former Vice Chair and Commissioner on the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, visiting professor in the International Studies Program at Boston College, and was a member of the US Secretary of State’s Religion & Foreign Policy Working Group.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Sisi reaffirms Egypt’s commitment to status of Sinai monastery in call with Mitsotakis
Historic Sinai settlement never signed
A bolt out of the blue on Mt Sinai
Turkish authorities order detention of dozens of opposition officials in widening crackdown
Turkey arrests dozens including opposition party members
Gas to flow from Greece to Slovakia, Ukraine
The US and the EU seem to have agreed to speed up trade talks after President Trump issued and then postponed a 50 percent tariff threat. While many European leaders welcomed this move, it’s still unclear whether Washington and Brussels can bridge the divide between them. Max Bergmann, the director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and the Stuart Center in Euro-Atlantic and Northern European Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, joins Thanos Davelis as we explore whether a trade deal between the EU and the US is in the cards, and look into the deeper questions this looming trade war raises about the transatlantic relationship.
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A big, beautiful EU trade deal with Trump? Dream on!
E.U. says it will fast-track tariff talks with U.S. after Trump threat
Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs halted by Court of International Trade
Foreign Ministry reacts to Egyptian court decision on Sinai monastery
Turkish nationals appear in Greek court after shooting incident with police in Thessaloniki
This week Turkey’s President Erdogan said he was putting together a team to draft a new constitution, a move that comes in the wake of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s arrest. Many critics see this push for a new constitution as a power play designed to allow Erdogan to remain in power beyond 2028, when his current term ends. Sinan Ciddi, a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and an expert on Turkish politics, joins Thanos Davelis to look into what’s at stake for Turkish democracy and why it matters for the US and Europe.
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A Turkey With No Elections?
Turkey’s Erdogan appoints legal team to draft new constitution, sparking fears of extended rule
India turns its gaze to Cyprus as gateway to Europe and the Middle East
Gov’t drafts tougher law for rejected asylum seekers, Mitsotakis says
Reports indicate that President Trump and members of his administration are looking for ways to circumvent or lift CAATSA sanctions and put arms sales, particularly of F-35 jets, back on the table with Turkey. They are coming up against a challenge that is significantly more complex than simply waiving sanctions. Lena Argiri, the DC correspondent for ERT - the Greek Public Broadcasting Company - and Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into why CAATSA may not be the real obstacle standing in the way of Turkey and the F-35s.
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CAATSA sanctions not the real obstacle between Turkey and the F-35 program
Turkey is not acting like a US ally, say AJC and HALC chiefs
Greece hooks up undersea power link to Crete that's key to Mediterranean expansion
Turkey’s Erdogan appoints legal team to draft new constitution, sparking fears of extended rule
There’s a new bipartisan bill - the Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act - that’s once again putting the spotlight on Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and their potential roles in IMEC, a project increasingly seen as the answer to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of HALC, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why this new legislation matters, look at how the East Med can play a unique role as the West turns toward addressing the challenges posed by China, and explore how Greece and Cyprus fit into this story.
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Initiative in US Congress seeks to establish EastMed as strategic hub within IMEC framework
Turkey is not acting like a US ally, say AJC and HALC chiefs
Desalination units arrive in Cyprus
India eyes strategic push in Greece
This week EU ambassadors agreed on a €150 billion defense lending scheme, Security Action For Europe, or SAFE. EU officials are calling this "an important step toward a stronger Europe." In a move that has raised eyebrows in Athens and Nicosia, the agreement allows for limited participation by third countries – including Turkey. Following the announcement, Prime Minister Mitsotakis called on Turkey to lift its 30 year threat of war against Greece if it wants access to EU defense funds. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis.
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EU defense fund clears key hurdle
Greece says Turkey must lift war threat to get access to EU defence funds
Panathinaikos and Olympiacos eye EuroLeague trophy in Abu Dhabi Final Four
Postecoglou becomes first Greek soccer coach to raise European cup
Greece doubles drone fleet and deploys record firefighters to tackle growing wildfire risk
Since before President Trump’s return to office, the focus in the US has been on China. As the Trump administration turns up the pressure on Beijing, this is also putting the spotlight on vital infrastructure - from the Panama canal to China’s Belt and Road initiative. This has the potential to impact Greece as well, given its close ties to the US, the investment China’s Cosco made in the port of Piraeus in the depths of the financial crisis, and its potential role in the IMEC corridor. Alexis Papachelas, the editor in chief of Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis as we explore how competition with China is reshaping the world, and break down what questions this raises for Greece.
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Greece and the new cold war
US has its eye on Greek ports
US to appoint Turkey ambassador Thomas Barrack as special envoy for Syria, sources tell Reuters
Greece’s top diplomat calls war in Gaza a ‘nightmare’
The conflict between Pakistan and India has put Turkey’s arms industry in the spotlight, exposing the limits of its much lauded drones and raising questions about whether Turkey’s arms industry is a loser in this latest round of conflict. Michael Rubin, the director of policy analysis at the Middle East Forum and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into the Turkey angle to the Pakistan-India conflict, and dig into what developments on the ground tell us about Ankara’s arms industry and Erdogan’s ambitions to position Turkey as a military export power.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Is Turkey’s Arms Industry a Loser in the India-Pakistan War?
Mitsotakis highlights Greece’s commitment to maritime security in UN speech
Greece an ‘ideal connector’ in the IMEC corridor
A recent map published by the EU’s Copernicus program is sounding the alarm ahead of wildfire season showing drought conditions and risk assessments across Europe. This is particularly alarming for southern European countries like Greece, which has seen devastating wildfires in recent years. Nikos Efstathiou, an independent journalist who is studying wildfires and how the media reports on them at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism in Oxford, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down the latest data, the lessons learned from previous wildfires in Greece, and explore why the way we cover wildfires in the media matters.
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Current drought situation in Europe
Athens seeks to curb Turkey’s role in European defense industry
Greek PM marks Pontic Genocide remembrance day
A decision earlier this year by authorities in the occupied northern part of Cyprus to allow headscarves in schools has led to mass protests against what many see as President Erdogan’s increasing authoritarianism and a creeping Islamification from Ankara. The protests also touch on broader issues, with Turkish Cypriots expressing concerns about money laundering, crime, and a wider Russian and Iranian presence. Nektaria Stamouli, the deputy editor in chief of Kathimerini's English Edition and Politico's Eastern Mediterranean correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to break down this protest movement and look at what it says about where Turkish Cypriots stand vis-a-vis Erdogan.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkish Cypriots resist creeping Islamification
Erdogan says US CAATSA sanctions on Turkey defense sector easing under Trump
Greece takes legal action over drone show advertising Adidas near Acropolis
Outrage in Greece after Adidas advert shows drone shoe ‘kicking’ Acropolis
Albania’s long-time Prime Minister Edi Rama secured an unprecedented fourth consecutive term in Sunday's election, winning a comfortable majority. This win came on the back of a wave of pro-EU sentiment among voters, as Rama made securing EU membership for Albania a key part of his campaign. Rama was also bolstered by a strong network he has built up over 12 years in power. John Psaropoulos joins Thanos Davelis as we look into Albania’s election, its EU ambitions, and what the re-election of Rama means for Greek-Albanian relations.
John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist and Al Jazeera's correspondent in southeast Europe. He publishes Hellenica, a weekly deep dive into Greek current affairs and history. You can find it on Substack.com.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Rama trounces MAGA-linked opponents to secure historic 4th term in Albania
Albania's Rama wins historic fourth term, opposition says vote stolen
Ministers of Greece, Israel, and Cyprus invite US to join next 3+1 meeting
EU’s Costa calls on North Macedonia to change constitution over impasse with Bulgaria
In a move that took many by surprise, President Trump announced this week that the United States will lift long-standing sanctions on Syria. The decision represents a sea change for Syrians, as UN figures estimate that nine out of ten Syrians live in poverty. This move was also something countries like Saudi Arabia and Turkey had been calling for, with Turkish President Erdogan reportedly raising the issue in calls with President Trump. Steven Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Trump says US to lift Syria sanctions, secures $600 billion Saudi deal
Trump’s Middle East trip makes it a big week for Turkey’s Erdogan
Fresh momentum seen in Washington for lifting sanctions on Turkey
European Commission appoints Johannes Hahn as Special Envoy for Cyprus
Cyprus hails new EU envoy
US gets back to EU on trade war ― hinting at Trump’s willingness to find a deal
On Monday the Kurdistan Workers’ party, or the PKK, made a historic announcement that it would disband, ending its four-decade-long armed campaign against the Turkish state. The move comes amid a new push to end this conflict, which has claimed more than 40,000 lives and spilled over into Syria and Iraq. Alan Makovsky, a senior fellow for the Center for American Progress and a former senior staffer with responsibility for Turkey on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down whether this really marks a turning point for Turkey and the Kurds’ struggle for political and cultural rights.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
PKK ends 40-year war against Turkey, vows to pursue Kurdish rights
Is Turkey’s four-decade Kurdish insurgency coming to an end?
German, Greek PMs stay tough on migration
Cyprus says Syria will take back citizens trying to reach the Mediterranean island by boat
Since President Trump stepped back into office, and amid escalating competition with China, it looks like one project we’ve been hearing more and more about is the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor - or IMEC. This is reflected in comments from President Trump, in diplomatic moves we’re seeing in the wider region from Greece to India, and most recently in Congress, where a new legislative initiative is looking to establish the East Med as a strategic hub within the framework of IMEC. George Dikaios, who has been tracking developments related to IMEC, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into why this project is significant and what it could mean for Greece.
George Dikaios is an adjunct lecturer and a researcher at the Department of Ports Management and Shipping at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and a Senior Research Fellow at the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP).
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Connecting Opportunities: Greece’s Strategic Role in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor
Kurdish group PKK says it is laying down arms and disbanding
Kurdish Insurgent Group Says It Is Ending Conflict With Turkish State
Italy commits €360 mln to Greek trains
From a recent decision in a German court that could pave the way for migrants to be deported back to Greece to a labor shortage ahead of the critical tourism season, migration issues look to be back on the table. This is also the case at the European level, where the EU has gotten tougher on deportations over the past months amid wider concerns about the populist far-right. Angeliki Dimitriadi, an independent researcher and expert on migration, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down how these developments impact Greece.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece says it won't accept refugee returns from Germany
German ruling opens door to Greece deportations
Migrant return rules get tougher
Greece’s booming tourism sector in race to find workers as summer season looms
Albania votes as PM Rama seeks fourth term, promising EU integration
Albanian election result unclear after broadcasters withhold exit polls
Mitsotakis and Meloni face key issues
Friedrich Merz officially became Chancellor of Germany this week, but only after two rounds of voting in the Bundestag - a first for a new chancellor in postwar German history. His initial failure to clinch the position raises concerns about his leadership, and has Europeans asking whether Germany under Merz can step back into its traditional European leadership role. Katja Hoyer, a historian, journalist and author of Beyond the Wall: A History of East Germany, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down whether Merz is emerging weakened out of the gate, and look into what this means for Europe.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
A Very Rough Start for Germany's New Chancellor Merz
Merz is weakened from Day 1. Europe will pay the price.
Friedrich Merz becomes Germany’s chancellor—after a painful defeat
France and Germany to set up joint security council
US lawmakers sound alarm over Turkey’s aggressive behavior, urge Trump to confront Erdogan
EU sets out possible 95-billion-euro response to US tariffs
Since the pandemic we’ve seen the Greek government step in to tackle low wages, raising the minimum wage from €650 in 2019 to the latest announcement in early April bringing the gross wage up to €880. These steps come amid both a cost of living crisis and a labor shortage ahead of the summer in the tourism industry, but also other key sectors like agriculture and construction. Yannis Mouzakis, the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into the story of Greek wages, breaking down why this remains a big challenge for the government.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Minimum wage increase crashes against reality of Greeks' low purchasing power
Greece and Egypt sign strategic partnership agreement in Athens
European Parliament maintains block on restarting Turkey accession talks
On Tuesday President Trump said that the US would stop attacking the Houthis in Yemen because the group had "capitulated", adding that the Houthis had pledged to stop attacking ships in the Red Sea. This move comes after pressure from both regional players like Saudi Arabia - which President Trump is planning to visit - and from within the MAGA camp. Sean Mathews, a journalist for the Middle East Eye covering the Middle East, North Africa and the Balkans, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into this announcement and break down what it means for the wider region - including Greece.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Exclusive: Saudi Arabia pressed Trump to stop attacks on Yemen ahead of visit
Trump says the US will stop bombing Yemen’s Houthis after rebels say they’ll stop targeting ships
Greece aims to boost domestic defense industry’s role, Dendias says
Greece leverages defense spending to underscore US alignment
Merz's messy path to power raises questions for future government
Merz is weakened from Day 1. Europe will pay the price.
President Trump said that he had a "very good and productive" call with Turkish President Erdogan, adding that Erdogan had invited him to Turkey and that he would also be coming to Washington. The call comes in the wake of a new crackdown on dissent in Turkey following the arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, amid speculation that Turkey could send its Russian S-400 missiles to Syria, and as Israel and Turkey are increasingly at odds over Syria. Henri Barkey, an adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and the Cohen chair in international relations at Lehigh University, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into Trump and Erdogan’s call and the wider messages it sends.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Trump says he had a productive call with Turkey's Erdogan, visits planned
EU to set out plans to halt Russian gas imports by end-2027
Greece’s booming tourism sector in race to find workers as summer season looms
While visiting the Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus this weekend, Turkish President Erdogan said that his country’s presence on the island will continue for centuries, adding that “whoever doesn’t know this must learn it.” Erdogan’s speech drew a swift response from Greece, and comes as the UN is looking to restart talks on the Cyprus issue. At the same time, Athens is looking to resume work on the Great Sea Interconnector that will link its electricity grid with Cyprus and eventually Israel. This could once again test Greek-Turkish relations as Ankara has tried to block this project in the past. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis from Athens.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Athens decries Erdogan’s remarks from Cyprus’ Turkish-occupied north
Erdogan: Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus will last ‘for centuries’
Athens and Sofia seal deal over river access
Cyprus and Israel reach agreement on IMEC electrical interconnection and natural gas development
A Congressional hearing organized by Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission this week titled “Human Rights in Azerbaijan since the COP 29 UN Climate Change Conference” put the spotlight on Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing of Nagorno Karabakh - or Artsakh - and issues such as securing the release of Armenian hostages illegally held by Baku. The hearing came days after the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. Aram Hamparian, the Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into this hearing, and break down what steps the US can take to hold Azerbaijan accountable.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Rep. Chris Smith Leads Capitol Hill Hearing Spotlighting Azerbaijan’s Genocide of Artsakh; Armenian Prisoners
Trump goes mum on 'Armenian genocide' after Biden recognition
Greece and Cyprus among countries helping Israel battle major wildfire
US and Cyprus deepen defense ties through upcoming high-level talks
In January of 1996 Greece and Turkey came close to conflict when the Imia crisis erupted. The US played a critical role in preventing a military escalation through Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke, and the US ambassadors in Athens and Ankara. Thomas Niles, the US ambassador in Athens at the time who passed away this week, spoke openly about the crisis in the years that followed, noting that the US had made a “big mistake” in not taking a position on Greek sovereignty in the Aegean. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition, joins Thanos Davelis as we look back at the Imia crisis of 1996, the US role in preventing a military confrontation, and its lasting legacy today.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Thomas Niles, US envoy during Imia crisis, dies at 85
Stournaras: Crisis may be Europe’s chance
U.S. Announces Deal to Share Ukraine’s Mineral Wealth
US and Ukraine sign agreement creating investment fund after months of negotiations
The struggle of many Greeks who were sent abroad as children for adoption in the aftermath of the Greek Civil War and the decades that followed is finally coming to an end as the Greek government is now paving the way for them to regain their Greek citizenship. Professor Gonda van Steen, the Koraes Chair at the Centre for Hellenic Studies and Department of Classics at King’s College London and author of the book Adoption, Memory, and Cold War Greece: Kid pro quo?, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into the story of the Greek adoptees and their long and difficult homecoming.
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A long and difficult homecoming
Greece requests EU exemption for 2026 defense spending boost
Greek FM highlights Ukraine support, regional ties at Three Seas Summit
One of the legacies Pope Francis leaves behind is his commitment to climate action and the environment, a legacy Catholic activists around the world are maintaining. What many people do not realize is that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, often called the green Patriarch, played a key role in bringing this movement into existence. Bruce Clark, a journalist, author, and commentator on international affairs, religion, and history, joins Thanos Davelis to explore the story of how the green Patriarch led to a green Pope, and look into the close friendship shared by Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Francis.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
How a green patriarch led to a green pope
Pope Francis, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew shared deep bond
PM Mitsotakis unveils railway safety bill following Tempe tragedy
Greece to install train control systems by September in reform after deadly 2023 crash
Greece, Turkey to continue talking in May
Since SYRIZA’s collapse in the 2023 national elections, the focus has been on who can lead the opposition. PASOK is the official opposition in parliament, but now another party is stepping into second place in the polls - the anti-establishment left wing Course of Freedom led by Zoe Konstantopoulou. Nektaria Stamouli, the deputy editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition and Politico’s Eastern Mediterranean correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into the rise of Zoe Konstantopoulou in the polls and Greece’s shifting political landscape.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
The (near) one-woman show courting Greek voters
Zoe Konstantopoulou’s rise and the shifting political landscape
Tempe train crash back to the fore
German ruling opens door to Greece deportations
France supports Greece-Cyprus energy link
In a surprise move after the Easter break, Prime Minister Mitsotakis announced 1 billion euros in benefits. This followed the release of data showing Greece had secured a budget surplus of 1.3 percent. The announcement is also putting a spotlight on Greece’s politics, with many asking if Mitsotakis is charting a course for a third term with this move. Nick Malkoutzis, the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into Greece’s standout fiscal performance, discuss this latest support package, and break down how it ties into Greece’s politics.
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Greece announces 1 billion euros in financial benefits after posting 1.3% budget surplus
PM charts course to third term with promises of more handouts
Trump avoids labeling Armenian mass killings as ‘genocide’
UAE offers free-of-charge portable desalination plants to cover arid Cyprus’ summer water needs
Germany’s parliament blocked the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Turkey earlier this month. This decision follows the arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, and comes amid reports that Turkey is pressing the US to lift CAATSA sanctions and sell it F-35s. Sinan Ciddi, a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and an expert on Turkish politics, and Bradley Bowman, senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at FDD, join Thanos Davelis as we break down why Germany’s move is significant and whether it should serve as an example to the Trump administration.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
‘Attack on Democracy’: Germany Blocks Eurofighter Sale to Turkey for Imprisoning Opposition Leader
Time For a New Policy Toward Erdogan
FinMin sends message of recovery from IMF Spring Meetings
Greece announces 1 billion euros in financial benefits after posting 1.3% budget surplus
Earlier this month we saw Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan - Central Asian countries that are also members of the Organization of Turkic States - pledge their support for Cyprus’ sovereignty. The move followed a meeting with top EU officials in Samarkand, and saw Turkish media describe it as a blow for Turkey. Harris Georgiades, the Chairman of the Foreign and European Affairs Committee of Cyprus’ Parliament, Chairman of the “Clerides Institute” and a former Minister of Finance, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down why this is an important diplomatic win, effectively halting Ankara’s efforts to use those states as a vehicle for recognition of the occupied northern part of Cyprus.
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Central Asian states send envoys to Cyprus, accept UN resolutions on occupied north
Banks discovering Greek startups
Greek leaders mourn Pope Francis, praise his moral leadership
Pope Francis, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew shared deep bond
As Greece prepares for another hectic tourism season, it’s not just the popular island destinations that are bracing for the arrival of travelers from around the world. Over the past years, however, we’ve seen almost every region of Greece turn to tourism, a shift experts highlight is unique across the European Union. This trend of touristification - at the expense of other industries - raises concerns about the sustainability of Greece’s tourism model. Alexia Kalaitzi, an award-winning journalist and features reporter for Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into this touristification phenomenon taking shape across Greece.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Τουριστικοποίηση: Πρωταθλήτρια Ευρώπης η Ελλάδα
‘Attack on Democracy’: Germany Blocks Eurofighter Sale to Turkey for Imprisoning Opposition Leader
US lawmakers against Turkish plans to transfer S-400 to Syria
Since Turkish President Erdogan arrested Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, the country has been rocked by protests and political uncertainty. In the meantime, the main opposition is looking to keep up the pressure on Erdogan and translate anger over Imamoglu’s arrest into a cause that resonates broadly with voters. Dr. Lisel Hintz, Assistant Professor of International Relations at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies and an expert on Turkey, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how Imamoglu’s arrest continues to impact Turkish politics, and break down why Turkey’s democratic future matters beyond its own borders.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
How Turkey’s opposition plans to take on Erdoğan
Turkish court rejects appeal to release Imamoglu as protests persist
Why Turkey’s democratic future matters for the world
Greece declares EEZ in Ionian Sea after unveiling maritime spatial plan
''This isn’t about headscarves, it’s about who we are''
For five months Serbs have been taking to the streets, resulting in an unprecedented anti-corruption protest movement. The movement’s sustained momentum has put longtime Serbian President Alexandar Vucic under pressure, and has seen him step up efforts to quash the protests. Professor James Ker-Lindsay, who has worked extensively on the EU, the Balkans and Southeast Europe, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into why Serbs have taken to the streets over the past months, what this means for President Vucic, and the broader spillover effect these protests could have on the region.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Serbia’s unfinished revolution
Serbia's president issues threats to silence student protests
EU confronts Vučić as protests rage in Serbia
ECB cuts rates on weak growth, markets bet on more easing
F-16 upgrade negotiations with the US continue as key differences persist
For over two decades Turkey’s President Erdogan has endured a number of challenges to his power - from court corruption investigations and close elections to a failed coup in 2016 - and has emerged more powerful. The decision to arrest Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and Turkey’s assertive presence in Syria are Erdogan’s latest gambles. Ryan Gingeras, a professor in the Department of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and an expert on Turkish, Balkan, and Middle East history, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down whether this could be Erdogan’s last great gamble.
The views expressed in this interview do not reflect the views of the US government.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Erdogan’s last great gamble
Gerapetritis highlights importance of maritime spatial plan
Greece finalizes marine spatial planning, releases official map
Frontex: Illegal crossings into Europe down one third in a year
From tariffs to Greenland, Ukraine and European security, it seems Europeans have been left guessing when it comes to what President Trump wants. This is spurring Europe into action, as EU states look to America-proof their defense and security in the face of Russia’s continued aggression in Ukraine. Shashank Joshi, defense editor at The Economist, joins Thanos Davelis as we explore what this lack of clarity from Washington means for Europe, and break down Europe’s response - particularly on the defense front.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Europe cannot fathom what Trumpian America wants from it
Trump May Blow Up U.S. Defense Sales to Europe
Europe’s armsmakers have ramped up capacity
Europe should buy from Ukraine’s defence industry
How Turkey’s opposition plans to take on Erdoğan
President unveils ''Brain Gain'' campaign
In an exclusive with Reuters, Greek officials said the country plans to pay off loans granted under the first of three debt-crisis bailouts by 2031, ten years ahead of schedule. This marks yet another milestone in the country’s economic comeback, putting Greece on track to lose the label of the most indebted country in the EU. Yannis Palaiologos, a correspondent-at-large for Kathimerini and the author of “The Thirteenth Labour of Hercules”, a book on the Greek crisis, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into this latest story, and see how it fits into the broader picture of Greece’s economic comeback.
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Exclusive: Greece to repay first bailout loans by 2031, 10 years early
Trump Has Added Risk to the Surest Bet in Global Finance
Closer French-Greek defense ties seen
Central Asian states send envoys to Cyprus, accept UN resolutions on occupied north
Early this year American energy giant Chevron expressed interest in exploring for hydrocarbons in Greek waters off the coast of the Peloponnese. Just a few weeks ago, it expressed new interest in areas south of Crete. This vote of confidence is not only raising questions about what potential discoveries could mean for Greece and Europe, but are also delivering an important win for international law as they essentially “kill” the illegal Turkish-Libyan accord. John Psaropoulos joins Thanos Davelis as we look into why energy giants like Chevron and Exxon are looking at Greece, and break down why Chevron’s moves south of Crete are a victory for international law.
John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist and Al Jazeera's correspondent in southeast Europe. He also publishes Hellenica, a weekly deep dive into Greek current affairs and history that you can find on Substack.com.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Gas interest off Crete kills Turkish-Libyan accord EU once denounced as “illegal"
Greece to repay first bailout loans by 2031, 10 years early
Erdogan's main rival in Turkey makes first court appearance since arrest
As countries in the Eastern Mediterranean - particularly Greece, Cyprus, and Israel - deepen their ties, they are also faced with the challenges posed by malign actors across the region. This includes countries like Russia, Iran, and Turkey, but also non-state actors like Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis in the Red Sea. Jonathan Spyer, director of research at the Middle East Forum and a contributor to the Jerusalem Post, the Wall Street Journal and The Australian, joins Thanos Davelis as we explore these security challenges and look at how East Med countries can work together to address them.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
No One Should Be Surprised About the Syrian Massacres
Turkey, Israel have begun talks to avoid clashes in Syria, sources say
High-stakes poker over energy link
PM: ‘A trade war only produces losers’
Since the discovery of natural gas almost 15 years ago in the Eastern Mediterranean, we’ve seen this region come together in unexpected ways. Ties have expanded beyond Greece, Cyprus and Israel to include a number of Middle East countries, the US, and the EU, and have moved well beyond energy into the security realm as well. Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, and Gregg Roman, executive director of the Middle East Forum, join Thanos Davelis to look at how East Med diplomacy is transforming the security landscape of the region.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Trump reacts to Mitsotakis interview: ‘I appreciate his comments’
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis: Europe Can Find ‘Win-Win Solution’ with President Trump on Trade that Is ‘Mutually Beneficial’
‘No room for complacency’ in wildfire strategy
Since stepping into office, President Trump has shown a willingness to fracture the trans-Atlantic alliance with his tariffs and demands for higher military spending. While tariffs top the agenda, we’ve also seen President Trump wade into European politics, weighing in on Marine Le Pen’s conviction in France. Steven Erlanger, the chief diplomatic correspondent for The New York Times covering Europe, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the challenges these tariffs present for Europe and the transatlantic partnership, look into the Le Pen conviction, and explore the links between the European right and the MAGA movement.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
The Predatory Friend: Trump Treats Europe as Anything but an Ally
Trump Weighs In, Making Marine Le Pen’s Case Part of the Politics of Grievance
‘FREE MARINE LE PEN!’ Trump lodges defense of convicted French far-right icon
Flights and ferries halted in Greece as unions call general strike
Erdogan says opposition seeking to obstruct Istanbul mayor probe
Last week President Trump’s announcement of global tariffs on both allies and adversaries went beyond most predictions, and we’ve seen experts talk about a US declaration of economic war on the world, while others warn of economic havoc, recession, and fears of a sharp global economic slowdown. Matthew Goodman, the director of the Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into the message these tariffs - which have been called the biggest break in America’s trade policy in over a century - send around the world.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Trump’s Tariffs Are Latest Sign of His Second-Term Appetite for Risk
President Trump’s mindless tariffs will cause economic havoc
Markets Swing Wildly as Trump Holds His Ground on Tariff Plan
IMF praises Greek economy’s momentum, warns of inflation risks
EU says it prefers negotiations, but proposes first tariffs on US imports
Europe Gears Up to Make Its First Countermove to Trump Tariffs
Israel stepped up airstrikes on Syria last week, declaring the attacks a warning to the new Islamist rulers in Damascus. At the same time, it accused Turkey of trying to turn Syria - given its influence with the new interim government - into a Turkish protectorate. These strikes came days after Turkish President Erdogan reportedly called for the destruction of Israel, and ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the White House. Jonathan Schanzer, the executive director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into the growing tensions between Israel and Turkey.
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Israel steps up Syria strikes, says Turkey aims for 'protectorate'
Echoing Hamas, Erdogan reportedly calls for Israel's destruction amid push to rekindle ties with Trump
Trump and Netanyahu will meet again Monday on Gaza, tariffs and more
Sparks could fly over power cable
EU seeks unity in first strike back at Trump tariffs
President Trump announced sweeping tariffs this week, targeting both allies and adversaries. Europe was obviously not spared from these measures. Greek exporters are also preparing for the fallout from these tariffs, which come as the US market has grown in importance for Greek products like wine, feta, olive oil, cement, and aluminum over the past few years. Dimitra Manifava, a journalist with Kathimerini covering business stories and the economy, joins Thanos Davelis to look into what these tariffs could mean for Greek exports.
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Greece braces for double whammy from Trump tariffs
US tariffs worry Greece, too
Greek feta producers fret over exports after US tariffs
Israel steps up Syria strikes, says Turkey aims for 'protectorate'
As Unexplained Quakes Ease, Tourist Island Insists It’s Open for Business
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis just announced Greece will allocate €25 billion as part of a 12-year defense strategy that is going to be transformative for the country’s armed forces. The plan is forward looking, focusing on the integration of advanced defense technologies and the active participation of the Greek defense industry in all defense programs. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ vision for the Greek armed forces in the 21st century.
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Greece plans €25 billion defense overhaul with new strategy
Cypriot leaders agree to form Bicommunal Youth Technical Committee
Rival leaders of split Cyprus make inroads to work together but rift remains
Turkey denounces opposition calls for a day of no shopping
As Europeans look to boost their security and defense capabilities, there’s an ongoing debate about including Turkey in this discussion. This is raising a number of moral and strategic concerns, especially given the recent arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and Turkey’s ties to Russia. Ambassador Marc Pierini, a senior fellow at Carnegie Europe and former EU ambassador to Turkey, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why including Ankara in any future plans on European security could prove deeply problematic.
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Turkey’s Ambivalence Is a Threat to European Security
Greece unveils 12-year defense plan
Severe storms batter Greek islands for a second day, with Crete hardest hit
Europe’s race to secure critical minerals and break its dependence on China has put the spotlight on Greece after the bloc announced a list of strategic projects that include a Greek aluminum plant that will soon extract gallium - a critical metal used in everything from advanced semiconductors to military radar systems. Alexandra Voudouri, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down how Greece can play a crucial role in this race for critical minerals.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Europe races to secure critical minerals as global supply tensions mount
Commission selects 47 Strategic Projects to secure and diversify access to raw materials in the EU
Greece and US officials discuss Chevron’s interest in offshore hydrocarbon exploration blocks
Erdogan brings Greece and Israel closer
As we entered 2025, there was a sense of cautious optimism about Syria. With Assad gone, many hoped the country could finally begin to turn a page. Instead, earlier this month over 1,000 civilians were killed in an outburst of sectarian violence prompting global concern. This concern is especially acute among Syria’s religious and ethnic minorities. With Syria standing at a pivotal moment, Nadine Maenza joins Thanos Davelis to highlight how lasting peace and stability can only be achieved through genuine inclusion and equal citizenship for all Syrians.
Nadine Maenza is the President of the IRF Secretariat, an international organization focused on building infrastructure to support the religious freedom movement globally. She also serves as a Global Fellow at the Wilson Center, and previously served as chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Syria at a Crossroad: After Mass Killings, Can They Build a Just and Inclusive Future?
Great Sea Interconnector moves ahead
Southern Europe rebuffs von der Leyen’s debt-based defense plan
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio just hosted his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Washington this week, a move that came days after the arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and after reports that Turkish President Erdogan is pressing President Trump to lift CAATSA sanctions and sell Turkey F-35s. Sinan Ciddi, a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and an expert on Turkish politics, joins Thanos Davelis to look into Rubio’s meeting with Fidan and discuss his latest piece in The Hill breaking down why the White House should send a clear message to Erdogan that readmission to the F-35 program will come at a high cost.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey’s readmission to the F-35 program must come with a cost
Cyprus receives FBI report on measures to tackle financial crime and sanctions evasion
Greece’s Metlen sees gallium production at 50 T in 2028, enough to cover EU needs
Greek independence day was once again celebrated in the White House this year, carrying on a tradition that goes back decades and spans multiple presidencies. This undoubtedly puts the Greek-American story in the spotlight, and that’s the story we want to dig into today. Professor Alexander Kitroeff joins Thanos Davelis as we look beyond this White House event to the Greek-American experience as a whole, from the early immigrants who arrived looking for opportunity to the new challenges the community faces today.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
President Trump hosts Greek Independence Day celebration: ‘The legacy of the Greeks is all around us’
Turkey's opposition leader vows protests will continue 'in every city'
Chevron interest bolsters Greek offshore push
The first couple months of the Trump administration have shocked Europe, with Washington’s moves on Ukraine, its statements on European defense, and tariffs taking center stage. As Europe recovers from the shock, it’s looking to adapt to this new reality. Where does this leave countries like Greece, and what can Greece bring to the table both when it comes to European defense and security, but also in the bilateral relationship with Washington? Constantinos Filis, the director of the Institute of Global Affairs and a professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into this question.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece’s geopolitical advantages
Turkey-US: Rubio ‘appreciative’ but also critical of Turkey
Mitsotakis’ Independence Day message focuses on unity and economic strength
The ongoing protests in Turkey following the arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu have led to not only arrests of demonstrators and journalists, but also a rout in Turkey’s currency and stock market. As Turkish President Erdogan tries to manage the fallout from Imamoglu’s arrest, many are asking whether this decision to move against his main political rival is looking like his biggest strategic mistake yet. Wolfango Piccoli, the co-founder of risk analysis company Teneo, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into the wider fallout from Imamoglu’s arrest.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Erdogan calls Turkey protests 'evil' as unrest continues
As protests over Imamoglu arrest rock Turkey, what's next for Erdogan?
Turkey scrambles to stop financial rout
President Trump hosts Greek Independence Day celebration- ‘The legacy of the Greeks is all around us’
Cyprus gets credit rating boost: What it means for the economy
For over four years, Turkey was unable to get the Biden administration to lift CAATSA sanctions. Now, as we are seeing in various reports, this issue is back on the table following a call between President Trump and President Erdogan last week. Aside from the lifting of sanctions, the biggest prize Erdogan reportedly was after in his call with Trump was the sale of F-35 fighter jets. This comes despite the fact that Turkey’s purchase of Russian S-400 missiles remains an unresolved issue. Lena Argiri, the DC correspondent for ERT - the Greek Public Broadcasting Company - and Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest scoop from Washington, DC.
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Potential upcoming developments regarding the lifting of CAATSA
Will Trump betray MAGA for Turkey’s Erdoğan?
Fierce protests in Turkey after Erdogan rival jailed
Greece’s ‘nouvelle vague’ sinks the Scots in Glasgow
Scotland relegated in Nations League as Karetsas leads Greece demolition job
Moody’s recently upgraded Greece to investment grade, becoming the last major ratings agency to do so since Greece emerged from its financial crisis in the 2010s. The Greek government welcomed the news, with former Finance Minister Kostis Hatzidakis saying the upgrade marks the end of “a major cycle” for Greece, while Prime Minister Mitsotakis reiterated that Greece is “fully committed to reforms that attract investment, create jobs, and drive sustainable growth.” Yiannis Mouzakis, the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr, a political and economic analysis site that focuses on Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what this decision means for Greece’s economy.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Moody’s upgrades Greece to investment grade on strong fiscal recovery and stability
Moody's upgrading Greece to investment grade puts an end to painful 15-year cycle
EU leaders vow to continue backing Ukraine, but make no concrete pledge
‘As real as it can get’: EU to loan €150bn for European defence from invasion
Greece extends by a year visas for Turkish nationals to visit islands
On Wednesday Turkish authorities detained Ekrem Imamoglu, the popular mayor of Istanbul and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s strongest political rival, a move that follows a wider crackdown on opposition figures over the past months. Imamoglu, who was preparing to assume the presidency of the CHP, the main opposition party, has said he will not back down. Henri Barkey, an adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and the Cohen chair in international relations at Lehigh University, joins Thanos Davelis to look into Imamoglu’s arrest, a move many see as bringing Turkey closer to endless Erdogan rule.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Istanbul mayor arrested days before likely presidential nomination
Erdogan rival arrested days before becoming presidential candidate
Turkey moves closer to endless Erdogan rule as biggest rival detained
Turkish Markets Sink Most in World as Erdogan Deepens Purge
Athens moving ahead with power link
Guterres announces new round of Cyprus talks in July
Progress by avoiding setbacks as Geneva talks keep Cyprus dialogue alive
For months Turkey’s President Erdogan has avoided wading into the latest peace process with Turkey’s Kurds and the PKK. Last week he broke his silence, saying he was prepared to meet with members of the country’s pro-Kurdish DEM Party who have played a key role in talks with Abdullah Ocalan. Amberin Zaman, Al-Monitor’s chief correspondent based in Paris and covering major stories on Turkey, the Middle East and North Africa, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what Erdogan's willingness to engage with Kurdish leaders means for this process.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey’s Erdogan says he's ready to meet with Kurds brokering peace with PKK
Turkey's Erdogan discusses Russia-Ukraine war, Syria in first official call with Trump
Erdoğan’s top rival detained, faces block to presidential candidacy
Turkey detains Erdogan's main rival on array of charges
Jake Sullivan: ‘We worked behind the scenes’
Last week on Thursday the foreign ministers of Greece, Cyprus and Israel met in Athens, a meeting that put their trilateral relationship back in the spotlight. This meeting also came as the region deals with important questions that range from the future of a post-Assad Syria to Washington’s commitment to European security. Dr. Gallia Lindenstrauss, a senior fellow at Israel's National Institute of Security Studies, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the challenges and opportunities for the trilateral partnership between Greece, Cyprus, and Israel in a shifting geopolitical environment.
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Backing for Greece-Cyprus power link
Athens weighing its strategic options
Turkey's Erdogan seeks meeting with Trump, Bloomberg News says
Turkey's Erdogan discusses Russia-Ukraine war, Syria in first official call with Trump
Mitsotakis pledges tax cuts and increased investments during Finance Ministry visit
Late last week Prime Minister Mitsotakis announced his broadest cabinet reshuffle yet in the wake of national protests over the handling of the Tempe train crash two years ago. As Mitsotakis looks to rebuild trust with voters, his cabinet is also becoming younger. The Prime Minister promoted several ministers in their 40s, emphasizing the need for younger leaders who can energize governance while delivering policy results. Niko Efstathiou, an Athens based journalist and author, joins Thanos Davelis as we look at Greece’s new cabinet, breaking down the message it sends to Greek voters.
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Greek PM tweaks cabinet after train crash protests
Greek Premier Reshuffles Cabinet After Train Crash Protests
Youth takes lead in new government lineup
Moody’s upgrades Greece to investment grade on strong fiscal recovery and stability
Moody’s upgrade significant for the Greek economy, says gov’t spox
Cyprus about to join US Visa Waiver
The past few months have rocked the Transatlantic relationship, as European leaders try to come to terms with a growing rift between Europe and the US that ranges from Ukraine to questions about America’s overall commitment to European defense and security. As the gap between Europe and America widens, this is also raising key questions in Greece, a key US ally and member of the EU. Ian Lesser, the vice president and Brussels chief of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what’s at stake for Europe, and look at how Greece can navigate this new reality, balancing its ties with the US and its European partners.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
US or EU? Does Greece need to choose?
Trump threatens tariffs on European wine and spirits in escalating trade war
Backing for Greece-Cyprus power link
A deal signed earlier this week by Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and the commander in chief of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazlum Kobane, is viewed by many as a turning point for Syria’s Kurds. It also comes amid escalating violence across Syria which has cast serious doubts over al-Sharaa’s ability to earn the trust of his people and govern. Steven Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Thanos Davelis to explore whether this deal is really a game changer for Syria and Syria’s Kurds, and break down the roles of outside forces - particularly the US and Turkey - in this story.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Syrian Kurds celebrate deal with Damascus as coastal residents remain wary after violence
Syria’s Kurds win big as Sharaa shakes hands with Kobane to save his own skin
Konstantinos Tasoulas to be sworn in as president Thursday
PM eyes major cabinet shake-up
The EU wants to increase deportations and supports ‘return hubs’ in third countries
Europe cracks down on migration. The far right is cheering.
Almost two years into his second term, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is now set to reboot his government, with announcements of a cabinet reshuffle expected later this week or early next week. The move comes after a string of national protests over the Tempe rail crash, and amid an uncertain geopolitical environment that is raising a number of questions across Europe. Nick Malkoutzis, the co-founder and editor of the economic and political analysis site Macropolis, joins Thanos Davelis to look into the challenges and opportunities for Prime Minister Mitsotakis as he looks to shake up his team.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
PM ponders reshuffle as PASOK mulls inability to make gains
Radical reshuffle or mere recycling?
After the Tempe clashes, what?
Kurdish-led SDF agrees to integrate with Syrian government forces
EU to impose counter tariffs on $28 billion of US goods
EU wields ‘sledgehammer’ against Trump tariffs
For many, the economic crisis that gripped Greece in the previous decade is over. However, its legacy is still there, and it goes well beyond the country’s economy. One such legacy is Greece’s birthrate, which was already declining, but the crisis accelerated its fall. As Greece faces a declining population, it also needs to ensure economic growth, and the question many are asking, including our guest today, is whether Greece can thrive with a shrinking population. John Psaropoulos joins Thanos Davelis as we look into Greece’s demographic challenge, one that Prime Minister Mitsotakis has called “existential”.
John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist and Al Jazeera's correspondent in southeast Europe. He publishes Hellenica, a weekly deep dive into Greek current affairs and history. You can find it on Substack.com.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Can Greece thrive with a shrinking population?
Mitsotakis to unveil 12-year, €28 billion defense armament program
Trump highlights Greece-Cyprus role in strategic trade corridor
Late last week a bipartisan group of lawmakers in the House of Representatives introduced a piece of legislation that would redesignate Turkey as a Near Eastern country at the State Department, rather than a European country. The legislation followed a hearing in the House on Turkey, where serious concerns about Turkey’s role as a US and NATO ally were expressed. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why this legislation on Turkey matters, especially given Ankara’s record that shows it is increasingly at odds with Western security interests.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Bipartisan legislation seeks to rein in Erdogan's Turkey over ties to US foes
Bridging the Gap: Turkey Between East and West
Rubio says Syria must hold accountable 'perpetrators of massacres'
Government seeks fresh start as social pressure mounts
Higher European defense budgets a first step, production needed, NATO’s Rutte says
Sectarian Killings Along Syria’s Coast Spiral Into Crisis for New Government
Syria’s Interim President Calls for Unity Amid Fresh Fighting
Turkey’s Erdogan has once again played up his country’s importance on the world stage - especially when it comes to defense issues - telling Europeans that their security is “unthinkable without Turkey.” These comments come despite Ankara’s well documented and aggressive moves in the region, from the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean to the Caucasus. Michael Rubin, the director of policy analysis at the Middle East Forum and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss what Europe and countries in the region like Greece can do to address the challenge Turkey poses today.
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Greece Must Match Turkey’s Aggressiveness
Turkey’s growing defense industry deepening ties with European powers
Italian research vessel departs Crete amid energy project uncertainty
Geopolitics freeze payments for Greece-Cyprus linkup
Turkish Cypriot minister says UN meeting will lead nowhere
Despite the Trump administration’s 90-day freeze on foreign aid, the State Department announced it was unfreezing $95 million in military assistance to Lebanon. The move is seen as a vote of confidence from the US in the new political order emerging in Lebanon, and in its efforts to continue to degrade Hezbollah. Steven Howard, the Director of Policy and Outreach at the American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL), and Sean Mathews, a journalist for the Middle East Eye covering the Middle East, North Africa and the Balkans, join Thanos Davelis to break down why these funds matter for Lebanon, which is looking to rebuild after years of crises, and for the region.
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US green lights $95 million in aid for Lebanon’s army
Trump administration approves $95m in aid to Lebanon's military
US secretary of state hails Nicosia’s strategic role
EU leaders holding emergency meeting in Brussels on defense, Ukraine
Emergency EU summit seeks to bolster defence to counter US pivot from alliance
Last week, a fake news report claiming the US was going to ditch Alexandroupoli put the northern Greek port city in the spotlight. This report even reached the Oval Office, where President Trump quickly shut down the story. In the wake of the story, Kathimerini recently took a deep dive into the numbers, looking at how Alexandroupoli has become an essential hub for both commercial and military operations. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to explore the important role Alexandroupoli is playing in the region.
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Vital role of Greek port uncontested
EU chief unveils €800bn plan to ‘rearm’ Europe
EU pushes emergency plan to send €150B in defense loans to governments
UN sends official invitation for enlarged meeting on the Cyprus issue on March 17,18
Germany’s recent election paved the way for the leader of the opposition conservative Christian Democrats, Friedrich Merz, to take over as chancellor once coalition talks wrap up. The election is also raising broader questions about German and European politics, with the far-right AfD making big gains, while the question remains whether Merz is up to the challenge given the new geopolitical landscape taking shape. Tom Nuttall, The Economist’s chief Germany correspondent and head of the Berlin bureau, joins Thanos Davelis to look into Germany’s recent election, and break down why it matters for Europe.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Merz wins a messy election then calls for independence from America
Asylum cases in Europe fell 11% last year. Here's a look at the numbers
Cyprus, US strengthen military alliance with special operations drill
Last week Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the PKK, called on the movement to lay down its arms and dissolve. Ocalan’s historic announcement has many hoping that it will bring an end to nearly 4 decades of conflict between Ankara and the country’s Kurds. On Friday, Thanos Davelis spoke to Giran Ozcan, the Executive Director of the Kurdish Peace Institute and a former representative of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) in the US, to break down this historic call from Ocalan, and look at what we should keep an eye on as this process unfolds. Since our discussion, the PKK has declared a ceasefire with Turkey.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
End of an era? PKK leader Ocalan orders militants to end war with Turkey, 'dissolve'
Kurdish group PKK declares ceasefire with Turkey
Rubio reaffirms US-Greek strategic importance in meeting with Gerapetritis
Mitsotakis says government will work to make trains safe
PASOK push for no-confidence vote against government
On Wednesday President Trump said the EU was formed to “screw the United States,” then announced he would hit the EU with 25% tariffs. This has prompted a reaction from European officials and capitals, who point out that the EU has had the opposite effect, fostering closer business ties and trade links with the US. Maria Demertzis, the chief economist for Europe at the Conference Board in Brussels, joins Thanos Davelis to look into the European reaction to these statements, and break down what this could mean for the economies of the US and EU, including Greece.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Trump says 25% tariffs on EU will be announced soon
Trump’s threatened 25% tariffs on EU imports could trigger ‘economic turmoil’
EU to Trump on tariffs: Go ahead, make our day.
Hundreds of thousands protest across Greece over deadly train crash
As anger mounts over rail disaster in Greece, thousands join protests
Jailed Kurdish leader issues call to lay down arms
End of an era? PKK leader Ocalan orders militants to end war with Turkey, ‘dissolve’
President Donald Trump’s return to office has been described as an “electroshock” in Europe, with leading politicians like Germany’s Friedrich Merz openly pledging “independence from the US.” Aside from his antagonistic approach toward Europe - from security to tariffs - Trump is also sending a clear signal that he wants to leave European affairs to Europeans while the US pivots toward China. Andrew Novo, a professor of strategic studies at the National Defense University in Washington, DC, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what’s at stake for Europe as the US turns its attention elsewhere, and how countries like Greece and Cyprus can react to this new reality.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
US to Europe — Get Used to a New World
We need to start thinking transactionally
Trump says 25% tariffs on EU will be announced soon
Indifference or Hostility? Trump’s View of European Allies Raises Alarm
Jailed Kurdish militant leader's message to be shared on Thursday
PKK leader Ocalan set to make historic peace call between Turkey and the Kurds
Greece is bracing for demonstrations that will bring the country to a halt this Friday, as it marks the two-year anniversary of the Tempe rail crash - the country’s worst ever rail disaster in which 57 people died. The public outcry is testing the political system, from the government to the opposition, with Prime Minister Mitsotakis acknowledging public demands for truth and justice while condemning efforts to politicize the tragedy. Wolfango Piccoli, the co-founder of risk analysis company Teneo, joins Thanos Davelis to look into the broader ramifications of Tempe for Greece’s political system, while exploring how the current uncertainty in Europe and the US factor into the challenges facing Greece.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Public outcry tests the political system
Mitsotakis: Justice, not political games
The week that will bring the country to a halt
Gerapetritis to meet Rubio for key talks
Greek destination is increasingly popular in Australia, US
Monday, February 24, marked three years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As President Trump looks to bring a swift end to the war, his and his officials’ statements on Ukraine, President Zelensky, and European security, along with the decision to bypass allies and engage in talks with Russia’s Putin, have left many in the West with a deep sense of unease. Thomas Graham, a distinguished fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and author of the book Getting Russia Right, joins Thanos Davelis to look into what’s at stake three years into this war, and what to make of President Trump’s moves on Ukraine.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
The Art of a Ukraine Deal
Media Briefing: Trump, Russia, and the Future of Ukraine
Countdown begins for contested sea surveys
Trump dismisses reports that US is shutting down military base in Greece
While Turkey may have expected that a second Trump term would mean improved ties with the White House, the first month of the Trump administration has shown us that Washington still views Turkey as an unreliable partner. In fact, Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent engagements with the Middle East point to a regional strategy that seems to marginalize Ankara. Sinan Ciddi, a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and an expert on Turkish politics, joins Thanos Davelis to look into whether Erdogan’s Turkey is finding itself on the outside of the Trump administration’s regional strategy.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey Marginalized? How Trump’s Middle East Strategy is Rewriting Alliances
Germany's conservatives celebrate, but far right enjoy record result
Merz wins a messy election then calls for independence from America
Gov’t braces for Tempe anniversary protests
Gov’t braces for Tempe anniversary protests
Earlier this week Cypriot President Christodoulides was in Egypt where the two countries signed two energy agreements that he described as “pivotal”. The deals would enable the export of gas from Cyprus’s offshore fields to Egypt for liquefaction and re-export to Europe, and, as President Christodoulides posted on X, “are game changers for the region and beyond”. Dr. Theodoros Tsakiris, a professor of geopolitics and energy policy at the University of Nicosia in Cyprus, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why these two deals are important for Cyprus, Egypt, and the region.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Egypt, Cyprus sign gas export deals, boosting Eastern Mediterranean energy cooperation
PM calls on EU to ‘move from words to action’ in defense
Erdogan's fight with Turkish business stirs economic concern
Earlier this week we saw Turkish police detain 282 people accused of ties to the PKK. This included journalists, politicians, and academics. These arrests are taking place as Ankara continues to remove elected pro-Kurdish mayors from their posts. At the same time, they coincide with reports that a deal could be at hand over the country’s Kurdish question. Piotr Zalewski, The Economist's Turkey correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into this new crackdown in Turkey and its broader implications.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
A new crackdown is gathering strength in Turkey
Turkey detains 282 suspects in a dayslong operation against Kurdish insurgents
Meeting Again in Paris, European Leaders Try to Recalibrate After Trump Sides With Russia
Macron holds new emergency talks on Ukraine
West’s ‘crisis’ coalition grows as Trump rails against Zelenskyy
Athens resists as investors swoop on the city’s ‘neighbourhood of the gods’
It’s safe to say that Steve Bannon, a one-time close adviser to Donald Trump and the voice of the MAGA movement, has a unique role in both the Republican camp and in driving the conversation in Washington, DC in the Trump 2.0 era. Kathimerini’s Iliana Magra, who met with Steve Bannon last week in Washington, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss her in-depth interview with Bannon, which touched on his views on Greece, Turkey and the region, and the broader outlook for the Trump 2.0 era and the MAGA movement.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Steve Bannon: Greece would be finished in 10 years if Trump hadn’t returned to power
Turkey detains nearly 300 people in raids on PKK suspects, including opposition figures
Turkey detains 282 suspects in a dayslong operation against Kurdish insurgents
'We are back' Greek shipyards say after decades of pain
The past week has thrown the Transatlantic relationship into turmoil, with the shocks for Europe coming one after the other. First Defense Secretary Hegseth said the US is no longer the “primary guarantor” of European security. This was followed up by President Trump’s phone call with Russia’s Vladimir Putin that seemed to sideline Ukraine and Europe. Then at the Munich Security Conference, Vice President J.D. Vance shocked attendees with a speech critiquing European democracy and effectively calling on Europeans to end the isolation of far-right parties. Steven Erlanger, the chief diplomatic correspondent for The New York Times covering Europe, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Donald Trump’s assault on Europe
Vance Tells Europeans to Stop Shunning Parties Deemed Extreme
After Munich, How Will Europe Handle Trump?
European Leaders Meet in Paris as U.S. Pushes Ahead With Ukraine Plan
Egypt, Cyprus sign gas export deals, boosting Eastern Mediterranean energy cooperation
Top Greek scientist says the Santorini earthquake outlook remains uncertain
Greece’s two-year term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council began at the outset of 2025. Since then, Greece has been at the heart of key discussions and initiatives - from playing a role in renewing the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus to the Security Council adopting its resolution on maritime security in the Red Sea. Lena Argiri, the DC correspondent for ERT - the Greek Public Broadcasting Company - and Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down Greece’s priorities on the Security Council, and explain what this means for the country’s global diplomatic standing.
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Greece begins two-year term at UN Security Council
UN Security Council adopts Red Sea resolution drafted by Greece, US
Cyprus and Chevron-led group agree on updated plan for offshore field
Cyprus and Egypt to sign natural gas commercialization agreements
Greek military eyes technological leap
World leaders met in Paris earlier this week for the AI Action Summit, a global summit on artificial intelligence. While France and the EU pledged to mobilize hundreds of billions of dollars in investments in the AI sector, Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who was also in Paris, put a spotlight on how Greece is helping to shape European developments in this critical sector. Yannis Mastrogeorgiou, the Special Secretary of Foresight in the Presidency of the Greek Government and the Coordinator of the National Advisory Committee on Artificial Intelligence, joins Thanos Davelis to look into Greece’s broader AI strategy.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece is helping to shape developments in AI, Mitsotakis says
EU to mobilise €200 billion for AI investment
Athens and Nicosia set Syria terms
Athens offers support to rebuild Syria
NATO tests new deployment model without US ahead of Ukraine war anniversary
This past weekend voters in Kosovo went to the polls in an election that many saw as critical for the future of its relations with the US and the EU, but also when it comes to stalled talks with Serbia to normalize ties. Prime Minister Albin Kurti, who has pushed hardline policies vis-a-vis Kosovo’s Serbs, won the general election, but his party fell short of a majority and will need to find a coalition partner to remain in power. Expert Charles Kupchan joins Thanos Davelis to break down why these elections matter not just for Kosovo, but for the Western Balkans and the broader region.
Charles Kupchan is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and professor of international affairs at Georgetown University in the Walsh School of Foreign Service and Department of Government. He previously served as special assistant to the president and senior director for European affairs on the staff of the National Security Council in the Obama administration.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Why Kosovo's Election Matters For The Region And The World
Kosovo PM Albin Kurti wins election amid tensions with Brussels and Washington
Serbia: Students mark 100 days since deadly canopy collapse
Trump Says Call With Putin Is Beginning of Ukraine Peace Negotiations
Trump and Putin stun Europe with peace plan for Ukraine
President-elect Tasoulas calls for national unity and social solidarity
For the past decade, Cyprus, the EU’s easternmost state and the closest to the Middle East, has stood as one of the EU’s frontline states when it comes to the migration crisis. The fall of the Assad regime in Syria and the conflicts in Lebanon and Gaza are now raising new questions about migration and regional security. Nicholas Ioannides, the Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection of Cyprus, joins Thanos Davelis to break down these shifting dynamics on migration and on the security front, and explore how cooperation with partners in the region, the EU, and the US, is going to be critical in tackling these challenges.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Hundreds of Syrians drop asylum bids in Cyprus since Assad’s fall, minister says
More than 1,000 Syrians have withdrawn asylum applications in Cyprus, another 500 have returned home
Poland will not implement Migration Pact, Donald Tusk tells Ursula von der Leyen
US leadership key to Middle East stability, experts say at 6th Southeast Europe Forum
Dendias highlights Greece’s strategic role in US foreign policy
Turkish Navy continues to shadow Greek surveys north of Crete
We’re coming to you from the sidelines of the 6th Delphi Forum in Washington DC, a two-day conference organized by HALC, Kathimerini’s English Edition, and the Delphi Economic Forum today, where the spotlight is on Greece, Cyprus, Southeast Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. This is a region at the crossroads of three continents and at the heart of exciting developments. Georgia Logothetis, HALC’s Managing Director, joins Thanos Davelis as we bring you the latest from DC.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Discussing regional developments in Washington
Greece presses France over missile sale to Turkey
Cypriot president- Turkish Cypriot leader say they’re ready for UN-led meeting to restart peace talks
A few months after Russia’s President Putin invaded Ukraine, Russia and Turkey used a nuclear project to sidestep US sanctions. In short, Moscow slipped billions of dollars through US banks into Turkey, from which the money could bankroll Russian state initiatives. Now US prosecutors are eyeing $2 billion worth of Russian funds that are stuck at JP Morgan. Costas Paris, a senior reporter for The Wall Street Journal who wrote an exclusive on this story, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this sanctions evasion scheme involving Moscow and Ankara, and break down what questions this raises for Washington.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Moscow Has $2 Billion Stuck at JPMorgan. The U.S. Isn’t Sure What to Do With It.
Schools on 4 Greek islands will stay shut next week as earthquakes continue
Kosovo heads to election clouded by tensions with Serbia
A story that's been in and out of the headlines in Greece lately has to do with France and the potential sale of Meteor missiles to Turkey. While the story is putting Greece’s relations with France and other EU partners in the spotlight, it also raises questions about European arms sales to countries like Turkey. This debate comes amid calls for Europe to spend much more on its own defence, something Prime Minister Mitsotakis weighed in on with a recent Financial Times op-ed. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis with the backstory on this potential arms sale to Ankara, while looking into the broader debate on European defense.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Paris seeks to allay Greek concerns on missile sale to Turkey
Europe must spend more on its own defence
PM mulling timing and scope of cabinet reshuffle
Turkey's growing power pollution a sign of things to come
A provisional mining deal last year between Turkey and Niger, one of the world’s biggest uranium producers, has analysts asking if Turkey is taking quiet yet deliberate steps toward producing enriched uranium fuel, a step that could one day lead to nuclear weapons. Andrea Stricker, the deputy director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ (FDD) Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program and an FDD research fellow, joins Thanos Davelis to break down President Erdogan’s nuclear ambitions and the risk of a nuclear Turkey.
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FAQ: Is Turkey the Next Nuclear Proliferant State?
Turkey Eyes Niger Mining Projects Amid Competition for Uranium
Turkish corvette off Crete signals Ankara’s intent
Hundreds of Syrians drop asylum bids in Cyprus since Assad’s fall, minister says
According to recent reports - notably in the Financial Times - the EU is debating a return to Russian gas as part of a Ukraine peace deal, with officials from Germany and Hungary endorsing the idea. This discussion is unfolding as President Trump is threatening tariffs against the EU if it doesn’t buy more American LNG, and as Europe grapples with the broader question of whether it needs to prepare for a post-America Europe. Max Bergmann, the director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and the Stuart Center in Euro-Atlantic and Northern European Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into this energy debate and the future of the US-Europe relationship.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
EU debates return to Russian gas as part of Ukraine peace deal
Trump Needs a Plan to Get Europeans to Step Up on Defense
Syria's interim leader holds talks with key ally Turkey on his second international trip
Santorini mass exodus ongoing as tremors persist
Last week President Christodoulides delivered his annual “State of the Union” address, highlighting his vision for Cyprus in 2025. The President laid out an ambitious reform agenda that will not only modernize Cyprus, but improve the brand of Cyprus both on the international stage and in the eyes of its own citizens. Irene Piki, the Deputy Minister to the President of the Republic of Cyprus, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the President’s top priorities and his vision to improve the daily lives of people in a continuously changing Cyprus.
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Christodoulides unveils ambitious plans in State of the Union address
Cyprus in US Visa Waiver Program soon
Brussels vows ‘firm’ response to threatened Trump tariffs as EU braces for trade war
Opposition parties divided on PM no-confidence motion over Tempe train crash
Poll: 8 in 10 Greeks disapprove of government’s handling of Tempe case
Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democrat and President Trump’s choice to serve as the Director of National Intelligence, just went through a tense Senate confirmation hearing, facing bipartisan skepticism about her suitability for the role. Georgia Logothetis, HALC’s Managing Director, joins Thanos Davelis to look into Gabbard’s political transformation, her past criticism of Turkey’s President Erdogan and where she stands on Hellenic issues, and the broader takeaways from Gabbard’s hearing and the hearings of other key nominees for Cabinet positions.
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Gabbard’s Hearing Turns Tense Over Snowden Questions
What Trump’s Nominees Revealed
Tulsi Gabbard’s road to Damascus
Gabbard faces bipartisan doubt in spy job hearing; Patel gets GOP embrace as FBI pick
Christodoulides unveils ambitious plans in State of the Union address
Greece, Cyprus, others urge EU Commission to protect elections in Europe from foreign interference
Top lawmakers from the pro-Kurdish People’s Equality and Democracy Party have now met with Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed leader of the PKK, on a few occasions, generating some buzz around the potential for a deal that could bring the decades-long conflict between the Turkish state and the Kurds to an end. This is taking place amid seismic geopolitical shifts in the region, especially in Syria. Henri Barkey, an adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and the Cohen chair in international relations at Lehigh University, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into the latest efforts to bring an end to Turkey’s 40-year Kurdish conflict.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey, Kurds move toward peace deal as lawmakers meet with PKK leader Ocalan
What to know about the latest effort to bring an end to Turkey’s 40-year Kurdish conflict
Greece strongly objects to sale of Meteor missile to Turkey
Mitsotakis denies cover-up accusations in Tempe railway disaster
President Trump promised to shake up how Washington does business, and he has wasted no time since his inauguration. From executive orders to a call with Denmark’s leader over Greenland, Trump seems to be making good on his pledge to disrupt American domestic and foreign policy. What will this mean for the US and its allies, particularly in Europe? Expert James Lindsay joins Thanos Davelis to look into President Trump’s disruptive foreign policy agenda and how it could impact America’s friends and allies.
James M. Lindsay is the Mary and David Boies distinguished senior fellow in U.S. foreign policy and director of Fellowship Affairs at the Council on Foreign Relations, the host of the weekly podcast The President’s Inbox. His most recent book, co-authored with Ivo H. Daalder, is The Empty Throne: America’s Abdication of Global Leadership.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Donald Trump’s Disruptive First Days
U.S. Foreign Policy on the Eve of Disruption
Europe’s leaders plot to stop Trump from taking Greenland
Albania amends Greek identity legislation
More positive signs in tourism
As President Trump assumed office repeating his campaign slogan of “drill, baby, drill”, Greece announced that US energy giant Chevron is interested in exploring for oil and gas in Greek waters. The move comes as President Trump has also called on Europe to buy more US energy. John Psaropoulos joins Thanos Davelis to look into this latest development on the energy front, its timing and the message it signals to Washington, and why it serves as a reminder about Greece’s important role in the regional - and global - energy market.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece aligns with Trump on gas exploration
EU prolongs its Russia sanctions for 6 months after Hungary lifts its objections
Turkey Aims for $6 Billion Weapons Deal With Saudi Arabia
Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias just became the first member of Greece’s government to visit the US since President Trump’s inauguration with a trip that took him beyond the Beltway to cities like Chicago. Beyond engaging with the diaspora, Dendias’ trip put Greece in the spotlight for a wider American audience. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why focusing on the US beyond Washington, DC matters, and discuss his latest piece in Kathimerini that asks whether Hellenes need to stop searching for political messiahs in the United States, particularly the oval office.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Hellenism’s futile search for an American messiah: From Carter to Trump
Dendias hails Greek-Jewish ties, highlights strategic alliances with Israel and US
A Conversation with Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias
Archbishop Anastasios of Albania dies
Thousands protest over deadly train crash in Greece
Recent findings from the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) Global 100 study reveal that while global antisemitism has surged across the world over the last decade, Greece is bucking this trend. In fact, it recorded the largest decrease in antisemitic attitudes globally, with a 19-point drop. Aykan Erdemir, the Senior Director for Global Research and Diplomatic Affairs at the ADL, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the key takeaways from the ADL’s study, looking at this global trend of rising antisemitism, and contrasting it to the progress Greece has made over the last decade.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece makes strides in global fight against antisemitism, study finds
US air force looks to upgrade Cyprus airbase as humanitarian staging post for the Middle East
Ionian, Aegean marine parks plan pushed to mid-2025
Opening its doors in 2022, the Cyprus Center for Land, Open-seas, and Port Security, otherwise known as CYCLOPS, is now not only on the front line of US and European security, but is a critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to relations between Washington and Nicosia. Michael Rubin, the director of policy analysis at the Middle East Forum and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the important role CYCLOPS and Cyprus are playing in the region, and to break down why this critical training center is the perfect partnership for the US in the Trump era.
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Cyprus’ CYCLOPS Is the Perfect Partnership for the Trump Age
The U.S. Won’t Defeat China if Ambassadors Fail Upwards
November a record-breaking month for Greek tourism
Turkey, Kurds move toward peace deal as lawmakers meet with PKK leader Ocalan
As President Trump outlined his “America first” foreign policy vision in his inaugural address, other key players on the foreign policy chess board in Washington are also moving into place, from Secretary of State Marco Rubio taking over the State Department to new leaders in Congress. Laura Kelly, the foreign policy reporter for The Hill, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the view from Washington, DC and Capitol Hill as President Trump looks to begin implementing his foreign policy vision, and explore what to expect from these other players, including Congress.
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Scores of career State Dept. diplomats resign before Trump’s inauguration
Rubio unanimously confirmed as secretary of State, becoming Trump’s first Cabinet official
Trump signs executive order pausing foreign assistance for 3 months
Trump's pick for U.N. ambassador is Elise Stefanik. Here's what to know
Europe must seek ‘mutually beneficial solutions’ post-Trump, Mitsotakis says
As defence ties strengthen, US assesses Cyprus base
Prime Minister Mitsotakis announced his pick for President of Greece last week, selecting New Democracy veteran Kostas Tasoulas. The decision is not only indicative of the direction Mitsotakis is looking to move in 2025, but it also sets the stage for a new political battleground between New Democracy and PASOK. Nick Malkoutzis, the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr, joins Thanos Davelis to help us read between the lines, breaking down what’s at stake for the government and PASOK, while looking at broader global trends - from potential tariffs to Ukraine - and how they could impact Greece.
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Presidential vote creates new battleground as ND and PASOK renew hostilities
As political landscape stabilizes, PASOK fears it may have hit its ceiling
Poll gives New Democracy 12-point lead
Christodoulides, Tatar fail to reach deal on new crossing points
Chevron expresses interest in Greek energy exploration
Since the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, many have repeated the analysis that Turkey is “the winner” in Syria. Is this the case, however? Has Turkey really won anything yet? Developments on the ground indicate that this may not be the case. Steven Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why it might still be too early to celebrate an Erdogan win in Syria.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey Hasn’t Won Anything Yet in Syria
US officials to head to Cyprus to discuss defense upgrades, president says
‘Serving as US Ambassador to Greece has been the honor of a lifetime,’ Tsunis says
In a move heralded as historic, President Joe Biden issued a presidential determination this week officially including Cyprus in three critical US defense programs. Cyprus hailed the decision allowing military sales, including arms, to the island as a milestone affirming the country’s role as a pillar of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. Lena Argiri, the DC correspondent for ERT - the Greek Public Broadcasting Company - and Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to look at this major development in US-Cyprus ties that paves the way for the incoming Trump administration to take this relationship to new heights.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Cyprus included in three critical US defense programs
Greece has tapped 18 bln euros from EU’s Recovery Fund
PM marks shift, nominates House speaker as next president
As we approach inauguration day, one of President-elect Donald Trump’s closest allies, Elon Musk, has been using his social media platform X to openly support political parties like the far-right AfD in Germany ahead of the country’s election, or has called for an end to Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government in the UK. His posts are raising questions among key US allies, with many asking whether Musk is speaking for Trump. Ed Luce, the US national editor and columnist at the Financial Times, joins Thanos Davelis to look into Musk’s posts and the wider ramifications for America’s allies in Europe.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Musk’s war on America’s allies
A New Age of American Interference in Europe
Cyprus included in three critical US defense programs
Greece makes strides in global fight against antisemitism, study finds
Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ visit to Saudi Arabia this week has put a spotlight on Greece’s strategy in the Middle East, coming about a week after a trilateral summit in Cairo with Egypt’s President Sisi and Cyprus’ President Christodoulides, and a month after a visit to Lebanon. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to look into Greece’s engagement with the broader Middle East, from key players like Saudi Arabia and Egypt, to countries like Lebanon that are looking to rebuild.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Athens, Riyadh strengthen strategic ties
Greece, Egypt and Cyprus align on policy
Greek interest in Middle East deepening
Turkey’s Bahceli rehashes claims about Greece’s Dodecanese islands
Foreign Ministry: ‘Dodecanese islands status governed by the 1947 Paris Peace Treaty’
Mitsotakis calls on European Commission to move faster to reduce energy prices
All eyes are on Prime Minister Mitsotakis as Greeks wait to hear who he plans to nominate as Greece’s next president. While the position is a largely ceremonial one, who is selected will send a message across the political spectrum, and will likely set the tone for the remainder of Mitsotakis’ term as he will have to decide whether to appease his party’s base or pick a candidate with a broader appeal. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this story, breaking down the dilemma facing Mitsotakis and the message it sends about Greek politics.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
All eyes on Greece’s presidential nomination
Cyprus could join Schengen this year, president says
EU bans ‘Turkaegean’ slogan following Greece’s appeal
As we approach the 51st dark anniversary of Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus this year, there is a renewed push to locate and identify the remains of 951 missing Greek and Turkish Cypriots. To this day, the search continues for those lost during periods of inter-communal violence or - the large part - during Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus in 1974. Nektaria Stamouli, the deputy editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition and Politico’s Eastern Mediterranean correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this issue, which remains an open wound for all Cypriots.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
‘Oblivion cannot always be the choice’
Greece’s tourism hits record highs, offering optimism for 2025
Turkey’s Kurdish leaders meet jailed politician as the two sides inch toward peace
Lebanon has brought an end to a two year power vacuum with the election of Joseph Aoun, the country's army chief, as president. His candidacy was backed by several key players, including the US, France and Saudi Arabia. Together with the collapse of Assad in Syria and a weakened Hezbollah, there are many who hope this election could serve as the necessary spark to rebuild the war-torn Eastern Mediterranean country. Sean Mathews, a journalist for the Middle East Eye covering the Middle East, North Africa and the Balkans, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why this election is so important, and what challenges lie ahead for Lebanon and its new president.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Army chief elected Lebanon's president after years of deadlock
It’s time for Lebanon’s leaders to take responsibility for the country’s future
US dangles Saudi Arabia's cash to push candidate for Lebanon's presidency
Meloni hails ‘excellent’ Italy-Greece relations, announces February conference
Trump, Meloni and Greece’s moves
Kurdish-led SDF says civilians killed as Turkey strikes Syrian dam
While the world is waiting for President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration this month, Turkey’s President Erdogan is saber rattling, making it clear that he intends to target the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) who have been critical in the fight against ISIS. Sinan Ciddi, a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and an expert on Turkish politics, joins Thanos Davelis to look into Erdogan’s ambitions in Syria, what an attack on the SDF would mean for the anti-ISIS coalition, and what the dangers are if Washington fails to act.
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Turkey Is Preparing to Invade Syria, Then Israel?
Trump can’t leave Syria to others
Cairo trilateral summit focuses on regional developments, energy and migration
New push to fight tax evasion, smuggling
As we approach President-elect Trump’s inauguration, many are trying to discern how both the incoming Trump administration and the new Congress that was just sworn in will deal with key foreign policy questions that will undoubtedly impact Greece and Cyprus. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what to expect from the new Congress on the East Med, what to look out for as President-elect Trump looks to get his cabinet confirmed, and more.
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The Next Congress
Trump Imagines New Sphere of U.S. Influence Stretching from Panama to Greenland
The Political Logic of Trump’s International Threats
Europe’s power price divide hits southeastern economies
Turkey’s naval build-up has Hellenic Navy considering the purchase of more ships
2024 was a tumultuous year, with elections in the US and Europe setting the stage for major changes, and ushering in a new era of uncertainty - especially in Europe. Amid these developments, Greece saw a new opposition emerge in PASOK and its economy once again was on The Economist’s list of top performers of 2024. Niko Efstathiou, an Athens based journalist and author, joins Thanos Davelis to explore what these global political shifts could mean for Athens, whether Greece’s economy can keep up the momentum through 2025, and what other trends we should keep an eye on this year.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
2025 and the need for political solutions
Which economy did best in 2024?
New Democracy aiming to regain lost ground and keep rivals contained in 2025
Cairo tripartite summit spotlights Syria turmoil
Turkey says Kurdish-led armed groups in Syria will be ‘eliminated’
The death of former Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis at the age of 88 has put a spotlight on his tenure (1996-2004), with many highlighting his role in shaping today’s Greece. Key highlights include bringing Greece into the Eurozone, playing a key role in Cyprus’s quest for EU membership, establishing a framework for dialogue with Turkey, and securing the 2004 Athens Olympics. John Psaropoulos joins Thanos Davelis to look back at Simitis’ legacy and impact on Greece.
John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist and Al Jazeera's correspondent in southeast Europe. He publishes Hellenica, a weekly deep dive into Greek current affairs and history. You can find it on Substack.com.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Costas Simitis, 2-Time Prime Minister of Greece, Dies at 88
Tributes paid after former Greek PM Costas Simitis dies aged 88
International media reflect on Costas Simitis’ legacy as Greece’s modernizer
Greece begins UNSC tenure, eyes global impact
Turkey plans ‘Blue Homeland’ exercise
Cyprus is once again making headline news as Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides becomes the first leader in the region to appoint a special representative - Ambassador Thessalia Salina Shambos - for religious freedoms and the protection of minorities in the Middle East. The move, welcomed in Washington, comes as new concerns about religious and ethnic minorities are emerging in the wake of war and upheaval in Syria and the region. Matthew Boyle, the Washington Bureau Chief for Breitbart News Network who interviewed President Christodoulides about this move, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why this is such a significant story.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Cyprus President Appoints ‘Special Representative’ for Religious Freedoms to Protect Christians, Other Minorities in Middle East
US welcomes Cyprus’ move on Christian minorities in Middle East
Leadership changes do not affect Greek-US relations
Syria: Germany cautions Turkey against wider Kurdish fight
Athens and Nicosia are putting the spotlight on reports that Turkey and Syria could potentially reach a deal to delimit their maritime zones in a way that would promote Turkey’s “Blue Homeland” doctrine, and disregard the rights of neighboring states like Cyprus. Such a move would raise the specter of legal and political tensions reminiscent of the illegal Turkey-Libya memorandum. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what such a deal between Ankara and Damascus could mean for the region, and what steps Athens and Nicosia are taking to pre-empt it.
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Athens and Nicosia on alert over possible Turkey-Syria EEZ delimitation deal
Athens, Nicosia aim to pre-empt Turkey in Syria
Cyprus can help rid Syria of chemical weapons and search for its missing, Cypriot top diplomat says
For many, it seems Turkey’s Erdogan is coming out as the big winner in Syria. But looking beyond the Middle East, it seems Ankara is also emerging as a winner in another arena - in the Horn of Africa. Its recent role in mediating a deal between Ethiopia and Somalia demonstrates Ankara’s growing assertiveness on the world stage, and is a clear message to Egypt and even Washington. Mariam Wahba, a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins Thanos Davelis to break down whether Turkey has outplayed Egypt and the US in the Horn of Africa.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
How Turkey Outplayed Egypt and the U.S. In The Horn Of Africa
Van Hollen, Graham threaten sanctions on Turkey to achieve ceasefire with Syrian Kurdish allies
Mitsotakis highlights need for common European defense
The upheavals across the Middle East over the past year and a half - with the collapse of Assad’s regime in Syria taking center stage now - mean that the incoming Trump administration has a new chance to reshape the region. This raises important questions for Greece, which sits at the crossroads between Europe and the Middle East, and is at the heart of a number of regional initiatives. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the opportunities for President-elect Trump and for Greece in the new Middle East that is emerging.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Trump and the remaking of the modern Middle East
A Cease-Fire Is Extended in a Disputed City in Northern Syria
Cyprus and EU condemn Turkey’s plans for military action in Syria
While the collapse of the Assad regime was celebrated across Syria, the uncertainty about what comes next has many holding their breath. This is especially true for the country’s minorities, particularly its dwindling Christian community. As Syria’s Christians wait to see what will emerge, Syria’s Kurds, another key minority in the country, are also under threat. Nadine Maenza joins Thanos Davelis to look at what’s at stake for religious and ethnic minorities in Syria in the wake of Assad’s fall.
Nadine Maenza is the President of the IRF Secretariat, an international organization focused on building infrastructure to support the religious freedom movement globally. She also serves as a Global Fellow at the Wilson Center, and previously served as chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Can Syria’s dwindling Christian community survive under jihadi rebel rule?
Turkey-backed Syrian factions end US-mediated ceasefire with Kurdish-led SDF
Two Russian oil tankers wrecked in Black Sea
Italy's Meloni warns EU court against blocking Albania migrant relocations
Greece’s parliament has just approved the 2025 budget, with Prime Minister Mitsotakis highlighting measures designed to help mostly lower income households in the face of rising costs. This also includes measures that relate to Greece’s banking sector which have received a lot of media attention. Nick Malkoutzis, the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr, a political and economic analysis site that focuses on Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what the government has put forward, look at the political dimension of this budget, and explore the key strengths and weaknesses of Greece’s economy as we head into 2025.
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Parliament OKs 2025 budget
Greece to scrap some bank fees for retail customers, parliament approves budget
Turkey Says Syria’s New Rulers Agree to Abolish Kurdish Forces
Syria's Kurds fearful of the future after Islamist rebels seized power
Why America’s Kurdish Allies Are Under Threat in a New Syria
Mitsotakis highlights need to uphold ceasefire during Lebanon visit
Greek PM visits Lebanon aiming to strengthen diplomatic ties, support stability
The fall of the Assad regime has put the migration issue back in the limelight in Europe, with a number of European countries, including Greece, announcing they were freezing asylum applications for Syrians or suggesting it’s time they prepare to return home. Many are pointing out that these reactions seem premature, however, as Syria’s future remains uncertain, and many Syrian refugees have put down roots in their new countries. Eleni Varvitsioti, the correspondent for Greece and Cyprus at the Financial Times, joins Thanos Davelis to look into Europe’s reaction to Assad’s fall and its impact on the continent’s ongoing migration debate.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
‘We need time’: Syrians in Europe resist calls to return home
Several EU nations and the UK pause asylum claims from Syrians
Syrian refugees in Europe are not about to flock home
Mitsotakis to visit Lebanon on Monday
Greece to buy artillery systems from Israel and drones from US, officials say
In Greece abandoned "ghost" towns and villages scattered across the countryside provide a glimpse into the country’s broader demographic challenge, which Prime Minister Mitsotakis has warned is "existential". The government is now working to reverse worrying trends that could leave Greece’s population older and smaller as it looks to also continue rebuilding the economy following the financial crisis. Karen Gilchrist, a London based CNBC correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this phenomenon of “ghost" towns in Greece’s countryside and the broader demographic challenges facing Greece.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece's ghost towns offer a glimpse of a country struggling with 'existential' population collapse
Nicosia hails US green light for military training as ‘strategic milestone’
Blinken meets Erdogan as forces backed by US, Turkey clash in Syria
Record breaking heat-waves, limited rainfall, and a spike in tourism have many in Greece concerned about the availability of water. This is something we’ve heard experts talk about with regards to Athens. In Greece’s Cycladic islands, however, which see millions of visitors every summer, this problem seems even more pronounced. Alexia Kalaitzi, an award-winning journalist and features reporter for Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what the mounting water crisis means for Greece and popular islands like Tinos.
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Wells run dry as Tinos faces mounting water crisis
Boosting Cyprus’ defense is key given proximity to war-wracked Mideast, defense minister says
Trump picks ambassadors to Greece and Turkey
Tom Barrack, Trump's pick for Turkey ambassador, is good news for Erdogan
With the speed at which developments in Syria are unfolding after the fall of the Assad regime, dynamics in the country and the region are in flux. One question many are asking, however, is whether a decade or so of backing elements of Syria’s armed opposition is now about to pay off for Turkey and President Erdogan. Henri Barkey, an adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and the Cohen chair in international relations at Lehigh University, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into this question, look at Turkey’s role in Syria, and break down what’s at stake for Syria's Kurds, refugees, and for the United States.
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What Role Is Turkey Playing in Syria’s Civil War?
Erdogan Gets His ‘Leader of the Muslim World’ Moment
Turkey: will Erdoğan emerge as the big winner of the Syria crisis?
Britain will provide intel to Cyprus to help fight Russia’s sanctions evasion
Cyprus and the US double down on a joint effort to combat financial crimes with more training
Trump nominates Kimberly Guilfoyle to be the new US Ambassador to Greece
Amid Rumors of a Breakup, Kimberly Guilfoyle Is Appointed Ambassador to Greece
The news that Cyprus is eyeing a future in NATO has made headlines recently, with many arguing such a step could be transformative for Cyprus and the region. The story of Cyprus and NATO, however, is not new, but goes back to the creation of an independent Cyprus and a 1959 "gentleman's agreement". Evanthis Hatzivassiliou, a professor at the Department of History and Archaeology of the University of Athens, joins Thanos Davelis to look back at this history and break down what lessons we can take from it as Cyprus explores new ways to integrate with the transatlantic alliance.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Cyprus, NATO and the old mistakes
Cyprus power link tangled in Gordian knot
European countries put Syrian asylum bids on hold after Assad's fall
With the incoming Trump administration preparing to take office in over a month, countries like Greece and Turkey are trying to work out what this will mean for the region and their ties to Washington. Ryan Gingeras, a professor in the Department of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and an expert on Turkish, Balkan, and Middle East history, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the different reactions from Greece and Turkey to Donald Trump’s election, break down what we can expect to see when it comes to US relations with both countries, and what this could mean for the Aegean.
The views expressed in this interview do not reflect the views of the US government.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey, Greece, and Trump
What just happened in Syria?
With Assad Gone, a Brutal Dictatorship Ends. But the New Risks Are Huge.
Greece hails downfall of Assad regime, calls for democratic transition, refugees’ return home
With Syria in Flux, Turkish Forces Attack U.S.-Backed Forces
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to visit Lebanon in the coming days, an important diplomatic move that underscores Greece’s commitment to fostering stability and security in the region. It would also make Mitsotakis the first EU leader - as Kathimerini notes - to visit Lebanon since a ceasefire was reached between Israel and Hezbollah. Steven Howard, the Director of Policy and Outreach at the American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL), joins Thanos Davelis ahead of this visit to look at the current situation on the ground in Lebanon, what to expect from the new US administration here, and how Greece and Cyprus can be helpful as we consider Lebanon’s future.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Mitsotakis’ Beirut visit signals intent
PM Mitsotakis postpones Lebanon visit due to aircraft malfunction
Trump picks Massad Boulos to serve as adviser on Arab, Middle Eastern affairs
Exclusive: Blinken wants to give successor Rubio the 'strongest hand' possible
Christodoulides, Trump reaffirm commitment for strengthened Cyprus-US ties
New SYRIZA leader aims for party overhaul
While Greece and Turkey’s foreign ministers are working to lay the groundwork for a key summit between Prime Minister Mitsotakis and President Erdogan early next year, there are growing concerns that progress in resolving differences in the Aegean Sea is proving all but impossible. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition, joins Thanos Davelis for a look at the ongoing Greek-Turkish dialogue, why achieving real progress in resolving differences remains elusive, and what to expect amid efforts to maintain the relative calm we’ve seen in the Aegean.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece-Turkey dialogue is alive, but barely
Prime ministerial intentions and Greek-Turkish ties
Athens, Ankara agree to disagree but keep talking
Cyprus’ new air defense system launched, Greece to follow
Mitsotakis holds first meeting with Androulakis as main opposition leader
Political consensus hidden in legislative nuances
Ex-German chancellor Angela Merkel’s memoir was recently released, and many are racing to see what she has chosen to reveal about key moments and players from Europe’s recent past - from the financial crisis to migration and the pandemic. Naturally, Greece is at the heart of a number of these developments. Xenia Kounalaki, a journalist, columnist, and foreign editor at Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis for a deep dive into Merkel’s revelations, including her handling of the Greek financial crisis and the migration crisis, her encounters with Greece’s leaders, and more.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Η Μέρκελ θυμάται: Η σιωπή του ΓΑΠ και το χαμόγελο του Τσίπρα
Freedom by Angela Merkel review – her lips are sealed
Merkel looks back on Greek crisis in new memoirs
Greece bullish on Parthenon Marbles after Mitsotakis-Starmer meeting
Rebel offensive boosts Turkey’s influence in Syria
In a lightning offensive Syrian rebels seized Aleppo and are threatening other regime-held territories in the country. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s closest allies, Russia and Iran, pledged unconditional support to his government on Monday, while a number of other countries invested in Syria - including Turkey, Israel and the US - are watching developments closely. Steven Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and author of the recent book The End of Ambition: America’s Past, Present, and Future in the Middle East, joins Thanos Davelis to look at this new cycle of violence and instability and break down what it means for the region.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
What Syria’s Revived Civil War Means for the Region
Syria's rebel offensive is astonishing - but don't write off Assad
Greek Current Cafe featuring Steven Cook, Michael Rubin, Jonathan Schanzer, and Endy Zemenides
Foreign workers urgently needed
Talks over return of Parthenon marbles to Athens are ‘well advanced’
Developments over the past few months in Greece have seen SYRIZA lose its position as the main opposition in parliament to PASOK in the wake of leadership elections in both parties, the creation of a new political party on the left, and the ouster of a former prime minister from New Democracy. At the same time, the ripple effects of the US election are also being felt in Greek politics - as in the rest of Europe. Nektaria Stamouli, the deputy editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition and Politico’s Eastern Mediterranean correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what to expect in this new political landscape.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Assessing Greece’s new political landscape
Dominoes waiting for a push
Greece to train Ukrainian pilots
Cyprus offers to assist with Lebanon ceasefire
Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire begins after year of conflict
The launch of a strategic dialogue between Cyprus and the US last month was quickly followed up by another historic development: President Christodoulides’ visit to the White House. With US-Cyprus ties deepening at a rapid pace, this was a chance for Christodoulides to present his strategic vision for Cyprus, including, as reports indicate, the potential future integration of Cyprus into NATO. Lena Argiri, the Washington, DC correspondent for ERT - the Greek Public Broadcasting Company - and Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this plan to institutionalize Cyprus’ relationship with NATO, a potentially transformative opportunity for both Cyprus and the whole region.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Nicosia keeping its eye on NATO prize
EU prolongs Turkey oil-related sanctions
2025 budget to support incomes against inflation, PM says
Earlier this month we saw a mini crisis break out in the southern Aegean as Turkey deployed four frigates near the Greek islands of Kasos and Karpathos thinking that an Italian ship - which had been at the center of a 40-hour crisis last July - was in the area conducting research for the future deployment of underwater cables linking Greece and Cyprus. While this was ultimately a misunderstanding, it raises questions about relations between Greece and Turkey and the future of vital projects like the Great Sea Interconnector. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey deploys warships over misunderstanding
Ankara irked by European maritime map
Το κόστος των καθυστερήσεων για τη διασύνδεση Ελλάδας – Κύπρου
Famellos elected SYRIZA leader
Ancient meets modern as a new subway in Greece showcases archaeological treasures
This week Greece saw workers in the public and the private sector go on strike, demanding better wages in the face of rising costs across the board. This comes despite Greece’s economic success story, whether it's achieving investment grade or outperforming its Eurozone partners, and as the government announced it is set to make another early repayment of €5 billion of bailout-era loans. Nikos Vettas, the general director of the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE) and a professor at the Athens University of Economics and Business, joins Thanos Davelis to look into the state of the economy - from the cost of living crisis and wages to debt reduction.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Thousands in Greece strike to protest soaring living costs
Greece to repay chunk of bailout debt early
New budget includes support measures over 1 bln euros
PASOK becomes main opposition after leftist party collapse
Ankara irked by European maritime map
On November 17th Greeks commemorated the 51st anniversary of the Polytechnic uprising - a seminal moment that effectively delivered the first real blow to the military dictatorship, or the junta, that was ruling Greece. While the story of the uprising itself is well known, the Greek diaspora around the world also played an important role in the fight against the junta. Alexander Kitroeff, a professor of history with an expertise on the Greek diaspora experience, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the Polytechnic uprising and the diaspora’s key role in the broader story of restoring democracy to Greece.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
The Athens Polytechnic uprising, a milestone of peaceful resistance not to be forgotten
Amazon invests in three wind farms in Greece
Open Doors 2024: Greece Receives Record Number of U.S. Students
On Monday the US warned Turkey against hosting Hamas leadership after reports emerged that some Hamas leaders had moved to Turkey from Qatar, with State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller saying Washington will make it clear to Ankara that there can be no more business as usual with Hamas. Sinan Ciddi, a non-resident senior fellow at FDD and an expert on Turkish politics, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this latest warning from Washington, and look at how the Hamas issue is likely to impact US-Turkey ties as the Trump administration prepares to take over in January.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
US warns Turkey against hosting Hamas leaders
Turkey Shouldn’t Celebrate a Donald Trump Victory Just Yet
Greece faces general strike as workers protest cost of living squeeze
Ships docked, transport services disrupted as Greeks walk out for higher pay
Greece to repay chunk of bailout debt early
This weekend Prime Minister Mitsotakis took a bold and risky move to expel former prime minister and lawmaker Antonis Samaras from New Democracy. The story, and its potential impact on the government, is the main issue dominating the headlines in Greece over the past few days. Wolfango Piccoli, the co-founder of the risk analysis company Teneo, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this latest development and break down what it means for Greece’s government, New Democracy, and its broader political landscape.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
PM ensures stability post-Samaras
Ruling party tension boils over as Mitsotakis ousts ex-PM and right wing figurehead Samaras
Turkey plans Aegean oil research
Greece Extends Drills Hampering Transfer of Russian Oil Cargoes
In 2016 European leaders treated Trump’s win as an aberration, something to ride out. Eight years later, European leaders are now trying to gauge what a second Trump presidency will mean for the continent. While Jean Monnet famously said “Europe will be forged in crisis,” the political turmoil in Germany and France, Europe’s two largest economies, has many asking if Europe is up for the challenge. Expert Max Bergmann joins Thanos Davelis to break down what European leaders should expect from the incoming Trump administration, and whether the continent is ready to meet the challenges ahead.
Max Bergmann is the director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and the Stuart Center in Euro-Atlantic and Northern European Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
The Trump challenge for Europe
New Democracy rift and SYRIZA polls in the spotlight
Gov’t dismisses stability concerns after Samaras expulsion; focus shifts to Karamanlis
Turkey expands grip in Libya
This week President-elect Donald Trump unveiled his picks for a number of positions that will have a direct impact on US diplomacy and national security - including his nominations of Senator Marco Rubio for Secretary of State and Representative Michael Waltz for National Security Adviser. As Trump’s national security team takes shape, Jonathan Schanzer, the senior vice president for research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, and Endy Zemenides, Executive Director of HALC, join Thanos Davelis to break down what message these nominations send about the foreign policy priorities of a second Trump administration, especially when looking at the Eastern Mediterranean.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
President-elect Trump nominates Marco Rubio for secretary of state
National security picks signal direction of Trump’s foreign policy plans
Trump builds out national security team with picks of Hegseth for Pentagon, Noem for DHS
Tulsi Gabbard Questioned U.S. Intelligence. Now She Is Trump’s Pick for Top Intelligence Role.
Army reboot: Smaller, smarter, stronger
Turkey deploys warships over misunderstanding
This past weekend Stefanos Kasselakis announced the formation of a new political movement as SYRIZA prepares for a key leadership race. The decision not only throws the party into further turmoil, but leaves it weaker than ever and on the verge of being replaced as Greece’s main opposition party. Nikos Efstathiou, an Athens based journalist and author, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss Stefanos Kasselakis’ decision to found a new party, and look at what this latest split within SYRIZA means for its political future and for Greece’s fractured left.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
SYRIZA’s fate hanging in the balance
Marco Rubio Is Trump’s Pick for Secretary of State
Rubio pick signals a Trump China policy that could go beyond tariffs
Congressman Gus Bilirakis hails Trump announcement of Marco Rubio as foreign affairs chief
Are Turkey's Erdogan and his nationalist ally about to fall out over Kurds?
Last Friday Greece and Turkey’s foreign ministers held a much anticipated meeting in Athens to see if there is a way forward on resolving differences between the two countries, primarily in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. While there were no major breakthroughs last week, continued talks between the two countries on critical issues are seen as important - especially when it comes to managing tensions. Constantinos Filis, the director of the Institute of Global Affairs and a professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this latest meeting in Athens and break down what to look out for as talks progress.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Differences persist in Athens, Ankara talks
Greek-Turkish talks resume in December
Plan to reshape armed forces for the future
UN plans key Cyprus meeting
Last month Greece unveiled a new and ambitious National Energy and Climate Plan that will almost eliminate electricity sector emissions by 2030. While these steps are massively important for the environment, they are also seen as an opportunity to unshackle Greece’s economy and create thousands of jobs. John Psaropoulos joins Thanos Davelis with an inside look into Greece’s ambitious climate goals, and breaks down how they can impact both the economy and Greece’s standing in the region.
John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist and Al Jazeera's correspondent in southeast Europe. He publishes Hellenica, a weekly deep dive into Greek current affairs and history. You can find it on Substack.com.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece races to clean energy with a new climate plan (and it could go even faster)
Mitsotakis invites Trump to visit Greece
Trump Expected to Name Marco Rubio as Secretary of State
Italian court rejects Meloni’s migrant camps in Albania for a second time
Italy’s plan to screen migrants in Albania hits another snag with 2nd group returning to Italy
Over the past weeks we’ve seen Prime Minister Mitsotakis and his government put tax cuts and wages front and center, something made possible as a result of increased state revenue from economic growth, GDP gains, debt reduction, and a crackdown on tax evasion. Yiannis Mouzakis, the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr, a political and economic analysis site that focuses on Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to look at these proposed tax cuts, the broader picture of the Greek economy, and the political dimension of this discussion.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
PM puts tax cuts front and centre in bid to win back voters
Overreliance on indirect taxes
Increasing revenues pave way for tax cuts
Mitsotakis pledges tax relief for households and businesses
Differences persist in Athens, Ankara talks
Kasselakis split sparks political realignment
SYRIZA MP Tzakri signals defection to Kasselakis’ new party
The US election is now behind us and President-elect Donald Trump is set to return to the White House in January. As the congratulatory messages streamed in from around the world, one of the world leaders who was quick to call Trump was President Erdogan. Turkey expert Nicholas Danforth, a Senior Non-Resident Fellow at the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP) and Editor at War on the Rocks, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what the election of Donald Trump - well known for his relationship with Erdogan in his first term - could mean for US-Turkey relations.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Sustainable estrangement: Embracing the new normal in US-Turkish relations
Turkey's Erdogan, Trump discuss improving Turkey-US cooperation
Regional leaders discuss international developments
Fidan arrives in Athens for pivotal talks
Greece cites new trust of Turkey as the neighbors seek to ease tensions
At the end of last month Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited the site of the Holocaust museum that is being built in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki, a city that was home to a thriving and important Jewish community numbering in the tens of thousands before World War II. The museum has been years in the making, and, as The Guardian reported recently, is set to open in 2026. Leon Saltiel joins Thanos Davelis to break down what this means for the Jewish community of the city and of Greece, why it has taken so long, and what role this museum can play in combating worrying trends across Europe of anti-semitism, Holocaust denial, and the rise of the far-right.
Leon Saltiel is a historian from Thessaloniki and author of the award winning book The Holocaust in Thessaloniki. He also serves as Director of Diplomacy, Representative at UN Geneva and UNESCO, and Coordinator on Countering Antisemitism for the World Jewish Congress.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Eighty years after thousands of Greek Jews were murdered, Thessaloniki’s Holocaust museum is finally set to open
Germany’s president visits the site of a Holocaust museum being built in Greece
As he heads to Athens, Turkish FM speaks of ‘positive momentum’ but also ‘comprehensive solutions’
Scholz sets stage for German snap election as government collapses
Europe has closely watched the US presidential election over the past months, anxiously waiting to see who will be elected and what America will emerge after the elections. Yannis Palaiologos, a journalist at large with Kathimerini, joined Thanos Davelis on Tuesday as the polls were still open in the US to break down what it has been like watching - and covering - this high stakes US election from Europe, how the American experiment with democracy has influenced him and others across Europe, and whether Europe is ready to deal with the new America that is taking shape.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Election Live Updates: NYTimes
Greece braces for US election outcome
Election reverberations felt in Greece
Erdogan ally floats Turkey constitutional amendment to let him extend his tenure
While all eyes are on the US elections today, in Greece it seems that there is a permanent state of campaigning. After the PASOK elections a few weeks ago, SYRIZA is now preparing for its own leadership elections this month. In the meantime, internal drama in New Democracy and PASOK’s improved poll numbers have caught the media’s attention as well. Panos Koliastasis, adjunct lecturer in politics at the Hellenic Open University and author of the book Permanent campaigning in Greece in times of crisis, joins Thanos Davelis to look at these developments and what message they send about Greece’s political scene.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Rival factions claim victory in SYRIZA delegate elections ahead of pivotal party congress
ND and SYRIZA contend with internal strife as PASOK advances
ND’s strategy against PASOK: Divide and conquer
Eighty years after thousands of Greek Jews were murdered, Thessaloniki’s Holocaust museum is finally set to open
Pro-EU leader wins Moldova election despite alleged Russian meddling
Mitsotakis congratulates Moldovan president on re-election
The past years have seen an exponential increase in the number of Americans who choose Greece for their vacation, and this trend is expected to continue in 2025. While Americans are arriving in Greece in droves, what do they really think about the country? That’s the focus of a recent poll that not only puts the spotlight on perceptions and impressions of Greece in the US, but also raises questions for Greece’s tourism sector about the country’s overall brand. Iliana Magra, a journalist with Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this poll, the positive trends in US tourism to Greece, and the importance for Greece to further develop its brand abroad.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Αλλάζοντας το brand «Ελλάδα» στις ΗΠΑ
Cyprus is committed to expanding defense ties with the US, says its president
Turkey ousts 3 elected pro-Kurdish mayors from office and replaces them with state officials
With the US elections around the corner, discussions are already underway about how a new administration will tackle the question of Turkey. As this discussion intensifies, just a few days ago we saw members of Congress call out Turkish President Erdogan’s aggressive rhetoric against NATO and key allies. The Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Sinan Ciddi and Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, join Thanos Davelis to look at why a new US administration cannot afford to look past Turkish President Erdogan’s aggressive rhetoric.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Gottheimer, Bilirakis Lead Bipartisan Letter to Secretary Blinken Regarding President Erdoğan’s Anti-NATO and Anti-Israel Rhetoric
Six miles? Not a chance.
Sustainable estrangement: Embracing the new normal in US-Turkish relations
Regional rivals join forces: Greece, Turkey in OSCE bid
Greek content, Turkish ire
PM reaffirms commitment to new minimum wage hikes
Earlier this week Greeks around the world celebrated “OXI Day” - the day 84 years ago that saw Greece reject the ultimatums of Italy’s Mussolini. The heroics of the Greek army during World War II are well known, as they showed occupied Europe that the Axis was not invincible. Today, however, I want to focus on another side of this story, and that’s the ongoing search for the remains of Greek soldiers who perished as the Greek army pushed the Italians back, many of them buried in the mountains of Albania. Yiannis Papadopoulos, a journalist with Kathimerini and author of a recent report highlighting this issue, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this story, which remains an open wound for the relatives of these soldiers.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Ούτε τους έκλαψαν ούτε τους ασπάστηκαν
Biden expresses optimism for Cyprus solution during Christodoulides’ White House visit
Biden, Cyprus president discuss administration push to win cease-fires in Gaza and Lebanon
Greece seeks tougher EU migration policies as it braces for impact of Mideast wars
The Greek and Turkish foreign ministers are set to meet on November 8th in Athens to explore whether there is genuine room for substantive discussions on Greek-Turkish differences, particularly issues in the Aegean Sea. In the lead up to this meeting, neither Greece nor Turkey have deviated from their core positions, something diplomats say is expected. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis as we look ahead at this crucial meeting, breaking down what to expect from Athens and Ankara, how the US elections could impact this process, and what role the EU can play.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece and Turkey hold firm on positions ahead of pivotal Nov 8 meeting
Announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the attacks on the Greek Member of the European Parliament Fredi Beleri (29.10.2024)
Beleri pelted with yogurt and eggs in Tirana
First A-level credit rating for Cyprus
This week Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulidis will head to Washington, DC for an official meeting with President Joe Biden at the Oval Office. The invitation - which was reported on this weekend - comes as US-Cyprus relations continue to reach new heights. These past few months alone have put this positive trajectory in the spotlight, with Cyprus and the US signing a defense cooperation agreement and initiating a strategic dialogue. Lena Argiri, the Washington, DC correspondent for ERT - the Greek Public Broadcasting Company - and Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what this White House visit means for US-Cyprus ties, especially as Cyprus emerges as a critical strategic partner for the United States.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Cypriot President Christodoulides to meet with Biden at the White House
Greek president, PM attend October 28th commemoration events
Mitsotakis highlights importance of national unity ahead of ‘Ochi Day’
North Macedonia seeking closer cooperation
Just days after we saw moves that hinted a resumption of negotiations between Ankara and the PKK could be on the table, a deadly attack took place in Ankara that killed 5 people and left more than 20 wounded. Turkish authorities said the PKK stood behind the attack, and Turkey’s air force bombed Kurdish militant targets in neighboring Iraq and Syria. Ayla Jean Yackley, an Istanbul-based journalist covering Turkey with stories in The Financial Times, Politico, and other major outlets, joins Thanos Davelis to break down these latest developments and look into the reported efforts to end the conflict between the Turkish army and the PKK.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey pummels Kurds in Syria over Ankara attack amid overtures to PKK leader Ocalan
Turkey strikes Kurdish militant targets in Iraq and Syria following deadly attack on defense company
PM’s Serbia visit underscores Balkan EU integration efforts
NASA Welcomes Republic of Cyprus as 46th Artemis Accords Signatory
United States Welcomes the Republic of Cyprus’ Signing of the Artemis Accords
The Financial Times recently put the spotlight on a phenomenon that has been dubbed the “north Cyprus trap” that has seen tens of thousands of migrant students get lured with false promises to so-called universities in the Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus. This practice is not only mired in fraud and human rights abuses, but also enables migrant smugglers who are moving many of these students through the Green Line. Joseph Wilkins, a journalist for the Financial Times based in Nicosia and the author of this report, joins Thanos Davelis as we dive into this story.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
The ‘north Cyprus trap’: migrant students lured with false promises
Turkey strikes Kurdish militant targets in Iraq and Syria following deadly attack on defense company
At least five dead in attack at Turkish aviation company
US and Cyprus launch a strategic dialogue to bolster security
With Israel appearing to expand its war against Hezbollah in Lebanon, targeting the group's financial networks, the US is increasingly concerned that the conflict has “escalated out of control”, with top officials calling for the enforcement of a UN resolution that ended the previous major war between them in 2006. At the same time, there is renewed concern that the war is fueling Lebanon’s sectarian tensions, threatening the balance between Lebanon’s three main religious groups. Sean Mathews, a journalist for the Middle East Eye covering the Middle East, North Africa and the Balkans, joins Thanos Davelis to break down how this evolving conflict is impacting Lebanon and the region.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
How the US dived into a war to reshape Lebanon's balance of power
Beirut divided: Israeli strikes fuel Lebanon’s sectarian tensions
Lebanon assesses the damage after Israel strikes Hezbollah-linked banks
U.S. Tries to End War in Lebanon That Biden Envoy Calls ‘Out of Control’
Erdogan’s nationalist ally suggests parole for imprisoned Kurdish leader Ocalan
IMF raises forecast for Cyprus’ economic growth
After a one-year manhunt, Israeli forces were able to kill Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar last week. Could this pave the way for a reset in a region grappling with the aftermath of the deadly October 7th, 2023, attack Sinwar stood behind? Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins Thanos Davelis to look at why the death of Sinwar is a chance to reopen the door to the brief era of regional cooperation that was being celebrated before October 7th, particularly the 3+1 mechanism between Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and the US.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
The Sinwar reset
Turkish move to acquire Eurofighter jets effort to restore air force balance
Germany sets terms for Turkey jet sale
Dissent emerges within PASOK over Androulakis’ new appointments
Migration was - once again - at the heart of discussions at the latest EU leaders summit, as the issue has been taking on new dimensions across the continent. This renewed focus on migration comes after the far-right made gains in the European Parliament, in various elections in Germany and Austria, and follows the opening of Italy’s controversial offshore detention centers in Albania. Angeliki Dimitriadi, a Senior Research Fellow and Head of the Migration Program at the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), joins Thanos Davelis to explore how migration is once again challenging EU leaders, and break down what the path forward looks like.
Given the political landscape in Europe right now, how do you see this issue evolving?
Von der Leyen promises more deportations as EU veers right on migration
Greece sceptical about EU outsourcing asylum seekers
EU seeks to accelerate return of migrants
Albania says only Italy is allowed to operate migrant asylum centers in the country
Italy’s offshore detention centers in Albania open for business
Erdoğan’s arch enemy Fethullah Gülen dies, reports say
Pyatt underscores Greece’s leadership role in energy security
Earlier this month Erdogan made a wild accusation that Israel was planning to wage war on, or target, Turkey. While these absurd claims are mainly seen as an effort by the Turkish President to appease his Islamist base and distract from the country’s economic troubles, there is concern that to ignore such statements encourages further incitement. Alan Makovsky, a senior fellow for the Center for American Progress and a former senior staffer with responsibility for Turkey on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why Erdogan’s claims, if left unchecked, risk stoking more hatred in Turkey and the region.
In our discussion we also look into the Turkey-Hamas connection. This conversation was recorded before the news about the killing of Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader who was an architect of the October 7 attacks.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Erdogan accuses Israel of wanting to wage war on Turkey despite robust trade ties
EU leaders set course for tougher policy to send back irregular migrants
Greece, Ukraine sign security agreement in Brussels
With the exclusion of former party head Stefanos Kasselakis from its leadership election, it looks like SYRIZA is plunging into fresh turmoil. With the party effectively leaderless and consumed by internal struggles for the coming weeks, many see this as an opportunity for PASOK - which just wrapped up its own leadership elections - to state its case to be considered the main opposition party. Nick Malkoutzis, the co-founder of Macropolis.gr, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the latest crisis within SYRIZA and look at what to keep an eye on as PASOK shifts gears following its leadership race.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Androulakis reaffirmed as PASOK leader, ending talk of centre-left alliance
Kasselakis criticizes SYRIZA central committee’s decision to disqualify him from leadership race
PM pushing for EU action on migration in Brussels
Ankara hardens stance before Athens talks
Next month COP 29, the UN’s flagship climate conference, is once again going to be hosted by an authoritarian petrostate - Azerbaijan. In the build up to COP29, human rights organizations, civil society groups, and major news outlets have all shared their concerns about Azerbaijan’s human rights record - from its aggression in the Caucasus against Armenians to its crackdown on dissidents at home. Aram Hamparian, the Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), joins Thanos Davelis to look into the growing pressure on Azerbaijan, and break down why COP29 should matter to anyone who believes in human rights.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
COP29 and the greenwashing of Azerbaijan
Back off, Azerbaijan tells human rights critics ahead of COP29
At UN dinner, Cypriot leaders agree to meet again soon
Majority of Greeks concerned about overtourism, survey finds
Mitsotakis: ‘Greece does not have an overtourism problem’
A few days ago, on October 12th, Athens celebrated 80 years since the liberation of the city from a brutal Nazi German occupation that left its mark not just on Athens, but on all of Greece. Today, we take a look back at this historic moment, but also at a question that has lingered ever since, impacting Greece’s relations with Germany: the issue of reparations and a forced loan taken from Greece. John Psaropoulos joins Thanos Davelis as we dive into this issue and look at why it is still on the table.
John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist and Al Jazeera's correspondent in southeast Europe. He publishes
Hellenica
, a weekly deep dive into Greek current affairs and history. You can find it on Substack.com.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Occupied Greece lent Nazi Germany billions. Now it seeks repayment, but is afraid to ask
SYRIZA’s future in balance as it braces for showdown
EU terms for Albania on minority rights
Last week Turkish President Erdogan set out on a tour of the Balkans, visiting Albania and Serbia. The tour kicked off in Albania, with Erdogan gifting a number of drones and inaugurating the largest mosque in the Balkans - which was funded by Turkey. The second leg took him to Serbia, where Turkey made a diplomatic comeback in 2017. Thanos Davelis caught up with expert Dimitar Bechev last week while Erdogan was wrapping up his visit to Belgrade. We looked into Erdogan’s Balkan tour, and broke down Turkey’s broader agenda in the region.
Dimitar Bechev is a senior fellow at Carnegie Europe, where he focuses on EU enlargement, the Western Balkans, and Eastern Europe, and he is the author of the bookTurkey under Erdogan.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Erdogan inaugurates mosque in Albania, pledges military drones as he begins Balkan tour
Turkey, Serbia Eye Cooperation On Production Of Military Drones
Androulakis celebrates reelection as PASOK leader, vows to end New Democracy’s dominance
Androulakis re-elected PASOK leader
US has not met its commitments, says Greek defense minister
Dendias highlights Greece’s military progress
This week Greece - together with the European Commission - hosted the REPowerEU workshop on energy in Athens. This was a chance to put the spotlight on how Greece is at the heart of energy developments like the “Vertical Corridor”, renewables, and electricity interconnectors that are transforming the region and breaking its dependence on Russian energy. Theodoros Tsakiris, a Professor of Geopolitics and Energy Policy at the University of Nicosia, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this important meeting in Athens and explore the various projects that have put Greece on the energy map as a serious player.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Remarks at the REPowerEU Diversification Workshop
Pyatt to “N”: Greece’s amazing transformation into an energy hub
Erdogan inaugurates mosque in Albania, pledges military drones as he begins Balkan tour
Erdogan visits Tirana bearing gifts
MED 9 Summit in Cyprus: EU leaders confront Israel-Lebanon conflict and migration concerns
Cyprus hosts European Commission President for MED9 Summit
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is set to hold talks with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar in New York next week, the latest push to kickstart stalled talks for a solution to the Cyprus problem. The talks come as Tatar and Turkish President Erdogan have been doubling down on their calls for a two-state solution, with Erdogan even calling for recognition of the pseudo-state at the UN General Assembly. Konstantinos Letymbiotis, the Government Spokesperson of the Republic of Cyprus, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss these upcoming talks, Turkey’s intransigent positions, and how Cyprus’ growing role in the region impacts negotiations.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
UN chief to meet with Cypriot leaders in October
Christodoulides, Tatar informal dinner confirmed
Ankara leveraging Halki bargaining chip
Could Halki Seminary reopen soon?
Greek Cypriot scientist Demis Hassabis wins Nobel Prize in chemistry
Nobel prize win for Greek Cypriot scientist
After a meeting at the UN between the leaders of Greece and Turkey, it appears talks to delimit the continental shelf and EEZ - the main issue on the table - could materialize. This was confirmed in a recent interview that Greece’s Foreign Minister Georgios Gerapetritis, who will meet with his Turkish counterpart next month in Athens, gave to Kathimerini. Expert Constantinos Filis, the director of the Institute of Global Affairs and a professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what we should expect from these upcoming talks, and look into how this issue fits into the broader puzzle that is the Eastern Mediterranean.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
FM: ‘Only action can produce momentum’
A group of 17 European countries call for a 'paradigm shift' to deport rejected asylum seekers
SYRIZA’s fate hanging in the balance
Sunday’s election for PASOK’s leadership was a nail-biter up until the early hours of Monday, keeping analysts up well into the night. The race for second place, which saw Athens mayor Haris Doukas narrowly defeat former minister Pavlos Yeroulanos, has set the stage for a runoff against incumbent Nikos Androulakis. Lamprini Rori, an Assistant Professor in Political Analysis at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens who frequently comments on Greek politics, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the key takeaways from Sunday’s vote, and provide a look into the struggle for PASOK's future.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Inside the struggle for PASOK’s future
Greece in talks with US over LCS ships
Fears grow about a new energy crisis
We’ve seen recent reports - most notably in Kathimerini - hinting that Turkey could be prepared to take steps to reopen the historic Halki Seminary, something Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has also voiced optimism about. Elizabeth Prodromou, a visiting Professor in the International Studies Program at Boston College, a non-resident senior fellow in the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, and an expert in international religious freedom issues, joins Thanos Davelis to look into these reports, and break down what is on the table when it comes to Halki.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Positive signals for Halki Seminary
PASOK leadership up for grabs
PM urges for de-escalation amid rising Middle East tensions
Greek PM marks anniversary of Oct 7 Hamas attack
On the campaign trail, former President Trump constantly warns of a World War III. In Greece and Cyprus, it already feels like such a war is playing out as Athens and Nicosia have to navigate flashpoints to the north in Ukraine and to the south in the Middle East. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss how these wide-ranging conflicts are affecting Greece and Cyprus – domestically, in their relations with regional actors, and in their bilateral relationships with the United States.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece on alert for migrant wave, terror concerns
Adams indictment focuses on connections to Turkey
‘A true friend of Turkey’: Eric Adams bribery indictment reveals years of flights and favors
Greeks, Cypriots evacuated from Lebanon land in Elefsina
Cyprus chosen as base for Belgian military operation to rescue nationals from Lebanon
This Sunday is decision day for the leadership race in PASOK, a race that could determine not only the future of PASOK but the way forward for the broader center left. With six candidates vying to take over the party, the drama in PASOK is likely to continue beyond Sunday’s election as a runoff is expected between the two leading candidates. Nikos Efstathiou, an Athens based journalist and author, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what to expect from this election, and whether this is PASOK’s last chance at uniting Greece’s center left.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Candidates spar over party strategy and past allegiances
What do the ‘exes’ think about the center-left?
New poll shows SYRIZA dropping to fifth place
Ολα είναι δρόμος (και καφενεία)
Greece on alert for migrant wave, terror concerns
Cyprus on standby to assist evacuations from Middle East
Once on the verge of extinction, the Caretta caretta sea turtle is recording an amazing bounce-back as its nests are reaching record numbers. At the heart of this comeback is the Greek island of Zakynthos and the shore of Sekania, long described as the Mediterranean’s greatest “maternity ward” for this sea turtle, home to a state-funded marine park. Charikleia Minotou, who coordinates the WWF program in this protected area, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the conservation efforts behind this sea turtle's extraordinary resurgence, and explore what still needs to be done.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
‘It’s hugely moving’: sea turtle nests in Greece reach record numbers
Greece to hold emergency meeting following Iran’s missile attack on Israel
Greece condemns Iran’s attack on Israel, urges de-escalation
UN chief to meet with Cypriot leaders in October
Austria's far-right Freedom Party, a party rooted in Nazi ideology, just celebrated an unprecedented election victory on Sunday night, with its leader talking about a new era for the far right. This is seen as another worrying sign for Europe, as a surge by populist far-right forces shows no sign of slowing down. Georgios Samaras, an Assistant Professor of Public Policy at King’s College London whose research has centered on the far right in Greece and Europe, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what this election result means for Austria, and look into the far-right’s growing presence across the continent.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Far right in Austria 'opens new era' with election victory
Austria goes back to the future as voters embrace far-right party founded by Nazis
What a Trump victory would really mean for Europe
Greece, Turkey wade into maritime issues
Wildfire continues in Corinthia for third day
Wildfire burning through forest in southern Greece kills 2 people
With world leaders gathering in New York last week for the UN General Assembly, the focus was undoubtedly on diplomacy as Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ met with Turkish President Erdogan and world leaders sounded the alarm about the risks engulfing the world. As Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition - who joins Thanos Davelis on our show today - writes in The Greek Letter, tensions in Greece’s neighborhood and uncertainty around the world mean diplomacy has to go hand in hand with a strong defense policy, highlighting the decision for a Greek “Iron Dome”.
Sign up for Kathimerini’s newsletter: The Greek Letter
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
A ‘powder keg that risks engulfing the world’
EU ministers scramble to find a response to Middle East carnage
EU to hold emergency talks on Lebanon escalation
Greece begins sale of 10% National Bank stake
A proposal is reportedly on the table that could potentially see the US gain control of Turkey’s S-400s in return for Ankara re-joining the F-35 program. This has many asking why the Biden administration is in a rush to find a way to bring Turkey back into a program that it was ejected from as a result of Ankara’s embrace of Russia and behavior that is antithetical to NATO. Sinan Ciddi joins Thanos Davelis to look into this developing story, and make the case that Turkey should prove it is ready to embrace NATO before Washington begins to open the door to any arms deals like the F-35s.
Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he contributes to FDD’s Turkey Program and Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP). He is also an Associate Professor of Security Studies at the Command and Staff College-Marine Corps University and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey should prove it is ready to embrace NATO
Greek PM sees ‘window of opportunity’ on demarcating maritime zones with Turkey
Cyprus leader says he ready to resume peace talks ‘today’
The issue of migration is back on the agenda in Greece, putting the spotlight on a phenomenon that has been ongoing in the country for at least 3 decades. This was the focus of recent studies by DiaNEOsis in Greece which looked at Greek perspectives on migration and dug into the policies designed to address this issue which has an impact across society - from the labor market to demographics. Aggelos Tramountanis, a researcher specializing on migration at Greece’s National Center for Social Research, joins Thanos Davelis for a deeper dive into this issue.
On Tuesday Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayipp Erdogan met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, making it the sixth time the two leaders have met since the NATO summit in Vilnius fourteen months ago. Reports indicate that beyond a commitment to maintain calm and a positive agenda, issues like migration and Cyprus also came up. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what message this meeting sends about Greek-Turkish relations, and to look at what else to expect from the UNGA.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Mitsotakis, Erdogan agree on next steps
Greece Aims to Slash Debt to Lowest Since 2009 Within Four Years
UK moves 700 troops to Cyprus ready to evacuate Britons from Lebanon
Leave Lebanon now, Starmer tells Britons
While world leaders gather in New York, we’re going to turn our attention to Athens and the historic Panathenaic Stadium, where over 40,000 fans gathered for a basketball tournament this weekend. Kathimerini described this as a night that raised the bar for Greek basketball around the world. Alexander Kitroeff, a professor of history, a frequent commentator on Greek sport, and a lifelong Panathinaikos fan, joins Thanos Davelis on The Greek Current today as we look at a night that put Greek basketball in the world’s spotlight.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
A historic night in Athens with a modern record of 42.000 fans
Partizan beats PAO in historic open-air game for “Pavlos Giannakopoulos” tournament
Μια βραδιά που γιγάντωσε την Ελλάδα στο παγκόσμιο μπάσκετ
CYA Hellenic Executive Program
Bar not high in Mitsotakis, Erdogan talks
Macron expresses interest in Crete-Cyprus interconnector
UAE’s TAQA looks to invest in Cyprus-Greece electricity project
This weekend Kathimerini reported that a US proposal is on the table that could see a resolution to the Russian S-400 missile issue that has been a thorn in the side of US-Turkey relations over the last years. This could potentially result in the lifting of CAATSA sanctions and a path for Turkey to rejoin the F35 program. Lena Argiri, the Washington, DC correspondent for ERT - the Greek Public Broadcasting Company - and Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest scoop from Washington, DC.
Read Lena Argiri’s latest piece for Kathimerini: Talks on S-400 seen nearing a compromise
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
HALC makes ‘no weapons to Turkey’ petition to US Congress
Busy week of meetings for PM at the UN
Turkey’s recent role in mediating talks between Somalia and Ethiopia has put the spotlight on how Turkey’s influence in Africa has boomed over the past two decades. As the Financial Times reported in a recent in-depth piece, Turkey’s rapidly growing influence has been particularly prominent in the Sahel region, especially over the past few years. Turkey’s focus on Africa comes as a number of so-called “middle powers” are vying to gain a larger foothold on the continent. Ulf Laessing, the head of the Sahel program at the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Foundation, joins Thanos Davelis to look at Turkey’s growing footprint in the Sahel and Africa.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey’s expanding leverage in Africa
The middle-power competition in Africa
Von der Leyen, responding to Mitsotakis, outlines plan to lower energy prices
PM: Buying 4th frigate will not upend fiscal policy
Mario Draghi recently released a report on Europe’s competitiveness that has sparked debate across the continent. The report, which shows Europe lagging behind the US and China in a number of areas, has many asking if the continent’s leaders will heed his call to action. Jacob Kirkegaard, a nonresident senior fellow with the Peterson Institute for International Economics and senior fellow at Bruegel, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why this report has sparked a debate across the EU, and look at what steps Europe needs to take to meet the challenges before it.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Mario Draghi outlines his plan to make Europe more competitive
Draghi is trying to save Europe from itself
Draghi's competitiveness report: Can Europe heed the call to action?
Greece to buy US drones
Migration undermining EU’s cohesion
Earlier this month Prime Minister Mitsotakis announced a series of measures designed to alleviate Greece’s housing crisis. It came as no surprise that Airbnb and short term rentals were also targeted - especially in downtown Athens - as Greece announced it will ban new short-term rentals in the center for at least a year. Iliana Magra, a journalist with Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to look at these latest announcements, and provide a look into how Greeks living in neighborhoods of Athens that see a large number of tourists throughout the year are reacting to this news.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece to ban new short-term lets in Athens for at least a year
Guarded optimism for Cyprus cable link
Greece clinches transport and tourism portfolio in new EU Commission
5 takeaways on Ursula von der Leyen’s new Commission
Earlier this month a Turkish-flagged vessel suspected of carrying weapons to Libya blocked the EU’s naval mission Irini from inspecting its cargo. This isn’t the first time this has happened. The timing of this shipment, however, which comes amid an escalating row over the leadership of the country’s Central Bank, is fueling speculation of renewed conflict in Libya. Amberin Zaman, Al-Monitor’s chief correspondent covering major stories on the Middle East and North Africa, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this unfolding crisis in Libya, and break down whether this should be a cause for concern in the Mediterranean.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Libyan Central Bank standoff fuels conflict fears as Turkey, Russia send weapons
From Turkey, exiled Libyan Central Bank governor decries 'coup d'etat'
Burning oil tanker is safely towed away from Yemen after rebel attacks
Greece to ban new short-term lets in Athens for at least a year
Over the summer we’ve read about issues of water scarcity on Greece’s islands, many of them struggling to find ways to meet demand during the summer - especially as tourists swarm to the islands. New warnings, however, indicate that Greece’s countryside and the city of Athens could face their own water crisis. Experts have warned that if droughts persist, Athens would run out of water in another four years. This has spurred the government into action, and it has announced a series of ambitious water projects. John Psaropoulos joins Thanos Davelis to look into the challenge that Greece is up against.
John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist and Al Jazeera's correspondent in southeast Europe. He publishes Hellenica, a weekly deep dive into Greek current affairs and history. You can find it on Substack.com.
Read John Psaropoulos’ latest in Hellenica here: Greece fights climate emergency with huge waterworks as Athens risks going thirsty
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Attica faces water shortages due to receding Lake Mornos
The tug of war with Berlin over migration
Salvagers launch new attempt to tow an oil tanker blown up by Yemen’s Houthi rebels
Earlier this year Europeans seemed to wrap up years of negotiations to pass a new migration pact. Now, Germany has decided to impose temporary controls on its land borders in an immigration crackdown. This is leading to a string of reactions across Europe, with frontline states like Greece increasingly concerned about the possibility of a “domino effect” that would see other member states take similar steps. Alexandra Voudouri, Kathimerini’s correspondent in Brussels, joins Thanos Davelis to look into whether the nightmare of closed borders could once again become a reality in Europe.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Concern over a migration domino effect
'Unacceptable': Neighbours slam Germany for new border control measures
Unauthorized migration into the EU declined despite heated politics
Mitsotakis and Christodoulides to meet in Athens for linkup deal
‘Blue Homeland’ debuts at Turkish schools
All eyes have been on Thessaloniki these days as the Thessaloniki International Fair is putting a spotlight on Greece’s second city. Beyond the droves of politicians, diplomats and business leaders visiting the city, this was an opportunity to shine a light on the crucial role that Thessaloniki can play in an evolving region. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how Thessaloniki is positioning itself to play a key role in this new international setting.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Thessaloniki’s potential role in connecting initiatives
CYA Hellenic Executive Program
Rama celebrating his own goal
Cyprus and US sign bilateral defense cooperation roadmap
Turkey recently took delivery of its first German-built T-214 submarine with air-independent propulsion system, a submarine that falls in the same category as the Greek Papanikolis. The news sparked discussions in Athens about whether Greece is falling behind its neighbor and nominal ally at sea. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this development, break down what the situation at sea looks like, and explore how Greece plans to position itself as a key player at sea in the coming years.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Arms race with Turkey a Sisyphean trial
The great EU Commission puzzle: Who we think will get each portfolio
Difficult day after for headless SYRIZA
SYRIZA political drama in the spotlight
This weekend Prime Minister Mitsotakis delivered his keynote address at the Thessaloniki International Fair. While he made it clear he was not showing up with a bag of gifts, he did announce a number of programs with a 2027 horizon, and put the issue of tackling issues related to over-tourism on the table as well. At the same time in Athens, SYRIZA leader Stefanos Kasselakis lost a no-confidence motion, throwing the main opposition party into further turmoil. Nick Malkoutzis, the co-founder of Macropolis.gr, joins Thanos Davelis with the key takeaways from Mitsotakis’ speech in Thessaloniki and the turmoil in SYRIZA.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Tight, targeted spending, with a 2027 horizon
Greece cracks down on excessive tourism
SYRIZA leader Kasselakis falls in no-confidence motion
Greece, Saudi Arabia talks to salvage tanker
Tuesday is Cyprus' last chance to end its energy isolation
Are Turkish-Egyptian relations entering a “new phase”? This week Egypt’s President al-Sisi traveled to Ankara to meet with Turkish President Erdogan, a visit that came after over a decade of tensions between the two countries that spanned from Libya to the Eastern Mediterranean and saw Erdogan describe his Egyptian counterpart as a “tyrant”. Steven Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei Senior Fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Thanos Davelis to explore whether we are seeing relations between Turkey and Egypt turn a new page, and break down what this means for the region.
Read Steven Cook’s latest book here: The End of Ambition: America’s Past, Present, and Future in the Middle East
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Egypt's Sisi makes first presidential visit to Turkey in 12 years
Egypt’s el-Sisi says Turkey visit paves way for ‘new phase’ in relations
Turkey's Role in NATO Comes Under Scrutiny
Summer 2024 was world's warmest on record
Chevron’s plan for Aphrodite
A series of attacks in the Red Sea by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels have left a Greek flagged ship, the Sounion, stranded, threatening to spill its 1 million barrels of oil into the sea. Greece has taken the lead in coordinating efforts to evacuate and tow the Sounion, but the threat of environmental disaster remains large. Bradley Bowman, the Senior Director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins Thanos Davelis to look into the ongoing crisis in the Red Sea, the role of Iran in supporting the Houthis, the efforts to avoid an environmental disaster, and break down what more can be done to protect shipping and thwart the Houthis.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Yemen’s Houthi rebels target oil tanker in the Red Sea. US says rebels also hit Saudi-flagged tanker
Houthis Attack Two More Tankers in Red Sea, Sparking Fears of Environmental Catastrophe
Greece, Saudis Coordinate to Avert Red Sea Oil Tanker Disaster
Drought dries up lake to reveal sunken Greek village
Re-emergence of Greece’s sunken village shows extent of rainfall crisis
Egypt's Sisi makes first presidential visit to Turkey in 12 years
Ever since Vice President Kamala Harris replaced President Biden in the presidential race, the question for many - especially in Greece and Cyprus - is what to expect from a Harris presidency on foreign policy, and who would have the ear of a potential President Harris. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins Thanos Davelis to look into Vice President Harris’ foreign policy track record, and break down what Greece and Cyprus should expect in the event that Kamala Harris is sworn in as the 47th President of the United States.
Read Endy Zemenides’ latest piece in Kathimerini here: A Harris Doctrine?
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
PM to send restart message in Thessaloniki
Forging a Balkan front on electricity rates
Today, September 3rd, marks 50 years since Andreas Papandreou founded PASOK, a political party that came to play a key role in Greece from the restoration of democracy to the financial crisis. Harris Mylonas, an Associate Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at George Washington University and the executive producer of the award winning documentary Searching for Andreas: Political Leadership in Times of Crisis, joins Thanos Davelis to look into PASOK’s 50 year legacy, from its founding under the leadership of Andreas Papandreou to the challenges it faces today as it looks to redefine itself.
You can watch the documentary on Andreas Papandreou here: Searching for Andreas: Political Leadership in Times of Crisis
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
PASOK turning 50
An ethnic Greek politician and EU lawmaker is released on probation in Albania
Beleri granted early release after 16 months in Albanian prison
Initial agreement reached for interconnector
Interconnector agreement reached
While summer may be winding down, water scarcity, overcrowded streets and rising housing costs are infuriating locals across southern European countries - especially those that rely on tourism. Greece is no exception, and we are seeing reactions to overtourism not only on Greece’s top island destinations, but also in cities like Athens. Professor Dimitris Vayanos joins Thanos Davelis to look into Greece’s reliance on tourism and explore whether it is time for Greece to change its tourism model, improving what is a vital product for the country while transitioning to a more innovative economy.
Dimitris Vayanos, is a professor of finance at the London School of Economics, the co-editor of the book "Beyond Austerity: Reforming the Greek Economy," and a member of the Pissarides Commission which developed a growth plan for Greece at the request of the Greek government.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Analysis: Is it time for Greece to change its tourism model?
From tourism to an innovative economy
Greece and Saudi Arabia lead effort to tow Greek tanker attacked in Red Sea
Gerapetritis raises Kasos issue with Fidan
Is there an effort afoot to revive the F-35 deal with Turkey? The issue popped up in a report in the Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet, and has raised questions about whether this is being seriously considered - despite the issue of the Russian S-400s remaining unresolved - or if it is wishful thinking on the part of Ankara. Michael Rubin, the director of policy analysis at the Middle East Forum and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this latest report and break down why an F-35 reboot for Turkey is a mistake.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey Can’t Ever Get the F-35 Fighter
Ambassador Flake opens up before leaving his job in Turkey
Greek, Turkish FMs to meet in Brussels
Measures to tackle Attica water shortage
A recent poll is turning heads in Greece as it shows not only what appears to be a total collapse of the main opposition SYRIZA, which fell into single digit numbers, but also a noticeable decline in support for the ruling New Democracy party. Nikos Efstathiou, an Athens based journalist and author, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the key takeaways from this poll as we look at what message it sends about Greek politics, from SYRIZA with its never ending cycles of internal crises, PASOK and its effort to capture the Greek center left, and the ruling New Democracy.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
New poll sees SYRIZA drop to single digits amid noticeable decline for New Democracy
SYRIZA leader plays his final cards
Chevron-led group to update offshore gas plan as Cyprus sets deadline
Drying lakes and thirsty trees: In drought-hit Greece, water trucks are keeping crops alive
Cyprus has emerged as a key player - particularly on the humanitarian front - as the ongoing war in Gaza and the broader crisis in the Middle East unfolds. While it has received international praise for its crucial role in providing aid to Gaza, tensions on the Lebanese-Israeli border saw Cyprus face threats from Hezbollah. Professor James Ker-Lindsay, who has worked extensively on the EU, the Balkans, and Southeast Europe, including Cyprus, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how Cyprus is emerging as Europe’s outpost in the region while navigating what is a complex geopolitical position that is seeing it balance its ties between its Arab and Israeli neighbors.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
CYPRUS | Europe’s Mideast Outpost?
Cyprus again offers sanctuary as Middle East violence spreads
Israel Averts All-Out War With Hezbollah, but Its Regional Conflicts Grind On
SYRIZA standing at three-way crossroads
SYRIZA fractured in three parts
Bulgaria to hold another snap parliamentary election on Oct. 27, says president
Turkey is putting up roadblocks within NATO that are raising questions about whether the alliance’s largest air exercise, which Greece is preparing to host for the first time, will move forward smoothly. The heart of the issue is the Athens flight information region (FIR), whose jurisdiction Turkey does not fully recognize. This is consistent with Turkey’s broader efforts to turn the Aegean into a disputed territory. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins Thanos Davelis to break down how Turkey’s latest actions put the alliance at risk, and should serve as a wake up call for NATO members.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
NATO air exercise in Greece faces roadblocks due to Turkey
Turkish aircraft violate Greek airspace over southeastern Aegean
UAV a ‘permanent’ Aegean visitor
Nato must wake up to Russia’s nuclear power deal with Turkey
Greek Orthodox cemetery in Istanbul vandalized
Syria’s al-Assad says Turkey rapprochement efforts unsuccessful
Making housing more affordable is going to be one of the central themes of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ keynote speech at the Thessaloniki International Fair in early September. Property prices, both to buy and rent, have come to dominate the public debate over the past couple of years, as Airbnb, the Golden Visa scheme, and other factors continue to impact the market, leaving many Greeks unable to find homes in major cities like Athens and Thessaloniki. Georgia Nakou, a features editor at MacroPolis - a specialist website focused on political and economic analysis of Greek affairs, joins Thanos Davelis to look into Greece’s housing crisis and the government’s effort to put the issue front and center.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Housing tops government plans for policy reset in autumn
Oil tanker Sounion ‘poses environmental risk’ after Red Sea attack
Water emergency action now a summer ritual in Mediterranean
This year marked 75 years since the creation of NATO, and the latest summit in Washington, DC sent a clear message that NATO is back, returning to its Cold War roots deterring the Russians and adding new members. At the same time, however, there are increasing concerns in Europe about America’s long-term commitment to their security. This has revived the notion of building up Europe’s defense capabilities. Max Bergmann, the director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and the Stuart Center in Euro-Atlantic and Northern European Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), joins Thanos Davelis to look at why this 75th anniversary is an opportunity for the US to lead the way in plotting a new course for NATO and European defense.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
NATO Missed a Chance to Transform Itself
Plan for recovery of forests in Attica
Greece to compensate fire-stricken households near Athens
Greek-flagged vessel ‘Sounion’ attacked in Red Sea
Last week Greece - and the region of Attica where Athens is located - suffered another major wildfire that threatened the suburbs of Athens and burned an area almost twice the size of Manhattan. This wildfire came a year after Greece experienced Europe’s largest ever wildfire on record, which burned over half of the Dadia National Park. John Psaropoulos joins Thanos Davelis as we return from a brief summer break to look back at the latest devastating wildfire that tore through Attica, and look at how lessons from the past can help save Greece’s forests.
John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist and Al Jazeera's correspondent in southeast Europe. He publishes Hellenica, a weekly deep dive into Greek current affairs and history. You can find it on Substack.com.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
How lessons from past fires could help save Greece’s forests and farmland
Expert: EU, Greece should change mentality to face future wildfires
New round of surveys begin off Kasos
Tackling the housing shortage with vacant properties
In a recent interview with Politico, President Christodoulides said “We cannot afford to wait for a new effort, a new initiative,” when talking about the Cyprus issue. At the same time, on the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, Turkish President Erdogan and Turkish Cypriot leader Tatar doubled down on their hardline position in favor of a two state solution. Menelaos Menelaou, the Greek Cypriot Negotiator for the Cyprus Problem, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss whether there is still a window of opportunity for talks to resume even as Ankara seems to be shutting the door to a solution.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Cyprus eyes chance to run EU Mediterranean policy
Erdoğan dashes hopes for resumption of Cyprus talks on invasion’s 50th anniversary
Cyprus rejects reports of airspace closure amid Middle East tensions
Goat plague scares Greek farmers still reeling from historic floods
A few weeks ago it looked like former President Donald Trump was in the driver’s seat of the presidential election. In the last 10 days, however, President Biden dropped out of the race and Vice President Kamala Harris essentially locked up the nomination. William Antholis, the director and CEO of the University of Virginia’s Miller Center of Public Affairs, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how this is shaking up the presidential race in the US, and break down what President Biden’s decision - and the candidacy of Vice President Harris - means for America’s partners and allies, including Greece.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
William J. Antholis: The US election is far from decided
Drama in the US raises stakes for Greece, too
Greece nominates Tzitzikostas as EU commissioner
Theodoros Tselidis Wins Bronze in Judo, Delivers Greece’s First Medal at Paris 2024
Judoka Thodoris Tselidis wins Greece’s first medal at Paris Olympics
Over the past month we’ve seen reports that after more than a decade of trying to overthrow the Assad regime in Syria, Turkey’s President Erdogan is now open to resetting relations with President Bashar al-Assad. Henri Barkey, the Cohen Professor of International Relations at Lehigh University and Adjunct Senior Fellow for Middle East Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Thanos Davelis to look into Erdogan’s u-turn when it comes to Assad, and break down what this could mean for the broader region, especially given the Russian and Iranian presence there.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Syria and Turkey: A path to reconciliation, or a defeat of the opposition?
As Erdogan woos Assad, is Turkey-Syria reconciliation rhetoric or reality?
US emphasizes importance of Prespa Agreement compliance for North Macedonia
Wildfire in Greek-Bulgarian border rages for 14th day, burning 1,500 hectares
Last week, for approximately 40 hours, tensions in the Aegean hit heights we had not seen in over a year and a half as Greek and Turkish ships faced off in an area south of the Greek islands of Kassos and Karpathos. Turkish warships had deployed just outside Greece’s territorial waters in an effort to prevent an Italian research vessel from carrying out research for the future deployment of underwater cables for the Great Sea Interconnector. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to break down how this 40 hour crisis evolved and look at the broader message this incident sends about stability in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Οι 40 ώρες του συναγερμού
Diplomacy helps end Aegean standoff
Greece dismisses Turkish claims
Turkey renews dispute over maritime zones
FM again dismisses Turkish claims over Italian research vessel
Wildfires rage in Greece and Balkans after weeks of scorching weather
Probe clears Greek government agencies in spyware scandal but opposition calls it a cover-up
Acrimony as wiretapping case shelved
In an escalation of rhetoric that is raising the temperature in the broader region, the last few days have seen Turkey’s President Erdogan threaten to intervene in Israel on behalf of the Palestinians, noting military interventions Turkey has made in the past in other countries. These statements came about a week after reports that Israel had foiled a major terrorist attack orchestrated from Hamas operatives in Turkey. Thanos Davelis spoke with Tyler Stapleton and Sinan Ciddi last week about this development - which once again puts Turkey’s support for Hamas in the spotlight - and explored what steps Washington and NATO can take to address Ankara’s enabling of Hamas.
Tyler Stapleton is the Director of Congressional Relations at FDD Action, and has served as a senior advisor on national security, foreign policy, defense, and intelligence for members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he contributes to FDD’s Turkey Program and Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP).
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Israel Foils Hamas Terror Attack Directed by Turkey
Turkey’s President Threatens Military Action Against Israel
Turkey threatens to ‘enter’ Israel to protect Palestinians
Turkey delisting exposes financial watchdog’s blind spot
Window opens for Parthenon Sculptures’ return
Greece's Santorini bursts with tourists as locals call for a cap
With Ursula von der Leyen securing another term as European Commission President, EU members are now vying for the top positions in the new Commission. In what Politico called a show of his growing political strength, Prime Minister Mitsotakis stressed that Greece must get an important portfolio, one that reflects the country’s economic comeback and strategic position. President Christodoulides is also looking for a heavier post for Cyprus, eyeing the new role in the Commission on the Mediterranean. Nektaria Stamouli, the deputy editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition and Politico’s Eastern Mediterranean correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece must get an important role in the Commission, prime minister tells von der Leyen
Cyprus eyes chance to run EU Mediterranean policy
Ankara eyes offshore hydrocarbon exploration in Libya, minister says
Greece warns Turkey against illegal activities in EEZ established by 2020 deal
Greek lenders and EIB boost mid-caps funding
The Paris Olympics opening ceremony on Friday night will see more than 8,000 of the world’s top athletes - led by Greece - sail along the Seine River in a one of a kind spectacle. Aside from the excitement around the opening ceremony, where Greece and Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo will carry the Greek flag, there are also high expectations in Greece for all of its athletes. Nkos Efstathiou, an Athens based journalist and author of a best-selling biography on Olympic Champion Pyrros Dimas, joins me to look at the buzz around the Olympics in Greece this summer, and break down whether Greek sport - which took a hit during the crisis - is bouncing back.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Paris prepares for Olympics opening ceremony spectacle along River Seine
Antetokounmpo leads Greece to place in Olympics
Giannis as Greece’s flag-bearer at the Paris Games
Lockheed Martin welcomes Greece to F-35 program
Dendias confirms Greece has signed LOA for F-35 acquisition
Turkey returns $5bn Saudi deposit in show of economic confidence
This week saw tensions between Greece and Turkey reach levels we have not seen since 2022 in the Aegean as Turkey sent its warships into an area south of the Greek islands of Kassos and Karpathos. The ratcheting up of tensions followed Turkish President Erdogan’s hardline statements on Cyprus this weekend and his calls for Prime Minister Mitsotakis to put Defense Minister Dendias “in his place.” Constantinos Filis, the director of the Institute of Global Affairs and a professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to look into whether we are seeing a gradual return of tensions in the Aegean after more than a year of calm.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greek, Turkish ships face off in the Aegean, but no hostile engagement
Italian research vessel returning to Crete after completing operation
Greece must get an important role in the Commission, prime minister tells von der Leyen
Experts call for urgent conservation strategy as Crete faces water shortages
After Losing Crops to Drought, Sicily Fears Losing Tourism, Too
A few months ago, thousands of Armenians took to the streets in anti-government protests calling on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to resign. Protesters, led by Archbishop Galstanyan, have blasted Pashinyan for what they see as endless concessions being made to Azerbaijan and Turkey with nothing to show for it in return. Amberin Zaman, Al-Monitor’s chief correspondent covering major stories on the Middle East and North Africa who has covered conflicts in Iraq, Syria and the South Caucasus, joins me to look into these protests and break down what’s at stake in the region as Azerbaijan, backed by Turkey, continues to demand further concessions from Armenia.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Archbishop seeking Armenian PM’s ouster over concessions to Turkey, Azerbaijan down but not out
Diplomatic efforts to decrease tensions as Turkey deploys warships near Kasos
Tensions rise again in the Aegean
PM: Progress, lost chances in past 50 yrs
The Athens Riviera - a 60 kilometer shoreline spanning from Piraeus to Sounio - is currently undergoing a major rejuvenation, attracting both local and foreign investors. This transformation includes mega-projects like the Ellinikon at the former Athens airport which is touted as the largest real estate project in Europe and promises to be a “smart” city. Eleni Varvitsioti, the Financial Times correspondent for Greece and Cyprus, joins Thanos Davelis to look into the rise of the Athens Riviera and explore how major investments and projects along the Athenian coastline are poised to transform it, marking a new chapter for the Greek capital.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
The audacious rise of the Athens Riviera
Erdoğan dashes hopes for resumption of Cyprus talks
Erdogan criticizes Defense Minister Dendias, calls for Mitsotakis to ‘put him in his place’
Ethnic Greek politician returns to prison in Albania after attending European Parliament opening
50 years ago, Turkey launched its invasion of Cyprus. Since then, tens of thousands of Turkish troops have occupied over one third of the island. Unfortunately, the US still fails to use the word “occupation” to describe this ongoing violation of international law in Cyprus. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what this failure to speak the truth has meant for efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem, and whether the State Department is ready to right this 50 year wrong.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greek PM calls for unified Cyprus on 50th anniversary of 1974 invasion
Cyprus’ “Oxi” Day
Erdogan leads a grand spectacle and provocation in occupied territories
Big Turkish presence in occupied Cyprus to test detente with Greece
Greece issues high fire risk alert amid ongoing blazes
Temperatures expected to remain high until Monday
Archaeological site opening hours adjusted for weekend due to heatwave
On July 20th, 1974, Turkey launched its first invasion of Cyprus. 50 years later, tens of thousands of Turkish troops continue to illegally occupy the northern part of Cyprus, splitting the island in two. Alexis Papachelas, the editor in chief of Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this dark anniversary, the importance of revisiting this moment in history - whether in Athens, Nicosia, or even Washington, DC - with clear eyes, and explore whether there is still a window of opportunity for a solution.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
The time of hard and final decisions
Let’s not forget to whom we owe a debt
Turkish parliament passes resolution calling for recognition of occupied northern Cyprus
Ursula von der Leyen wins second 5-year term as European Commission president
In fear of war and Trump, Europe takes no chances
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Greece has stood by Ukraine, a decision that angered Moscow. Athens and Kyiv are now negotiating a 10-year assistance agreement. John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist based in Athens and Al Jazeera’s Southeast Europe correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to look into the deal Athens is negotiating with Kyiv, break down how Greece has become a critical piece of the puzzle when looking at Western support for Ukraine, and look at why Russian anger over Greece’s decision to support Ukraine has not swayed Greek public opinion.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Russian anger builds as Greece prepares a military deal with Ukraine
Greek navy extends advisory to curb Russian oil ship-to-ship transfers, sources say
Turkish F-16 modernization program encounters roadblocks
Turkey to Pare Back $23 Billion Deal for F-16 Jets With US
The Tara Ocean Foundation has come to be known worldwide as a leader when it comes to promoting the well-being of our oceans, and its ship, the Tara, is currently docked in Greece, wrapping up a scientific expedition to better understand the biodiversity and ecosystems along Europe’s coastlines. Thanos Davelis was able to tour the ship and see its work up close this week in Athens, and is joined on our podcast by Romain Troublé, the General Director of the Tara Ocean Foundation, to look at the Tara’s mission in Greece, and discuss the broader impact this research can have for our oceans and seas.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Η Ελλάδα, τελευταία στάση της πρώτης πανευρωπαϊκής αποστολής για τις ανθρώπινες επιπτώσεις στις θάλασσες
Traversing European Coastlines
Integrating the ocean into the climate regime: the Ocean & Climate Platform’s challenge
Environmental pollution caused by microplastics: the example of mermaid tears
Greece restricts outdoor work as temperatures soar again
PM hints at electricity allowances
Power subsidies in August
Last week HALC sounded the alarm over North Macedonia’s adherence to the Prespa Agreement, launching a letter and petition to the State Department urging it to remind Skopje that international agreements are binding - not optional - and that there will be consequences. North Macedonia’s newly elected leaders have repeatedly referred to their country simply as “Macedonia” rather than the constitutional name “North Macedonia”. Given the renewed attention on this issue, we are re-sharing our discussion with Prof. James Ker-Lindsay from last month where we looked into the mixed signals Skopje is sending about the Prespa agreement, and discussed the broader risks this poses for the region.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
HALC Questions North Macedonia’s Prespa Agreement Compliance
Mitsotakis–Beleri: Albania must follow the European acquis
Turkey to soon wind down latest operation in northern Iraq, Erdogan says
The United States and Turkey are reportedly discussing the possibility of US companies building nuclear reactors in Turkey. This is seen as part of an effort to help Ankara move away from Russia, at the same time as Russia’s state-owned nuclear monopoly, Rosatom, is building a nuclear energy plant in Turkey at Akkuyu. While Washington looks like it is dangling the possibility of cooperation in front of Ankara, Congress is preparing legislation that would sanction Rosatom that could also push the administration to impose sanctions on Turkish entities as well. Andrea Stricker, a research fellow and deputy director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program, joins Thanos Davelis to look into these reports, and break down how this legislation could complicate US-Turkey ties.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
U.S. Considers Nuclear Cooperation With Turkey as Congress Tees Up Sanctions
Turkey, US in talks on nuclear plant projects, Turkish official says
Mitsotakis on CNN: Europe cannot rely only on US for defense
Albania’s supreme court upholds Beleri verdict
On a narrow street in the old Greek quarter of Alexandria, the world renowned poet and writer Constantine Cavafy created some of the masterpieces that still inspire people across the world today. As of this past May, this home in Alexandria is now open to the public. Together with the Cavafy Archive in Athens, which is home to over 2,000 digitized manuscripts, with poems and handwritten notes, Cavafy’s life and work are now accessible to a global audience. Prof. Gonda Van Steen, the Koraes Chair at the Centre for Hellenic Studies and Department of Classics at King’s College London and a member of the academic committee for the Alexandria Cavafy House, joins me to explore why making Cavafy widely accessible is important, and look at why his work still inspires us today.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Onassis Foundation has restored Cavafy House in Alexandria
Greek poet who inspired Forster, Hockney and Jackie Onassis emerges from the shadows
Greek PM reiterates warning to North Macedonia
Cyprus-US traveler data agreement ratified
With Greece deep into its tourism season, issues of over-tourism and sustainability have largely dominated the headlines. A recent article in Kathimerini took a slightly different look at tourism, exploring how it impacts young Greeks. With the quintessential Greek summer increasingly out of reach for many in the country as they are priced out of certain locations, many young people end up taking on seasonal work only to be able to see a beach - something unthinkable for previous generations. Iliana Magra, a journalist with Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this side effect of tourism, and break down whether the Greek summer we’ve all taken for granted over the previous decades is out of reach for this generation.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Δουλεύουν σεζόν για τις βουτιές τους
Greeks priced out of vacation
Mitsotakis, Erdogan meet in Washington
A Conversation With Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of Greece
Holguin gives Guterres her report on Cyprus problem and prospects to start talks
Diplomatic efforts intensify amidst critical juncture
Last week Keir Starmer led Britain’s center-left Labour Party to a historic win over the Conservative Party. Prior to the elections, in November, Starmer had indicated that if Labour won the general election he would not prevent an agreement for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures. Ioannes Chountis, an adviser in the House of Lords and a council member of the Anglo-Hellenic League, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the recent UK election results, and look at what Starmer taking over at Downing Street means for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Starmer’s victory comes with constraints
The UK elections and the Parthenon Sculptures
Mitsotakis, Erdogan to meet in Washington
China Tesla rival BYD signs $1bn Turkey plant deal
While Hungary’s Victor Orban - who currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU - is bidding to become the dominant hard-right force in the EU, he’s also raising eyebrows on the international level. His latest meeting with Russia’s President Putin and his decision to attend a meeting of the Organisation of Turkic States in Azerbaijan - which included the pseudo-state in the occupied north of Cyprus - has sparked reactions across Europe and within NATO. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to look into Orban’s latest travels, his ties to Putin and Erdogan, and whether this is cause for concern in Athens, Nicosia, Brussels, and Washington.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Viktor Orbán’s rightwing group hits quota for recognition by EU parliament
Why the EU is outraged over Orbán’s trip to see Putin
EU foreign policy chief issues fresh rebuke to Hungary's Orban
French election aftermath and NATO summit dominate the agenda
Homegrown anti-drone system on Psara frigate proves its worth on Red Sea
UN envoy stresses need for Cypriot leadership in reconciliation efforts
The case of Fredi Beleri, the convicted mayor elect of Himare who belongs to Albania’s Greek minority, has heightened tensions between Greece and Albania over the past year. A recent poll exploring Greek attitudes toward bilateral relations and their views on Albanians who have made Greece their home shows that while attitudes toward Albanian immigrants have drastically improved, assessments of the political relationship are worse. Professor Ioannis Armakolas, Senior Research Fellow and Head of the South-East Europe Programme at ELIAMEP, joins Thanos Davelis to look into the progress that has been made in Greek-Albanian relations - with a focus on the people to people ties - amid lingering challenges facing the two countries.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greek public opinion and attitudes on Albania, Albanians and Greek-Albanian relations
Albanian integration and acceptance in Greece
Berlin-Ankara ‘Grey Wolves’ row rumbles on as Germany summons Turkish envoy
Germany summons Turkish ambassador over ‘wolf’ goal celebration
Turkey's Demiral to be suspended for two games over wolf gesture
Government focus shifting to daily life
Last month was the hottest June ever experienced in Athens, at least since records began over 150 years ago. In fact, eight of the hottest 10 Junes ever recorded in Athens were during the last 20 years and four of those were in the last decade alone. This is having clear consequences for the city and its inhabitants, as rising temperatures and protracted heatwaves, beyond impacting daily life, also pose a number of health risks. Eleni Myrivili, the UN Chief Heat Officer working with UN-Habitat and the Arsht Rock Resilience Center at the Atlantic Council and the former Chief Resilience Officer and deputy mayor for Athens, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the challenges Athens is up against, explore the efforts to build urban heat resilience, and look at whether Athens can serve as an example to other cities.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Athens sizzles with hottest June on record
Building Urban Heat Resilience: The Athens Case Study
Hellenic Air Force receives 20th upgraded F-16 Viper
Syrians attack Turkish troops after anti-migrant riots
Protests and arrests as anti-Syrian riots rock Turkey
With Fists and Knives, Mobs Attack Syrian Refugees in Turkey
This week kicked off with two former prime ministers and leaders of New Democracy - Antonis Samaras and Konstantinos Karamanlis - launching maybe the most severe criticism of Prime Minister Mitsotakis and his leadership that we’ve heard so far, touching on foreign and domestic policy. Their criticism comes amid broader political uncertainty among Greece’s leading parties following disappointing results in the European elections. Nick Malkoutzis, the co-founder of Macropolis.gr, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what these critiques mean for Prime Minister Mitsotakis and whether they could impact policy both at home and abroad.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
PM comes under fire from predecessors
Mitsotakis's predecessors launch caustic attacks against PM's leadership, government policies
Italian ship under Ankara’s watchful eye
Firefighters battle wildfires on 2 Greek islands as premier warns of a dangerous summer
With the US in the midst of an intense diplomatic push to prevent a war between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon, Turkey has also waded into the mix. While it’s still unclear what Turkey is looking to achieve should a conflict erupt, it looks like a policy is taking shape, especially after Ankara followed up on Hezbollah’s threats to Cyprus with its own “warning”. Sinan Ciddi joins Thanos Davelis to look into this latest “warning” from Ankara to Cyprus, dig into the Turkey-Hezbollah connections, and look at what role Ankara will likely play in any potential conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he contributes to FDD’s Turkey Program and Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP). He is also an Associate Professor of Security Studies at the Command and Staff College-Marine Corps University and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Will Turkey Work With Hezbollah?
Turkey Should Remain on FATF Grey List
North Macedonia’s PM calls Prespa Agreement a ‘reality’
Four MPs enter PASOK’s leadership race in election countdown
Two to challenge Androulakis for PASOK leadership
With SYRIZA on the brink of civil war, PASOK facing a new leadership fight, and New Democracy still reeling from the aftermath of the European elections, it seems like a period of uncertainty has set in among Greece’s top political parties. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the challenges facing Greece’s political leaders amid the backdrop of broader uncertainty across the West, from the upcoming elections in France to the Presidential race in the US.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Uncertain times and the actions of political leaders
Turkey tracks cable work in Cyprus EEZ
Greek parliament approves military procurement programs
Earlier this month, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew - along with many other countries and organizations - attended the Ukraine Peace Summit. Nearly 80 countries issued a statement calling for the “territorial integrity” of Ukraine to be the basis for any peace agreement to end Russia’s two-year war. The Ecumenical Patriarch’s signature was originally on that document. Then an outraged Turkey intervened, getting the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s signature removed. Bruce Clark, who writes on European affairs and religion for The Economist, has played an active role in the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s environmental initiatives, and is the author of Twice A Stranger: How Mass Expulsion Forged Modern Greece and Turkey, joins Thanos Davelis to look into what this story says about the continued pressure the Ecumenical Patriarch is under.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Patriarchate removed from Ukraine summit statement following Turkish protests
SYRIZA on the brink of civil war
Von der Leyen, Costa and Kallas bag EU top jobs
European Leaders Name Top E.U. Officials, Opting for Stability
Greece is moving toward a six-day workweek, with regulations coming into effect on July 1 that make this possible for certain industries. The government hopes this move, which comes as other Western countries and companies are considering shorter office hours, will help deal with a labor shortage and, among other things, fight black market labor. Dr. Jens Bastian, an expert with the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin with a deep knowledge of Greece’s economy, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this decision to extend the workweek, and break down whether it can solve the problems the government hopes to tackle.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Can Greece's new six-day workweek be a model for others?
Higher salaries have stagnated
As Putin menaces and Trump hovers, NATO chooses Rutte as next leader
Rutte says NATO ‘cornerstone of collective security’ as he is named chief
Tech giants eye project in Cyprus
With another summer tourism season in full swing, the question of over-tourism and sustainability - particularly in tourist hotspots like Athens and the Cyclades islands - is once again at the forefront. It seems the government is also beginning to address these concerns, with Prime Minister Mitsotakis announcing plans to limit the number of cruise ships visiting popular islands. Yannis Palaiologos, a journalist at large with Kathimerini and the co-editor of the "Sustainable Cyclades" project, joins Thanos Davelis to look into the latest warnings about over-tourism and sustainability, the response from Athens and locals, and its impact on the social fabric of the country - particularly on the islands.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
«Ο υπερτουρισμός διαλύει την κοινωνική συνοχή»
Anger as fireworks shot from private yacht spark forest fire in Hydra
Greece to Cap Number of Cruise Ships at Its Most Popular Islands
Barcelona to ban apartment rentals to tourists in bid to cut housing costs
Greek EU lawmaker to remain in Albanian prison
Rama pushing it with Athens over Beleri
Diplomatic sources in Athens respond to Turkish FM’s comments over Greece, Cyprus and Gaza
All eyes in Athens were on North Macedonia this weekend, as its new government and prime minister were sworn in. While Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski referred to his country as “North Macedonia” when taking his oath, his statements regarding the Prespa Agreement have not been reassuring, and Greece has warned that the a la carte implementation of Prespa is a violation of the agreement. Professor James Ker-Lindsay, who has worked extensively on the EU, the Balkans and Southeast Europe, joins Thanos Davelis to look into the mixed signals the new government in Skopje is sending about the Prespa agreement, and discuss the broader risks this poses for the region.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Athens ready to alert EU over Prespa Agreement violation
Will North Macedonia become Orban’s Balkan gateway?
New North Macedonia PM describes country’s constitutional name as ‘shameful’
Albanian court to decide on appeal of jailed ethnic Greek mayor-elect, MEP
In Greece, Another Tourist Found Dead Amid Scorching Heat Wave
City of Athens braces for fresh heatwave
Greece sent its frigate “Psara” to the Red Sea this week to join Operation Aspides, the EU’s mission in the Red Sea to protect merchant ships from Houthi attacks. The Psara is replacing the Hydra, which completed a three month deployment in the Red Sea, at a time when the Houthis are escalating their campaign. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to look into Greece’s role in Operation Aspides and the risks posed by continued Houthi attacks.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Visit of the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias to the Frigate “PSARA”
Frigate bound for Red Sea will have better anti-drone system
Salvage firm confirms sinking of Greek-owned Tutor struck by Houthis
Houthi Attacks Causing More Damage in the Red Sea, Merchant Traffic Through Suez Canal Down More than 50%
EU foreign affairs chief expresses solidarity with Cyprus over Hezbollah threats
Hezbollah threats against Cyprus are ‘just beyond me,’ says State Department spokesperson
Days after the US and Cyprus announced the launch of a strategic dialogue, a historic step that takes the bilateral relationship to a new level and highlights Cyprus’s strategic role in the region, Hezbollah’s leader issued a threat against Cyprus amid rising tensions with Israel. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins Thanos Davelis to break down Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos’ trip to Washington and the importance of the strategic dialogue, and look into Hezbollah’s threats against Cyprus.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Why pick on us? Cyprus bemused by Hezbollah threats
Turning Cyprus from a problem into a solution
The small country in the middle of the world’s crises
US, Cyprus embark on strategic dialogue that officials say demonstrates closest-ever ties
PM discusses high prices with European market commissioner
Over the past 30 years, Greece has lost some 250 square kilometers of its beaches. This is expected to rise as climate change and rising temperatures continue to push up sea levels. Experts warn Greece is in the “red zone” because measures to stabilize the country’s beaches are long overdue. Costas Synolakis, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the Technical University of Crete and the University of Southern California and a preeminent authority on the impact of natural hazards, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what coastal erosion means not just for Greece’s shores, but also for the Greeks living in coastal communities, and break down what steps Greece can take.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece in the ‘red zone’ of coastal erosion, warns expert
'Unprecedented': Why Hezbollah threatened to attack Cyprus
Hezbollah head threatens Cyprus in televised address
Summer wildfires plague Greece and Turkey. The worst ones have been contained
Heightened inferno risk on Thursday and Friday
The aftershocks of the European elections are still being felt in Greece, as none of the big three parties reached their stated goals. The country’s attention has turned to the center left, particularly PASOK, where several party officials are calling for a leadership change. At the same time, there are growing internal discussions in PASOK and SYRIZA regarding forming a coalition. Political scientist and expert Panos Koliastasis joins Thanos Davelis to look at the crisis brewing in Greece’s center left, and break down what it means for Greece’s political scene.
Panos Koliastasis is an adjunct lecturer in politics at the Hellenic Open University, and the author of the book "Permanent campaigning in Greece in times of crisis: the Samaras, Tsipras and Mitsotakis premierships".
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Election aftershocks dominate the agenda, focus on the center-left
Some 83% of SYRIZA and PASOK voters in favour of left-wing coalition, poll finds
PASOK must give voice to the party base
Greek island searches for missing tourists intensify amid hiking deaths
US tourist found dead on Greek island during heatwave
Greece to set up its first sovereign wealth fund, reform posting, bus services
In the northern Greek port city of Kavala, an ultra-luxury Greek hotel owned by Egypt and built by Mohammad Ali Pasha has become a base to not only explore Kavala, but also Greece’s historic ties to the Balkans, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the broader Middle East. Sean Mathews, a Greece-based journalist covering the broader region, joins Thanos Davelis to break down how Kavala can serve as a base for visitors to explore northern Greece and Thrace, which is increasingly on the radar of policymakers in Washington and Brussels, while reflecting on Greece’s rich ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, and Ottoman history.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
'The last stop of Europe': In a remote Greek port, live like a pasha in an Ottoman palace
Cyprus and US announce launch of strategic dialogue
Election aftershocks dominate the agenda, focus on the center-left
Former minister Pappas advocates SYRIZA-PASOK electoral alliance
Greece and the whole region have been hit by an unseasonably early - and intense - heat wave, prompting warnings, fire hazards, closures of schools and archaeological sites, and even leading to deaths. In the meantime, with a number of tourists reported either missing or found dead after hiking in the heat, experts have expressed fears that tourists are not fully aware or being properly informed of the risks posed by overexertion in the searing heat. Nikos Efstathiou, an Athens based journalist and author, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the first major heat wave of the summer, and look at how this is impacting everything from daily life in Athens to tourism.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Visitors to Greece appear ill informed about heatwave risk, warn rescuers
Greek PM Mitsotakis reshuffles Cabinet after election disappointment
Greece to Cap Number of Cruise Ships at Its Most Popular Islands
In a month we’ll be commemorating the 50th anniversary of Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus. For five decades, Turkish troops have occupied the northern part of the island. With this dark anniversary on the horizon, Michael Rubin, the director of policy analysis at the Middle East Forum and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how Turkey’s continued occupation of the northern part of Cyprus - which has turned the area into a terror safe-haven and money laundering hub - presents a grave and growing threat to U.S. and European security.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Northern Cyprus Has Become A Terror Safe-Haven
Party cadres challenge PASOK’s leader
PASOK MP: ‘We have to see what went wrong’ in EU elections
Ankara plans Aegean research in Turkish waters
Ankara widens Greek-Turkish agenda
Following decades of worry, have US policymakers finally overcome their fear of “losing Turkey”, coming to terms with a Turkey that is neither friend nor foe? Nicholas Danforth, an editor at War on the Rocks and the author of The Remaking of Republican Turkey: Memory and Modernity since the Fall of the Ottoman Empire, joins Thanos Davelis to answer this question and break down his latest piece in War on the Rocks, “Coming To Terms With The Loss Of Turkey”. We also explore how this shift impacts the way Washington approaches Ankara and the broader region.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Coming To Terms With The Loss Of Turkey
4,000-year-old Greek hilltop site mystifies archaeologists. It could spell trouble for new airport
Greece plans early repayment of €8 billion of bailout loans
The European elections this past weekend saw far right parties gain ground in a number of countries. Greece was not an exception, with the party Greek Solution more than doubling its support since the last elections. Beyond the far right’s gains, the ruling New Democracy did not hit its target, describing the results as a “pyrrhic victory”, while the battle for second place between SYRIZA and PASOK proved inconclusive. Meanwhile, in Cyprus, a 24 year old YouTuber made political waves finishing third. Nektaria Stamouli, the deputy editor in chief of Kathimerini's English Edition and Politico's Eastern Mediterranean correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis from Athens.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Where did all the far-right votes come from?
Nine new hands and 12 old ones heading to Strasbourg
SYRIZA members urge overture to center-left parties following election results
PM rules out snap election, hints at reshuffle
Greece sends aid to raging Cyprus wildfire
Houses burnt down in out-of-control Paphos wildfire
Sunday’s European elections saw not only a strengthened far right emerge, but also saw French President Macron call for snap parliamentary elections in response to the victory for the far-right National Rally led by Marine Le Pen. Center-right and far-right parties are now set to take the largest number of seats in the most populous nations. Max Bergmann, the director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and the Stuart Center in Euro-Atlantic and Northern European Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), joins Thanos Davelis with the main takeaways from the European elections while looking at what this means for transatlantic relations.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
In E.U. Elections, the Center Holds, but the Far Right Still Wreaks Havoc
Macron bets the house in election to break far-right momentum in France
ND, SYRIZA and PASOK fall short in European Parliament election
Government rues ‘Pyrrhic victory’
YouTube prankster voted in as Cyprus MEP
MEPs: Akel, Disy big losers, victory for Elam and YouTuber
diaNEOsis, which has been monitoring the attitudes and perceptions of Greek society for a decade, just published an all-encompassing three part survey looking at what Greeks believe on a variety of issues - from climate change to politics, trust, and the economy. Fay Makantasi, the director of research at diaNEOsis, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the key findings from this survey and its broader implications, including on the climate, perceptions of the EU, social trust, and more.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
New anxieties grip Greeks in 2024
Greeks do not trust each other, survey shows
Parties seeking to make their mark
Turkey moves closer to acquiring F-16 jets
Kremlin welcomes Turkey's reported desire to join BRICS
Turkey is set to join the nuclear energy club, with the Akkuyu plant expected to go online at the end of the year. It has plans for two more nuclear energy sites. Given the strong link between nuclear energy programs and the proliferation of nuclear weapons, many are asking whether there is a risk here as well. Eleni Ekmektsioglou, a postdoctoral fellow in Technology and International Security at the University of California’s Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation and an adjunct professor at the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, joins Thanos Davelis to look into Turkey’s nuclear energy ambitions and what they mean for regional stability.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey’s Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant and What it Means for Regional Stability and Nuclear Proliferation Concerns
Greece elected to UN Security Council as non-permanent member
Mitsotakis inspects Greek frigates in French shipyard
Mitsotakis in call for defence of freedom and democracy at D-Day commemoration
The fight for the return and reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures is back in the spotlight after a Turkish official said that no "firman" - an Ottoman legal document - exists that legitimizes Lord Elgin’s actions to break up the sculptures and take them to Britain. Greece’s culture minister said the comments strengthen Greece’s argument that the sculptures were illegally removed. Dr. Irene Stamatoudi, a professor of law at the University of Nicosia and a former member of the Ministry of Culture’s Advisory Committee for the Parthenon Sculptures, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how these latest developments impact both the efforts to reunite the Sculptures and the British Museum.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece is buoyed by a Turkish official’s comments about Parthenon sculptures taken by Britain
British Museum seeks ‘new relationship’ with Greece amid Parthenon sculptures dispute
ECB to approve Greek banks' request to resume dividend payment after 16 years, sources say
Cyprus president says a buffer zone splitting the island won’t become another migrant route
The end of May saw Greek sports teams reach the peak of Europe, with Panathinaikos kicking off the celebrations by winning a seventh EuroLeague basketball title, and Olympiakos following up and becoming the first Greek soccer team to win a European trophy. This high point comes after a year where Greek sports was in the headlines for the wrong reasons, as fan violence was in the spotlight. Alexander Kitroeff, a historian with a deep background in Greek sport, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss these historic wins, and whether they can serve as a springboard for Greek sport to build on.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Panathinaikos wins its seventh European crown
Celebrations in Greece as Olympiakos beats Fiorentina 1-0 for first European title
Greece's Super League must build on 'dream season', says league chief
The chronology of deadly fan violence in Greece
Many undecided ahead of Euro election
Sanctioned tankers pose rising environmental risk in Mediterranean, Greece says
Over 52 years ago Turkey shut down Halki Seminary. Since then, its doors have remained shut. According to a recent report in Karar daily, a Turkish media outlet, Ankara is considering taking steps to reopen the seminary. This isn’t the first time that we’ve heard promises from Turkey that it is going to reopen Halki - including Turkish President Erdogan’s broken promise to President Obama in 2012 - as it continues to keep the seminary’s doors shut. Georgia Logothetis, the Managing Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins Thanos Davelis to look into Turkey’s trail of broken promises on Halki and discuss her latest piece in The Aegean Monthly - “Halki Seminary held hostage”.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Halki Seminary held hostage
Turkey moves towards reopening Halki seminary, report says
Turkey signals a new military intervention in Syria if Kurdish groups hold local elections
Greece introduces digital helper app for tourists
This week Greece hosted members of the East Med Gas Forum in Athens, where the focus was on existing and future gas projects in the region, the East Med’s importance when addressing concerns over energy security in the broader region, decarbonization, and the green transition. Kostis Geropoulos, the co-founder and director of Energy and Climate Policy and Security at NE Global Media, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the East Med Gas Forum’s meeting in Greece and look at the initiatives countries in the region are spearheading.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
East Med Gas Forum in Athens
Θ. Σκυλακάκης: «Κλειδί» οι συνεργασίες στην Αν. Μεσόγειο για την ενεργειακή μετάβαση
Polls find ND leading SYRIZA by over 15 points ahead of European elections
Far-right parties expected to surpass EPP in European Parliament, polls suggest
Greece denies report on migrant resettlement deal with the US
In recent years Greece’s general government debt has exceeded 350 billion euros and its debt-to-GDP ratio reached 160 per cent of GDP in 2023. Despite this, Greece has managed to fully repair its IMF loans and its economic performance has been a bright spot over the past years for the country, outperforming its Eurozone peers. Yiannis Mouzakis, the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr, a political and economic analysis site that focuses on Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to look at Greece’s debt and whether it still puts Greece at risk.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
From default to investment grade: A brief history of Greek debt
Aid for Gaza still leaving Cyprus by sea while landing pier fixed, Cypriot official says
Day limit for short-term rentals
This month Ankara moved to include the Blue Homeland doctrine, which expresses Ankara’s controversial maritime claims in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean, in Turkish school curriculums. In the meantime, Turkish President Erdogan once again took the opportunity on May 29th, 571 years after the fall of Constantinople, to make reference to conquests of the past, tying them to his vision for today’s Turkey. Ryan Gingeras joins Thanos Davelis to discuss Turkey’s decision to teach the Blue Homeland in Turkish schools, its wider ramifications, and explore the link between the rhetoric of conquest we’ve become used to hearing from Erdogan and policies like Blue Homeland.
Ryan Gingeras is a professor in the Department of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and an expert on Turkish, Balkan, and Middle East history. The views expressed in this interview are his own and do not reflect the views of the US government.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Blue Homeland doctrine planted in Turkish schools
Libya maritime deal also in Turkish schools
Turkey celebrates 1453 Constantinople fall
Olympiakos triumphs in Conference League final
Panathinaikos wins its seventh European crown
Greece to go ahead with plans for Aegean marine park, PM says
Over the last year, a number of regional crises - from Ukraine to the Middle East - have taken the international spotlight off Turkey and President Erdogan. Combined with a number of sharp divergences with Western partners over Ankara’s contradictory foreign policy ambitions and rule-of-law deficiencies, it looks like Turkey’s overall standing on the international scene has diminished. That’s the case Ambassador Marc Pierini, who joins Thanos Davelis on our show today, makes in his latest piece, “Turkey’s Dwindling International Role”.
Ambassador Marc Pierini is a senior fellow at Carnegie Europe, where his research focuses on developments in the Middle East and Turkey from a European perspective. He previously served as EU ambassador and head of delegation to Turkey (2006–2011).
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey’s Dwindling International Role
PM Mitsotakis meets with Chicago Council on Global Affairs delegation
Defense minister meets with Chicago Council of Global Affairs
Nikola Dimitrov: ‘The bridge might collapse without care’
Late last week Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama was in the ethnic Greek town of Himare, where he announced the restitution of some 400 titles to homes in the area to residents who have been suing the Albanian state for more than 30 years. Rama’s attempt to reconcile with the Greeks of Himare comes as the town’s mayor elect, Fredi Beleri, remains imprisoned, and for many this gesture does not go far enough in addressing the longstanding and serious issue of minority property rights. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to break down Edi Rama’s charm offensive toward the Greeks of Himare, the issue of property rights facing the Greek minority, and more.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Rama theatrics with ethnic Greek properties
Ankara ‘threatens’ own marine parks
Skrekas: We will keep fighting against inflation
With New Democracy set to cement its political dominance in the upcoming European elections, the battle for second place is heating up as SYRIZA and PASOK’s leaders turn up the heat to see who will take on the leading role on Greece’s center-left after the elections. The fight for second place is also viewed by many as a battle of survival for SYRIZA’s Stefanos Kasselakis and PASOK’s Nikos Androulakis, as a poor showing in June could raise questions about their leadership. Nick Malkoutzis, the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr, a political and economic analysis site that focuses on Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the upcoming elections and the battle for second place that’s unfolding.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Centre-left parties jockey for leading role in post-election landscape
Polls provide little comfort for opposition parties ahead of EP elections
Fighting cost-of-living crisis is government’s top priority, PM says
Has Europe already reached its demographic tipping point?
After decades of negotiations and acrimony, Athens and Skopje signed the Prespa Agreement in 2018 that effectively put an end to the Macedonia name dispute and opened the way for North Macedonia to join NATO and start the process toward EU membership. Since the election win of the VMRO-DPMNE in early May, however, its leadership has taken a nationalist turn that could put this deal at risk. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English edition, joins Thanos Davelis to look into what he has called a destabilizing nationalism from Skopje, and break down what the broader risks are for not just North Macedonia and Greece, but the region.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Destabilizing nationalism in North Macedonia
Poland and Greece urge EU to create common air shield, says Polish PM
Von der Leyen backs Polish, Greek calls for EU air defense shield
Mitsotakis tells Zelenskyy Greece will continue to support Kyiv
Ukraine renews military aid request
Since an economic overhaul in June last year, Turkey’s central bank has increased its main interest rate to 50 per cent from 8.5 per cent in an effort to tame rampant inflation. Despite this, and other steps, Turks continue to face nearly 70 per cent inflation rates, high borrowing costs and cuts in measures that in recent years helped soften the impact of rising prices. Almost a year since these economic overhauls, Ayla Jean Yackley, an Istanbul-based journalist covering Turkey with stories in The Financial Times, Politico, and other major outlets, joins me to look at Turkey’s inflation crisis, Erdogan’s sweeping economic overhauls, and how this is impacting Turks every day.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey’s inflation crisis rages a year into economic turnaround
Party leaders are taking center stage
Parties targeting crucial undecided vote
Greek PM rules out ‘full-package solution’ with Turkey
Earlier this year Turkey completed the maiden test flight of its prototype Kaan fighter, a development celebrated in Ankara. Is this the groundbreaking achievement Turkish media is claiming, and what does it mean for Turkey’s defense industry? Rebecca Lucas, a senior analyst in defense and security with RAND Europe, and Stuart Dee, a research leader in the defense and security research group at RAND Europe, join Thanos Davelis to look into the Kaan fighter jet, break down whether the hype around it is justified, and see how it fits into the broader aims of Turkish defense-industrial investment.
Rebecca Lucas is a senior analyst in defense and security with RAND Europe and is heavily involved with RAND’s Centre for Defence Economics and Acquisition. Her research focuses on the defense-industrial base, acquisition policy, and supply-chain analysis, as well as a regional focus on Turkey.
Stuart Dee is a research leader in the defense and security research group at RAND Europe, focusing primarily on defense economics and acquisition, as well as issues relating to the U.K. industrial base and defense exports. He is also a member of RAND’s Centre for Defence Economics and Acquisition.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Crowning Achievement? Kaan And The Turkish Defense Industry
Greek PM warns ‘isolated’ Skopje over compliance with name deal
Athens awaits next move by Skopje
Cyprus LNG terminal talks go on
Charges dropped against nine Egyptians over 2023 migrant shipwreck off Greece
Last week the EU gave the final green light to a landmark overhaul of its migration and asylum policies, ending more than eight years of efforts to rewrite the rulebook. This was followed up by 15 EU states - including frontline states like Greece, Italy, and Cyprus - demanding further measures to tighten the bloc’s asylum policy, including sending asylum seekers to third countries. These moves come with European elections less than a month away. Angeliki Dimitriadi, a Senior Research Fellow and Head of the Migration Programme at ELIAMEP, and Thanos Davelis met at College Year in Athens to discuss these latest developments on migration and asylum, and look at how they may impact the upcoming elections.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
EU signs off on sweeping migration overhaul ahead of elections
15 EU states demand plan to send asylum seekers to third countries
Greek, Egyptian FMs affirm strategic relationship
PM: North Macedonia should use constitutional name everywhere
Mickoski doing his sponsors’ bidding
This week kicked off with Turkish President Erdogan stating that 1000 Hamas members were being treated in Turkey, a comment that Turkish officials tried to walk back, saw The Times report that Hamas may have been planning to establish a base in Turkey, and culminated with the Turkish leader suggesting that Israel would “set its sights” on Turkey if it defeated Hamas in Gaza. Expert Sinan Ciddi joins Thanos Davelis to look into Erdogan’s latest comments on Hamas, the recent report in The Times, and the questions this raises about the Erdogan-Hamas connection.
Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he contributes to FDD’s Turkey Program and Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP). He is also an Associate Professor of Security Studies at the Command and Staff College-Marine Corps University and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Secret Document Discovered in Gaza Reveals Hamas Plan to Establish Base in Turkey
Erdogan defends Hamas, says members are being treated in Turkish hospitals
Secret papers reveal Hamas plan to set up base in Turkey
Turkey dials up Gaza diplomacy as cease-fire talks hit 'impasse'
Gov’t to table F-35 letter of acceptance in Parliament
EU ministers to strengthen migration policies
Over 70 members of Congress sent a letter to the Biden administration this week, urging it to hold Turkey accountable for the 2017 attack by Erdogan’s security guards against American protesters at Sheridan Circle. Members of Congress are calling on the State Department to press President Erdogan and Turkish authorities on this issue as an essential element for relations between Washington and Ankara. Andreas Akaras, an attorney with the law firm Bregman, Berbert, Schwartz & Gilday who is part of the team representing the victims of the Sheridan Circle attacks, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this latest development and break down what it means for the ongoing case for justice for the victims.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Over 70 lawmakers urge Biden to hold Turkey accountable for Sheridan Circle violence
Sarbanes and Bipartisan Group of 70+ Colleagues Urge State Department to Hold Turkey Accountable for 2017 Sheridan Circle Attack
Skopje ups ante, widening rift with Athens
Aid for Gaza will soon flow from pier project just finished by US military
With European elections on the horizon, Greek political leaders are not only hitting the road to campaign across the country, but are also increasingly leaning into social media platforms in their search for voters. While New Democracy will likely maintain its dominant position in Greek politics, attention is turning to SYRIZA and PASOK, and their battle for second place. International developments are also a factor in these elections, as issues between Greece and Albania have come to the forefront. Nikos Efstathiou, an Athens based journalist and author, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the ongoing social media battle ahead of these elections, what’s at stake for Greece’s political leaders, and how this election is also taking on an international character.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Hunting for support on social media
Would third place spell trouble for PASOK?
A leading power in a difficult neighborhood
Greece will not ratify memorandums until Skopje complies with Prespa deal
Over 70 lawmakers urge Biden to hold Turkey accountable for Sheridan Circle violence
This July, Turkey’s illegal occupation of the northern part of Cyprus will hit the 50-year mark. 2024 also marks another Cypriot “anniversary”, the 2004 rejection of the Annan Plan for the reunification of Cyprus. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why the rejection of the Annan plan needs to be revisited and its historic significance reconsidered. We also look into other regional developments - from Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ meeting with Turkish President Erdogan to the latest diplomatic crisis with North Macedonia.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
CYPRUS’ “OXI” DAY
Greece-Turkey: The modus operandi and the way ahead
Erdogan rebukes Greek PM for calling Hamas ‘terrorists,’ says 1,000+ members being treated in Turkey
HALC calls on USCIRF to reclassify the Republic of Turkey as a Country of Particular Concern
EU to deploy hundreds of firefighters to vulnerable states ahead of wildfire season
North Macedonia’s new president, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, has sparked a diplomatic crisis with Greece following her decision during her swearing in ceremony to refer to her country simply as “Macedonia” rather than the constitutional name “North Macedonia.” Prime Minister Mitsotakis slammed her decision, warning that further violations of the Prespes Agreement could jeopardize Skopje’s ambitions for EU membership. John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist based in Athens and Al Jazeera’s Southeast Europe correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this latest diplomatic spat and its broader implications for Athens, Skopje, the Prespes Agreement, and the region.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
North Macedonia's new president reignites a spat with Greece at her inauguration ceremony
Greek PM slams Siljanovska-Davkova’s ‘Macedonia’ reference
North Macedonia President claims right to use ‘Macedonia’ despite international backlash
Von der Leyen rebukes use of ‘Macedonia’ by country’s new President
Mitsotakis says Turkey and Greece should increase cooperation and contacts
Turkey’s Erdogan meets Greek PM, sees ‘no unsolvable problems’ in ties
Demarche lodged to UNESCO over Chora monastery
Europe’s political landscape is changing dramatically, with the latest polls predicting that far right parties will gain across the EU in the upcoming European Parliament elections. Amid concerns over the rise of the far-right, radical-right forces are already influencing EU policies. Giorgia Meloni is the prime example, with the Italian prime minister proving pivotal in shaping Europe’s agenda, from the frequent visits European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen makes to Italy to Europe’s approach to migration. Alexandra Voudouri, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the rise of the far right and what it means for the future direction of Europe.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Hard right wants more EU power to reflect likely election gains
Just How Dangerous Is Europe’s Rising Far Right?
Giorgia Meloni and Ursula von der Leyen, the double act that is steering the EU ever rightwards
Greek PM seeks to build on better ties in Ankara
Greece to bring in Egyptian farm workers amid labor shortage
Having been dealt a devastating blow in the municipal elections earlier this year, Turkish President Erdogan - who campaigned tirelessly everywhere and made this election about his rule - is now looking to bounce back. This will undoubtedly have consequences on both domestic and foreign policy. Henri Barkey, the Cohen professor of international relations at Lehigh University and an adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council of Foreign Relations, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what we should expect from Erdogan at home and abroad as he looks to regain the initiative.
Read Henri Barkey’s latest piece here: Erdogan’s Crisis of Legitimacy and its Consequences
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Vessel carrying aid to US-built pier off Gaza leaves Cyprus
Tourism season starts with 80,000 job vacancies
Olympiakos beats Villa again to reach Conference League final
El Kaabi’s double crushes Aston Villa hopes of comeback at Olympiakos
Earlier this week Turkey formally opened the monastery of Chora, a former Byzantine church and UNESCO World Heritage Site in Istanbul, as a mosque. The move follows the conversion of the Hagia Sophia into a mosque in 2020, and has drawn international criticism. It also comes as the US Commission on International Religious Freedom once again recommended that Turkey be put on the special watch list for engaging in or tolerating severe violations of religious freedom. Expert Tugba Tanyieri Erdemir joins Thanos Davelis to look at what this decision will mean for Chora Church, and look at the message it sends on religious freedom, especially in light of the latest USCIRF report.
Tugba Tanyieri Erdemir is the coordinator of Anti-Defamation League's Task Force on Middle East Minorities, serves as the co-chair of the Middle East Working Group of the International Religious Freedom Roundtable, and is an expert on religious cultural heritage.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey formally opens another former Byzantine-era church as a mosque
USCIRF 2024 Annual Report
North Macedonia elects first woman president, EU-leaning coalition
Greece extends naval advisory to deter Russian oil ship-to-ship transfers
Over the past two years an area south of Greece’s Peloponnese had become a major location to circumvent sanctions against Russian oil exports. It looks like Greece has now found a way to disrupt these operations - taking place in international waters - after the Greek navy blocked off the area for naval exercises. A factor in this story is the fact that Greece has not extended its territorial waters in the area to 12 nautical miles, a move that Turkey says is a cause for war. Professor Kostas Ifantis joins Thanos Davelis to discuss how Greece is taking steps to block these oil transfers, examine the question of Greece’s territorial seas, and look ahead at the upcoming meeting between Prime Minister Mitsotakis and Turkish President Erdogan.
Kostas Ifantis is a Professor of International Relations at the Department of International, European and Area Studies at Panteion University of Athens, and has previously served as Director for Research at the Policy Planning Center of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Steps to block oil transfers off Greek coast
North Macedonia holds presidential and parliamentary elections Wed
Athens wary of VMRO comeback
Finance watchdog visited Turkey ahead of 'grey list' decision
Last fall Greece joined the Three Seas Initiative, which brings together 13 EU countries located between the Baltic, Black, Adriatic, and now the Aegean Seas. The Three Seas Initiative was initially founded with the economy in mind, to foster regional dialogue and boost investment, and with Greece’s addition, its diplomatic and economic pull now extends to the Mediterranean. Ian Brzezinski, who has been following this initiative since it was founded, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why the Three Seas Initiative, which now includes Greece, is so important for the region.
Ian Brzezinski leads the Brzezinski Group, a strategic advisory services firm, and serves as a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center and Brent Scowcroft Center on Strategy and Security.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
What is the Three Seas Initiative and why is it expanding?
Greece becomes 13th member of Three Seas Initiative on EU’s eastern flank
Greece can serve as entry point for energy to the north, PM says
Turkey formally opens another former Byzantine-era church as a mosque
UN envoy returning to Cyprus for talks
Anyone who has visited the United States or is familiar with shows like Seinfeld will have come across a diner, a uniquely American type of restaurant. Few may know, however, that from the 1960s onward Greek-Americans came to dominate the diner restaurant scene, especially in the Northeast and the Midwest. Professor Alexander Kitroeff, one of the leading historians of the Greek-American experience, joins Thanos Davelis to talk about the American diner, its strong links to Greek immigrants, and whether the phenomenon of the Greek-American diner has a future in today’s America.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greek Diners in America’s Heartland
Athens, Ankara finalizing details of PM’s Turkey visit
Turkey halts trade with Israel over 'humanitarian tragedy' in Gaza
The Financial Times recently reported that Greece and some other EU countries have been under pressure to send more aid to Ukraine, specifically air defense systems. Prime Minister Mitsotakis has ruled this out, citing Greece’s defense needs. Constantinos Filis, the director of the Institute of Global Affairs and a professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to break down this story, which comes at a critical juncture in the war in Ukraine, and look at the different ways Athens has supported and continues to support Kyiv.
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Greece and Spain under pressure to provide Ukraine with air defence systems
Haggling over Greek aid to Ukraine
Convicted leader of Greek far-right Golden Dawn party released on parole
EU funnels aid to Lebanon amid Syria migrant surge to Cyprus
This summer will mark 50 years since Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus, and for the last five decades tens of thousands of Turkish occupation troops have been present in the northern part of the island. 50 years later, the US still refuses to officially recognize Turkey’s illegal occupation as an occupation. Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and director of policy analysis at the Middle East Forum, joins Thanos Davelis to argue that recognizing Turkey’s presence in Cyprus as an occupation will only strengthen America’s position in the region, especially at a time when Nicosia is stepping up and punching above its weight as an indispensable partner.
Read Michael Rubin’s latest:
Refusing to Call Cyprus Occupied Isn’t Sophisticated. It’s Stupid
Is Albania’s Edi Rama the New Erdogan?
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Pappas, Bilirakis, Titus, Malliotakis Introduce the Bipartisan End the Cyprus Embargo Act
Greece boosts special firefighting units to cope with its growing heat risk
Politicians, scientists and organizations from all over the world were in Athens this April as Greece hosted the 9th International Our Ocean Conference. Greece, the US, and all stakeholders made some 450 commitments totalling billions of dollars for the protection of the oceans and seas, including two new marine parks in the Aegean and the Ionian seas. The State Department’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Ocean, Fisheries and Polar Affairs Dr. Mahlet Mesfin joins Thanos Davelis to look back at the key takeaways from the Our Ocean conference in Athens, and explore how protecting the oceans is a space where the US and Greece can expand their already strong ties.
Dr. Mahlet Mesfin serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Ocean, Fisheries and Polar Affairs in the Department of State’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs where she oversees the formulation and implementation of U.S. policy on a broad range of international issues concerning the ocean, the Arctic, the Antarctic, and marine conservation.
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Greece to spend €780 mln to protect marine biodiversity, PM says
Environmental protection is blue, too
Our Ocean Conference in Athens, April 15-17, 2024
USAID at Our Ocean Conference 2024
Von der Leyen to unveil aid for Lebanon to stop refugee flows, says Cyprus
‘Blue Homeland’ doctrine to be taught at Turkish schools
After originally leaking that a White House visit was in play in the lead up to municipal elections at the end of March, President Erdogan is now postponing his May meeting with President Biden in Washington, DC. No reason was cited, but, as some analysts note, the move will likely upend efforts to mend ties between the two NATO allies. Wolfango Piccoli, the co-founder of the risk analysis company Teneo, joins Thanos Davelis to look into why this visit was postponed and what message it sends about the US-Turkey relationship and Ankara’s broader ties with the West.
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Turkey postpones Erdogan's White House visit
Our neighborhood just got unpredictable again
PM’s Ankara trip to go ahead as planned
Guilty verdicts decried as too lenient
Turkey says it backs outgoing Dutch prime minister Rutte’s candidacy for NATO chief
Voters in North Macedonia went to the polls on Wednesday for the first round of presidential elections in a vote widely seen as a litmus test for upcoming parliamentary elections. There are some concerns the election outcome could affect North Macedonia’s relations with Greece and Bulgaria - given references to the Prespa Agreement and constitutional changes Sofia is calling for - and further complicate its EU accession process. Nektaria Stamouli, the deputy editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition and Politico’s Eastern Mediterranean correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to look at Wednesday’s election and its broader implications for the country’s relations with its neighbors and its EU aspirations.
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North Macedonia polls to test EU drive
First round of North Macedonia’s presidential polls shows big shift towards center-right opposition
Amalthea corridor ‘awaiting Gaza pier’
Greece rules out air defence systems to Ukraine, prime minister says
Claims that Turkish President Erdogan has canceled an upcoming meeting at the White House have been circulating in Turkish media. With neither Washington nor Ankara formally denying the rumors, it is raising more questions about whether they are true or not. In the meantime, it seems Ankara is once again putting up hurdles with regard to NATO, this time over the approval of former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as the new secretary-general. Amberin Zaman, Al-Monitor’s chief correspondent covering major stories on the Middle East and North Africa, including Turkey, joins Thanos Davelis to get to the bottom of these rumors around Erdogan’s White House visit.
Read Amberin Zaman’s latest here: Has Turkey’s Erdogan axed his Biden meeting because of Israel?
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French ask to borrow air defense system
Pyatt: Greece can cover 80% of needs via RES
Today marks 109 years since the Armenian genocide began. With commemorations taking place across the world, there is a renewed fear that the lessons of “Never Again” have been forgotten following Azerbaijan’s attack on Nagorno Karabakh and the subsequent mass exodus of over 100,000 Armenians from the region in what has been described as ethnic cleansing. Aram Hamparian, the Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America, joins Thanos Davelis to talk about the very real threats facing Armenians in the Caucasus today, and to look at what steps the West - particularly the US - need to take to give meaning to the words “Never Again”.
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Armenians fear new war with Azerbaijan despite talk of peace
Armenian victims group asks International Criminal Court to investigate genocide claim
Bipartisan, Bicameral Coalition of U.S. Legislators Call for American Leadership to Secure Justice for Artsakh and the Armenian Genocide
Greek top court bars far-right Spartiates party from EU election race
Greece draws 3 bln euros from 30-year bond amid huge demand
Changes to Greece’s Golden Visa scheme are set to kick in at the end of the summer. This will see increases in the minimum amount needed to invest in order to secure a residence permit in an effort to tackle the country’s housing crisis. This move comes as golden visa programs are being phased out or shut down around Europe, and as housing has become a hot political issue. Nikos Roussanoglou, a journalist with 23 years of experience at Kathimerini covering the economy, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what these new changes will mean, and whether we are seeing the beginning of the end of the golden visa scheme.
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Extra rules for Golden Visa
Golden Visa Programs, Once a Boon, Lose Their Luster
Greece tightens Golden Visa rules
Golden Visa demand grows
Rise of house prices continues
North Macedonia to elect president after campaign focused on EU membership
Greece plans early repayment of eurozone bailout loans this year
Investments in Greece have shot up over the past years, with the country outperforming its Eurozone partners when it comes to the pace with which it is attracting and increasing investments. Despite this positive picture, there are a number of myths around investments in Greece, especially when it comes to real estate and the Golden Visa scheme. Michael Arghyrou, the head of the Council of Economic Advisors for Greece’s Finance Ministry and a professor in Economics at the University of Piraeus, joins Thanos Davelis to bust some of these myths and look at how investments are transforming Greece’s economy.
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Δώδεκα μύθοι και μία αλήθεια για τις επενδύσεις
Sun, Sea and Exports Give South Europe Reason to Feel Smug
Greece will not compromise defense, spokesman says following FT report
Greece and Spain under pressure to provide Ukraine with air defence systems
Iraq, Turkey to elevate security, economic ties after Erdogan visit
Since emerging from its international bailouts and a decade-long economic crisis, the Greek economy is now surging, outperforming its eurozone partners with its economy expected to grow nearly 3% this year. Despite this positive outlook, there are key challenges ahead, as some economies in the eurozone have slowed down, and many Greeks hurt by the crisis are still struggling. Nikos Vettas, the General Director of the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research and Professor of Economics at the Athens University of Economics and Business, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this economic rebound and explore the challenges ahead.
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Greek economy surges after decade of pain
As economy rebounds, Greece will wrap up bank sales this year, finance minister says
Rapprochement with Turkey has reduced illegal migration flows, Mitsotakis says
Hamas leader to visit Turkey for talks with Erdogan
Hamas Leader to Meet With Erdogan in Turkey
Following Iran’s latest attack on Israel over the weekend Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said that Greece plans to develop a defense system similar to Israel’s Iron Dome aimed at safeguarding the country against airborne threats. Meanwhile, while Iran was also the focus of a summit in Brussels, EU leaders also highlighted relations with Turkey, linking them to progress on the Cyprus issue. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s defense and diplomatic editor, joins Thanos Davelis to explore this plan for a Greek Iron Dome, discuss the view from Athens following Iran’s attack on Israel, and look at the key takeaways from the EU summit on Cyprus.
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Athens seeks air defense system like Iron Dome
Turkish threats over marine parks
PM highlights Middle East crisis, Euro-Turkish relations at European Council Summit
Cyprus President optimistic on EU-Turkey talks
Turkey-EU relations fracture over Cyprus connection
Mitsotakis to meet Erdogan on May 13 in Ankara
EU to tighten Iran sanctions after Israel attack
Back in February, the readout from the 5th US-Greece strategic dialogue saw the US and Greece stress the importance of integrating youth in climate change mitigation and resilience, including through a youth corps exchange program that links the California Conservation Corps with Ecogenia in Greece. Thanos Davelis caught up with Larry Notheis, the Chief Deputy Director at the California Conservation Corps, on the sidelines of the “Our Ocean” conference in Athens to look at how the California Conservation Corps model can be applied in Greece, and how these partnerships can make a difference in protecting the oceans, preventing and fighting wildfires, and more.
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The First Ecogenia Social Service Program Launched in Litochoro
US embassy to cooperate with local environmental protection organization
Joint Statement on the U.S.-Greece 5th Strategic Dialogue
Unions in Greece call widespread strikes, seeking a return to bargaining rights axed during bailouts
Greece planning air defense system inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome, says minister
The memoirs of former German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble were recently released in Germany. As expected, Greece features heavily. All the key moments of the crisis and its main actors are sketched in his memoirs, from the times Grexit was genuinely on the table, to his dealings with prime ministers Papandreou, Samaras, and Tsipras, and finance ministers Papaconstantinou, Venizelos, and Varoufakis. Xenia Kounalaki, a journalist and weekly columnist at Kathimerini, which acquired exclusive rights of publishing excerpts from the book in Greek, joins Thanos Davelis for an inside look into the Greek financial crisis through the lens of one of its main protagonists.
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The Greek crisis through Schaeuble’s memoirs
Paris 2024 Olympics torch lit in ancient Olympia
Greece becomes first European country to ban bottom trawling in marine parks
Last week thought leaders, politicians, experts and the business community gathered in Delphi in Greece for the 9th Delphi Economic Forum. The Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC) had an important presence there as well, leading discussions on the role of the diaspora, the importance of Cyprus, the Middle East post October 7th, and the future direction of American foreign policy given US elections in November. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis to recap the main takeaways from last week’s Delphi Economic Forum in Greece.
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Delphi Economic Forum IX
Greece to spend €780 mln to protect marine biodiversity, PM says
Greece now on ‘right path,’ says Stournaras
Reports indicate that a new flotilla to Gaza is being prepared out of Turkey. 14 years ago we saw a similar move take place, when the attempt to send the Mavi Marmara flotilla to Gaza led to a diplomatic crisis. Rich Goldberg, a senior advisor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies with a deep expertise in sanctions policy who previously served on the White House National Security Council, joins Thanos Davelis to look at why we need to be paying attention to this new flotilla set to depart Turkey, which has the potential to spark another diplomatic crisis.
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Turkish Organizations Ready Flotilla to Ignite Tensions With Israel
EU Commissioner Schinas hails bloc’s new migration laws
EU approves major overhaul of migration rules
Greece can serve as entry point for energy to the north, PM says
‘Greece is redrawing energy map,’ says US ambassador
Years after its collapse in Iraq and Syria at the hands of a US-led coalition, it looks like ISIS is making a comeback. As reports indicate, ISIS has been expanding its presence in Syria, attacking regime soldiers, civilians, and the US-backed Kurdish-led SDF. An underreported element of this story is Turkey’s role in the revival of the Islamic State. Nadine Maenza joins Thanos Davelis to look at what a resurgent ISIS means for the region, particularly in the autonomous zone in north east Syria, and break down why we need to put the spotlight on Turkey’s role in this ISIS comeback.
Nadine Maenza is the President of the IRF Secretariat, an international organization focused on building infrastructure to support the religious freedom movement globally. She also serves as a Global Fellow at the Wilson Center, and previously served as chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Worrying signs exist that IS growing stronger in Syria
Syrian Kurdish commander says resolve of US-led anti-ISIS coalition weakening
Nadine Maenza on Turkey’s role in IS growing stronger
Greece launches ‘free’ holidays for tourists who fled 2023 Rhodes wildfires
Greece’s F-35 deal moves forward
Greece’s government just announced the creation of two new marine parks – in the Ionian and Aegean seas. The move comes a week before Athens is set to host the 9th Our Ocean Conference on April 16 and 17, which will see key stakeholders not only put a spotlight on issues related to the protection of the seas, but also present a series of concrete proposals. Giorgos Lialios, a journalist at Kathimerini covering issues related to the environment, joins Thanos Davelis to talk about the new marine parks Greece is creating, look into the upcoming Our Oceans Conference, and more.
Read Giorgos Lalios’ latest for Kathimerini: Greece commits to protection of its seas
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The losing battle against Greece’s tumbling birthrate
Sakellaropoulou calls for ongoing support for Ukraine
Zelensky warns of Russian aggression beyond Ukraine
Turkey announced it was restricting exports on a wide range of products to Israel on Tuesday, in Ankara's first significant measure against Israel after six months of war. The decision comes after Turkish President Erdogan’s party suffered a historic defeat in the municipal elections, a result which experts Sinan Ciddi and Steven Cook argued in Foreign Policy could provide a first glimpse into what a post-AKP Turkey might look like. Sinan Ciddi joins Thanos Davelis to look at why Erdogan is taking these measures against Israel now, and break down how it fits into the broader post-election narrative.
Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he contributes to FDD’s Turkey Program and Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP). He is also an Associate Professor of Security Studies at the Command and Staff College-Marine Corps University and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
Read Sinan Ciddi and Steven Cook’s latest in Foreign Policy here: Post-Erdogan Turkey Is Finally Here
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Turkey imposes export restrictions on Israel until Gaza ceasefire
Greece accuses Turkey of ‘politicizing’ environment, affirms commitment to safeguarding sovereign rights
Turkey challenges Greek plans for new marine park in Aegean Sea, citing sovereignty dispute
EU Red Sea navy mission commander hopes for more ships to repel Houthi attacks
The last decade Thucydides has moved to the center of the discussion, with concepts like the “Thucydides trap” debated in policy circles in Washington, DC when looking at how to navigate US relations with a rising China in what appears to be a new era of great power competition. So what can Thucydides tell us about our world today? This was the focus of a recent event in Athens at the Institute of International Relations featuring Professor Andrew Novo, a scholar of ancient and modern Mediterranean history and strategic studies. Andrew Novo joins Thanos Davelis to look at the lessons we should take away from Thucydides in a changing world.
Andrew Novo is Professor of Strategic Studies at the National Defense University in Washington, DC. He also teaches as an adjunct at Georgetown’s Walsh School of Foreign Service, is a non-resident fellow with the Center for European Policy’s Transatlantic Defense and Security program, and is the author of numerous books, including “Restoring Thucydides: Testing Familiar Lessons and Deriving New Ones”. All views expressed in this interview are his own and don’t reflect the views of the US government.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
We have good allies: Allies and decisions for war and peace in Thucydides
Cyprus president and Lebanese caretaker premier urge EU financial aid to curb migration from Lebanon
Greece Invests Over €2 Billion to Fight Climate Change Effects
Migration is top of the agenda this week in Cyprus, with President Nikos Christodoulides calling for the EU to step in to help Cyprus deal with a surge in arrivals on its shores. Cyprus is pressing Brussels to designate parts of Syria as safe for returns of migrants, and also to condition EU aid to Lebanon on its preventing migrants from departing. Nektaria Stamouli, the deputy editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition and Politico’s Eastern Mediterranean correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the migration crisis unfolding in Cyprus, and look at how it is impacting the agenda ahead of the European elections.
Read Nektaria Stamouli’s latest for Politico here:
Cyprus declares migration crisis, calls for EU to help
Cyprus demands Lebanon control migrant flows
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Biden lauds Greek ideals, independence at White House celebration
Lion’s share of foreign investment in realty
Greece is ramping up its firefighting efforts, with authorities betting on a host of preventive measures - from the deployment of firefighting aircraft to increased staffing in specialized forest firefighting units - as temperatures touched 30 degrees Celsius in late March and wildfires already broke out weeks earlier than expected. On top of multi-agency exercises and drills, Greece is also fast-tracking a 2.1 billion euro program to upgrade its fleet of firefighting aircraft and create an AI-driven sensor network to detect smoke in the early stages of a fire. Derek Gatopoulos, a correspondent for the Associated Press who has been covering news in Greece for more than 25 years, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the steps Greece is taking to prepare ahead of this summer’s wildfire season.
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As fire season fast approaches, Greece’s planners look for an edge in response time
Greek authorities overhaul wildfire response plans ahead of summer fire season
Eleven far-right MPs charged with electoral fraud
Greece and India to sign defense cooperation agreement
With the EU elections on the horizon, one party in Greece, Greek Solution, is seeing a notable surge in support. The rise of this far right nationalist party also mirrors broader trends in the far right across Europe, and many are beginning to ask whether this resurgent far-right is here to stay. Dr. Georgios Samaras, an assistant professor of public policy at King’s College London, joins Thanos Davelis to look into the rise of Greek Solution and its leader Kostas Velopoulos, breaking down what this could mean for Greek politics ahead of European elections in June.
Read Dr. Georgios Samaras’ latest piece in Kathimerini: The Greek far-right – a rising threat in the EU election storm
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NATO to plan long-term Ukraine aid, mulls 100-billion euro fund
NATO ministers’ doubts, fears and eye-rolls over €100B Ukraine plan
Turkey’s election authority reinstates pro-Kurdish mayoral election winner
Greece has just opened a new vacation visa terminal for Turkish visitors this week as part of a diplomatic effort to ease long-standing tensions between the two countries. The move follows the signing of a series of agreements between Greece and Turkey during President Erdogan’s meeting with Prime Minister Mitsotakis in Athens in December, most notably the Athens Declaration. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this latest initiative, and explore where it fits into ongoing efforts to maintain calm in the Aegean.
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Greek islands launch special visa program for Turkish visitors in diplomatic effort to calm region
Maintaining calm relations in the ‘frozen’ Greek-Turkish dispute
Cyprus to Gaza corridor will continue to operate, Cyprus president says
Black Hawk helicopter purchase gets green light
Less than a year after securing another term, Turkish President Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party suffered its worst defeat in its 22-year history in Sunday’s municipal elections. All eyes were on Istanbul, where Ekrem Imamoglu easily won reelection and is increasingly cementing his place as Erdogan’s political challenger. Amberin Zaman, Al-Monitor’s chief correspondent covering major stories on the Middle East and North Africa, including Turkey, joins Thanos Davelis to break down Sunday’s results, what this defeat means for Erdogan, and look at whether the opposition’s resurgence can now reshape Turkey’s national politics.
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Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suffers an electoral disaster
Turkish local elections: Opposition stuns Erdogan with historic victory
Defense Min unveils ‘Agenda 2030’ for armed forces restructuring
Mitsotakis launches campaign for Euro elections stressing security, stability
PM notes high stakes of Euro elections
On Friday US and Turkish officials confirmed that Turkey’s President Erdogan will visit the White House on May 9th, a move that has been described as an apparent quid pro quo for Ankara’s decision to finally green-light Sweden’s NATO membership. Alan Makovsky, veteran Turkey analyst and senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, joins Thanos Davelis to examine how Erdogan finally snagged an invite to the White House, and look into what message this move sends about the Biden administration’s approach to Turkey in the wake of the Sweden NATO saga.
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Erdogan snags White House invite in diplomatic win, Turkish press reports
Biden to host Turkey's Erdogan at White House on May 9
Greece to raise monthly minimum wage by 6.4% to 830 euros
EU plans to fast-track some financial aid to Egypt
Can a small antique table give us insight into the history of an entire city and its broader connections to the region? A recent quest for such an antique sent Sean Mathews, a journalist based in Greece and covering the broader Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, on a trip to Thessaloniki that quickly revealed just how multi-layered and cosmopolitan the city’s past is, with rich connections to the Eastern Mediterranean. Sean Mathews and George Manginis, the academic director at the Benaki Museum, join Thanos Davelis to break down this rich history and look at how current efforts to shine a light on Thessaloniki’s past cosmopolitanism are increasingly important today in a changing region.
Read Sean Mathews’ latest article here: Ghosts of Thessaloniki: How a quest for a table revealed much about a city's multilayered past
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Greek government survives no-confidence vote over deadly Tempi train trash
No confidence motion fails, 141-159
Tempe rail tragedy looms large over Euro polls
Second aid ship heading to Gaza from Cyprus
European Parliament President to visit Cyprus for humanitarian aid talks
A few weeks ago Greece passed a law allowing the operation of private, non-profit universities, including allowing foreign private universities to set up branches in the country. The move came despite weeks of demonstrations that included scores of university building occupations by students. Despite this, opinion polls indicate that most Greeks agree with the creation of privately-run universities. David Horner, the President of the American College of Greece, the oldest and largest US accredited college or university in Europe, joins Thanos Davelis to share his perspectives on the impact of this bill and the potential for Greece to serve as a global educational hub.
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Private universities bill adopted
Greek lawmakers approve ending state monopoly on university education, despite student protests
Erdogan snags White House invite in diplomatic win, Turkish press reports
Cyprus aims to complete Vasilikos LNG terminal by year’s end
Earlier this year Kathimerini organized a three-day conference looking back at the 50 years since the restoration of democracy in Greece in 1974, or the Metapolitefsi. We saw a gathering of some of the most influential people of this period, including former prime ministers, who discussed in depth the numerous crises the country has gone through during the past 50 years and many of its accomplishments. Alexis Papachelas, Kathimerini’s Editor in Chief, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss why this 50th anniversary is important not just for understanding the country’s history, but to learn from its lessons, especially at a time when we see democracy under threat across the world.
Read Alexis Papachelas latest on this issue here: Lessons from the Metapolitefsi
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Fifty years after the Metapolitefsi
Metapolitefsi divides generations
A conference of reflection
Cyprus to get US expertise in countering money laundering
Polarization fueled ahead of Euro election
As we celebrate Greek independence day today, March 25th, we’re going to take a deeper look at one of the crucial figures of the Greek Revolution of 1821, Lord Byron. Aside from his status as a world renowned poet at the time, he is also perhaps the most famous philhellene to travel to Greece and ultimately give his life for Greek independence in 1824, 200 years ago. Professor Roderick Beaton, a historian and author of the books Byron’s War: Romantic Rebellion, Greek Revolution, Greece: Biography of a Modern Nation, and The Greeks: A Global History, joins Thanos Davelis to explore Lord Byron’s important contributions to the Greek cause and his wider legacy.
Read Prof. Roderick Beaton’s book on Lord Byron here: Byron's War: Romantic Rebellion, Greek Revolution
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Mitsotakis, Trudeau hail Greek-Canadian relations in joint statement
Mitsotakis, on Canadian TV, touts ‘rather impressive’ economic comeback
North-South EU divide over defense bond
This past week Washington’s attention has been on Cyprus and the humanitarian corridor from Gaza, from President Biden’s letter thanking President Christodoulides, to the National Security Council’s chief of staff visiting Cyprus. Cyprus is also going to be a central theme for diaspora Greeks as celebrations for Greek independence day kick off on March 25th. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest on these key developments on Cyprus, and provides a look ahead at the upcoming Greek Independence Day celebrations.
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US racing to prepare Gaza jetty by May 1, says US official
Biden on Greek Independence Day: friendship ‘stronger than ever before’
Christodoulides eyes EU-Turkey talks for Cyprob benefit
EU summit stirs hope for Cyprus President's role in Turkey talks
Greek authorities overhaul wildfire response plans ahead of summer fire season
With Ukraine facing a resurgent Russia, NATO leaders have been clear that they do not and “will never recognize Russia’s illegal and illegitimate annexations, including Crimea.” While Western leaders speak clearly when it comes to Ukraine, their uncompromising positions are unfortunately undermined when NATO remains largely silent over the precedent for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: Turkey’s invasion and occupation of the northern part of Cyprus in 1974. Michael Rubin, the director of policy analysis at the Middle East Forum and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, joins Thanos Davelis to explain why NATO’s 50 year tolerance of Turkey’s occupation of Cyprus weakens its case on Ukraine.
Read Michael Rubin’s latest here: NATO tolerance of Cyprus’ occupation weakens case on Ukraine
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Extra rules for Golden Visa
Turkish central bank stuns market by hiking interest rates to 50%
Turkey raises interest rates to 50% as it seeks to cool runaway inflation
In a speech on Monday Turkey’s President Erdogan not only defended the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, but went even further, stating that if Turkish troops hadn’t stopped then all of Cyprus would be Turkish today. His comments come as a new UN special envoy is looking for ways to restart talks on Cyprus and amid efforts by Athens and Ankara to normalize ties. They also come on the heels of a recent trip that saw Greece and Cyprus deepen ties with Egypt. Constantinos Filis, the Director of the Institute of Global Affairs and an associate professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to break down Erdogan’s latest outbursts and their broader impact.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Erdogan’s comments on Cyprus a blatant distortion of the historical truth, say sources
Erdogan: All Cyprus could have been ours
Greek PM and Egyptian President strengthen partnership
As economy rebounds, Greece will wrap up bank sales this year, finance minister says
PM to visit Canada, finalize purchase of firefighting planes
As in the past, the upcoming municipal elections in Turkey are playing a key role in shaping the country's economic policies. While time and resources have been wasted due to Erdogan’s political priorities, soaring inflation - which surpassed 67% earlier this year - and the cost of living crisis has made daily life increasingly difficult for most citizens. Wolfango Piccoli, the co-founder of risk analysis company Teneo, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how the upcoming elections are impacting Turkey’s economic policies, and whether we should expect a shift in policy from Erdogan following elections.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey inflation rises to 67%, keeping pressure on cenbank
Turkey’s Simsek Dismisses Post-Election Lira Doom Scenario
Erdogan: All Cyprus could have been ours
Erdogan’s comments on Cyprus a blatant distortion of the historical truth, say sources
Food aid from Cyprus reaches starving people in northern Gaza, says charity
The rise of the far right nationalist party Greek Solution is attracting the interest of many who follow Greek politics, especially due to its approach to issues like Athens’ support for Ukraine. If Greek Solution’s growing appeal in the opinion polls continues ahead of European elections in June, it could even end up in third place. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English edition, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the rise of Greek Solution and what it could mean for Prime Minister Mitsotakis, New Democracy, and Greece’s broader political scene.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
The rise of Greek Solution
EU announces €7.4 bln package for Egypt as concerns over migration mount
Greek PM and Egyptian President strengthen partnership
Maintaining calm relations in the ‘frozen’ Greek-Turkish dispute
US Ambassador to Greece wants more US-Greece flights
In 2019 the municipal elections in Turkey garnered widespread attention both inside and outside the country, especially with Turkish President Erdogan’s handpicked AKP candidates losing Istanbul and Ankara. Erdogan is now intent on winning both back. Ayla Jean Yackley, an Istanbul-based journalist covering Turkey with stories in The Financial Times, Politico, and other major outlets, joins Thanos Davelis to look at why we should be paying attention to Turkey’s upcoming elections, which could be critical for the country’s politics - from the ruling party to the opposition.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Local Elections Will Soon Decide Turkey’s Future
Erdogan Tightens Grip on Media and Internet Ahead of Elections
The complex landscape facing Turkey ahead of local elections
Aid supply ship from Cyprus reaches Gaza coast but weather slows delivery
Humanitarian aid ship reaches Gaza
Greece will keep supplying Ukraine
How critical was the US role during the Greek debt crisis, and how does it fit into then President Barack Obama’s wider approach to US foreign policy, especially at a time when the US was looking to pivot to Asia? Katerina Sokou, who holds the research fellowship at ELIAMEP on “Greek-American Relations” and who covered the Greek crisis from Washington, DC as a correspondent for Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to break down how the Greek debt crisis provides a case study into the Obama foreign policy doctrine - the focus of her recent in-depth report for ELIAMEP - and underscores Europe’s continuing importance for Washington, DC.
Read Katerina Sokou’s latest here: Obama’s Foreign Policy and the Greek Debt Crisis
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Second ship loaded with Gaza aid from Cyprus, says charity
US Army boats head out on a mission to build a floating pier off Gaza’s shore for food deliveries
PM: Beleri case clouds relations with Albania
Rama appoints ethnic Greek as Vlora prefect
Egypt is set to receive a €7.4 billion aid package to not only shore up the country’s economy, but also curb migration. The move comes amid fears that the conflicts in Gaza and Sudan risk exacerbating financial troubles in the country while raising concerns of new waves of immigration to Europe. There are concerns that Crete, which is already seeing a spike in arrivals from north Africa, could come under pressure. Greek Migration Minister Dimitris Kairidis joins Thanos Davelis to break down why this deal is vital for Egypt, Europe, and Greece. We also look into the broader debate around migration, that also focuses on the urgent need for migrants for the Greek and European economies.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Brussels prepares €7.4bn aid package for Egypt
Migrant flows putting pressure on Crete
Egyptian headache in Athens and EU
Asylum applications in EU at highest level since 2015/16 crisis
PM heading to US in April
Plan to prevent Thessaly desertification
The European Commission is set to recommend that the EU open accession talks with Bosnia and Herzegovina, despite lingering ethnic divisions in the Western Balkan country. This comes after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed that it’s “not enough to just wait for the Western Balkans to move closer” to the EU. At the same time, US Special Representative to the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar is also in the region to reaffirm America’s commitment to the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkans. Prof. James Ker-Lindsay, who has written extensively on the EU, the Balkans, and Southeast Europe, joins Thanos Davelis to break down these latest developments.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
European Union members should open talks with Bosnia on joining, the EU’s executive branch says
Brussels recommends opening EU membership talks with Bosnia and Herzegovina
Senior US Official Travels to Kosovo to Revive Kosovo-Serbia Talks After Tensions Over Currency
Special Representative to the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar’s Travel to Belgium, Kosovo, Austria, and Montenegro
IOBE calls for measures to stem demographic trend
Gaza war: First aid ship sets off from Cyprus
‘Lifeline’ aid ship for Gaza finally sets sail from Cyprus
We’ve just seen consecutive visits to the US by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, with both officials discussing a series of issues - from the wars in Gaza and Ukraine to trade and investments - with the White House, the State Department and Congress. This has many wondering if we are seeing a “new momentum” in US-Turkey ties in the wake of the Sweden NATO saga. Expert Sinan Ciddi joins Thanos Davelis to discuss whether this is the case.
Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he contributes to FDD’s Turkey Program and Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP). He is also an Associate Professor of Security Studies at the Command and Staff College-Marine Corps University and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
New visits, full momentum: Can Turkey and US go beyond transactionalism?
Joint Statement on the U.S.-Türkiye Strategic Mechanism
Turkey’s Fidan to meet Blinken in Washington as US ties strengthen
Turkey: A Sanctuary for Terrorist Entities & Illicit Finance
S-300 missiles could be sent to Ukraine
Greece-Turkey political dialogue: Commitment to build on existing positive atmosphere
On Friday the US, EU, Cyprus, and other countries involved formally announced their backing for a sea aid corridor to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza, built around a proposal developed by Cyprus last year. The move follows President Biden’s announcement in the State of the Union of a plan for the US military to establish a temporary port on the coast of Gaza to significantly widen the flow of humanitarian aid into the Strip. Konstantinos Letymbiotis, the Government Spokesperson of the Republic of Cyprus, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this humanitarian corridor and Cyprus’ central role in it.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Cyprus’ top diplomat on the maritime corridor
Pentagon holds briefing after Biden announces plan to deliver aid to Gaza by sea
Sea Corridor for Gaza Tests U.S. Ability to Ease Humanitarian Crisis
A ship with Gaza aid is preparing to inaugurate a sea route from Cyprus to the war-ravaged strip
Joint statement by EU, Cyprus, UAE, US, and UK on aid effort to Gaza
Private universities bill adopted
Greek lawmakers approve ending state monopoly on university education, despite student protests
Turkey's Erdogan says March election will be his final, state media reports
Turkey’s Erdogan indicates he will step down at end of term after 2 decades in power
On Wednesday international headlines all focused on the Russian ballistic missile that struck a few hundred meters from where Greece’s Prime Minister Mitsotakis was meeting with Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy in Odesa. Ambassador Spiros Lambridis, Greece’s special envoy for Ukraine, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this incident and look at the broader significance of Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ visit to Ukraine. We’ll also explore Greece’s overall efforts to support Kyiv in this war, from military assistance to helping Ukraine rebuild.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Mitsotakis: Greece supports Ukraine’s fight for freedom
PM’s Ukraine visit turns into thriller
Russia Strikes Odesa With Missile During Visit by Zelensky and Greek Leader
Mitsotakis after Odesa missile hit: ‘No one will intimidate us’
Sweden officially joins NATO, prime minister declares it a 'safer country'
Sweden is now a full NATO member
US to build temporary port to deliver Gaza aid
Biden Seeks to Boost Emergency Aid to Gaza With Offshore Pier
This week an Albanian court sentenced Fredi Beleri, the imprisoned mayor-elect of Himare, to 2 years in prison. Beleri slammed the trial and the court’s decision as a “sham”. This case is about much more than one individual, however, touching on deeper issues in Greek-Albanian relations. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this latest development in the Beleri case, and look at what this decision - which is widely seen as political - tells us about the direction Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama is taking the country, from the rule of law to its relations with Greece.
Read Vassilis Nedos latest for Kathimerini here: Rama burns bridges with Beleri conviction
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Albania: Ethnic Greek mayor sentenced to two years for vote buying
Russian missile nearly hits Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis
Explosion rocks Odesa near where Zelenskyy was meeting Greek PM
PM’s Ukraine visit turns into thriller
Gaza aid due to sail soon from Cyprus, source says
When China’s Belt and Road Initiative was formally launched in 2013, it was touted as a world-spanning push to replicate the economic and political impact of the Silk Road. As it made investments across the world - including in the port of Piraeus during the depths of the financial crisis - Western capitals sought to counter Beijing’s growing influence. While it appears that the BRI is in retreat today, there are still risks. Josh Birenbaum, the deputy director of the Center on Economic and Financial Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the BRI today, why Europe and Washington should still be concerned about China, and what tools are available to counter Beijing - from the DFC to the proposed IMEC corridor.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
China’s Belt and Road Initiative is bringing new risks to Europe
Tightening the Belt or End of the Road? China’s BRI at 10
Albania: Ethnic Greek mayor sentenced to two years for vote buying
Beleri: ‘It was a sham trial’
Rama burns bridges with Beleri conviction
Von der Leyen expected in Cyprus to discuss sea corridor
Ursula von der Leyen in Cyprus for humanitarian corridor talks
In 2020 Turkey’s government changed the status of Hagia Sophia from a museum into a mosque. Now, Ankara is looking to repeat this with another important UNESCO World Heritage site, Chora Church. In response, HALC has launched a petition calling on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) to exert pressure on Turkey for the protection of its Christian minorities and Christian cultural heritage. Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou joins Thanos Davelis to look at why preserving Chora Church is important, and break down how USCIRF can take action - including visiting Turkey and the occupied territories of Cyprus.
Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou is a professor in the International Studies Department at Boston College, an internationally recognized leader on issues of religion and human rights, and a previous Vice Chair and Commissioner on the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.
Add you name to HALC’s petition to USCIRF
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey revives plan to convert another iconic Byzantine site into a mosque
Dendias: After Red Sea mission, Greece seeks key role in EU defense
Turkey spy chief Kalin to meet CIA’s Burns, discuss Syria on first US visit
The US Senate put the Turkey F-16 deal back in the spotlight this week, with Senator Rand Paul initiating a debate over why this sale to Ankara was proceeding. While some key Senators stressed that a “deal is a deal”, they also voiced their deep concerns about Turkey - from its human rights record to its aggression across the region. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what took place in the Senate, the message it sends about US-Turkey ties, and more.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Senators warily allow F-16 sale to Turkey as part of NATO expansion agreement
Foreign policy milestones: EU accession, Turkey, Cyprus, Prespes
EU border agency to triple officers on Bulgaria-Turkey frontier
US plans first military airdrop of aid into Gaza
US weighs Cyprus humanitarian corridor as famine looms in Gaza
This past weekend SYRIZA held a 4 day convention that was filled with drama and chaos, with both its identity as well as its leadership being challenged. With a new leadership race narrowly avoided, the question remains if there is a leader in the fragmented center left that can unite the opposition. At the same time, recent polling shows an increase in support for parties to the right of New Democracy. Political scientist and expert Panos Koliastasis joins Thanos Davelis to look at this ongoing crisis in SYRIZA and the broader center left, while breaking down the latest polls and the message they send ahead of European elections.
Panos Koliastasis, an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Politics at the University of Peloponnese, contributor to Kathimerini, and the author of the book "Permanent campaigning in Greece in times of crisis: the Samaras, Tsipras and Mitsotakis premierships".
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
SYRIZA: The challenge of unity and reinvention
Greek center-left: The long road to unity
Ruling New Democracy maintains dominance
Greece seeking to create ‘smarter’ army
Senators warily allow F-16 sale to Turkey as part of NATO expansion agreement
The current crisis in the Middle East - from Gaza to the Red Sea - is threatening the stability of Egypt, one of the most important countries in the Arab world. Policymakers from Washington to Athens know that if Egypt falls the aftershocks would be felt across the region, as the ensuing social explosion would cause chaos, uncontrollable migrant flows to Europe and the creation of another trouble spot - beyond Libya - in the region. Alexis Papachelas, Kathimerini’s editor in chief, joins Thanos Davelis to look at why there is good reason to worry about Egypt in Washington, Brussels, and Athens.
Read Alexis Papachelas’ latest in Kathimerini: There’s good reason to worry about Egypt
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Tens of thousands take to Greece’s streets demanding justice for deadly train crash
Germany hosts peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan
Germany hosts talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan
Armenia, Azerbaijan inch toward shaky peace deal but key issues unaddressed
In late December a petition was launched titled “Nostos for Greek Adoptees,” asking the Greek state to recognize some 4,000 Greek-born adoptees - the so-called Lost Children of Greece. While there were many legal adoptions during the post-war era, many were not. Dr. Mary Cardaras, a Greek-born adoptee, author, journalist, and founder and director of The Demos Center at The American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to tell the story of these Lost Children of Greece, and look at what steps can be taken from Athens to bring them back to their roots.
Dr. Mary Cardaras is also the author of “Ripped at the Root” and editor of “Voices of the Lost Children of Greece”.
Read Mary Cardaras’ latest in Kathimerini on this subject here:
Nostos for Greek adoptees: It’s long past time
Our stories and our records belong to us
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece says it’s hoping to nudge ally Armenia’s alliances westward
US tourist numbers increasing rapidly
Last year was a record year for Greek tourism, with the latest statistics showing a remarkable comeback for the sector from the years of lockdowns during the pandemic. While these trends are welcome, there are also some worrying signs, as 2023 saw an increasing use of the term “over tourism”. Georgia Nakou, a features editor at MacroPolis - a specialist website focused on political and economic analysis of Greek affairs, joins Thanos Davelis to break down this record year for tourism, the causes for concern amid questions of sustainability, and the government’s response.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Record year for Greek tourism raises concerns about sustainability
Kasselakis vows to revamp SYRIZA ahead of European elections
SYRIZA decides against inner party elections
President Christodoulides prepares Cyprus for new sanctions unit
This past week protests and politics took center stage in Greece, as farmers - like many of their European counterparts - descended on Athens with their tractors to demand that the government do more to improve their working and living conditions. As the protests were wrapping up, Greece’s main opposition party SYRIZA kicked off a convention that has now raised the prospects of a fresh leadership race within the party months after Stefanos Kasselakis was elected. Iliana Magra, a journalist with Kathimerini who covered the farmers’ protests and the SYRIZA convention, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis from Athens.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greek farmers drive tractors to parliament to demand financial help
Thousands rally in Athens as Greek farmers step up protests
Kasselakis throws gauntlet at party detractors
Fresh SYRIZA leadership battle on the cards
Government plans to bring in 40,000 workers from six countries
Turkey Pursues and Seizes Critics Abroad: Human Rights Watch
On February 18th the floating storage regasification unit in Alexandroupoli received its first test shipment of U.S. liquefied natural gas. Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Geoffrey Pyatt described the successful opening of the Alexandroupolis FSRU as a ‘milestone” in “the longstanding transatlantic effort to diversify European energy routes and suppliers.” In other energy news, it looks like decision time has come for the hydrocarbon survey program off Crete by ExxonMobil and Helleniq Energy. Dr. Theodoros Tsakiris, an associate professor of geopolitics and energy policy at the University of Nicosia, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what these developments mean for Greece and the region.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
First gas load to Alexandroupoli FSRU
Alexandroupolis LNG Terminal going live after test runs
Key moment for blocks off Crete
Fresh SYRIZA leadership battle on the cards
Albanian Parliament approves controversial deal to hold migrants for Italy
Top EU official lauds Italy-Albania migration deal but a court and a rights commissioner have doubts
As Western leaders gathered in Munich this weekend for the Munich Security Conference, warnings about Russian President Putin’s possible next moves were mixed with Europe’s growing concerns that it could soon be abandoned by the United States as aid to Ukraine is stalled in Congress and former President Trump casts doubts on America’s commitment to NATO. Max Bergmann, the director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and the Stuart Center in Euro-Atlantic and Northern European Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), joins Thanos Davelis to look at these concerns and explore whether European defense has now become a necessity.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Europe’s security elite braces for Trump, searches for backup plans
As Putin Threatens, Despair and Hedging in Europe
Can Europe defend itself without America?
Greece to prioritize strengthening relations with India, says PM
Greece is India’s gateway to Europe, PM says
Greek farmers join tractor protest in front of parliament for second day
Last week Turkey’s President Erdogan traveled to Egypt, where he met with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. While both leaders said they were turning a "new leaf" in their relations after over a decade of estrangement, differences remain, and it seems Cairo is still wary of Ankara. Expert Constantinos Filis, the Director of the Institute of Global Affairs and an associate professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss Erdogan’s latest visit to Egypt, whether Cairo is really ready to mend fences, and what these developments mean for the broader region.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Αρθρο Κ. Φίλη στην «Κ»: Υποχρεωτική επανεκκίνηση με αστερίσκους για Αίγυπτο και Τουρκία
Erdogan says Turkey ready to cooperate with Egypt on Gaza
Relations between Turkey and Egypt turn 'new leaf' as Erdogan visits Cairo
Thousands join rally in Athens as farmers step up protest
Mitsotakis stresses importance of strategic partnership during official visit to India
Greece’s gateway to Asia, India’s gateway to Europe
Greece’s Kathimerini newspaper just reported on the contents of the final draft of a letter from the State Department to Congress that implies that the F-16 and F-35 sales to Turkey and Greece come with conditions, refuting Ankara’s narrative that no such letter existed. This letter comes on the heels of a two week period in DC that put the spotlight on the US-Greece relationship, from the Strategic Dialogue to the 5th Southeast Europe and Eastern Mediterranean forum. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins Thanos Davelis to break down these important developments from Washington, DC, and look at what message they send about US-Greece ties.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Joint Statement on the U.S.-Greece 5th Strategic Dialogue
Greece’s role in shifting global dynamics
Important strategic dialogue about what’s happening between Greece and US
F-16s to Ankara, F-35s to Athens come with conditions
National Security Memorandum on Safeguards and Accountability With Respect to Transferred Defense Articles and Defense Services
PM says govt has ‘nothing more to offer’ to farmers
Farmers’ descent on Athens to dominate the agenda
EU mission to protect Red Sea ship launched under Greek command
EU launches Red Sea naval mission to protect shipping from Houthi attacks
On Thursday Greece finally approved a landmark marriage equality bill, becoming the first majority Orthodox Christian country to take such a step. This is a watershed moment for the country’s LGBTQ community, but, as Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis put it, is also a milestone for human rights. Nikos Efstathiou, an Athens based journalist and author who has reported extensively on this issue, joins Thanos Davelis to look at this historic moment for Greece, and the ripple effects it is having beyond the country’s borders.
Read Nikos Efstathiou’s latest piece for Kathimerini here: Marriage equality bill has ripple effects outside Greece
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece Becomes First Orthodox Country to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage
Mitsotakis calls for streamlining Europe’s defense industry
Journalists in Turkey Welcome Ruling Restoring Online Access to Banned News Articles
2024 will see billions of people head to the polls, with a number of key elections - including in the US - on the horizon. This comes as we’ve also seen illiberal values and politicians who embrace them gain ground across the board. The eyes of the world will justifiably be on the US presidential election in November, where it is increasingly looking like we are in for a repeat of the 2020 election. William Antholis, the director and CEO of UVA’s Miller Center of Public Affairs, joins Thanos Davelis to look at these upcoming elections, with a focus on the US, and break down what’s at stake for the US and democracies around the world, including Greece.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
2024 brings wave of elections with global democracy on the ballot
Trump Will Abandon Nato
Why John Bolton Is Certain Trump Really Wants to Blow Up NATO
Trump’s NATO Threat Reflects a Wider Shift on America’s Place in the World
Greece Becomes First Orthodox Country to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage
Greece becomes first Orthodox Christian country to legalize same-sex civil marriage
Eni drills second well at Cronos gas discovery off Cyprus
We just wrapped up the Southeastern Europe and Eastern Mediterranean conference here in Washington, DC, a forum Kathimerini English Edition, HALC, and the Delphi Economic Forum have organized now for 5 years running. During the conference we saw Greece, Greek-American relations, Cyprus, developments in the Balkans, and the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine take center stage. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English edition, joins Thanos Davelis in Washington to break down the main takeaways from the past few days in DC.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greek-American relations on the agenda of Kathimerini’s 5th Southeast Europe and EastMed Forum
Most Greeks view US stance positively, poll finds
US will be ‘closely monitoring’ Turkey
Erdogan says Turkey ready to cooperate with Egypt on Gaza
Turkey’s Erdogan receives red-carpet reception in Egypt, calls Sisi 'brother'
Cyprus could produce first natural gas as soon as 2026, minister says
For many, Cyprus has largely been defined by the Turkish occupation. This view is changing, however, as Cyprus positions itself as a frontline state for Western interests and an increasingly relevant strategic partner for the United States. Evangelos Savva, the Ambassador of Cyprus to the United States, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss how Cyprus has moved from being viewed solely as a problem to becoming part of the solution to key regional challenges, and look at whether Cyprus’s regional relevance can help solve the Cyprus problem.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
From “problem” to “solution”: Cyprus as a strategic partner, diplomatic linchpin, and occupied state”
John Sarbanes presented with Leader award
Greek-American relations on the agenda of Kathimerini’s 5th Southeast Europe and EastMed Forum
Kathimerini Forum: Signs of optimism in the Western Balkans, but no closer to EU accession
For rights campaigner in Greece, same-sex marriage recognition follows decades of struggle
Greece on the brink of legalising same-sex marriage
On Friday Greece and the US held their fifth Strategic Dialogue, which, among other things, also saw Greece become the 35th country to sign up to the US Artemis space cooperation accords. Greece’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Ambassador Alexandra Papadopoulou, joins Thanos Davelis on the sidelines of the 5th Southeast Europe and Eastern Mediterranean conference in Washington, DC, to discuss the key takeaways from this latest Strategic Dialogue and highlight what it means for the bilateral relationship. We also look at Greece’s effort to obtain a seat as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, and ongoing talks with Turkey.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Joint Statement on the U.S.-Greece Strategic Dialogue
Greece signs up to US Artemis space cooperation accords
Foreign minister to push for UN Security Council seat
Cyprus president wants the EU to discuss designating Syria safe zones for refugees
US will be ‘closely monitoring’ Turkey
A few weeks ago Turkey finally approved Sweden’s NATO bid. In return, Ankara got a green light from the Biden administration for F-16s, something that’s been on President Erdogan’s wishlist. Now, despite Erdogan’s antics over Sweden and his playing host to Iran and Russia’s leaders, it looks like the Biden administration is employing a new approach of positive reinforcement with Ankara. Expert Sinan Ciddi joins Thanos Davelis to explain why now is not the time for Washington to reward Turkey’s Erdogan.
Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he contributes to FDD’s Turkey Program and Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP). He is also an Associate Professor of Security Studies at the Command and Staff College-Marine Corps University and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
Read Sinan Ciddi’s latest here: Don’t reward Erdogan
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
United States Welcomes Greece’s Signing of the Artemis Accords
Gov’t mulls raising Golden Visa threshold to tackle housing crisis
Greek and US officials will hold the 5th Strategic Dialogue in Washington, DC on Friday, and Foreign Minister Gerapetritis will also meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The agenda ranges from regional developments to the sale of F-35 jets and the possibility of co-producing Constellation-class frigates. As the Strategic Dialogue kicks off, another set of discussions is taking place in the Eastern Mediterranean, where the UN chief’s new personal envoy for Cyprus is meeting with all stakeholders. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to look at Friday’s Strategic Dialogue in DC, and discuss the latest developments on the Cyprus issue.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
FM heads to Washington with full agenda
Students block Athens streets to protest private universities possibly coming to Greece
Greek students step up protests against private university plan
Natural gas exports from Cyprus to Egypt ‘key’ for energy relations
Christodoulides and Egypt's FM Shoukry discuss common challenges
Over the past years Greece has seen a sharp increase in home prices and rents, with many talking about a housing crisis as Greeks are being priced out of the property market. This has put the spotlight on the Golden Visa scheme. Yiannis Mouzakis, the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr, a political and economic analysis site that focuses on Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to look into Greece’s housing crisis and the Golden Visa scheme. We also explore whether it's time, now that the Greek economy has returned to a much more stable path, for Greece to rethink this scheme and take bold steps to address this crisis.
Read Yiannis Mouzakis’ latest here: Time running out for Golden Visa as housing problems increase
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Farmers intensify protests, block highways
Private universities bill unveiled
One year ago southeastern Turkey was devastated by a series of powerful earthquakes that killed tens of thousands and left even more without homes. It also ushered in a period of calm in the Aegean, as Greece was quick to assist its Turkish neighbors. A year later, the magnitude of this disaster continues to not only defy massive recovery efforts, but also impact Turkey’s relations with Greece. Nektaria Stamouli, the deputy editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition and Politico’s Eastern Mediterranean correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss a recent trip with a team of international journalists to southeast Turkey that looked into the ways this earthquake continues to impact Turkey and the region.
Read Nektaria Stamouli’s latest for Kathimerini here: Turkey, a year after the life-changing earthquakes
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Vanished kids and rampant corruption: Horrors behind Turkey’s earthquake linger
Greek-Turkish ties could hit some snags
UN Cyprus envoy discusses obstacles with PM
Turkey revives plan to convert another iconic Byzantine site into a mosque
While no major news on the Parthenon Sculptures has emerged since British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s infamous snub of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in late last year, the incident reinvigorated the debate around the return of the Sculptures to their home in Athens. Nikos Efstathiou, who was just in London reporting on the issue for Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the sentiment in London, and why the return of the Parthenon Sculptures seems all but inevitable.
Read Nikos Efstathiou’s latest piece in Kathimerini here: In London, the return of the Parthenon Sculptures seems all but inevitable
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece will not compromise ‘core positions,’ say sources
Greek-Turkish ties could hit some snags
Gov’t rules out additional support for farmers
Farmers unsatisfied with government measures
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his cabinet have been under pressure these past days, as farmers and students across the country have taken to the streets in protest. This comes as Mitsotakis also prepares to pass a key marriage equality bill this month, and as the latest polls show a slight drop in support for New Democracy and the government. Nick Malkoutzis, the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr, a political and economic analysis site that focuses on Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to look at these challenges and break down how they could impact the Mitsotakis government.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Strong public support for farmers adds to pressure on PM for more measures
Why are farmers protesting across the EU and what can the bloc do about it?
Students and police clash in Greece as debate rages over legalizing private universities
Holy Synod warns of impact on family in letter to MPs
Athens airport IPO attracts strong demand after two-year lull in Europe
Athens Airport IPO Caps String of Events Showing Greece Is Back
British Museum director backs Parthenon Marbles loan plan
Turkey Israel: 'Seven arrested for passing information to Mossad'
After a proposal by Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, Greece is set to serve as the headquarters of the EU naval operation in the Red Sea against Iranian-backed Houthi militants dubbed operation Aspides. At the same time, Greece has also proposed taking command of the mission. Revecca Pedi, an associate professor of international relations at the University of Macedonia in Thessaloniki, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this latest initiative from Athens, and break down the message it sends as Greece looks to take on more important and impactful roles in the region and within the EU.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
EU Red Sea operation HQ to be in Larissa
EU naval mission to protect ships in Red Sea set to be launched on 19 February
Students and police clash in Greece as debate rages over legalizing private universities
Clashes erupt at Greek protest against education reform
Greece hit record high green energy output last year
On Thursday European leaders will look to overcome growing resistance to further aid for Ukraine, with Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban vowing to defy EU pressure to approve a four-year €50 billion aid package to the war torn country. EU support is seen as crucial to Ukraine’s war effort. John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist based in Athens and Al Jazeera's Southeast Europe correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the stakes for Ukraine and why Orban is insisting on this standoff. We also break down the view from Greece, with Prime Minister Mitsotakis reiterating this week that Athens remains committed to supporting Ukraine.
Read John Psaropoulos’ latest here: Ukraine funding, Orban’s opposition set to dominate crucial EU summit
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece proposes command of EU naval mission in Red Sea
EU aiming to launch Red Sea naval mission by mid-Feb
Erdogan to Visit Egypt to Reboot Ties After Decade-Long Friction
In a major escalation in the Middle East crisis, three US service members were killed and dozens more injured in a drone strike on the Syrian-Jordanian border by the Iranian-backed Islamic Resistance. This comes as attacks on US personnel in Iraq and Syria have surged since October, and as Washington has been debating a full withdrawal from Syria. Amberin Zaman, Al-Monitor’s chief correspondent covering major stories on the Middle East and North Africa, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this latest deadly attack, what it could mean for the region, and what a potential US withdrawal from Syria would mean for America’s partners on the ground - the Syrian Kurds - and for the fight against ISIS.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
U.S. troops killed, wounded in Jordan attack blamed on Iranian proxies
Pentagon floats plan for its Syrian Kurd allies to partner with Assad against ISIS
America Is Planning to Withdraw From Syria—and Create a Disaster
US opens F-35 window to Ankara
US ready to welcome Turkey ‘back into F-35 family’ if S-400 issue is resolved
In 2019 the Greek Orthodox Patriarchs of Constantinople and Alexandria recognised the independence of the newly formed Orthodox Church of Ukraine. Since then, Moscow has attempted to undermine not only the Ecumenical Patriarchate, but also the Patriarch of Alexandria, which claims exclusive jurisdiction over Africa and accuses the Russian church of meddling in the continent. Prof. George Demacopoulos joins Thanos Davelis to explore why Russia is trying to split the Orthodox Church in Africa, and explain why this should be viewed as part of a larger Russian project whereby Putin uses the church to advance his own global ambitions.
Prof. Demacopoulos is the Fr. John Meyendorff & Patterson Family Chair of Orthodox Christian Studies at Fordham University. He is Co-Founding Director of Fordham’s Orthodox Christian Studies Center and Co-Founding Editor of the Journal of Orthodox Christian Studies.
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Russia’s plan to seduce Christians in Africa
Albanian appeals court rejects Beleri’s request to take oath
Hungary vows to defy EU ‘blackmail’ over Ukraine funding
Brussels threatens to hit Hungary’s economy if Viktor Orbán vetoes Ukraine aid
After over a year of delays, the Biden administration on Friday formally informed Congress of its intention to proceed with a deal to sell F-35 stealth fighter jets to Greece. At the same time, it also notified Congress of the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has described this move as an important milestone for Greece and for US-Greece relations. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis from Athens as we look at what this means for Greece, US-Greece relations, and more.
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US advances fighter jet sale to Greece, Turkey; Congress likely to approve
Chair Cardin Welcomes Turkey’s Action on Sweden’s NATO Accession, Approves Sale of F-16s to Turkey, Expresses Concern on New Hungarian Intransigence
Athens irked by US delays in arms timetable
Cyprus offers measures to support estranged Turkish Cypriots
Block on Turkish Cypriot mixed marriages for citizenship lifted
While the tourism boom in Greece over the last years can be felt across the country, its epicenter is a group of islands in the Aegean known as the Cyclades. The tourism boom is also fueling seemingly nonstop development on the islands, putting the focus on the sustainability of this development model. Yannis Palaiologos, a journalist at large with Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss how tourism and frantic development is impacting Greece’s most popular islands, and look into the efforts of a relatively new initiative called the Sustainable Cyclades project, which aims to put a spotlight on these issues.
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The Sustainable Cyclades project
As Development Alters Greek Islands’ Nature and Culture, Locals Push Back
Turkey's Edrogan signs off on Sweden's NATO membership
NoJetsForTurkey coalition calls for US Congress scrutiny of F-16 sale
Students in Greece protest plans to introduce private universities
Turkey’s Parliament voted on Tuesday to approve Sweden’s membership into NATO, clearing one of the final hurdles for a major expansion of the military alliance. The move comes after nearly two years of Ankara setting roadblocks and delaying Sweden’s swift accession to the NATO alliance. Despite Tuesday’s vote Sweden’s accession is not yet guaranteed. Henri Barkey, the Cohen Professor of International Relations at Lehigh University and Adjunct Senior Fellow for Middle East Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this latest move by Turkey’s Parliament and look at the lessons US policymakers should walk away with from Erdogan’s handling of Sweden’s NATO accession.
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Turkey Backs Sweden’s NATO Bid
Turkey votes in favor of Sweden’s NATO membership after months of delay
Biden urges US Congress to approve F-16 sale to Turkey 'without delay'
Government aims to secure at least 120 Conservative votes
As Greece bounces back from a decade of economic crisis, earning praise in headlines and features across the board - from The Economist to the Wall Street Journal - it is also up against a series of challenges. One of those is the demographic challenge, which has been described as existential. Nikos Konstandaras, a columnist for Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to break down how Greece, given the position it finds itself in today, has a unique window of opportunity to push key reforms forward that would go a long way toward tackling some of the key challenges the country is up against.
Read Nikos Konstandaras’ latest in Kathimerini: Facing the future and ourselves
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Turkey Backs Sweden’s NATO Bid
Parties clash over emigrant postal voting bill
Cabinet to discuss same-sex marriage bill on Wednesday
On Monday Greece introduced a bill that would allow for voting by mail, a long-standing request of diaspora Greeks and a measure that has been applied in almost all modern democracies. Interior Minister Niki Kerameus said the reform will make it easier to exercise the right to vote and will deepen democracy. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English edition, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this latest step by the Mitsotakis government, and break down what it could mean for Greek democracy and for diaspora Greeks.
Read Tom Ellis’ latest in Kathimerini: On the mail-in vote
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Postal voting will ‘deepen democracy’
Postal voting bill amendment seeks inclusion of Greeks abroad in national elections
Mitsotakis, Blinken discuss developments in Gaza and the Red Sea
Turkey Parliament Set to Vote on Sweden’s NAT0 Bid This Week
This week the leaders of the Hellenic Caucus in Congress sent a letter to President Biden calling on him to invite President Christodoulides to the White House to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus. They also urged the Biden administration to take a series of steps that could take the US-Cyprus relationship to new heights. In the meantime, Prime Minister Mitsotakis will visit New York and Chicago next week, a visit that highlights Greece’s growing reputation beyond Washington. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the latest developments on Cyprus in Washington, and provide a look ahead at Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ upcoming visit to the US.
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Sarbanes, Hellenic Caucus Leaders Urge President Biden to Formally Invite the President of Cyprus to the White House to Mark 50th Anniversary of Turkish Invasion of Cyprus
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Greece's Economic Comeback
Gov’t rules out referendum on same-sex marriage bill
Ieronymos says referendum could be held on same-sex civil marriages
Greece to Sell ‘Significant’ Stake in Piraeus Bank in Months (1)
Mitsotakis says he wants Greece to become exporter of green energy
As Greece’s government looks set to get marriage equality legislation over the finish line, the bill itself has managed to rattle Greece’s political system - particularly within New Democracy, Greece’s ruling party. Given dissent within New Democracy over the bill, the government will need to look across the aisle to pass it. Nikos Efstathiou, an Athens based journalist and author, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this bill, look at how it's impacting Greece’s political scene, and touch on the broader public debate around the issue of marriage equality - including hate speech on social media platforms.
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Government to bring forward bill on marriage equality
Same-sex marriage spices up Greece’s political scene
Tiptoeing into same-sex marriage
Greek students protest government plan for private universities
Hellenic Caucus leaders call on US president to commemorate 50th anniversary of Cyprus invasion
Read the letter Hellenic Caucus leaders sent to President Biden
The seemingly unstoppable rise of tourism is transforming countries in ways that until recently belonged to the realm of the imagination. Greece is no exception, as it’s among the places most affected by this trend. Professor Stathis Kalyvas, the chairman of the Board of Directors at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center and Gladstone Professor of Government at the University of Oxford’s Department of Politics and International Relations, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how the rise of tourism is changing Greece, and what challenges this poses for the country in the coming years.
Read Prof. Stathis Kalyvas’ latest in Kathimerini: What does the tourist boom mean for Greece?
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Athens blocking EU-Tirana defense pact
FM Gerapetritis: Situation in Gaza requires immediate action
About a week ago Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Turkey, where he met with Turkish President Erdogan. Diplomatic sources said Blinken arrived bearing potential gifts to entice Turkey to wrap up the issue of Sweden’s NATO membership. These included everything from new ways to provide F-16s to Turkey to a White House visit for Turkish President Erdogan. Michael Rubin, the director of policy analysis at the Middle East Forum, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, and a former Pentagon official, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why rewarding Erdogan for actions that responsible governments do without enticement only encourages blackmail.
Read Michael Rubin’s latest here: No, Erdogan should never again step foot in the White House
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Greek government plans Athens airport IPO to sell 30% stake
Irregular border crossings at an eight-year high in 2023, says Frontex
Greece’s Defense Minister Nikos Dendias recently outlined a new approach for how the Greek armed forces will be run, calling it “the armed forces of 2030”. Part of this new approach includes bolstering Greece’s defense industry, as Dendias noted that Greece cannot continue to buy everything it needs from abroad without producing anything of its own. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the key takeaways from his exclusive interview with Defense Minister Dendias, and give us an inside look at the changes Greece is looking to implement.
Read Vassilis Nedos interview with Defense Minister Dendias: We can’t keep buying off the shelf
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Greece appeals to Iran for captured tanker
Turkey serving as ‘de facto executive arm of Hamas,’ Israel’s Gallant says
Sagiv Jehezkel: Israel footballer leaves Turkey after hostage plea row
Israeli footballer censured in Turkey for October 7 tribute returns home
This new year finds Washington in a bind over how to effectively engage with Turkey, a trend we’ve documented for at least half a decade. The tug of war over Sweden and F16s, and Ankara’s stance on the Arab-Israeli conflict, are the latest examples of this. Expert Sinan Ciddi joins Thanos Davelis to break down why a tough stance toward Ankara - setting clear parameters and enforcing them relentlessly - is the only way to defend US regional interests and stop Erdogan’s mercurial and manipulative policies.
Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he contributes to FDD’s Turkey Program and Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP). He is also an Associate Professor of Security Studies at the Command and Staff College-Marine Corps University and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
Read Sinan Ciddi’s latest here:
The United States Needs to Play Hardball With Turkey
Erdogan’s electoral strategy for 2024: Vilify Israel
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Iran, Russia decry Houthi strikes; Erdogan: US, UK want to turn Red Sea into bloodbath
Erdogan accuses U.S., Britain of trying to turn Red Sea into 'sea of blood'
Greek PM faces fierce opposition over pledge to legalise gay marriage
Greek prime minister says legislation allowing same-sex marriage will be presented soon
Samaras rejects idea that ND MPs opposed to same-sex marriage abstain from vote
Greece’s government announced on Wednesday it will scrap all the fines imposed on the elderly who never got vaccinated against Covid-19, a move which has sparked heated debate in Greece. The decision comes amid a simultaneous outbreak of three respiratory infections, including Covid-19 and influenza. Nektaria Stamouli, the deputy editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition and Politico’s Eastern Mediterranean correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this latest move by the government, look at the reactions it has sparked, and break down how this new wave of infections is impacting the country.
Read Nektaria Stamouli’s latest article in Kathimerini: From fines to ‘olive branch’, government scraps vaccine policy
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Poll confirms ND’s dominance, support for private universities
Greek government’s plans to legalize same-sex marriage win key opposition backing
Cyprus sees significant impact on shipping from Houthis
Over a year ago there were concerns that Turkey’s provocations and threats in the Aegean could turn into conflict. Over the last year, Turkey’s President Erdogan has pulled a 180 degree shift in policy, de-escalating tensions. Ryan Gingeras, a professor in the Department of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and an expert on Turkish, Balkan, and Middle East history, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the prospects for Greek-Turkish relations in 2024, the role of Washington, and what to expect in US-Turkey ties as the year unfolds.
Read Ryan Gingeras’ latest interview with Kathimerini here: Prospects for Greek-Turkish relations to emerge clearly by spring
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Gov’t unveils new measures to combat soaring prices
UN's new special envoy heads to Cyprus in early February
As Europeans prepare to head to the polls in June to vote for the European Parliament, there is a growing concern as far-right parties are making gains across the continent. We have seen far right candidates win elections in the Netherlands, while France’s National Rally and the German Alternative for Germany are gaining in popularity amid concerns over migration and inflation. Alexandra Voudouri, Kathimerini's Brussels correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what’s at stake this year in Europe’s elections, and whether this growing support for the far-right could turn into a political tsunami by June.
Read Alexandra Voudouri’s latest for Kathimerini: Κινδυνεύει η Ε.E. από ακροδεξιό «τσουνάμι»;
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Visualizing 2024: Trends to Watch
Make or break for the EU? Europeans vote in June with far right on the rise
EU elections could be major turning point for Europe's far-right
PM vows to accelerate reforms in meeting with cabinet
PM champions Greece’s success in curbing irregular migration
EU Commissioner Johansson stresses need for migrants to address EU’s labor shortage
Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Greece this weekend, and he and Prime Minister Mitsotakis once again highlighted how Greece-US relations are at their best, with both countries standing together in the face of some of the most acute challenges in the region. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the key takeaways from Secretary Blinken’s latest visit to Greece, and explain why it is time to apply the Biden Administration’s domestic mantra - “Build back better” - to its foreign policy, particularly its ties with Greece.
Read Endy Zemenides’ latest piece in Kathimerini here: Blinken should build back better when he meets Mitsotakis
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‘We are standing together,’ says Blinken during meeting with Greek PM
Cyprus replaces defense, health, justice, farm ministers in reshuffle
Greek bonds coming highly recommended
2024 will see more than four billion people across three dozen countries head to the polls, in what the Washington Post has described as possibly “the greatest rolling spectacle of democracy in human history.” The stakes will be high in many countries, but all eyes, including in Greece, will be on the US elections as the latest polls suggest we may be in for a repeat of the 2020 election between President Biden and former President Trump. Constantinos Filis, the Director of the Institute of Global Affairs and an associate professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the upcoming US elections, and break down what they could mean for Greece and the US-Greek relationship.
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Να φοβάται η Αθήνα τις κάλπες στις ΗΠΑ;
2024 brings wave of elections with global democracy on the ballot
Ten Elections to Watch in 2024
PM champions restored Palace of Aigai for worldwide heritage, catalyst for growth
Leaders embrace appointment of UN envoy
Cuellar announced as UN ‘personal envoy’ to Cyprus
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis set the tone for the new year this week, announcing a mini cabinet reshuffle aimed at boosting his government ahead of expected reforms. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English edition, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what we should expect following this reshuffle and look at Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ agenda for 2024, which includes passing key legislation permitting non-state universities in Greece, allowing for postal voting, and legalizing same-sex marriage.
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Greek PM sacks police minister in mini reshuffle, key posts unchanged
Greek government says it stands by same-sex marriage pledge even after opposition from the Church
Mini cabinet reshuffle announced, key posts unchanged
Blinken’s visit to Greece confirmed
Blinken heads to the Mideast again as fears of regional conflict surge
On Wednesday the US and a host of international allies warned that Iran-backed Houthi militants will face “consequences” if they continue to “threaten lives” and disrupt trade in the Red Sea. Earlier this week, what’s become an increasingly volatile crisis gained a new dimension as Iran sent a warship to the region, escalating tensions. Bradley Bowman, the senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the big picture amid escalating tensions in the Red Sea, including what this could mean for the Eastern Mediterranean.
Read Brad Bowman’s latest snapshot for FDD here: Iran Deploys Warship to Red Sea As Houthis Continue Attacks
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US and allies warn Houthis of ‘consequences’ as Red Sea crisis intensifies
Iranian warship enters Red Sea as tensions rise
Maersk halts Red Sea shipping until further notice after Houthi militant attack
Mini cabinet reshuffle announced, key posts unchanged
Blinken expected to visit Greece, sources say
It seemed Sweden was ready to cross the finish line last week, with the stage set for Turkey’s parliament to vote on Sweden’s NATO bid. At the 11th hour, however, Turkey introduced new demands over its request for F-16s. This has put Washington in a bind, as for months the issue of F-16s to Turkey seems to have been linked to the sale of F-35s to Greece. Lena Argiri, the DC correspondent for ERT - Greece’s public broadcaster - and a contributor to Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis from Washington with the latest analysis on Sweden, Turkey and the US, and breaks down why Washington may not be able to afford delaying the sale of F-35s to Greece much longer.
Read Lena Argiri’s latest here in Kathimerini here: Το άγνωστο τελεσίγραφο Μπλίνκεν σε Φιντάν για τα F-16
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Screened in Cyprus, British and Cypriot aid heads to Gaza via Egypt
Turkey says UK minehunters can’t be sent to Ukraine
Turkey to block minehunter ships intended for Ukraine
The US has put together an international armada to deter Iranian-backed Houthi militias from Yemen from attacking shipping in the Red Sea, and this week Greece announced that it will participate in this US led mission - dubbed Operation Prosperity Guardian. Nikolas Katsimpras, a lecturer in Columbia University’s Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Program, an international affairs consultant, a veteran officer of the Hellenic Navy, and a contributor to Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the Red Sea crisis, look at why it’s significant from Greece’s perspective, and break down why is it important that Greece plays an active role in this effort.
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Greek frigate to join Prosperity Guardian
How Houthi rebels are threatening global trade nexus on Red Sea
Ships rerouted by Red Sea crisis face overwhelmed African ports
Shippers have already diverted over $80 billion in cargo from the Red Sea amid fears of attacks
Greece plans to raise up to €10 bln from debt markets in 2024
Turkey Puts Sweden’s NATO Bid Back on Agenda Next Week
Turkish commission to meet next week to discuss Swedish NATO bid
The European Union on Wednesday broke years of political deadlock, striking a landmark deal on migration as negotiators worked through the night to agree on the overhaul of the bloc’s asylum procedures. The breakthrough was hailed as “historic” by EU leaders. Angeliki Dimitriadi, the head of the migration program at ELIAMEP, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this new migration deal, and break down what it means for frontline states like Greece and Cyprus.
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EU strikes ‘historic’ migration deal
Migration is derailing leaders from Biden to Macron. Who’s next?
Migration pact meets key Greek demands
Dendias: Greece will dispatch frigate to Red Sea
Israel, Cyprus discuss ‘fast track’ maritime lane for aid to Gaza
It's been almost one year since the State Department notified Congress of the potential F-35 sale to Greece. Unfortunately, the sale has still yet to move forward. This delay coincides with Turkish President Erdogan’s attempts to use Sweden’s NATO membership to pressure the US over the sale of F16s. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the HALC, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the efforts to move the F35 sale to Greece forward, and break down why progress in Greek-American relations should not be affected by the dysfunctional relationship between the US and Turkey.
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Complete the sale of F-35s to Greece
Turkey links Sweden’s NATO bid to US approving F-16 jet sales and Canada lifting arms embargo
Turkey says Canada, US linking drone-camera exports to Sweden NATO membership
Congress presses State Department on Turkey’s drone program
Greece approves new law granting undocumented migrants residence rights, provided they have a job
Fiscal reforms agreed by EU governments
For the second year in a row The Economist once again listed Greece as the top economic performer of the year out of a list of 35 countries, beating the likes of the United States, the UK, Germany, and Japan. Alex Patelis, the chief economic adviser to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, joins Thanos Davelis to look at Greece’s economic performance over the last year, and break down why we should expect Greece’s economy to continue to outperform in the coming year.
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Which economy did best in 2023?
MPs OK 2024 budget
Greece Plans Sale of Up to €10 Billion in Bonds After Upgrade
Turkey links Sweden’s NATO bid to US approving F-16 jet sales and Canada lifting arms embargo
Erdogan says signals from US, Canada may help Turkey move on Sweden NATO bid
Cyprus says a joint operation with Mossad has foiled a suspected Iranian plot to kill Israelis
Last week European leaders focused on EU enlargement, from the Western Balkans to Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia. While the EU wants closer ties with these countries, it has also made it clear that it expects reforms, particularly when it comes to issues related to the rule of law and justice. Dimitar Bechev, a research fellow at Carnegie Europe, where he focuses on Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe and a lecturer at Oxford’s School of Global and Area Studies, joins Thanos Davelis to look at these latest developments, and break down why he believes there are no quick fixes for EU enlargement.
Read Dimitar Bechev’s latest here: There Are No Quick Fixes for EU Enlargement
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EU wants closer ties to Western Balkans but expects reform
Greece passes 2024 budget forecasting higher growth
Greek parliament passes government's 2024 budget
US top diplomat Blinken ups pressure on Turkey to secure Sweden’s NATO bid
Turkey calls on U.S. to use influence to halt Israeli attacks on Gaza -Turkish source
As EU leaders meet in Brussels this week, their focus is largely on Ukraine and its ties to the EU. In the buildup to the summit, however, the Western Balkans also caught their attention. This includes the case of Albania and the imprisoned mayor-elect of Himare Fredi Beleri, which has not only caused a rift in Greek-Albanian relations, but also between Athens and Berlin this week. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis.
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Athens sends new message to Tirana
Berlin backs Albania’s EU bid despite Athens’ opposition over jailed mayor
Albania needs to boost rights of minorities, EU GAC says
EU leaders approve Ukraine accession talks, bypassing Orbán
Cyprus calls for EU rethink on Syria migration as refugee numbers rise
All top-flight soccer matches in Greece will be played without fans in the stadiums for the next two months, as the focus in Greece once again turns to cracking down on supporter violence following a series of violent incidents at matches. Nikos Efstathiou, an Athens based journalist and author, joins Thanos Davelis to explore the issue of fan violence in Greece, and look at the government’s latest efforts to crack down on it.
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Greek football goes behind closed doors for two months
In latest crackdown on violence, Greece bans fans at all top-flight matches for two months
Greece bans all football fans from Super League games following wave of 'extreme violence'
Berlin backs Albania’s EU bid despite Athens’ opposition over jailed mayor
Athens sends new message to Tirana
Greece going green
One of the key figures that captured the hardship of the decade-long economic crisis in Greece was the unemployment rate, which peaked at 28 percent in the summer of 2013. Today, the latest statistics show that Greece’s unemployment rate has fallen below 10 percent for the first time since the onset of the crisis. Yiannis Mouzakis, the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr, a political and economic analysis site that focuses on Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to break down how Greece brought down its unemployment rate, and how it can keep this momentum going.
Read Yiannis Mouzakis latest analysis here: How Greece reduced its unemployment rate to less than 10 pct
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US hits Turkish and Chinese companies over Russia trade
Israel says it helped foil Iranian-ordered attack on Israelis in Cyprus
Last week we heard Turkish President Erdogan, who once declared that Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis “no longer exists” for him, now call him his “friend Kyriakos”. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins Thanos Davelis to break down whether this “transformation” on the part of Turkey’s leader is genuine, and explain why it’s important that the Greek public understand how the US factored into this transformation.
Read Endy Zemenides’ latest in Kathimerini: A genuine transformation?
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Beleri oath request gets rejected
Albanian PM defiant over Beleri issue
In latest crackdown on violence, Greece bans fans at all top-flight matches for two months
Government unveils measures against sports fan violence
Is it time to reconsider Turkey’s NATO membership? With the alliance having to constantly grapple with an uncooperative and at times even combative Turkish leader in President Erdogan, the question is as timely as ever. Expert Sinan Ciddi joins Thanos Davelis to look at why this discussion needs to take place and explore how NATO members can deal with a country that seems devoted to undermining the trans-Atlantic alliance.
Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he contributes to FDD’s Turkey Program and Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP). He is also an Associate Professor of Security Studies at the Command and Staff College-Marine Corps University and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
Read Sinan Ciddi’s latest in Foreign Policy Magazine: It’s Time to Reconsider Turkey’s NATO Membership
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
US ‘profoundly’ worried over Turkey’s financial links to Hamas
Erdogan Does Not Care About the Palestinians
Members of Congress press Britain to return the Parthenon Sculptures
Tell Prime Minister Sunak: Return the Parthenon Sculptures!
Greek soccer matches postponed after clashes leave police officer in critical condition
All eyes were on Athens on Thursday as Prime Minister Mitsotakis met with Turkey’s President Erdogan, with the two leaders reiterating their commitment to “calm waters” in the Aegean. John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist based in Athens and Al Jazeera’s Southeast Europe correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the key takeaways from President Erdogan’s visit to Athens, including whether we are witnessing the beginning of a reset in relations after years of tensions.
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Mitsotakis, Erdogan commit to lasting calm
Agreements inked between Greece, Turkey
Positive signals from Ankara
Bonds to woo big investors
Construction of cable connecting power grids of Greece and Cyprus set to start next year
With diplomatic relations between Greece and Egypt deepening over the last years, there has been a renewed focus on the ties binding these two Mediterranean countries. One link that is back in the spotlight is the historic Greek community in Egypt, which for the last 200 years has maintained ties with homelands on both sides of the Mediterranean Sea. Steven Tagle and Professor Alexander Kitroeff join Thanos Davelis to look into this dynamic community and explore how their historical role as a bridge between Europe and the Middle East is all the more important today.
Steven Tagle is a fellow from the Institute of Current World Affairs funded by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. He previously served as speechwriter for the US Embassy in Athens and as a Fulbright Fellow in Greece.
Prof. Alexander Kitroeff is a Professor of History at Haverford College who has written extensively on the history of Greece and the Greek diaspora. He is the author of the book: The Greeks and the Making of Modern Egypt
Read Steven Tagle’s latest piece here: Letter from Egypt: Historical ties to Greece hold fast
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Mitsotakis, Erdogan meet with open cards
Erdogan’s points
US experts are in Cyprus to assist police investigating alleged sanctions evasion by Russians
Athens will take center stage on Thursday as Turkey’s President Erdogan visits Greece’s capital to meet with Prime Minister Mitsotakis amid a sense of reserved optimism. While observers do not expect much movement on the thorny issues in the relationship, Athens is looking forward to a continuation of “calm waters” in the Aegean and to implementing a positive agenda. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what we should look out for ahead of Erdogan’s visit to Athens.
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Waiting for Erdogan
Erdogan: International Court for all problems
Armament programs to be streamlined
Cyprus in diplomatic shuttle in trying to get aid into Gaza
Christodoulides meets Egypt, Jordan leaders to discuss Gaza
This weekend at COP28 Prime Minister Mitsotakis stated that despite the “climate devastation” experienced this year “a new Greece is emerging” that will see renewables, where Greece had “one of the best performances of any European country,” take center stage. Nikos Tsafos, the chief energy advisor to the Prime Minister of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this Greek success story and look at how renewable energy investments - from wind and solar to green islands - are changing Greece’s energy mix and redrawing the region’s energy map.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Mitsotakis at COP28: Despite climate devastation, a ‘new Greece is emerging’
Poros to be Greece’s third ‘green’ island
‘New Left’: the 11 MPs who left SYRIZA announce their party
Greece will make no concessions on its sovereign rights, Athens says ahead of Erdogan visit
The next steps after Erdogan’s visit
Exactly 200 years ago, President Monroe outlined what became known as the Monroe doctrine, a doctrine that framed US foreign policy for nearly a century. Just as Monroe was formulating this new policy, however, an unexpected event occurred: The Greek Revolution. Professor Aristotle Tziampiris, the author of the recent book The Monroe Doctrine and the Greek Revolution, joins Thanos Davelis on the 200 year anniversary of the Monroe Doctrine to look at how the Greek fight for independence captivated the American public, the role it played in the formulation of the Monroe Doctrine, and they ways in which the “Greek Fire” and the Monroe Doctrine set the framework that has come to define US-Greek relations for almost two centuries.
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The Monroe Doctrine and the Greek Revolution
What Joe Biden Can Learn from the Greek War of Independence
Cyprus and Chevron reach a deal to develop an offshore natural gas field, ending years of delays
Fitch Upgrades Greece to 'BBB-'; Outlook Stable
Fitch Ratings returns Greece to investment class
Henry Kissinger, the controversial former US National Security Advisor and Secretary of State, passed away on Wednesday, aged 100. He was both celebrated and reviled, receiving the Nobel Peace Prize while being roundly condemned by many as a war criminal. The regions and conflicts that Kissinger intervened in, leaving a dark legacy, include Cyprus, where the former Secretary of State normalized US appeasement of Turkey almost a half-century ago when he secretly backed Turkey’s invasion of the island. Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and former Pentagon official, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss Kissinger’s legacy, particularly in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean, and look at the lessons it holds for policymakers today.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Henry Kissinger: Divisive diplomat who shaped world affairs
Henry Kissinger’s Inflated Reputation
Henry Kissinger Should Apologize for Serving Turkish Imperialism
Henry Kissinger’s long history of appeasing dictatorships
Erdogan wants ‘new page’ with Athens
US ‘profoundly’ worried over Turkey’s financial links to Hamas
On Wednesday Greece filed a written statement with the Council of the European Union stating it will not support Albania’s EU accession process as long as the case of the imprisoned ethnic Greek mayor elect of Himare, Fredi Beleri, remains unresolved. The move comes as Greece has come under EU pressure over Albania. Athens has made it clear, however, that its stance on the Beleri case is about defending European principles as it has to do with respect for the rule of law. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis on the diplomatic initiatives underway over the Beleri case.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Albania’s EU hopes hinge on Beleri case, Athens says
Athens under EU pressure over Albania
Beleri oath request ruling next week
British PM fuels diplomatic dispute with Greece over Parthenon sculptures
PMQs: Rishi Sunak accuses Greek PM of grandstanding
Greece is a rising energy provider in SE Europe, says US envoy
Gas exports could quadruple
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s last minute cancellation of his meeting with Prime Minister Mitsotakis over the Parthenon Sculptures this week has caused a diplomatic row between Greece and the UK, with Athens calling Sunak’s decision “unprecedented” and “disrespectful.” Bruce Clark, a contributor to The Economist with a long expertise on Greece, the author of the recent book Athens, City of Wisdom, which dives into the story of Lord Elgin and the Parthenon Sculptures, and a member of The British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles (BCRPM), joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this latest move by Downing Street that is putting the issue of the Parthenon Sculptures back in the spotlight.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Britain’s pointless diplomatic faux pas with Greece
Athens accuses British PM Sunak of disrespect to Greeks as marbles row deepens
Greece denies promising not to raise Parthenon Sculptures on UK visit
Sunak cancellation politically motivated
Turkey expects to ratify Sweden's NATO accession 'within weeks' - Swedish minister
Erdogan to visit Budapest next month as Turkey and Hungary hold up Sweden’s membership in NATO
Athens under EU pressure over Albania
In about two weeks Minister Mitsotakis and Turkish President Erdogan will meet in Athens, marking the third meeting in five months between the two leaders. While the frequency of their meetings and the de-escalation of tensions are positives, the absence of tensions or conflict does not mean normalization and peace. Constantinos Filis, the Director of the Institute of Global Affairs and an associate professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what we should expect from the upcoming meeting between Prime Minister Mitsotakis and President Erdogan in Athens, and look at what Turkey’s distancing from the West means for Greece.
Read Constantinos Filis’ latest piece in Kathimerini: Ankara’s distancing and the challenge for Athens
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Silent anxiety before Erdogan visits Athens
Rishi Sunak snubs Greek PM in dispute over Elgin Marbles
Greek PM slams Sunak as row over Elgin Marbles escalates
Sunak cancels meeting with Mitsotakis in London
Turkey’s exports of military-linked goods to Russia soar
This week Prime Minister Mitsotakis unveiled a recovery plan in wake of this summer’s deadly wildfires in Evros and catastrophic floods in Thessaly, outlining a series of initiatives to address the climate crisis. Expert Konstantina Karydi joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this plan and look at whether - despite the lack of critical investments across the globe when it comes to climate action and building resiliency - Greece is sending the message that it is ready to address the challenges posed by climate change.
Konstantina Karydi is the Managing Director of the Athens international office of Resilient Cities Catalyst as well as Executive Vice President of Climate Change Hub Greece. She is also a member of the Senior Experts Committee of the UNDRR Making Cities Resilient 2030 Campaign. Konstantina is an active citizen and as a volunteer is helping young leaders to grow and new organizations to increase their impact, most recently as founding advisor to Ecogenia.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
PM unveils recovery plan in wake of Evros fires, Thessaly floods
Greek floods and fires expose Europe's frail climate defences
COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai: What to Expect
Second SYRIZA faction to become independent as main opposition disintegrates
Turkey tells NATO that Sweden won't join by next week's meeting
Thanksgiving Talking Points from HALC
On Monday Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said Cyprus is fully ready to launch a maritime aid corridor for Gaza. Cyprus plans to use its port of Larnaca to gather international aid and send it on to Gaza, as it is one of the closest places in the EU to the Gaza Strip. Jack Parrock, Deutsche Welle’s EU correspondent who traveled to Larnaca last week to find out how this plan will work, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what it will take to get this humanitarian corridor up and running, and highlight how it’s putting a renewed spotlight on the strategic importance of Cyprus.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Getting humanitarian aid to Gaza by sea? Cyprus has a plan
Cyprus’ president says his country is ready to ship aid to Gaza once a go-ahead is given
Concern in Athens over Turkish statements
Tourism revenue up 15.2% to 18 billion euros, reports Bank of Greece
Greek economy seen growing by 2.9% next year on strong investment
While SYRIZA is embroiled in an internal crisis that has seen key politicians ditch the party and even contemplate creating a new political grouping in parliament, the latest opinion polls show the center left PASOK overtaking left-wing SYRIZA for second place. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English edition, joins Thanos Davelis to look at whether PASOK can build on this lead in the polls and take advantage of the crisis in SYRIZA to establish itself as Greece’s main opposition.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
PASOK is shown second in polls after 11 years
Αρθρο του Ε. Βαρδουλάκη στην «Κ»: Μπορεί το ΠΑΣΟΚ;
Cyprus president has invited foreign experts to help with Russian sanction evasion investigations
SYRIZA: ‘Umbrella’ hints at forming separate parliamentary group with ‘6+6’
‘6+6’ faction signals break from SYRIZA
SYRIZA chief urges Achtsioglou-led faction to decide on political future
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom published an in-depth report this week examining threats to religious properties in Turkey, including places of worship, religious institutions, and cemeteries. This research looks at various threats and attacks over the last two decades and documents whether assailants were brought to justice. It also investigates the role of Turkish authorities in the protection of religious sites and the impact of government action, indifference, and negligence. Dr. Tuğba Tanyeri-Erdemir, the author of this report, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the threats to religious sites in Turkey, and break down how they impact religious groups across the country.
Dr. Tuğba Tanyeri-Erdemir is the coordinator of AntiDefamation League’s Task Force on Middle East Minorities. She is also a non-resident scholar at the Middle East Institute and the co-chair of International Religious Freedom Roundtable’s Middle East Working Group. Dr. Tanyeri Erdemir’s research focuses on minority rights in the Middle East, heritage management of sacred sites, converted and contested religious buildings, and re-utilization and museumification of religious heritage.
The views expressed in this interview are the speaker’s own and do not reflect the views of USCIRF.
Read Dr. Tugba Tanyeri Erdemir’s report for USCIRF: Examination of Threats to Religious Sites in Turkey
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Thousands march to mark 50th anniversary of student uprising
PM says Athens Polytechnic uprising a ‘beacon’ for democracy
Sakellaropoulou honors 50th anniversary of Athens Polytechnic uprising
Germany has ‘psychology of guilt’ when it comes to Holocaust, Israel, Erdoğan says
Scholz addresses 'differences' with Erdogan on Israel
The Turkish parliament's foreign affairs commission delayed a vote on Sweden's NATO membership bid on Thursday in a further setback to the Nordic country's hopes of joining the Western alliance after 18 months of delays that have left NATO allies frustrated. The move comes as Turkey’s President Erdogan prepares to visit Germany, has openly aired his desire to be hosted by Biden in Washington, is looking to purchase US F-16s, and doubles down on his support for Hamas while slamming the US, Israel, and the West. Sinan Ciddi and Endy Zemenides join Thanos Davelis to break down how Turkey’s holding up of Sweden’s NATO bid, its continued support for Hamas, and its lambasting of the West is playing out in Washington.
Endy Zemenides is the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council.
Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he contributes to FDD’s Turkey Program and Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP). He is also an Associate Professor of Security Studies at the Command and Staff College-Marine Corps University and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkish parliamentary committee delays decision on Sweden’s NATO membership bid
Turkey’s parliament to debate Sweden’s NATO bid as Erdogan eyes Biden invite
Berlin braces for Erdoğan’s anti-Israel vitriol
Germany’s Scholz to Block Erdogan Plan to Buy Fighter Jets
Senate unanimously adopts bill blocking US military aid to Azerbaijan
US Senate passes measure blocking US military aid to Azerbaijan
On Tuesday Prime Minister Mitsotakis highlighted to German Chanellor Olaf Scholz that Greece has the fastest rate of debt reduction in the world. From around 206% of GDP in 2020, Greek debt is expected to decline this year to around 160% of GDP, and this downward trajectory is expected to continue throughout the decade. Yannis Palaiologos, a journalist at large with Kathimerini and the author of the book The 13th Labour of Hercules: Inside the Greek Crisis, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how Greece has gone from the black sheep of Europe to becoming a leader in debt reduction, discuss how to keep this momentum going, and look at what broader lessons arise for both the EU and the US from Greece’s debt Odyssey.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece, a debt cut champion
With Grexit Averted, Guess Whose Debt Outperforms?
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ statements at the joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin
EU countries are haggling over how to tackle high debt and deficit. Here's why it matters
Moody’s warning on the massive U.S. debt burden has turned into a nonevent
Athens taking bigger role in Gaza aid
Gerapetritis to visit Ramallah for meeting with PA officials
Turkey's Erdogan labels Israel a 'terror state', slams its backers in West
Turkey’s parliament to debate Sweden’s NATO bid as Erdogan eyes Biden invite
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was just in Germany, where he met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Migration, Turkey, energy issues, and the Middle East dominated the discussion, while the economy, once the top issue dominating relations between Athens and Berlin, took a backseat, reflecting Greece’s significant progress from the dire financial crisis of the previous decade. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor who was just in Germany, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the changing dynamics in Greek-German relations, the key takeaways from the Mitsotakis-Scholz meeting, and more.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
PM, Scholz talk migration, Turkey, energy
Εντός και Εκτός: Το μεταναστευτικό και οι ελληνογερμανικές σχέσεις
Greece, a debt cut champion
Cyprus to clamp down as investigation reveals oligarchs moved assets after Ukraine invasion
Following several weeks of tensions, a left-wing faction within SYRIZA, Greece’s main opposition, announced on Sunday that it was peeling off, accusing newly elected leader Stefanos Kasselakis of “Trumpian practices” and abandoning the party’s core left wing ideology for a sort of “right-wing populism.” Nektaria Stamouli, an Athens based journalist and Politico’s Eastern Mediterranean correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the current crisis within SYRIZA, look at the likelihood of a new party emerging on Greece’s left, and break down what SYRIZA’s implosion means for both New Democracy and PASOK, which is looking to overtake SYRIZA as Greece’s main opposition.
Read Nektaria Stamouli's latest for Politico here: Syriza’s bad Sunday: Greece’s main opposition cracks up
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Mitsotakis-Scholz talks to focus on economy, migration, energy, Mideast crisis
Greece starts process to sell 20% stake in National Bank
USAID signs partnership with Greece to improve energy security in western Balkans
The Cypriot plan to supply Gaza with humanitarian aid, presented by President Nikos Christodoulides at the Paris Peace Forum this week, is gaining traction, particularly among EU member states. The planned sea corridor, in which Cyprus seeks a central role, was also the main issue discussed by Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos on his recent trip to Amman and Ramallah, while President Christodoulides also spoke about it with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Professor Gabriel Haritos joins Thanos Davelis to look into Cyprus’ diplomatic efforts to establish this humanitarian corridor to Gaza, look at the various political considerations, and break down the view from Israel.
Professor Gabriel Haritos teaches history of Greek-Israeli-Cypriot political relations as an adjunct lecturer at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and as a visiting professor at Panteion University. He is a research fellow at the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), and the author of the book Israel and the Cyprus Question.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Humanitarian diplomacy and its risks
EU throws weight behind Cypriot plan to ship aid to Gaza
SYRIZA on course for implosion
Greece sets up first barrier to Albania
Egypt has been coming under “conflicting pressures” as the war in Gaza unfolds, both from Israel, the US, the EU, Hamas, and its public, all while looking at a potential economic crisis at home, leading to a difficult balancing act for Egypt. Despite these pressures, Egypt’s role in this conflict has become increasingly pivotal for the US. The recent visit by CIA Director William Burns to Egypt and Congress’s “exceptionally fast” confirmation of Washington’s new ambassador to Egypt underscore this importance. Sean Mathews joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the tightrope Egypt’s President Sisi is walking amid the war in Gaza, and look at the increasingly pivotal role Cairo is playing.
Sean Mathews is a journalist for Middle East Eye based in Greece and the wider region writing about business, security and politics. His coverage spans from across the Middle East, North Africa and the Balkans. His reporting has also appeared in Al Jazeera, The Economist, and Al Monitor.
Read Sean Mathews’ latest: Riled by Israel's Gaza plans, Egypt pushes back
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Israel-Gaza: Neighboring Egypt's tricky tightrope act
EU throws weight behind Cypriot plan to ship aid to Gaza
Cyprus outlines plan for maritime corridor to get aid to Gaza
As price of olive oil soars, chainsaw-wielding thieves target Mediterranean’s century-old trees
Sharp decline in olive oil production projected
Since Stefanos Kasselakis was elected as the new leader of Syriza, the party has been riven with internal strife and tensions. Key party members have either announced their departure from the party or been pushed out, while members of the “Umbrella” faction, which represents the left-wing opposition within the party and include figures like former finance minister Euclid Tsakalotos, are reportedly ready to press the “split” button. Nick Malkoutzis, the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr, a political and economic analysis site that focuses on Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to look at whether Greece’s main opposition is on the brink of splitting, and break down what the internal issues in SYRIZA mean for the party and for Greece’s political scene.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Former minister Stathakis signals departure from SYRIZA
Umbrella faction puts SYRIZA on course for split
EU Commission urges Turkey to refrain from unilateral actions that challenge EU interests, international law
European Commission’s progress report on Albania highlights Beleri case
Maritime corridor, floating hospitals for Gaza in focus at Paris conference
Turkey’s main opposition party ousted its longtime leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu this weekend following his comprehensive loss in the presidential elections earlier this year. Members of the Republican People’s party (CHP) voted on Sunday to replace Kılıçdaroğlu with Özgür Özel, who has called for reform both in how the party is managed and how it approaches the upcoming elections, vowing to take an inclusive approach. Ayla Jean Yackley, a journalist covering Turkey with stories in The Financial Times, Politico, and other major outlets, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the new leader of Turkey’s opposition, and break down what we should expect as we approach local elections in March.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey’s opposition ousts longtime leader after general election defeat
Pyatt looks forward to continuing partnership with Greece on energy
Power distribution operator gets €150 mln EIB loan for smart meters
On Monday Scott Nathan, the CEO of the US International Development Finance Corporation, or the DFC, signed a financing agreement for a $125 million loan to ONEX Elefsis Shipyards and Industries to rehabilitate and modernize the Elefsina shipyard near Athens. The investment will develop the Elefsina shipyard, which is strategically located near several key gas trade routes, into a maritime and energy supply hub, creating jobs while helping Greece and the region become less reliant on Russian energy. Since its founding in 2019, the DFC has been at the forefront of Washington’s efforts to invest in its partners and allies and ensure that key strategic assets stay out of the hands of malign actors. Naz El-Khatib, the DFC’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this key investment in Greece and highlight the DFC’s work in the region.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
DFC Commits $125 Million to Modernize Elefsina Shipyard in Greece, Establish Critical Energy Supply Hub in the Mediterranean
China Buys Friends With Ports and Roads. Now the U.S. Is Trying to Compete.
Blinken leaves Middle East with no progress on hostages or humanitarian pause
President charts humanitarian path for Gaza with US Secretary of State
Pro-Palestinian crowds try to storm air base housing U.S. troops in Turkey
Turkey recalls ambassador to Israel ahead of Blinken’s visit
The wars in Ukraine and in the Middle East have highlighted not only Greece’s role, but specifically the important role the naval base at Souda Bay - often described as the “crown jewel” of US-Greece military cooperation - plays in the Eastern Mediterranean. As Souda Bay takes center stage amid this regional instability, Steven Tagle joins Thanos Davelis to look at how the oldest US military installation in Greece is not only strengthening the NATO alliance and contributing to regional security and stability, but is also providing Greece and the US with opportunities to deepen their decades-long security cooperation, giving meaning to the catchphrase “Stronger Together”.
Read Steven Tagle’s latest here: Amid regional instability, the oldest US military installation in Greece gets an upgrade
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece-China relations ‘mutually beneficial,’ PM says
Greece sending humanitarian aid to Gaza on Monday
Greece working with UN to send aid to Gaza
Christodoulides discusses humanitarian corridor to Gaza with US official
The Athenian coastline - known as the Athens Riviera - is quickly emerging as a real estate hotspot, attracting both high end Greek and foreign investors, digital nomads, and tourists. A recent special report in Kathimerini has even called it the “El Dorado” of real estate as the area - despite having some of the most expensive real estate prices in Greece - remains an investment opportunity, especially when compared to other similar cities and coastlines across Europe. Nikos Roussanoglou, a journalist with over two decades of experience at Kathimerini covering the economy, with a focus that includes Greece's business environment, technology, and housing market, joins Thanos Davelis to look at this real estate boom in the Athens Riviera and break down what it means for the market, for the city, and for Greeks.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Αθηναϊκή Ριβιέρα: Το «Ελ Ντοράντο» του real estate
Cyprus playing pivotal role in evacuation plans
US targets China, Turkey and UAE in latest Russia sanctions
Turkey marked its 100th year as a republic on October 29th, and Turks have been debating the country's evolution and how it measures up to the vision of the deeply secular Kemal Ataturk. While celebrations focused on the previous 100 years, it is also clear that President Erdogan’s ambition is to usher in another century forged more in his own image. Ryan Gingeras, a professor in the Department of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and an expert on Turkish, Balkan, and Middle East history, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this centenary and its broader implications, both within and outside Turkey.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Erdogan’s dreams of eclipsing Ataturk unfulfilled as Turkish republic turns 100
Turkey’s path of no return, away from the West
Eclipsing Turkey's centenary, Erdogan tells pro-Palestinian rally: Israel is occupier
PM Mitsotakis meets with SYRIZA leader Kasselakis in first encounter
Cyprus plans to send humanitarian aid directly to Gaza by ship, where UN personnel would receive it
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen vowed to bring the economies of the Western Balkans and the European Union 'closer' on Monday as she began a four-day tour of the region. Her plan includes a €6 billion investment package, to be delivered on condition the countries make reforms to open up their economies, overcome their conflicts and modernize their administrations. Professor James Ker-Lindsay, who has written extensively on the EU, the Balkans and Southeast Europe, joins Thanos Davelis to break down whether this is a window of opportunity to reinvigorate the EU accession process for the Western Balkans.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Von der Leyen vows to bring Western Balkan and EU economies 'closer' as four-day visit starts
EU to help Western Balkans reforms with 6 billion euro package - von der Leyen
Cyprus talks to EU, neighbours on humanitarian corridor for Gaza
Christodoulides' bold plan for Gaza welcomed by World Leaders
Greece turning into energy and technology hub
With the war in Ukraine on one side, and the outbreak of war in the Middle East on the other, Greece has become a strategic hub, and is practically the only reliable US partner in a region that is in constant turmoil. Whether it’s the port of Alexandroupolis in northern Greece, or Souda Bay in the south, Greece’s geopolitical value is becoming more and more tangible. At the same time, as Greece takes on a more dynamic role as a strategic hub, it’s also stepping up in the diplomatic arena. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how the turmoil in Ukraine and the Middle East is putting the spotlight on Greece.
Read Vassilis Nedos’ latest here: Greece serving as hub between two wars
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Athens monitoring Erdogan’s moves
Greece Boosting Plan to Export Green Energy To Israel via Cyprus
Today we’re heading to Washington, DC, where we’ve seen a number of key developments throughout the week, from the relaunch of the Congressional Hellenic Israel Alliance Caucus to US lawmakers demanding that the State Department use all tools available to the US to hold the Turkish government accountable for supporting the operations of the terror group Hamas. Endy Zemenides and Sinan Ciddi join Thanos Davelis to break down the significance of both the relaunch of the CHIA caucus and Washington’s steps to crack down on the Turkey-Hamas nexus.
Endy Zemenides is the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council.
Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he contributes to FDD’s Turkey Program and Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP). He is also an Associate Professor of Security Studies at the Command and Staff College-Marine Corps University and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Why Erdogan Is Unlikely to Cut Ties With Hamas
Bipartisan group targets Turkey over its ties to Hamas
Greece, Turkey close to migration deal
France's Macron: looking to build 'humanitarian coalition' regarding Gaza, in talks with Cyprus and Greece
Cyprus gears up for potential Middle East evacuations of over 100,000 people
Last week Standard & Poor’s became the first among the “big three” rating agencies to upgrade Greece to investment grade since the country’s debt crisis. Securing investment grade has been a key target for the Mitsotakis government, and the upgrade was hailed as "a great achievement and a game changer" for Greece. A few days later, in another vote of confidence in Greece, Italy’s UniCredit offered to buy Greece’s stake in Alpha Bank, marking the first investment in a Greek lender by another European bank since before the financial crisis. Alex Patelis, the chief economic adviser to Greece’s Prime Minister, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the significance of these latest developments for Greece and outline the government’s next goals when it comes to the economy.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
S&P raises Greece to investment grade for first time in more than a decade
Greece’s Great Economic Comeback
UniCredit strikes first deal of Andrea Orcel era with Greek tie-up
Bipartisan group targets Turkey over its ties to Hamas
Sarbanes won’t seek re-election to US Congress in 2024
This year the Biden Administration launched the American Climate Corps, with the ambitious goal of putting more than 20,000 young people on career pathways in the fields of clean energy, conservation and climate resilience. At the same time, a group of Greeks, inspired by the AmeriCorps model of civil service, have embarked on a mission to become Greece’s national climate corps. The organization is called Ecogenia, and it is quickly gaining the attention of not only Greeks, but the US and the EU as well. Lia Papazoglou and Erika Spagakou, the co-founders of Ecogenia, join Thanos Davelis to talk about Ecogenia and its mission, and explore how they are mobilizing young people in climate action projects across Greece.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Launches American Climate Corps to Train Young People in Clean Energy, Conservation, and Climate Resilience Skills, Create Good-Paying Jobs and Tackle the Climate Crisis
Greece: Calling all young climate champions
Turkey's Erdogan says Hamas is not terrorist organisation, cancels trip to Israel
Mediator no more: Erdoğan takes aim at Israel, backing Hamas ‘freedom’ fighters
Souda base key to US contingency plans
On Monday Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis traveled to Israel, where he met with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and made it clear that he was there “not only as an ally, but as a true friend,” stressing that the Hamas attack on October 7th was “truly horrific.” This visit came on the heels of the Cairo Peace Summit on the Palestinian issue, where Mitsotakis reiterated the need for a viable political solution. As Mitsotakis traveled to Israel, Turkey’s President Erdogan decided to finally submit Sweden’s NATO accession protocols for approval by Turkey’s parliament. Constantinos Filis, the Director of the Institute of Global Affairs and an associate professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the significance of Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ recent visit to Israel, and break down Erdogan’s decision to finally move Sweden’s NATO bid forward.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
PM repeats unwavering support for Israel
Greece, a useful voice in the region
Greece extends power bill subsidies for households, farmers in November
SYRIZA strife reshuffling political pack
Three senior SYRIZA figures warn of party disintegration
From Egypt to Brussels, governments are feeling the impact of the war in Gaza following the Hamas terror attacks against Israel on October 7th. While we saw Turkey try to take on a mediating role early on, it has shifted to openly criticizing both Israel and the US, leading many to wonder if President Erdogan is making a U-turn on efforts to mend relations with Israel. At the same time, European countries have boosted their security amid concerns that violence could spread to their capitals. The war in Gaza also raises concerns in Europe about new waves of migration. Wolfango Piccoli, co-founder of risk analysis company Teneo with a long experience in advising financial institutions and corporations on political developments in Europe, joins Thanos Davelis to look into Erdogan’s hardening stance vis-a-vis Israel and the US, and break down the view from Europe as the conflict in Gaza unfolds.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey's Erdogan calls on Israel to stop its attacks on Gaza 'amounting to genocide'
Belgium unveils new security measures, justice chief after Brussels attack
EU seeks answers to rising security challenges as Israel-Hamas war fuels new concerns
How Poland’s Election Results Could Reshape Europe
Mitsotakis, Netanyahu meet in Jerusalem
UniCredit strikes first deal of Andrea Orcel era with Greek tie-up
UniCredit Offers to Buy Greece’s Stake in Alpha Bank
Recent reports have sounded the alarm about the possibility that after its attack on Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan could soon invade Armenia proper, with Politico reporting that Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned a small group of lawmakers about this possibility. These concerns come as Azerbaijiani President Ilham Aliyev calls on Armenia to open a “corridor” along its southern border, linking mainland Azerbaijan to an exclave that borders Turkey and Iran. Aliyev has even threatened to solve the issue “by force.” Expert Simon Maghakyan joins Thanos Davelis to discuss these reports and the possibility that Azerbaijan may attack Armenia in the aftermath of its assault on Nagorno Karabakh and the displacement of 120,000 Armenians from the region.
Simon Maghakyan is a visiting scholar at Tufts University and a Ph.D. student in Heritage Crime at Cranfield University. He writes and speaks on post-Soviet memory politics and cultural erasure, and facilitates global conversations on protecting Armenian heritage.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Blinken warned lawmakers Azerbaijan may invade Armenia in coming weeks
After Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan eyes a strategic strip of Armenia
Souda naval base capacity to expand
S&P upgrades Greece to investment grade for first time since 2010 crisis
The Hamas attack against Israel has upended the Middle East, and Egypt and its President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, like many others in the region, have been feeling the pressure. Given his unpopularity amid an economic crisis and broad pro-Palestinian sentiment among the Egyptian public, Egypt’s president is likely to be careful in how he manages the conflict in Gaza. At the same time, Sisi has invited world leaders, including Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, to Cairo this weekend for talks on the Palestinian issue. Dr. Nervana Mahmoud joins Thanos Davelis to discuss how the war in Gaza is impacting Egypt and President Sisi, look at the upcoming summit in Cairo, and explore how the Hamas attack has hijacked key initiatives for peace across the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean.
Dr. Nervana Mahmoud is a regional observer and independent commentator who writes mainly about Egypt, liberal Islam, women rights, radicalism, and wider issues about the Middle East. Her work has been featured in major outlets and publications. She also publishes a regular newsletter on Egypt.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
US says Egypt agrees to reopen Gaza border to aid as protests rock Middle East
Will Egypt Play a Role in Easing the Gaza War?
Egypt Looking to Host International Meeting on Palestine Issue
Athens closely monitoring Middle East
Fearing Rise of Radical Islamists, Greece Boosts Migrant Camp Security, Surveillance
EU Action Plan for Eastern Mediterranean migration
Minister highlights success in reducing migration from occupied areas
European leaders met this week in Tirana with their counterparts from the Western Balkans amid efforts to reinvigorate the enlargement process and bring the region into the European Union. This has put the spotlight on Albania, which is keen to move its accession bid forward. Greece, however, has made it clear that this progress could be in jeopardy over the continued imprisonment of Fredi Beleri, the ethnic Greek mayor-elect of Himare. The sizable Greek minority in Albania has also denounced the trial as political, and for many it puts broader existential issues that Albania’s Greek minority is up against under the spotlight. John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist based in Athens and Al Jazeera’s Southeast Europe correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how this case is impacting Greece’s ties with Albania, Tirana’s ambitions to join the EU, and the Greek minority in Albania.
Read John Psaropoulos’ latest here: Greeks denounce Albanian trial of mayor-elect as political
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Beleri trial postponed again for October 24
European Union offers a new growth plan to Western Balkans that partly opens access to single market
Mitsotakis stresses need to prevent conflict escalation
Fury grows in Turkey against Israel, fresh protests staged
Pro-Gaza protests in Turkey target Israeli Consulate, McDonald's
In the wake of the Hamas attack against Israel, both Cyprus and Greece quickly condemned Hamas, expressed their solidarity with Israel, and their willingness to contribute toward efforts that could lead to a deescalation. Cyprus has once again become a safe haven for people heading to and leaving Israel, while Greece, as the only EU and NATO member in the region with good relations with both Israel and Arab countries, stands at the ready as well. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins Thanos Davelis to explore the role Greece and Cyprus can play in the wake of the upheavals we’ve seen in the region, and provide a look ahead as Greek-American advocates prepare to head to Washington, DC next week with their counterparts from the American Jewish Committee to advocate on the Hill together.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
First batch of US citizens leaving Israel arrive in Cyprus by boat
The US and Greek role in the Mideast crisis
Greece deeply concerned, ready to assist
Greece, Turkey, discuss ‘positive agenda’ during ministerial meetings in Athens
Demographic decline is ‘existential bet for our future,’ says Mitsotakis
Greece's demographic challenge
Ahead of the second round of local elections everyone was expecting New Democracy to cement its political dominance across Greece. Instead, New Democracy candidates suffered surprise defeats in key regions and municipalities, including Athens and Thessaloniki. This has many wondering if we are seeing the first cracks in New Democracy’s grip over Greek politics. At the same time, this was a good night for the center left, and the question has been raised as to whether the two parties occupying that ideological space, PASOK and SYRIZA, need to find a way to cooperate. Yannis Palaiologos, a journalist at-large with Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to break down Sunday night’s results and look at what they mean for both the ruling New Democracy party and the center left.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece’s ruling conservatives suffer setbacks in regional, municipal elections
Change of guard in Athens, Thessaloniki
PM links Albania’s EU accession hopes to Beleri case
EU leaders to hold a summit with Western Balkans nations to discuss joining the bloc
Two thousand US citizens evacuating from Haifa to Limassol port
With the second round of local elections set to take place on Sunday, ruling New Democracy, which posted a sweeping victory in the first round last week, is looking to build on this momentum to cement its dominance over Greece’s political scene. At the same time, the main opposition SYRIZA seems to be caught in a popularity rut, while Stefanos Kasselakis, its newly elected leader, is facing unrest within the party. Expert Panos Koliastasis, an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Politics at the University of Peloponnese and the author of the book "Permanent campaigning in Greece in times of crisis: the Samaras, Tsipras and Mitsotakis premierships", joins Thanos Davelis to break down what these elections mean for Prime Minister Mitsotakis and his ruling party, SYRIZA, and Greece.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
A confirmation of political dominance
The derby in Thessaloniki
Internal resistance keeps Kasselakis on his toes, while ND focuses on local vote
Cyprus becomes safe haven for people heading to, leaving Israel
Mitsotakis says unified European stance on Mideast crisis necessary
Bracing for pitfalls of Mideast turmoil
Turkey’s President Erdogan appears to be shifting away from his initial moderate tone following the shocking Hamas terror attack this past weekend. Instead, he slammed Israel and the US this week over their response to this terrorist attack. At the same time, Erdogan vowed on Wednesday to escalate Ankara’s ongoing military campaign against the Kurds in northeast Syria even as Syrian Kurds accuse Turkey of war crimes. Amberin Zaman, the chief correspondent of Al Monitor, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss Erdogan’s latest escalation of rhetoric against Israel and the US, look into his threats to step up Ankara’s military campaign against the Kurds in northeast Syria, and break down whether Syria’s Kurds are slipping further down Washington’s list of priorities following the Hamas attack.
Read Amberin Zaman’s latest here:
Syrian Kurds accuse Turkey of war crimes as Erdogan vows escalation
Turkey's Erdogan strikes moderate stance as Israel-Hamas war rages
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to the Situation in and in Relation to Syria
Gaza war tests fragile Israel-Turkey rapprochement as Erdogan ups rhetoric
Why Israel-Hamas is Erdoğan’s new ‘mission impossible’
EU Commission’s Schinas stresses ‘respect for democracy’ for West Balkans’ accession
Greeks denounce Albanian trial of mayor-elect as political
ND aiming for complete dominance
Greece’s prime minister was just in Varna this week for a trilateral meeting with his Bulgarian and Romanian counterparts. Aside from the expected discussion around expanding their energy cooperation to further decouple the region from Russian energy sources, the three leaders also looked into a proposal by Greece that would see Ukrainian grain shipped across the three countries and exported through Greek ports of Thessaloniki and Alexandroupoli. Revecca Pedi, an associate professor of international relations at the University of Macedonia in Thessaloniki, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this Greek proposal that could help bring Ukrainian grain to market, break down what it could mean for northern Greece, and look more broadly at Greece’s increasingly important role in the region.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Ukraine grain discussed in Varna summit
Greece, Bulgaria, Romania sign letter of intent to extend NATO pipelines network
Greece quadrupled natural gas exports to the north, says PM
To ελληνικό σχέδιο για τα ουκρανικά σιτηρά
Pyla buffer zone free of military presence
Greek foreign ministry welcomes UN-brokered consensus on Pyla buffer zone
Turkey's Erdogan calls Israeli response to Hamas in Gaza a 'massacre'
After US, Erdogan takes aim at Israel
The foreign ministers of Greece and Cyprus were just in Oman, where EU ministers met with their Gulf counterparts. Needless to say, the planned agenda got thrown out the window with the Hammas terrorist attack against Israel taking center stage. Following meetings in Oman, Greece’s Foreign Minister said he had been in talks with his counterparts from the Gulf and other Arab countries, and announced a plan aimed at de-escalating tensions, indicating that Greece stands ready to play its part. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what this Hamas terrorist attack could mean for the region, and discuss the role that Greece - which has strong ties with Israel and Arab countries - can play in its aftermath.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece deeply concerned, ready to assist
Mitsotakis: Terrorism cannot go unanswered
Agreements on energy frozen by war
The US will send a carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean in support of Israel
Cyprus says ready to assist Israel evacuations, if needed
Ukraine grain discussed in Varna summit
This weekend Hamas - designated as a terrorist group by Israel, the United States, the European Union, the UK, as well as other powers - launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, with its fighters entering communities near the Gaza Strip, killing hundreds of residents and taking dozens of hostages. While the attack has spawned fears of a wider Middle East war, it is also putting the spotlight on not only Iran’s sponsoring of Hamas, but also on Turkey, which has become a sponsor of Hamas in recent years and a major hub of Hamas operations. Expert Sinan Ciddi joins Thanos Davelis to explore this connection between Turkey and Hamas.
Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he contributes to FDD’s Turkey Program and Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP). He is also an Associate Professor of Security Studies at the Command and Staff College-Marine Corps University and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Thread on Secretary Blinken’s post on X (formerly Twitter)
Israel Intercepts Rocket-Making Material En Route to Gaza From Turkey
Israel's envoy to Turkey says too early to talk mediation, calls for end of Hamas presence
An app shows how ancient Greek sites looked thousands of years ago. It’s a glimpse of future tech
Local elections confirm ND’s dominance
A firefight between Serb paramilitaries and Kosovo police at the end of September marked one of the worst episodes of violence in the country in years, raising questions about efforts to settle the Kosovo issue and whether future flare-ups of violence are on the horizon in the Western Balkans. Dimitar Bechev, a research fellow at Carnegie Europe, where he focuses on Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe and a lecturer at Oxford’s School of Global and Area Studies, joins Thanos Davelis to look at this latest escalation of tensions, explore what it means for the ongoing Kosovo-Serbia negotiations, and break down what’s at stake for the wider region.
Read Dimitar Bechev’s latest here:
Analysis: Are Kosovo and Serbia on the brink of war?
The EU Cannot Give Up on Serbia and Kosovo
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Poland, Hungary threaten to derail EU leaders’ gathering in Granada
Hungary, Poland rail at EU migration policy as bloc leaders meet
Athens tourism’s record year
Local elections are taking place on Sunday in Greece, and Prime Minister Mitsotakis has been on the road campaigning for New Democracy candidates across the country. This is seen as the first big test for the government after Prime Minister Mitsotakis was overwhelmingly re-elected this summer, and comes after a few months of heavy criticism over its handling of multiple crises - from wildfires to floods. It’s also the first test for Stefanos Kasselakis, the new leader of SYRIZA, Greece’s main opposition. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini English Edition, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what these elections mean for Prime Minister Mitsotakis, SYRIZA’s new leader, and the country.
Read Tom Ellis’ latest in Kathimerini: An early test for the government
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Nothing ‘simple’ about local government vote
U.S. Jet Shoots Down Turkish Drone Over Syria
U.S. F-16 shoots down Turkish drone flying over American troops in Syria
U.S. shoots down armed drone flown by NATO ally Turkey
Greek feta makers reel from historic floods
Heatwaves around the Mediterranean - from Spain to Greece - have damaged olive harvests, with recent reports indicating that Europe has almost run out of local olive oil supplies. For its part, Greece- a key exporter of high quality extra virgin olive oil to the rest of the world - is expected to produce a third less than last year, and consumers are already experiencing significant price hikes on a product that is seen as essential in every Greek home. Vasilis Frantzolas, an olive oil seminar teacher and taster and the publisher of the book "Modern Techniques for Olive Growing and Production of Quality Olive Oil", joins Thanos Davelis to look at the scope of the crisis facing the olive oil industry today, break down what these shortages and inevitable price hikes mean for countries like Greece, and explore whether climate change is putting the future of this ancient industry at risk.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Europe’s olive oil supply running out after drought – and the odd hailstorm
Major olive oil heist in Halkidiki as prices surge
Turkey's Fidan declares all PKK, YPG facilities in Syria, Iraq as 'legitimate targets'
Turkey threatens to expand strikes in Syria, Iraq
Ankara tables old energy proposal undermining existing framework on Cyprus
Azerbaijan’s military offensive against Nagorno-Karabakh last month has seen discussions of war yet again echo across Turkey’s media landscape. As in 2020, pundits on Turkish television delighted in the use of Turkish-made weapons by Azerbaijan, whose victory is greeted as yet another triumph of the Turkish defense industry. This has put the spotlight on Turkey’s strong militarist tendencies, which, as some argue, now perhaps more than ever lie at the heart of Turkish domestic and foreign policy. Ryan Gingeras, a professor in the Department of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and an expert on Turkish, Balkan, and Middle East history, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the trajectory of Turkish militarism and how it increasingly impacts Turkey’s perceptions of affairs abroad.
Read Ryan Gingeras’ latest in War On The Rocks: Testing The Trajectory Of Turkish Militarism
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece is a ‘vital conduit’ for the West
PM rolls up sleeves for regional polls
Mitsotakis continues nationwide campaign ahead of local and regional elections
With 2023 seeing a spike in arrivals on Europe’s shores and borders, migration is once again the pressing issue across the continent. The European Commission’s vice-president, Margaritis Schinas, has urged member states to finalize a crucial deal over migration reform, telling ministers that a unified plan would be a means of fighting back against a rising tide of populism and smuggling networks. As the bloc looks to finalize a deal on migration policy, Greece is also making the case for Europe to revamp the EU-Turkey migrant deal from 2016. Alexandra Voudouri, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how a surge in migrant arrivals is impacting European politics, and explore whether a deal is finally around the corner for the EU’s flagship migration reform.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
EU fails to agree changes to migration laws as Germany and Italy clash
German-Italian rift thwarts EU deal on new rules to deal with migration crises
Athens wants to revamp EU-Turkey migrant deal
Complications in reaching migration deal
Cyprus hails Moody’s two-notch credit rating upgrade bringing the country into investment grade
Turkish planes raid Kurdish targets in Iraq after terror attack in Ankara
Turkey: Two officers injured in blast outside interior ministry
The broad consensus today is that US-Greece relations are at an all time high. As the two countries deepen their ties, and as Greece takes on a more active role in the region as a key player, many are arguing that the “sky is the limit” when it comes to where the relationship could go. This was the focus of a recent policy paper Katerina Sokou wrote for ELIAMEP, titled US-Greece Relations: Capitalizing on a Generational High. Katernia Sokou joins Thanos Davelis to explore how both countries can capitalize on the progress made so far to take this critical relationship to new heights.
Katerina Sokou is the Theodore Couloumbis Research Fellow on “Greek-American Relations” at ELIAMEP. She is also the Washington, DC correspondent and columnist for Kathimerini, and a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center.
Read Katerina Sokou’s policy paper here: Greece-US relations: Capitalizing on a generational high
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Mitsotakis: EU needs ‘to determine on own terms who enters’ bloc
Erdogan says Menendez resignation from Senate committee boosts Turkey’s bid to acquire F-16s
Menendez ouster improves odds for F-16 sale to Turkey, top Republican says
Cardin may track Menendez on Saudi pact, Turkey F-16s as panel chair
New US Senate foreign relations chair will look at Turkish F-16 deal
Greece’s big economic success over the last years has been tourism, and, as tourists flock to Greece, so is foreign money. This is also coinciding with an increase in Greek homes going to foreign buyers, and in homeowners choosing to put their homes and apartments on platforms like Airbnb. As a result, average Greek property prices and rent have shot up, and many young Greeks fear that homeownership may be out of reach at a time when Greece is also facing a long-term demographic challenge. John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist based in Greece and Al Jazeera's southeast Europe correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how Greece’s success story, tourism, could also be contributing to Greece’s demographic challenge.
Read John Psaropoulos’ latest article here: Tourism’s dark side: Are those who love Greece killing it?
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Homes flooded as Storm Elias hits battered Volos in central Greece
Greece and Turkey seal mini migration pact
Earlier this month at the G20 summit the US and the EU backed an ambitious plan to build an economic corridor linking Europe with the Middle East and India via rail and sea. Greece is set to play an important geostrategic role on this corridor, as Greek ports would serve as the gateway into Europe. The announcement at the G20 summit followed a trip that India’s Prime Minister Modi made to Greece in late August for the launch, as Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis put it, of the two countries’ “strategic partnership.” Dr. Spyros Economides, an Associate Professor in International Relations and European Politics at the London School of Economics and Deputy Director of the Hellenic Observatory, joins Thanos Davelis to look into India’s new “silk road”, Greece’s important role in it, and its growing ties with India.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece on India’s ‘silk road’
G20: EU and US back trade corridor linking Europe, Middle East and India
A new relationship that’s 2,500 years old
Cyprus says Lebanon needs EU aid to deal with migration crisis
Nagorno-Karabakh: More than 40,000 refugees flee to Armenia
'I left to stay alive': Nagorno-Karabakh empties of ethnic Armenians
In 2021, despite warnings about items from its collections being sold by private persons, the British Museum chose not to view the matter “with much alarm.” This summer it became known that more than 2,000 items were stolen from the British Museum over a long period of time. This undoubtedly raises questions about the safety of countless artifacts, and has some asking whether it will affect the demand for the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures. Angelos Chaniotis, a professor of ancient history and Classics at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what this crisis means for the British Museum, and explore whether it could impact efforts aimed at reuniting the Parthenon Sculptures.
Read Prof. Angelos Chaniotis’ latest article in Kathimerini: The Parthenon Sculptures – now that the British Museum has lost its charm
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Strengthening the US-Greece security relationship
Greece is planning a major regularization program for migrants to cope with labor crunch
Seeking migration deal with Turkey
Reports indicate that after a number of delays Greece can expect movement on its request to purchase F-35 fighter jets in the coming weeks, with the Biden administration expected to send a formal notification to Congress. At the same time, October is shaping up to be a crucial month for the issue of the potential sale of F-16s to Turkey, as the US will be watching to see if Turkey’s Parliament, which is set to reconvene in October, will approve Sweden’s NATO membership bid. Lena Argiri, the DC correspondent for ERT - the Greek public broadcasting company, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest reports from Washington as we look at what to expect in the coming weeks on the F-35s for Greece and the F-16 saga with Turkey. We also look back at the UNGA, recapping the key takeaways from a packed week for both Greece and Cyprus.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Εξοπλιστικά: «Ξεκλειδώνει» η πώληση των F-35 στην Ελλάδα – Μήνας εξελίξεων ο Οκτώβριος
Greece’s leftist Syriza gets new leader: An ex-banker
Political neophyte Stefanos Kasselakis elected new leader of Greece’s main opposition Syriza party
Central Greece braces for onslaught of Storm Elias
This Sunday supporters of SYRIZA, Greece’s second largest party, will head to the polls to select a new leader, as Stefanos Kasselakis, the surprise winner in the first round elections, faces Effie Achtsioglou in what’s expected to be a close showdown that will define the future of the party. As the race for who will take the reins of SYRIZA heats up, Greeks have begun to look more closely into Stefanos Kasselakis, who remains a largely unvetted newcomer on the political scene. Nikos Efstathiou, a journalist and author from Athens and the current Managing Editor at the magazine LiFO, joins me to discuss SYRIZA’s increasingly contentious leadership race and the impact Stefanos Kasselakis has had on Greece’s political scene.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
SYRIZA polarized ahead of final showdown
Countdown to SYRIZA election showdown
Mitsotakis says achieving investment grade improves Greece’s borrowing costs
Migrant flows surge in last two months
Last week the Biden administration imposed sanctions on five Turkish companies and a Turkish national, accusing them of helping Russia evade sanctions and supporting Moscow in its war against Ukraine. US officials have repeatedly pushed Turkey to crack down on Russian circumvention of sanctions, particularly when it comes to the export of chemicals, microchips and other products that can be used in Moscow's war effort. Expert Sinan Ciddi joins Thanos Davelis to look at this latest round of sanctions, which underscore that despite repeated warnings, Turkey continues to help fuel Russia’s war machine.
Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he contributes to FDD’s Turkey Program and Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP). He is also an Associate Professor of Security Studies at the Command and Staff College-Marine Corps University and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
Read Sinan Ciddi’s latest here:
U.S. Sanctions Turkish Entities for Fueling Russia’s War Machine
Mr. Erdoğan in New York: A Transactional Foreign Policy Should be Repaid in Kind
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Thousands of Greeks rally as state workers strike over labour law plans
Controversial labour law set to usher in radical changes to employment practices
Cyprus and Chevron unite for Aphrodite gas field
On Wednesday Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis held a much anticipated meeting with Turkish President Erdogan on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The two leaders agreed to continue working to deepen the positive climate in Greek-Turkish relations that has been established this year, laid out a roadmap of contacts for the coming months, and discussed issues of common interest such as migration and the climate crisis. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how the two leaders are expected to build on the positive atmosphere we’ve seen these past months, while looking ahead at what we can expect to see as part of this positive agenda.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Roadmap amid calm waters in the Aegean
Greek, Turkish leaders to confirm improved climate
Mitsotakis-Erdogan: Keeping the process on a positive track
The Greek-Turkish dialogue and the Cyprus issue
Nagorno-Karabakh: thousands protest in Armenia in wake of ceasefire deal
Azerbaijan halts Karabakh offensive after ceasefire deal with Armenian separatists
The U.S. Keeps Failing Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh
Climate change made storm Daniel far more likely and intense, scientists say
As the week kicked off at the UN in New York, Turkish President Erdogan sat with PBS NewsHour for a one on one interview, where he talked about Turkey’s relations with the US, with Greece, the state of human rights in his country, and his ties to Putin’s Russia. Aside from his outbursts at journalist Amna Nawaz over her questions on human rights, Erdogan also raised eyebrows with his statements on Russia, which he said he trusts just as much as the West, and his comment that Senator Bob Menendez isn’t familiar with Turkey after a question about Congress and the potential sale of F-16s. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this interview and break down what else we need to look out for when it comes to Hellenic issues at the UNGA this week.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey’s Erdogan says he trusts Russia ‘just as much as I trust the West’
Mitsotakis-Erdogan: Keeping the process on a positive track
Cyprus talks to be discussed on sidelines of UN assembly in New York
Christodoulides' UN call: A bold push for Cyprus reunification
Azerbaijan launches attack in Nagorno-Karabakh, announces ‘evacuation’ of Armenian population
Nagorno-Karabakh: death toll rises as latest violence condemned by Russia and US
Azerbaijan launches operation against Nagorno-Karabakh and demands surrender
Greek, Turkish leaders to confirm improved climate
A new political season has kicked off in Greece this month as voters went to the polls to elect a new leader for Greece’s main opposition party, SYRIZA, on Sunday, while Prime Minister Mitsotakis outlined his government’s priorities at the Thessaloniki International Fair in the wake of the devastating wildfires in August and the deadly floods in Thessaly. Amid these developments, voters are also preparing for local elections which are on the horizon. Yannis Palaiologos, a journalist at-large with Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the new political season unfolding in Greece, from the battle over the future leadership of SYRIZA to the Mitsotakis government’s efforts to set a new agenda in the wake of wildfires and floods.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
SYRIZA: Kasselakis, Achtsioglou headed to a runoff
SYRIZA’s Kasselakis, Achtsioglou urge voters to return for runoff next Sunday
PM emphasizes reforms in TIF keynote speech
Mitsotakis says no reshuffle ahead
Fredi Beleri’s request for release rejected once again
Erdoğan threatens to ‘part ways’ from EU after critical European Parliament report
This week Washington DC turned its attention to Nagorno Karabakh - or Artsakh - once again, with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee holding a hearing on the failure to break Azerbaijan’s genocidal blockade of Artsakh that has left some 120,000 Armenians on the brink of starvation. Senator Menendez, the chairman of the Committee, was emphatic about the urgency of the situation in Artsakh, stating, “as we sit here today with the lives of so many people hanging in the balance, time is of the essence.” Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and former Pentagon official, joins Thanos Davelis to explain how US diplomacy has failed Armenians in Artsakh, and look to the past for analogies that could guide policymakers looking to support the people of Artsakh and end this blockade.
Read Michael Rubin’s latest:
Anatomy Of Genocide: How The State Department Inadvertently Green-Lighted War On Armenians
What Is the Proper Analogy for Artsakh: Crimea or Kosovo?
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Senate Hearing: Assessing The Crisis In Nagorno-Karabakh
Cyprus holds military drill with France, Italy and Greece to bolster security in east Mediterranean
US sanctions 5 Turkish firms in broad Russia action on over 150 targets
For years, the US has had an unshakable, yet unreasonable assumption: that Ankara is a normal ally. Washington has operated from this point of view even in the face of contradictory evidence, and has looked to avoid public disputes while pretending that disagreements are trivial. Instead, as Prof. Henri Barkey argues in Foreign Affairs, the US needs to meet Erdogan’s provocative unpredictability with consistency and firmness. Henri Barkey, the Cohen Professor of International Relations at Lehigh University and Adjunct Senior Fellow for Middle East Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Thanos Davelis to explain why Washington needs a new approach to dealing with Turkey and President Erdogan, and why now is a unique opportunity to change the relationship dramatically.
Read Henri Barkey’s latest in Foreign Affairs: Erdogan the Survivor
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A billion euros for Thessaly
Long-term economic effects of storm emerge as waters recede
US says it expects Albania to respect due process in Beleri case
Beleri case referred to trial
Days after Storm Daniel passed through Greece, Thessaly - Greece’s agricultural heartland - is still under water, with locals describing apocalyptic scenes. With the plain accounting for 25 percent of Greece’s agricultural production, the threat of shortages and price hikes now looms large. On top of that, with the waters still high, there are now warnings that this could turn into a major health hazard. In the midst of this catastrophe, Greece has announced emergency relief measures and is turning to its EU partners for aid. Nektaria Stamouli, Politico’s Eastern Mediterranean correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to assess the scope of the damage in Thessaly following Storm Daniel, and look at the questions this latest crisis raises about the challenges that lie ahead for Greece.
Read Nektaria Stamouli’s latest here: Supercharged storm wrecks Greece’s breadbasket for years to come
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Authorities on standby for potential disease outbreak
Either we get serious or we will sink
Searchers race to recover bodies in Libyan city where 5,100 died in flooding after 2 dams collapsed
Libya Buries Dead in Collective Graves as Estimated Storm Toll Tops 6,000
Libya turmoil made Derna flooding even more deadly
Death toll in Libya’s Derna flooding could reach 20,000: Mayor
EU chief announces major review saying the bloc should grow to over 30 members
Mastic - a unique product from the Greek island of Chios - has been at the heart of the island’s economy for centuries, linking it - and Greece - to the rest of the world, particularly the Middle East. Mastic found on Chios is used extensively throughout the Middle East, propelling trade and cultural links between Greece and the Arab world for centuries. As Greece takes steps to play a much more central role in bringing together countries in the region, mastic trade and the connections it fosters show us that the foundations for this are already in place. Sean Mathews, an Athens based journalist covering the region, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how mastic trade not only serves as a bridge between Greece and the Middle East, but also reflects the changing fortunes of the region.
Read Sean Mathews' latest here: Chios, the Greek island fuelling the Arab world's sweet tooth
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
EU ready to weigh into Greek recovery effort
Specter of shortages looms in wake of Thessaly floods
G20 summit: Transport project to link India to Middle East, Europe unveiled
India's economic corridor to Europe via Saudi, UAE: a win for US, West Asia
As the US-Greece partnership reaches new heights, it is also touching on all aspects of both societies, and one of the areas where the US and Greece are working together is to advance the rights of persons with disabilities. This was the focus of US Special Adviser Sara Minkara’s latest trip to Thessaloniki. Sara Minkara, the US Special Advisor on International Disability Rights, and Chrysella Lagaria, the co - founder and CEO of Black Light, a Social Cooperative Enterprise with a mission to improve the daily lives of people with visual impairments and act as a major stakeholder for their work integration, join Thanos Davelis to discuss the importance of advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities, look at the the key challenges Greece still faces, and explore where the two countries can work together to achieve the goal of full inclusion and empowerment.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Special Advisor on International Disability Rights Minkara Travel to Greece
Race against time amid destruction
Greek PM under attack over handling of Storm Daniel disaster response
The death toll from floods in Greece has risen to 15 after 4 more bodies found
Turkey 'seriously upset' over Washington linking F-16 sales to Sweden’s NATO membership
Sweden's NATO accession and Turkey's bid to buy F-16 jets should be kept separate, Erdogan says
Over the past few years it seems that the island of Imvros, a Turkish island in the Aegean Sea with a historic Greek population, is experiencing what’s been described by some as a small Greek renaissance, as some descendants of the Greeks who were largely displaced in the 1960s have begun trickling back. Elsewhere in Turkey, however, the picture is bleak. Out of a population of some 200,000 Greeks who were allowed to stay following the population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1923, only some 2,000 remain. Piotr Zalewski, The Economist's Turkey correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to look at this Greek comeback on Imvros, a small bright spot in an otherwise bleak picture for the remaining Greek community of Turkey.
Read Piotr Zalewsky’s latest for The Economist: The uncertain future of Greeks in Turkey
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PM pledges support for storm-damaged areas in central Greece
Greece credit rating raised to investment grade for first time since debt crisis
DBRS restores Greece to investment grade
Greece was battered this week by Storm Daniel, which has led to the death of multiple people, triggered landslides, road and bridge collapses, and is being described as a “biblical catastrophe”. The heavy rainfall, which comes on the heels of a devastating few weeks of wildfires, has turned many villages in the low-lying area of Karditsa, in the mainland Thessaly plain, into a lake. With rescue efforts underway, Prime Minister Mitsotakis postponed an annual economic speech scheduled for this weekend to visit the afflicted areas. Iliana Magra, a journalist with Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest reporting from Greece on this unprecedented storm.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
‘A biblical catastrophe’: death toll rises to four as Storm Daniel lashes Greece
Deadly storm sweeps across Greece, PM postpones keynote speech
Entire villages in Thessaly ‘wiped out’
Greece becomes 13th member of Three Seas Initiative on EU’s eastern flank
What is the Three Seas Initiative and why is it expanding?
Romania hosts summit to boost ties between 12 EU countries and partners
‘What law dictates that I cannot be sworn in?’
The leaders of Greece, Israel and Cyprus once again put energy cooperation at the heart of discussions earlier this week in Nicosia. The three leaders took it a step further to explore expanding their cooperation, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referring to the possibility of an infrastructure and electrical link between Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, Israel, Cyprus, Greece and Europe, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis raising the prospect of engaging with India as well. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to explore how Greece, Cyprus, and Israel are not only strengthening their partnership, but expanding this arc of stability across the region.
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Energy cooperation with Israel deepens
Greece is working with Israel on AI technology to quickly detect wildfires
Disaster of biblical proportions
Three dead, four missing as rains pound Greece for second day
Flooding in Athens as Storm Daniel reaches capital
Turkey asks the EU to take bold steps to advance its membership bid, while the EU urges reforms
Turkey, EU to revive talks to modernise customs union, minister says
Greece’s foreign minister held a much anticipated meeting with his Turkish counterpart on Tuesday in which the two sides agreed on a “roadmap” to revive high-level contacts between their countries and seek “new approaches” to problems as part of an effort to improve ties. Constantinos Filis, the Director of the Institute of Global Affairs and an associate professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest takeaways from this meeting in Ankara, and offers a look ahead at what will likely be a crucial period in Greek-Turkish relations.
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Small window of opportunity opens in Greek-Turkish relations
Ministerial meeting heralds warmer relations between Greece and Turkey
Friendly Putin-Erdogan Meeting Keeps West Guessing
Torrential rain follows summer wildfires in Greece, one dead
Greece battered by tropical storms
In July Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said he planned to legalize same-sex marriage in his new term. Many have noted that this would be a huge step forward for LGBTQI+ rights at a time when some governments - even in the West - are cracking down on the community. Jessica Stern, the US Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons, and Nikos Efstathiou, a journalist and author from Athens and the current Managing Editor at the magazine LiFO, join Thanos Davelis to talk about the LGBTQI+ rights in Greece and around the world, and look at what Greece and the US can learn from each other as they work to advance these rights.
Appointed by President Biden, Jessica Stern serves as the Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI+) Persons. Special Envoy Stern leads U.S. efforts to protect LGBTQI+ persons globally from violence and discrimination. Prior to joining the Department of State, Stern led Outright International, a global LGBTQI+ human rights organization, as its Executive Director for ten years.
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U.S. Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons Stern’s Travel to Greece and Germany
Greece's Prime Minister Plans to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage
Greece wildfires: Eighteen bodies found in Greek forest
Wildfires: EU mobilises new planes and firefighters for Greece
UN calls unauthorized construction by Turkish Cypriots a violation of the status quo on Cyprus
Turkey accuses UN of abandoning neutrality over Cyprus roadwork
As heatwaves – like the ones Greece has experienced this summer – become longer and more intense, modern cities like Athens need to develop new strategies in order to shield the city and its inhabitants from rising temperatures. This includes investing in public water reservoirs and drinking fountains, splash pads and fountains, pocket parks, green parking lots, trees in public spaces, sustainable mobility and reused buildings. Taking these tough, but necessary decisions, however will require political will. Prof. Petros Babasikas, head of the architecture program at the University of Toronto who has also led a key research on how Athens can adapt in the age of climate change, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what steps Athens can take today to become more resilient.
Read Prof. Petros Babasikas’ latest interview with Kathimerini: Climate change: Saving Athens from itself
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Turkish Cypriots attack UN peacekeepers trying to halt road work inside divided Cyprus’ buffer zone
UN condemns assault on personnel and vehicles inside Cyprus buffer zone
US Embassy of Cyprus tweet on the attack in the buffer zone
Putin fails again as Europe’s gas storage hits 90 percent
In the months since Turkish President Erdogan’s reelection, we’ve heard a lot about the potential for a new page in EU-Turkey relations, and Erdogan even raised the issue of Turkey’s membership in the EU at the July NATO summit. Despite this signaling from Ankara, the main obstacles concerning EU-Turkey relations have remained the same, whether we are looking at rule of law and human rights issues, or Turkey’s continued occupation and refusal to recognize the Republic of Cyprus. As the debate over the future of EU-Turkey relations in the coming years unfolds, Ambassador Marc Pierini joins Thanos Davelis to look at what we should expect in the wake of Erdogan’s reelection.
Marc Pierini is a visiting scholar at Carnegie Europe, where his research focuses on developments in the Middle East and Turkey from a European perspective. Prior to this, Pierini was a career EU diplomat, and served as EU ambassador to Turkey (2006–2011).
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What does Erdoğan’s new term in office mean for EU-Turkey relations?
UN raises alarm over unauthorized construction in buffer zone
North announces intention to build ‘unauthorised’ road through buffer zone
Less leeway for handouts this winter
Greek football - or soccer - teams have delivered some important performances on the European stage these past weeks, and fans are rightfully excited across the country. While fans celebrate these victories, a cloud hangs over the sport. Fan violence is back in the spotlight after a Greek fan was killed recently in an altercation with Croatian hooligans in Athens. The incident has sparked a debate about violence in the game and the government’s responsibilities, and UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin met with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Wednesday to address what he called “the cancer of football”. Professor Alexander Kitroeff, a Professor of History at Haverford College and the author of the book Ελλάς, Ευρώπη Παναθηναϊκός! 100 Χρόνια Ελληνική Ιστορία - Greece, Europe, Panathinaikos! 100 Years of Greek History, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss these latest developments.
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UEFA and Greece to clamp down on football hooligans after fan's death in Athens
UEFA’s Ceferin calls on Europe to end ‘cancer’ of soccer violence
PM announces soccer club club fan associations will close
Nagorno-Karabakh residents say 'disastrous' blockade choking supplies
Mount an airlift to feed Nagorno-Karabakh
Russia risks war with NATO in Black Sea, former top commander in Europe warns
The UN Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting on Wednesday to discuss the worsening humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, or Artsakh, as a result of Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin corridor. For over eight months, the region's 120,000 indigenous Armenians have been deprived access to food, medicine, fuel, electricity, and water. Gev Iskajyan, the Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of Artsakh, joins Thanos Davelis from Artsakh to look at the humanitarian crisis that’s unfolding on the ground as a result of Azerbaijan’s blockade, and discuss his latest op-ed which explores how US diplomacy is currently failing the people of Artsakh and Armenia.
Read Gev Iskajyan and Alex Galitsky’s latest op-ed: U.S. Diplomacy is Failing Armenia
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Weapons infrastructure upgrade urgent
Migrant and refugee border crossings down 29%
Every year on July 20th we remember the beginning of Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus. July 20th, however, only marks phase one of the Turkish invasion. On August 14th, 1974 - despite the collapse of the dictatorship in Greece, the restoration of a democratic government in Cyprus, and the diplomatic efforts underway to find a way forward - Turkey launched phase two of its invasion, or Attila II. Historian Andrew Novo joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the second phase of Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus that led to the illegal occupation of nearly 40% of Cyprus, a score of human rights violations, and the displacement of some 150,000 people from their homes.
Andrew Novo holds a doctorate in history from the University of Oxford. He is Professor of Strategic Studies at the National Defense University's College of International Security Affairs, and he is a specialist in the history of the Mediterranean world, both ancient and modern. The views expressed on our show do not reflect the National Defense University, the Department of Defense or the United States government.
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Cyprus marks 49 years since Turkey's dramatic military expansion
Himare’s ethnic Greeks rally for detained mayor
The benefits of a debt upgrade
After several years of virtually nonexistent relations, Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis spoke on the phone Wednesday with Najla Mangoush - the interim foreign minister of the government of national unity in Tripoli. According to diplomatic sources, Gerapetritis stressed the need to relaunch relations between Athens and Tripoli and to open direct channels of communication. Athens’ willingness to restart relations comes at a time when Ankara is also taking steps toward rapprochement with countries in the region - like Egypt - and with actors in eastern Libya. Expert Aya Burweila joins Thanos Davelis to look at these latest developments and break down what they mean for Libya and the region.
Aya Burweila is a Libyan expert from Benghazi based in Athens, is the founder and director of the non-profit Code on the Road, and a BBC Woman Expert in Terrorism and Radicalization.
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Athens seeking restart with Tripoli
Newly reconciled, Turkey and Egypt could be a force for stability in Africa
Funeral held for fan killed in Athens attack. UEFA President Ceferin to meet Greek PM
Patriarchate gets green light, in writing, for liturgy at Panagia Soumela
This year marks the centenary of the Lausanne Treaty, a treaty that has survived a number of twists and turns in world history. While it continues to largely define the status quo between Greece and Turkey, the spirit of the treaty has also been interpreted differently in both countries, with Greeks seeing the treaty as a painful, but necessary basis for peace, while for Turks the spirit of Lausanne is summed up in a single word – sovereignty. Bruce Clark, a contributor to The Economist and the author of Twice A Stranger: How Mass Expulsion Forged Modern Greece and Turkey and Athens, City of Wisdom, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what the Treaty of Lausanne has meant on either side of the Aegean, explaining that while this difference in views may pose risks, a world without Lausanne would be much more dangerous.
Read Bruce Clark’s latest piece in Kathimerini: Survival and ambivalence: The story of Lausanne
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Russian consular services in occupied areas stirs debate
TASS: Russia to provide consular services in occupied Cyprus
Turkey inflation: Erdogan's policy U-turn tests patience
Congressman Pete Sessions recently visited the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus, becoming the first American politician to fly directly into the unrecognized Turkish proxy state - against State Department advice - on a junket sponsored by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce. The visit was condemned by the Republic of Cyprus as well, which denounced it as a violation of international law and a departure from Washington’s official stance. Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and former Pentagon official, joins Thanos Davelis to explain how Congressman Sessions’ stunt was not only deeply irresponsible, but does nothing to advance diplomacy, and is manna for expansionist dictators everywhere.
Read Michael Rubin’s latest: Pete Sessions’s occupied Cyprus junket bolsters dictators, undermines peace
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Gerapetritis: ‘Sovereignty not up for discussion’
Cyprus making progress with US visa waivers
It’s now been almost a year and a half since Russia invaded Ukraine, and the impact of Putin’s war can be felt from the geopolitical landscape to the global economy. A point of particular concern has been energy, as Europe has had to find ways to cut its reliance on Russian gas and oil. Georgia Nakou, a features editor at MacroPolis, a specialist website focused on political and economic analysis of Greek affairs, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how Greece's energy policy has been affected by Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent EU sanctions on Russia, and explore what this means as Greece’s government looks to maintain an ambitious energy and climate policy.
Read Georgia Nakou’s analysis for the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung foundation: Energy Without Russia
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Defenseless against horde of hooligans
Fan killed in Greece during clashes between rival supporters
UEFA postpones AEK Athens-Dinamo Zagreb match after fan killed in brawl
Greek inflation strikes back
It’s been a busy month in Washington, and Hellenic issues weren’t left out of the legislative agenda as Congresswoman Grace Meng and the Hellenic Caucus introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that once again puts the US-Greece relationship in the spotlight. A part of the amendment that has gotten a lot of media attention - with some headlines misquoting the bill - calls for a report assessing the potential for additional bases or an expanded US military presence in Greece. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins Thanos Davelis to cut through the headlines and break down what Congress is really calling for with this NDAA amendment that’s once again showing Congress’s commitment to take the US-Greece partnership to new heights.
Read Endy Zemenides’ latest article in Kathimerini here: Beyond the hyperbolic headlines
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Justice minister praises handling of Limassol fire, hopes for a ‘better day’
Extreme weather conditions: EU sends assistance to Slovenia and Cyprus
Greece sends two Canadair fire fighting aircraft to help Cyprus fight a forest fire
Greece, Israel boost defense industry links
Following a decade-plus of fractured relations with key Western partners, including the US, Turkey’s President Erdogan has made some moves to seemingly rebuild these relationships. His decision on Sweden’s NATO membership at the summit in Vilnius and the toning down of his aggressive posturing in the Aegean against Greece are but a few examples. Despite this, many in NATO, as well as officials in the US government, openly question Erdogan’s commitment to the West. Expert Sinan Ciddi joins Thanos Davelis to break down that while some of these moves by Erdogan’s may appear promising - for now - we should abandon the notion that Erdogan’s Turkey will anchor itself with the West.
Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he contributes to FDD’s Turkey Program and Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP). He is also an Associate Professor of Security Studies at the Command and Staff College-Marine Corps University and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
Read Sinan Ciddi’s latest piece here: Chasing The Mirage Of Turkey’s Western Orientation
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Cyprus condemns US congressman’s visit to Turkish-occupied Cyprus as a violation of international law
Greece is limiting Acropolis visitors from September
A new movement is underway in Greece, and is taking place on its beaches in the middle of the tourist season. Citizens on a number of popular islands have been mobilizing to reclaim their beaches from private businesses, a number of which have illegally covered the seafront with umbrellas and sunbeds. These demonstrations are already starting to have an impact, with the so-called “beach towel movement” not only raising questions about the sustainability of the current tourism model in Greece, but also taking on a political dimension. Nick Malkoutzis, the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr, a political and economic analysis site that focuses on Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the “beach towel movement” and its broader impact.
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Government cracks down on sun lounger sprawl as public mood towards tourism sours
The spread of rented lounge chairs on Greece’s beaches brings a pledge to increase inspections
PM announces high-level cooperation council with Egypt
Turkey fumes as Disney axes founding father series after Armenian outcry
Turkey investigates reported cancellation of Disney Plus series on Ataturk
This week Albanian authorities finally moved to refer Fredi Beleri’s case to trial. The ethnic Greek elected mayor of Himare has been in pre-trial detention for months, and as a result has been unable to take the oath of office. His case has now become central to Greek-Albanian relations, with implications for other issues in the relationship - from efforts to resolve maritime disputes at the ICJ to the broader rights of the Greek minority. It is also impacting Albania’s path to EU membership, and respecting Beleri’s right to a fair trial is crucial if Tirana hopes to make progress on this front. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how this case is testing Greek-Albanian relations, and look at why it matters if Albania hopes to move its EU membership bid forward.
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Athens: Tirana violating Beleri’s right to fair trial
Greece offers free holiday to tourists who fled Rhodes fires
Greece offers free vacation on Rhodes to tourists affected by wildfires
US Representative Grace Meng applauds inclusion of amendment supporting Greece in defense policy bill
Tenth upgraded F-16 Viper jet delivered to Greece
On March 11, 2023, the night before municipal elections in Albania, the then candidate for mayor of Himare, the ethnic Greek Fredi Beleri, and his aide, Pantelis Kokavesis, were arrested by the police for allegedly attempting to buy votes. Months later, and while he has already been elected mayor, Beleri remains in pre-trial detention. Greece has monitored this case closely, stressing to Albania that, as a candidate for EU membership it must strictly respect Beleri’s right to a fair trial. This was even brought up during a recent meeting between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his Albanian counterpart Edi Rama on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Vilnius. Yiannis Souliotis, a journalist with Kathimerini who spoke with Fredi Beleri from prison, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss his exclusive interview with the imprisoned mayor of Himare and look at the latest developments in his case.
Read Yannis Souliotis’ interview with the imprisoned ethnic Greek mayor-elect of Himare: ‘For us, freedom is not self-evident’
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Greece’s government is planning tougher penalties for arson following a spate of wildfires
Ethnic Albanian party in North Macedonia offers deal to clear the way to join EU
Climate change is exacerbating weather extremes, making heat waves more frequent and more severe worldwide, and this summer has been the hottest on record. Heat waves are also causing yet another devastating wildfire season, and with data showing that the Eastern Mediterranean is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world, this is a particularly acute problem for countries like Greece. Professor Costas Synolakis joins Thanos Davelis to break down his latest op-ed in Kathimerini that explores how Greece is handling this double whammy of heat waves and wildfires.
Costas Synolakis is a professor at the University of Southern California and a member of the Academy of Athens and the US National Academy of Engineering. In 2019 he was elected Chairman of the newly established Special Scientific Committee on Climate Change in Greece.
Read Costas Synolakis’ latest piece in Kathimerini: Heatwaves and wildfires: How Greece is handling the double whammy
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First investment grade decision
Greece and Cyprus reaffirm commitment to pursue peace settlement for Mediterranean island
Greece and Cyprus welcome EU bid to re-engage with Turkey, but urge caution
It’s now been a couple of weeks since the NATO summit in Vilnius, where Turkey’s Erdogan was praised by other leaders - including President Biden - for lifting his objections to Sweden’s NATO membership bid. Once again, F-16 sales to Turkey were a top-of-the-agenda item ahead of Vilnius. Since the summit, while there have been countless headlines declaring “deals” and discussing details of alleged deals, Sweden is still not a member of NATO and the administration has not secured the clearance of congressional holds for an F-16 sale to Turkey. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins Thanos Davelis to review what we know post-Vilnius, and cut through all the noisy diplomacy.
Read Endy Zemenides’ latest piece in Kathimerini: Cutting through noisy diplomacy
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US Senator Menendez says he has not changed opposition to Turkey F-16 sale
US Senator calls for assurances for Greece, Cyprus in any upgrade of Turkish F-16s
Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders in joint appeal for information on missing
Greek wildfires die down after burning for nearly two weeks
Earlier this week Greece celebrated 49 years since the restoration of democracy after seven years of military dictatorship. With the return of democracy, Greece began a new period of stability, one anchored in the West. This was evident a few years later when Greece joined the European Union. Since then, Greece has proven its democratic resilience time and again, especially in the midst of the decade-long financial crisis in the previous decade. Harris Mylonas, an associate professor of political science and international affairs at the George Washington Elliott School of International Affairs and the producer of the groundbreaking documentary about Andreas Papandreou and PASOK, "The Search For Andreas", joins Thanos Davelis to look at this historic moment and explore its legacy today.
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The Day Democracy Was Restored in Greece After the Junta
Wildfire in Greece triggers explosions at an ammunition depot and the relocation of fighter jets
US Senator Menendez says he has not changed opposition to Turkey F-16 sale
US Senator calls for assurances for Greece, Cyprus in any upgrade of Turkish F-16s
Following the meeting between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Erdogan at the NATO summit, we’ve heard Mitsotakis talk of a new “bold agenda” in Greek-Turkish relations. As the Greek prime minister laid out, this agenda could include going to the International Court of Justice at the Hague to resolve the key disputes in the Aegean. Expert Constantinos Filis, the Director of the Institute of Global Affairs and an associate professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss his latest piece in Kathimerini in which he makes the case that going to the Hague is Greece’s best option.
Read Constaninos Filis’ latest in Kathimerini here: Why the International Court is our best option
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Greece sees some wildfire respite, though stubborn blazes rage on
EU migration deal faces delays after talks snag
Watchdog investigates EU border agency’s role after Greece boat disaster
As Greece faces a prolonged heatwave and battles wildfires across the country, the realities of rising temperatures and climate change have long been evident and are impacting every aspect of life. Steven Tagle joins Thanos Davelis to look at how climate change is impacting local communities in Greece, specifically the mastic producers on the Aegean island of Chios, who have been battered by high temperatures, unseasonable rains, and past wildfires, and break down how are they innovating to better prepare and cope for the impacts of climate change.
Steven Tagle is a fellow from the Institute of Current World Affairs funded by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. He previously served as speechwriter for the US Embassy in Athens and as a Fulbright Fellow in Greece.
Read Steven Tagles piece here: Mastic producers in Greece innovate as climate change threatens harvest
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Local communities confront the new reality of climate change
Plane fighting wildfires in Greece crashes with two aboard
Three days of mourning for pilots killed fighting fires in Evia
Turkish authorities give permission for service at Sumela Monastery
Wildfires have continued to rage across Greece, with Prime Minister Mitsotakis saying on Monday that the country is “fighting a war” against the fires. Greece’s fire service capabilities have been stretched as new fires emerge amid a sweltering heatwave. In Rhodes, where a wildfire has cut across the island, the government and locals have mounted the largest ever island evacuation to move close to 19,000 people to safety. Evacuations have also taken place on Corfu and in other locations. Eleni Varvitsioti, the Financial Times correspondent for Greece and Cyprus based in Athens, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest update on the wildfires burning across Greece and the ongoing efforts to not only extinguish the flames, but rescue people in harm's way.
Read Eleni Varvitsioti’s latest reports in the Financial Times:
Repatriation flights begin for tourists stranded on Rhodes
Greece mounts mass evacuation from wildfire-hit Rhodes
Scorching Europe struggles to adapt to near-record temperatures
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Rhodes: ‘The Greek people and volunteers have been amazing’
Rhodes blaze cannot be contained
Menendez introduces favorable amendment for arms sales to Cyprus
Erdogan makes talks difficult
This month Turkey’s President Erdogan finally ended his opposition to Sweden’s NATO membership bid after months of brinkmanship and threats, while this week saw him travel to the oil-rich Gulf in a bid to attract investment and bolster his country’s ailing economy. Prof. Henri Barkey, the Cohen Professor of International Relations at Lehigh University and Adjunct Senior Fellow for Middle East Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Thanos Davelis to break down how Erdogan’s real problem, and the reason behind his decision on Sweden’s NATO membership and his engagement with the Gulf, is the enormous economic challenge that Turkey is facing - much of it his own doing.
Read Henri Barkey’s latest here: Calling Erdogan’s bluff on NATO
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Saudi Arabia buys Turkish drones during Erdogan’s visit
UAE and Turkey sign multibillion-dollar agreements
Greece faces hottest July weekend in 50 years, forecaster says, as scores of wildfires rage
Wildfires in Greece burn for fifth day as another heatwave hits
Turkey to send three firefighting aircraft to Greece
The EU has revealed its blueprint to curb migration
Firefighting aircraft and ground crews from other countries headed to Greece on Thursday to help battle wildfires that have intensified as southern Europe faces a prolonged heat wave. While firefighters have contained some of the wildfires near Athens, officials are on alert, warning that “the worst is yet to come,” as Southern Europe’s second heat wave in as many weeks brings extreme temperatures to Mediterranean countries. Derek Gatopoulos, a correspondent for the Associated Press who has been covering news in Greece for more than 25 years, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest updates on the wildfires, and to look at how Greece and Athens are coping with the intense heat wave.
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Wildfires in Greece largely contained, new heatwave looms
Heatwaves to persist to month’s end
Grid is seen holding, for now
UAE and Turkey sign multibillion-dollar agreements
Saudi Arabia buys Turkish drones during Erdogan’s visit
July 20th marks another black anniversary of Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus in 1974. 49 years later, the northern part of Cyprus remains illegally occupied. President Christodoulides recently expressed cautious optimism about efforts to resume talks, however, and Turkey’s desire to re-engage with the EU - as President Erdogan suggested at the NATO summit - puts the focus back on Cyprus. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins Thanos Davelis to break down whether there is space for reunification talks to be revived and what role the UN, EU and the US can play.
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President exudes ''cautious optimism'' for Cyprus problem resolution
Security Council Press Statement on Cyprus
Cyprus seeks to revive peace talks with Turkey over divided island
Official warns the worst is yet to come
Nexans wins EuroAsia Interconnector contract
On Monday Russia pulled out of an agreement that had allowed Ukraine to export its grain by sea despite a wartime blockade, a deal seen as essential to keeping food flowing from Ukraine — a major breadbasket — to the wider world. Expert Max Bergmann joins Thanos Davelis to break down why Russia has decided to terminate this agreement, what’s at stake if the deal isn’t renewed, and whether Ukraine, Europe, and the US have a plan B ready. We also explore what efforts are in the works to deepen the West’s engagement with Ukraine - primarily on the NATO and EU level.
Max Bergman is the director of the Center in Euro-Atlantic and Northern European Studies and the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program, both at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and a former senior advisor in the U.S. State Department.
Read Max Bergman’s latest here: The EU Isn’t Ready for Ukraine to Join
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Russia killed off the Black Sea grain deal. What happens now?
Russia pulls out of the Black Sea grain deal
Wildfires in Greece close highways and threaten an oil refinery, as the EU sends firefighting planes
Settlements evacuated as wildfires spread
President exudes ''cautious optimism'' for Cyprus problem resolution
Last week, a day after meeting with Turkish President Erdogan at the NATO summit, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the promotion of a “bold agenda” in Greek-Turkish relations with the ultimate aim of bringing the issue of the delimitation of the continental shelf and the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this new agenda in Greek-Turkish relations, look at the difficult road leading to the Hague, and more.
Read Vassilis Nedos’ latest here:
The difficult road leading to The Hague
‘Let’s face the future challenges squarely’
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Wildfires rage near Greek capital, houses damaged
1,200 children evacuated from summer camp as blaze nears
After heat wave, wildfires force thousands to flee seaside resorts outside Greek capital
Greece to begin selling bank stakes this autumn-sources
President Erdogan’s recent “U-turn” on Sweden’s accession to NATO has led to a number of observers wondering whether Turkey may be pivoting away from Russia and returning to the West, with some asking how long Erdogan’s special relationship with Putin can last. Amberin Zaman, a senior correspondent reporting from the Middle East, North Africa and Europe exclusively for Al-Monitor, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why none of Erdogan’s latest moves amount to a pivot away from Russia any more than they signal a real reset with the West. Instead, this is simply Erdogan navigating Ankara’s relationships in ways that he believes best benefit Turkey’s interests and above all his own political survival.
Read Amberin Zaman’s latest piece in Al Monitor here: Erdogan’s NATO moves agitate Russia but don’t spell Turkey's sharp shift to West
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Russia’s war might have a new casualty: The Putin-Erdogan bond
Turkey’s Double Dealing in the Ukraine War
Tourism enjoys total recovery
Bold agenda for Greek-Turkish relations
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced that a deal had been reached with Turkey’s President Erdogan in order to lift his veto on Sweden’s NATO accession. While the announcement was followed by celebrations, Sweden still needs Turkey’s parliament to approve its membership - which could take months. It looks like Turkey also now anticipates the lifting of most defense-related sanctions, and expects Europe to move on its EU accession process. Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and former Pentagon official, joins Thanos Davelis to look into the details of this deal, and break down why Erdogan walking away from this high-stakes poker game with new concessions is problematic.
Read Michael Rubin’s latest here:
The Turkey-NATO Deal On Sweden Is A Disaster
Sweden Surrenders
The Turkey-Iran terror nexus in occupied Cyprus shakes the status quo
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Security Council Press Statement on Cyprus
Nicosia welcomes UN security council support for new envoy
PM raises ethnic Greek mayor’s arrest with Rama
‘For us, freedom is not self-evident’
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Erdogan agreed to resume talks and confidence-building measures as they hailed a new “positive climate” following their meeting on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Vilnius. Despite the latest announcements and the recent shift in tone from Ankara, fundamental differences remain. Professor Kostas Ifantis joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the main takeaways from the Mitsotakis-Erdogan meeting as the two leaders agreed to repair ties while maintaining “calm waters” in the Aegean, explore what this effort could look like in the coming months, and break down the role Washington should play in this reset attempt.
Kostas Ifantis is a Professor of International Relations at the Department of International, European and Area Studies at Panteion University of Athens, and has previously served as Director for Research at the Policy Planning Center of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Summit agreement for restart with Turkey
Mitsotakis, Erdogan hail ‘positive climate’ in Greece-Turkey ties
Restart attempt with Turkey via US
Achtsioglou announces candidacy for SYRIZA leadership
Former SYRIZA finance minister set to announce leadership bid
Erdogan’s government to discuss Sweden’s NATO ratification with nationalist ally, official says
Greece is currently bracing for its first major and prolonged heatwave of the summer, with temperatures over the next few days expected to reach and exceed 40 degrees Celsius. The country’s health, labor and citizens’ protection ministries issued emergency warnings on Monday to citizens, while the City of Athens is also taking action to deal with the phenomenon. Elissavet Bargianni, the Head of the Resilience and Sustainability Department of the City of Athens and its Chief Heat Officer, joins Thanos Davelis to explore the dangers rising temperatures and climate change pose for cities like Athens, break down how the city is building resilience and finding solutions to make sure it can meet these challenges in the decades to come, and look at the steps Athens is taking ahead of this new heatwave.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
City of Athens climate action plan
Greece bracing for impact of heatwave Kleon
Guidelines for beating the heat
Italy heatwave could push temperatures close to European record
US to move ahead with transfer of F-16 jets to Turkey
Restart attempt with Turkey via US
On the eve of the NATO summit in Vilnius it appears that Turkish President Erdogan is once again moving the goalposts when it comes to Sweden’s NATO membership bid, attempting to put progress on Turkey’s EU membership on the table as well. At the same time, President Biden and Erdogan also discussed the potential sale of US F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, and with Ankara introducing new demands at the 11th hour, the link between Sweden’s NATO accession and the issue of F-16s is under the spotlight as well. Steven Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei Senior Fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Thanos Davelis to look ahead at what is likely to be a dramatic NATO summit.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Sweden still not ready for NATO, Erdoğan tells Biden
US could agree to sell Turkey F-16 jets so it will allow Sweden to join Nato
US, Turkey edge closer to deal on Sweden’s NATO membership; bargaining over F-16s
As NATO Gathers, Unity Among the Alliance Has Become Harder to Sustain
Mitsotakis, Erdogan hoping for a reset
Erdogan’s difficult equation in NATO
Temperatures set to climb
Italy heatwave could push temperatures close to European record
With the NATO Summit at Vilnius around the corner, everyone’s attention is on Turkey and whether it will lift its veto over Sweden’s NATO membership bid. This is also putting the focus on Turkey’s request to purchase F-16 jets from the US. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis to break down how NATO allies have given Turkey too much leverage when it comes to Sweden’s membership bid and look at the latest developments on the proposed sale of F-16s to Turkey. We also look at how Greece’s elections have led to a shakeup in Greece’s representation in the US and what this means for US-Greece relations, while assessing if there is any new momentum on the Cyprus issue.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
NATO’s Welcome Party for Sweden Is Back on Ice
Swedish NATO membership: No deal with Turkey, leaders meet next week
Greece pledges more high defense spending, seeks F-35 fleet
NATO allies to spend ‘at least 2%’ of GDP on defense, diplomats say
FDI in Greece at record levels
This week Prime Minister Mitsotakis presented his new government’s vision for Greece over the next few years, pledging to step up the pace of reforms in order to take Greece to the next level. Some of the key steps he outlined include debt reduction, bringing incomes for Greeks significantly closer to European levels, promising to crack down on tax evasion and to reform the country's health sector, and committing to legalize same-sex marriage. At the same time, Mitsotakis has stated that he is looking to build a new consensus in the center ground of Greek politics. Nikos Efstathiou, a journalist and author in Greece and the deputy editor in chief at the weekly magazine LiFO, joins Thanos Davelis to look at Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ ambitious agenda as his second term kicks off.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
PM vows to take Greece to next level
Greece's re-elected PM outlines government goals up to 2027
Mitsotakis Steps Up Reforms to Send Greek Crisis to History
Same-Sex Marriage Is Part of Reelected Greek PM’s LGBTQ Plan
‘Strategic’ relations highlighted at US Independence Day event
Greece welcomes deescalation in the eastern Mediterranean without directly referring to Turkey
It looks like Turkey is trying to pack as much as it can into the agenda of the crucial NATO Summit in Vilnius later this month. Aside from Turkey’s veto over Sweden’s NATO membership, Ankara has also put a freeze on NATO’s new operational maps by raising questions about the naming of the Dardanelles and the Bosporus straits in the new operational maps, and taking issue with the reference of the Republic of Cyprus in the plans as well. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why Ankara has derailed NATO regional procedures, and look at why this matters.
Read the latest by Vassilis Nedos on this issue:
Ankara derails NATO regional procedures
US proposal to break NATO map deadlock
Wait-and-see mood in Athens over Turkey
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkish games in the Straits
Mitsotakis Steps Up Reforms to Send Greek Crisis to History
Turkey says Quran burning in Sweden raises questions about its reliability as a possible NATO member
Turkey's Erdogan says Sweden's NATO steps undermined by protests
We’re well into the summer, and the tourist season is in full swing in Greece. With more and more visitors looking to experience Greece every year, a discussion has kicked off about the future of tourism in Greece and the need for sustainability in the industry. Expert Daniel Levine, who contributed to this discussion at Kathimerini’s recent “Reimagine Tourism in Greece” conference, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the latest global trends in tourism and break down the challenges ahead for Greece as it looks to adapt and strengthen its brand as a top tourist destination.
Daniel Levine one of the world’s best-known trends experts, and is the director of the Avant-Guide Institute, a New York-based trends consultancy where he is the leader of a huge team of trendspotters who track the latest ideas and experiences from around the globe. As a consultant, Daniel works with many of the top names in travel including American Express, UNWTO, South African Tourism, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Virtuoso Network and many more.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Are Greeks happy with tourism?
Tourism is in need of shifts
Restart seen in talks between Greece, Turkey
Greece’s new parliament sworn in following conservative party’s election victory
HALC's Erini Kosmas and HALC Managing Director Georgia Logothetis break down the week's developments on migration, the economy, Turkey, and more.
HALC's Erini Kosmas interviews Harris Mylonas about Syriza's defeat in the last election, the resignation of Alexis Tsipras from Syriza's leadership, and the future of the left in Greece in the wake of New Democracy's massive victory
HALC Executive Director and HALC's Erini Kosmas break down what we can expect from the Prime Minister's new cabinet and more.
Greece’s Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his center-right party New Democracy won by a landslide in elections on Sunday, winning 40.5 per cent of the vote, enough for Mitsotakis to govern without a coalition partner. Mitsotakis described the results as “a strong mandate, to move more quickly along the road of major changes.” While New Democracy swept to power, Syriza continued its decline, winning less than 20% of the vote. In the meantime, three hard-right parties - including one that is endorsed by a jailed member of the neo-nazi Golden Dawn party - are set to enter Parliament. Yannis Palaiologos, a correspondent-at-large for Kathimerini and Inside Story, joins Thanos Davelis to break down Sunday’s election results and look at what to expect from Mitsotakis in his second term.
Read Yannis Palaiologos’ latest in the Wall Street Journal: Greek Conservatives Score Decisive Election Win
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Kyriakos Mitsotakis wins by a landslide in Greek elections
With Resounding Win in Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis Tightens Grip on Power
Police detain 50 after Pride march in Istanbul
Istanbul gay pride activists stage annual rally in defiance of ban
Mitsotakis sworn in as Greek PM, promises more jobs and 'big changes'
New ministerial cabinet announced
Since 2011 Greece’s population has gradually been shrinking and getting older, and all the numbers show that this is a trend that will continue into the future. Prime Minister Mitsotakis even described the issue last June as a “ticking time bomb” for the country. This isn’t an issue that’s unique to Greece, as most European and Western countries are also looking to address similar challenges. Thodoris Georgakopoulos, a journalist and columnist who contributes frequently in Kathimerini, and the editorial director at DIANEOSIS - a Greek think tank, joins Thanos Davelis to break down Greece’s demographic challenge and what can be done to adjust to this reality and look to reverse this trend.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Demographic problem under the spotlight
Population shrinking at alarming rate
Greece’s demographic issue
Greece’s Ticking Demographic Time Bomb
New EU sanctions put the squeeze on Russian oil smugglers
EU approves 11th sanctions package against Russia over Ukraine
Obama discusses democratic culture with SNF’s Dracopoulos in Athens
ND leader meets with Obama
Tsipras thanks Obama for supporting Greece in tough times as US president
On Sunday Greeks will head to the polls for a second time in just over a month. With the election just days away, New Democracy is seeking the crucial 40% threshold that would secure a safe outright majority to form a single-party government. In the meantime, opposition parties SYRIZA and PASOK are battling over who will win over Greece’s center left, as SYRIZA’s defeat in May raised a number of questions about its future. Expert Panos Koliastasis, an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Politics at the University of Peloponnese and the author of the book "Permanent campaigning in Greece in times of crisis: the Samaras, Tsipras and Mitsotakis premierships", joins Thanos Davelis to break down what we should be looking out for ahead of Greece’s upcoming elections.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
The break is over, everyone back to work
The threshold for a ‘safe’ outright majority
Battle for the undecided in final stretch
Time has come for Turkey to ratify Sweden's NATO bid - Swedish minister
Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan
Greece will get investment grade after elections, says central banker
Jobless figure at 12-year low
Turkey’s Blue Homeland doctrine is receiving renewed attention, as both Turkish President Erdogan and his new ministers made clear references to this doctrine following his reelection last month. This revisionist doctrine has come to represent Turkish claims on land and sea, and is part of the promotion of Erdogan’s broader neo-Ottoman and neo-imperial agenda. Expert Constantinos Filis, the Director of the Institute of Global Affairs and an associate professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how this doctrine is now central to Turkey’s foreign policy, what this mean for countries in the region - primarily Greece and Cyprus - and why it’s important for Washington to take a clear stance against this revisionism.
Read the article we discuss here: Behind Turkey’s ‘Blue Homeland’ doctrine
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Cyprus changes tack with plan for Mediterranean gas link to Israel
Ankara derails NATO regional procedures
Kathimerini launched the "Reimagine Tourism in Greece" initiative last week, an attempt to explore the future of tourism in Greece and the need for sustainability in the industry. The timing couldn’t be better as tourists are already filling the streets of Athens and other popular destinations to enjoy their holidays in Greece. While tourists flock to Greece, however, Greeks are finding it increasingly difficult to afford a holiday in the country, and studies show almost half of Greeks cannot afford a one-week holiday this summer. Iliana Magra, a journalist with Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to explore the importance of this new initiative on tourism, look at what Greece should expect from this summer tourism season, and break down how this is impacting Greeks.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Tourism is in need of shifts
Tourism set for record takings
Only 50% of Greeks will go on holiday this summer
The last Greek summer
Battle for the undecided in final stretch
Turkey’s finance minister signals gradual shift to conventional policy
Despite the pressure on Turkey to ratify Sweden’s NATO membership bid, with the US saying the sooner this happens the better, Turkey’s President Erdogan poured cold water on rising hopes that a deal might be near. While the US is keen on Sweden joining NATO, Erdogan is keen on getting US F-16s, and it seems some have hinted that a quid pro quo could be on the cards. Expert Sinan Ciddi joins Thanos Davelis to discuss what Erdogan gains by maintaining his veto over Sweden, break down why this is a first taste of what to expect from Erdogan following his re-election, and explore why the White House should make it clear that Sweden’s NATO accession is only the starting point if Turkey hopes to acquire F-16s.
Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he contributes to FDD’s Turkey Program and Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP). He is also an Associate Professor of Security Studies at the Command and Staff College-Marine Corps University and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
Read Sinan Ciddi’s latest here:
Biden Should Demand More From Turkey Before Selling F-16s
What to Expect From Erdogan’s Third Term
Why Erdogan is still blocking Sweden's NATO bid | DW News
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey won't back Swedish NATO bid unless it stops anti-Turkish protests
Biden Administration ‘Hopeful’ Sweden Will Be Admitted to NATO
Emotional reunion amid despair as Greece searches for shipwreck survivors
Greece shipwreck: hopes of finding survivors fade on final day of search
At least 78 people died and hundreds more are missing at sea, presumed dead, after a boat carrying migrants from Libya to Italy capsized in international waters south-west of Greece early on Wednesday. This is one of Europe's worst migrant disasters, and is just the latest case of smugglers packing vessels full of desperate people willing to risk their lives to reach continental Europe. Angeliki Dimitriadi, a Non-Resident Fellow at the Global Public Policy Institute and the head of the migration policy unit at the ENA Institute for Alternative Policies, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the scope of this tragedy, break down the broader picture when it comes to migration and the smuggling of people in the Mediterranean, and explore how European countries are addressing this challenge.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
How migrant tragedy unfolded on the high seas off Greece
A look at migration trends behind the latest shipwreck off Greece
Erdogan fumes over Greek armaments program
Demographic problem under the spotlight
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne, a treaty that defined the borders of modern Turkey, and is a key point of reference in Greece’s relations with Turkey. Over the last years Turkey has taken a number of steps that not only raise questions about the treaty, but also attempt to question Greek sovereignty. Despite Erdogan’s attempt at a rebrand following his reelection, there hasn’t been a change in substance when it comes to Turkish revisionism. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to look at why Lausanne matters today, particularly in the context of Greek-Turkish relations.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
«100 Years since the Treaty of Lausanne: Looking Back, Looking Ahead»
Mitsotakis: No illusions about Turkey
Greece’s new interlocutors in Turkey
Erdogan criticizes Greece’s armaments program, plans to raise concerns with Athens
At least 79 migrants dead and dozens feared missing after fishing vessel sinks off Greece
Turkey won't back Swedish NATO bid unless it stops anti-Turkish protests
Turkey’s Erdogan defies pressure over Sweden’s NATO application
Turkey’s President Erdogan recently secured his reelection, but he now has to find a way to avoid what appears to be an imminent financial crisis. Erdogan’s unorthodox economic policies and his recent effort to juice up the economy ahead of the May elections have effectively pushed Turkey’s finances to a breaking point, and the country is on the edge of running out of usable foreign exchange reserves. Brad Setser, the Whitney Shepardson senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations whose expertise includes global trade and capital flows, financial vulnerability analysis and sovereign debt restructuring, joins Thanos Davelis to break down how Erdogan has brought Turkey’s economy to this point, and look at what choices the country has if it’s to avoid a deep financial crisis.
Read Brad Setser’s latest blog post for the Council on Foreign Relations: Turkey’s Increasing Balance Sheet Risks
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey needs more than economic U-turn for lasting investments
‘Europe will not be whole until Cyprus reunited’
President Christodoulides leads Cyprus' EU initiative
Greek tax authority enhances efforts against tax evasion with new digital app
The billions of euros the state coffers miss out on
Based on the results from the May election, New Democracy is once again set to win a comfortable majority later this month - something the latest polls confirm as well. As we approach the June 25th elections, the questions then are whether this will be enough for New Democracy to form a single-party government, and what the opposition will look like as PASOK and SYRIZA battle for dominance of Greece’s center left. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition, joins Thanos with the latest analysis from Athens ahead of this second round of elections.
Read Tom Ellis’s latest in Kathimerini here: Aims and expectations
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece: 90 migrants rescued from US-flagged yacht in distress
Mitsotakis: ‘We are not destined to live in perpetual tension with Turkey’
After years of bickering and gridlock, EU countries have finally agreed on a major migration deal that could overhaul the EU’s asylum system. Migration has been one of the bloc’s longest-running political issues, and some have described the breakthrough this week in Brussels as “historic”. The EU will now try to finalize the whole package ahead of the European elections next June. Efi Koutsokosta, the EU Correspondent for Euronews and Skai TV, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis from Brussels as we break down what was agreed, what this deal will mean for frontline states like Greece, and what we should expect over the next months as the deal is finalized.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
After years of bickering, EU claims breakthrough in migration talks
EU countries agree to major migration deal
Greek American advocacy groups urge US to safeguard Greece’s security in F-16 sales to Turkey
Turkey’s Erdogan appoints a former Goldman executive as its new central bank chief
Why Turkey’s currency is crashing after Erdogan got reelected
With Turkey’s President Erdogan securing reelection, and Greece’s Mitsotakis on the path toward a win this month that will secure his party a majority, there seems to be an effort afoot to bring both leaders to the negotiating table. Constanitnos Filis, the Director of the Institute of Global Affairs and an Associate Professor at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what Erdogan’s re-election and his new cabinet mean for Greek-Turkish relations, and spell out what it would take for any potential talks between Athens and Ankara following Greece’s elections this month to be successful.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greeks welcome continuity in Erdogan’s re-election in Turkey
Greece’s new interlocutors in Turkey
EU makes fresh attempt to overcome yearslong crisis over migrants
‘Everything is still up for negotiation’: Migration reform hangs in the balance
Analysts: Investment grade within reach
Turkey’s economy is at the top of the agenda as recently re-elected President Erdogan announced his new cabinet. This was clear from the appointment of former economic czar Mehmet Şimşek - an advocate for a return to orthodox economic policy - as Treasury and Finance minister. Despite this move, and the message of reform and normalization that Erdogan hopes to convey with this new cabinet, markets remain skeptical as the Turkish lira continued its slide against the dollar. Prof. Henri Barkey, an adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and the Cohen chair in international relations at Lehigh University, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what to expect from Erdogan’s new cabinet, with a focus on the key challenges facing the Turkish economy.
Read Henri Barkey’s latest analysis here: What’s In Store for Turkey’s Economy Under Şimşek?
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Deciphering Turkey’s new Cabinet: Real reform or window dressing?
Lira plunges 7% as Turkey edges towards free market
OECD: Robust Greek economic growth projected despite headwinds
UN top diplomat in Cyprus tries to bring leaders together
This week the UN celebrated World Environment Day, placing an emphasis on plastic pollution in the world’s seas. This has put the focus on the Mediterranean Sea as well, one of the most impacted seas when it comes to plastic pollution. As the UN looks to convene a global treaty conference to cut plastic pollution and recycle, a group of Greek fishermen have found an innovative way to remove and recycle plastic waste from the sea. John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist based in Athens and Al Jazeera's southeast Europe correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the challenges plastic waste poses to the Mediterranean and Greece and the efforts of these Greek fishermen who are working to rid the Mediterranean of this waste.
Read John Psaropoulos’ latest piece in Al Jazeera here: Greek NGO leads ‘crazy’ bid to rid Mediterranean of plastic waste
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Cyprus unveils campaign to counter spike in asylum seekers
Minister highlights progress in migration management efforts
Turkey’s new defense minister vows to protect ‘Blue Homeland’
Now that President Erdogan has secured reelection, the Biden administration is stepping up its efforts to pressure the Turkish President to lift his veto over Sweden’s accession to NATO. While Secretary of State Antony Blinken has publicly denied any link between Sweden’s NATO accession and the delivery of F-16s, President Biden has suggested a quid pro quo. Expert Michael Rubin, a Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and a former Pentagon official, joins Thanos Davelis to explain why trading F-16s and F-16 upgrades to Turkey in exchange for Erdogan lifting his veto on Sweden would be a pyrrhic victory at best, undermining, not enhancing, NATO cohesion and capability.
Read Michael Rubin’s latest here: Will Joe Biden Destroy NATO By Appeasing Turkey On Sweden?
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Biden says he and Erdogan talked about F-16s, Sweden's NATO bid
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announces new cabinet
‘If Greece were a stock, its value would be rising’
Cyprus is making a new push to cement energy ties with Israel, and there have been recent reports about a pipeline that would link Israel with Cyprus where gas will be liquefied and exported abroad to Europe. The idea comes as Eastern Mediterranean gas has seen renewed interest with Europe looking to wean itself off Russian energy. Both Israel and Egypt have emerged as net energy exporters, and Cyprus hopes to play a key role as well. Dr. Theodoros Tsakiris, an associate professor of geopolitics and energy policy at the University of Nicosia, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how this potential project could impact Cyprus, Israel, and the broader region. We also look at what to expect on the Eastern Mediterranean energy front following Turkish President Erdogan’s reelection.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Cyprus eyes Israel pipeline after elections in Turkey, Greece
Tsunis: Alexandroupoli key to breaking Russia’s gas monopoly
NATO chief heading to Turkey this weekend in fresh push on Swedish membership
There are some who hope that with the election behind him, Erdogan will change, leaving the door open for a reset in relations with the West and the US. This is nonsense, as Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, argues in Kathimerini, warning that Erdogan will only change if he is forced to. Endy Zemenides joins Thanos Davelis to discuss why if there is to be an opportunity for a reset in relations, that can only be realized if Washington sheds its image of “appeaser” when it comes to Turkey and uses its leverage to make Erdogan realize that Ankara needs Washington more than Washington needs Ankara.
Read Endy Zemenides’ latest piece in Kathimerini here: The tragedy of US-Turkish relations
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Menendez wants change from Turkey before F-16 sale approval
NATO presses Turkey to approve Sweden’s membership, eyes Ukraine security framework as summit looms
Albanian court upholds detention of ethnic Greek mayor-elect
Kaskarelis requests the release of ethnic Greek mayor-elect, aide
F-35 deal comes closer within Greece’s reach
Efforts to defuse a crisis in Kosovo intensified on Wednesday as ethnic Serbs continued their protests over the installation of ethnic Albanian mayors in a northern town where recent clashes with NATO-led peacekeepers sparked fears of renewed conflict. This unrest has caught the attention of the international community, with the US and the EU both criticizing Pristina for destabilizing the situation in north Kosovo and warning against any actions that could inflame ethnic tensions there. Professor James Ker-Lindsay joins Thanos Davelis to explain why tensions are flaring in Kosovo, and break down what’s at stake for the wider region.
Prof. James Ker-Lindsay is a visiting professor at the University of Kent, a research associate at the London School of Economics, and has written extensively on the Balkans and Southeast Europe, including on Serbia and Kosovo.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Efforts to defuse Kosovo crisis intensify amid more protests
Kosovo: Fresh clashes as Nato troops called in to northern towns
EU Intensifies Effort To Calm Crisis In North Kosovo As Serb Protesters Rally
Focus shifts to specifics of party programs
Three top parties put spotlight on tax plans
NewMed seeks Nicosia approval to pipe gas to Egyptian facility
Erdogan officially won re-election this past Sunday, defeating his opponent Kemal Kilicdaroglu by four percentage points in a runoff election that international observers noted was conducted on an unlevel playing field that “contributed to an unjustified advantage” for Erdogan. Expert Alan Makovsky joins Thanos Davelis to explore what we should now expect from a newly emboldened Erdogan on both the foreign and domestic front, from Turkey’s relationship with the West and the US to his tightening grip on Turkish society.
Alan Makovsky is a senior fellow for national security and international policy at the Center for American Progress, and has worked on Turkey and the region in several capacities, including as a senior staff member on the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the House of Representatives and at the State Department.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Decoding Erdogan: What to expect from a fresh term?
Erdogan Won’t Change, and Neither Should Biden
Why Did Erdogan Win?
Greece seeking restart with Turkey
Mitsotakis renews call for support in Crete campaign rally
Tsipras calls for resilience and focus ahead of repeat election
Rep. McCaul, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told Politico this week that he is generally open to selling F-16s to Turkey, even if President Erdogan is reelected on Sunday. Rep. McCaul is one of four Congressional leaders who must all green-light the $20 billion transaction for it to go through. McCaul hastened to add that all four of the lawmakers currently agree on barring sales today. Senator Menendez and Rep. Meeks, two of the four lawmakers that would need to approve this sale, have broader conditions than McCaul, and they include Ankara halting its belligerence toward Greece. Petros Kasfikis, the Washington DC correspondent for the Athens News Agency and Greece's Mega TV, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis from Washington as we break down this development.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
McCaul open to selling F-16s to Turkey — even if Erdoğan wins
Investors bet Greek bonds have shed 'junk' credit rating
Turkey election fever cools down ahead of decisive run-off
On Erdogan Campaign Trail, Invoking God, Reciting Poetry, Bashing Foes
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ landslide victory on Sunday night in Greece’s elections had many talking about a political earthquake. The markets seemed to take note as well, with Greek stocks and government bonds rallying sharply following New Democracy’ win as Mitsotakis is keen to implement a pro-investment and pro-reform agenda. Wolfango Piccoli, co-founder of risk analysis company Teneo with a long experience in advising financial institutions and corporations on political developments in Europe, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the market reaction to the Greek elections, the message the election results sent to investors, the reforms that a new government in Greece will need to focus on, and more.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Mitsotakis victory: Five questions for markets
Priorities of the next government
Only way is up for securities
PASOK leader reiterates no interest in ND coalition
Slow death or a second chance?
Christodoulides calls island’s division a European problem
This week Sinan Oğan, the nationalist “kingmaker” who came third in Turkey’s elections, endorsed President Erdogan. Having won just over 5% of the vote in the first round, his voters could hold the key to victory on Sunday in Turkey’s runoff for the presidency. In the meantime, Turkey’s opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu is in the fight of his life, and the question remains whether he has a path to victory. Expert Sinan Ciddi joins Thanos Davelis to look at this latest development and how it could impact the election results. We also break down why Erdogan’s better than expected showing in the first election caught Turkey observers by surprise, and what the Turkey-watching world should learn from this.
Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he contributes to FDD’s Turkey Program and Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP). He is also an Associate Professor of Security Studies at the Command and Staff College-Marine Corps University and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
Read Sinan Ciddi and Steven Cook’s latest in Foreign Policy: Why Turkey Experts Got the Election All Wrong
Watch this FDD event: Turkey’s Elections: A Contested and Uncertain Outcome
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Erdoğan wins support from Turkey’s election ‘kingmaker’
SYRIZA leaking in all directions
Greece appoints caretaker PM ahead of June election
While Sunday was a resounding success for Prime Minister Mitsotakis, the election result has raised very real questions around the political future of Alexis Tsipras and the main opposition, Syriza. As Syriza and Tsipras look to figure out what went wrong and plan out their next moves, PASOK, which dominated Greece’s center-left up until the financial crisis, looks like it’s ready for a comeback. This is setting the stage for a battle between the two over who will come to dominate the center-left. Dora Antoniou, Kathimerini’s political editor, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down what went wrong for Syriza and Alexis Tsipras, what this means for the party looking ahead, and whether this is now PASOK and Nikos Androulakis’ big chance to reclaim the center-left.
Read Dora Antoniou’s latest analysis here: Battle for dominance of the center-left
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greek conservatives clear an ‘open road’ to political supremacy
New election ahead after leaders fail to form coalition
Erdoğan wins support from Turkey’s election ‘kingmaker’
Turkey election: Erdoğan endorsed by third-place ‘kingmaker’ ahead of runoff vote
Greece’s ruling party New Democracy achieved a huge victory in Sunday’s election, managing to gain a double-digit lead over its main rival, the left-wing Syriza, which saw its support melt away. The margin far outstripped pollsters' forecasts, and raises questions about the future of Syriza and Alexis Tsipras. Prime Minister Mitsotakis described the victory as a “political earthquake” that shows New Democracy has the backing to govern alone, setting the stage for another round of elections later this summer. Nick Malkoutzis, the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr, a political and economic analysis site that focuses on Greece, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest breakdown from Sunday’s election, from Prime Minister Mitsotakis' historic win to the questions the result has raised about Alexis Tsipras’ political future.
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Mitsotakis eyes majority in second vote as SYRIZA reels from crushing defeat
With His Party Ahead in Elections, Greek Leader Claims ‘Political Earthquake’
PASOK sees chance to regain status as main opposition at SYRIZA’s expense
Mitsotakis victory: five questions for markets
Erdogan hails ‘special relationship’ with Putin ahead of crucial Turkey runoff vote
Erdoğan: I have a ‘special relationship’ with Putin — and it’s only growing
Just two days before a critical local election last Sunday, Albanian authorities decided to arrest the ethnic Greek mayoral candidate for Himare, Fredi Beleri. This dictatorial decision has raised tensions between Greece and Albania, and has caught the attention of both the US and the EU, with Senator Menendez raising the issue during a Senate hearing this week. It also raises broader questions about Albania’s aspirations to join the European Union. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to look into what this decision means for the Greek minority in Albania, for Greek-Albanian relations, and for Albania’s European prospects.
Read Vassilis Nedos latest in Kathimerini: Greek-Albanian relations, without blinders
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Interventions to tone down rhetoric
Out of bailout spotlight, Greeks feeling recovery pains at election
Greeks head to polls, no party seen winning clear majority
Once Europe’s Headache, Greece Finds Its Feet
Alexandroupoli port set for 24-million-euro upgrade
On May 19 we commemorate the genocide of the Greeks of Pontus, a chapter of the genocide perpetrated by the Turkish state in the early 20th century against its Christian inhabitants that resulted in the deaths of more than 2.5 million Armenians, Greeks, and Assyrians. Dror Ze’evi, a professor of Middle Eastern studies at Ben Gurion University of the Negev and the co-author of the book “The Thirty-Year Genocide: Turkey’s Destruction of Its Christian Minorities, 1894-1924,” joins Thanos Davelis on this anniversary to look into how Turkey’s Greek, Armenian, and Assyrian communities disappeared as a result of a staggered campaign of genocide.
Read Dror Ze’evi and Benny Morris’ essay in the Wall Street Journal on their book: When Turkey Destroyed Its Christians
You can purchase the book here: The Thirty-Year Genocide: Turkey’s Destruction of Its Christian Minorities, 1894–1924
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US Navy commander: No real change in Russian military’s conduct toward Western warships in east Med
Greek politicians court TikTok generation
With Turkish President Erdogan’s re-election essentially in the bag as the presidential election heads to a runoff, what should the West expect as Erdogan prepares for another term? Expert Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and former Pentagon official, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this question, arguing that it is time for the US and the EU to prepare for a rocky road ahead, recalibrating their regional policy to meet this reality. We also explore the steps the West can take in order to support the Turks who genuinely want democracy, and look at the broader lessons from Erdogan’s attempts to lean on platforms like Twitter in order to silence his critics.
Read Michael Rubin’s latest here:
The Worst Is Yet To Come In Turkey
Sanction Erdogan as he tries to steal Turkey election
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Turkey wants Twitter’s help in suppressing an American critic
Women under 45 key to election outcome
Cyprus Finance Ministry: More than 1.2 billion euros in Russian assets frozen
From the depths of the financial crisis last decade, Greece’s economy is now one of the fastest-growing ones in Europe’s common-currency zone. While the country still has work to do to fully recover from the deepest economic slump suffered by any developed economy since the 1930s, there is optimism in the air as the Greek economy grew by nearly 6% last year. Maintaining this economic success story is going to be a key challenge for any new government that emerges after Greece’s elections. Yannis Palaiologos, a correspondent-at-large for Kathimerini and Inside Story, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how Greece has gone from Europe’s headache to a success story, and break down the challenges that lie ahead if this momentum is to be maintained.
Read Yannis Palaiologos and Marcus Walker’s latest piece in the Wall Street Journal: Once Europe’s Headache, Greece Finds Its Feet
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Turkey's market rout deepens after Erdogan's strong election showing
Turkey elections marked by unlevel playing field yet still competitive, international observers say
Over 180 firefighters coming to Greece from five European countries in July and August
A day after a hotly contested election, Turkish President Erdogan is in the lead, defying the polls to enter an expected run-off for the presidency at the end of May, a contest where Erdogan now appears to be the clear favorite. Ayla Jean Yackley, a journalist covering Turkey with stories in The Financial Times, Politico, and other major outlets, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the key takeaways from Sunday’s critical election, including who the big winners of the night were, and what this means for the campaigns of President Erdogan and his challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu as they head into a runoff on May 28.
Read Ayla Jean Yackley’s latest in the Financial Times: Erdoğan holds upper hand as Turkish election goes to run-off
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Albania’s EU prospects depend on respecting the rights of its ethnic Greek minority says PM
Beleri responds to election victory with unity and equality pledge
Frontex: Migrant crossings via central Med soaring
New EU border chief vows to clean up Frontex agency as migrant numbers surge
President Nikos Christodoulides visited Israel this week where he met with President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The visit follows key trips to Greece, Egypt and France, and came despite the recent unrest affecting Israelis and Palestinians, underlining the importance of Cyprus’s ties with Israel. Prof. Gabriel Haritos joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the significance of Christodoulides’ trip to Israel, and look at the issues discussed - from energy to the question of Israeli investments and tourists in the occupied northern part of Cyprus.
Gabriel Haritos is an adjunct lecturer at the Ben Gurion University of the Negev, where he focuses on political relations between Israel, Greece and Cyprus. He is a visiting professor at the Panteion University and at the University of Nicosia, and a researcher at ELIAMEP and at the Ben Gurion Research Institute. Additionally, he is the author of the forthcoming book
Israel and the Cyprus Question: Foreign Policy, Diplomacy and International Relations 1946-1960
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Christodoulides, Netanyahu continue ties in chummy reunion
Cyprus wants Israelis to stop venturing into island’s north
Crisis over ethnic Greek candidate’s arrest
PM warns Albania over detention of ethnic Greek candidate
Muharrem Ince: Turkish candidate dramatically pulls out before election
Turkey election candidate drops out, putting Erdogan at risk
Greece’s party leaders held a debate on Wednesday, touching on everything from the economy to foreign policy. While the three hour debate didn’t produce a clear winner, it was an opportunity for the party leaders to speak directly to voters. In the meantime, polls are indicating that New Democracy has recovered some of its lost ground, raising questions about what kind of coalition could be in the cards after elections. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini English Edition, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the main takeaways from this week’s debate, explore what impact it could have on voting trends, and look at what the latest polls tell us about the prospects of a coalition government after elections.
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Party leaders debate economy, foreign policy
Erdogan speaks to Kathimerini, calls for new era in Greece-Turkey relations
Mitsotakis hopes for better relations with Turkey if reelected as Greek premier
Christodoulides, Netanyahu continue ties in chummy reunion
President Christodoulides in Israel for two-day visit
Athens is currently on the radar for many looking to purchase real estate, but it has also emerged as a magnet for Israelis looking to escape a cost of living crisis at home, and more recently, Israel's political turmoil. The real estate boom is unique as it coincides with a strengthening of ties between Greece and Israel, underlining how deepening political relations are trickling down to local economies. Israelis aren’t the only ones in the Middle East looking to Athens as a base, as people from around the region have their eyes on the Greek capital. Sean Mathews, an Athens based journalist, joins Thanos Davelis to look at why Israelis are drawn to Athens, what this means for Athenian real estate, and why Athens has emerged as a safe bet for many across the region.
Sean Mathews is an Athens based journalist for Middle East Eye writing about business, security and politics. His coverage spans from across the Middle East, North Africa and the Balkans. His reporting has also appeared in Al Jazeera, The Economist, and Al Monitor.
Read Sean Mathew’s latest article in the Middle East Eye: In Greece, Israelis find cheap property, nightlife and political refuge
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Russia, Syria, Turkey and Iran hold high-level talks in Moscow
Christodoulides: The Cyprus problem is a European concern
With Turkish elections around the corner, the atmosphere in the country is becoming increasingly heated. President Erdogan and his coalition seem to be feeling the heat, and their rhetoric has become notably more intense in recent days as they double down on nationalism and culture wars issues. At the same time, the Sunday attack by government supporters on Istanbul opposition mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s campaign bus has left many wondering if we should be bracing ourselves for similar acts in the coming days. Despite this, the opposition has maintained its unity, and has been honing its message - particularly on the economy - while showing continued signs of strength. Prof. Howard Eissenstat, a non-resident scholar with the Middle East Institute’s Turkey Program and an associate professor of history at St. Lawrence University, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis in the run-up to Sunday’s crucial election.
Read Howard Eissenstat’s latest on the upcoming election in Turkey: Turkish Election Watch: The Week of April 30-May 7
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Chasm between New Democracy and PASOK widens
Cyprus handed 800-page US dossier on Russia sanctions breaches
President announces receipt of first US sanctions list
As Turkey gears up for momentous elections on Sunday, President Erdogan and his government are expected to use several tactics to undermine the vote and try to engineer a win as this year’s election is shaping up as the fiercest in the country’s modern history. Despite this, the opposition remains united and optimistic. Merve Tahiroglu, the Turkey program director at the Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED), joins Thanos Davelis to look into what steps Erdogan could take in the lead up to elections and on election day in order to stay in power, and how observers and Western partners should react in the event Erdogan attempts any election sabotage.
Read Merve Tahiroglu’s latest for POMED: How Erdoğan Could Try to Engineer a Win and Stay in Power
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Erdogan calls opposition 'pro-LGBT' at election rally
In Turkey, an election reckoning for the rise and fall of Erdogan's economy
New era for Greek shipyards
Mitsotakis announces wage hikes, property tax discount, youth subsidy
A topic that has gained particular attention over the last years, as was highlighted at the Delphi Economic Forum at the end of April, is Greece’s effort to become a global education hub. Alexis Phylactopoulos, the President of College Year in Athens (CYA) - the oldest and largest study abroad institution in Greece - and of its Athens subsidiary, The International Center for Hellenic and Mediterranean Studies (DIKEMES), joins Thanos Davelis to explore why Greece is in a unique position to become an educational hub, look at how study abroad is a critical element of this discussion as students from around the world who study abroad in Greece can become force multipliers for Greece and Hellenic values, and explore what steps Greece can take to really scale up its efforts on this front.
Watch an excerpt from the discussion “Greece as an education hub” at the Delphi Forum: Delphi Economic Forum 2023 || "Greece as an Educational Hub" || CYA's Participation
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Chevron goes ahead with Cyprus drilling
Chevron begins drilling second appraisal well offshore Cyprus
Skertsos rules out ND-PASOK coalition, blames Socialist leader
Kasidiaris ban reshuffles right-wing pack
Once again, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has recommended in its 2023 Annual Report that Turkey be placed on the Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating severe violations of religious freedom. Tugba Tanyeri Erdemir, the coordinator of ADL's Task Force on Middle East Minorities and a non-resident scholar at the Middle East Institute, joins Thanos Davelis to look at religious freedom conditions in Turkey and highlight the key issues raised in USCIRF’s report. We also explore what steps the US can take to move things in the right direction on religious and human rights in Turkey.
Read USCIRF’s Annual Report here: 2023 USCIRF Annual Report
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Athens pushes back against Tripoli maritime zone claims
Christodoulides meets Macron in Paris
Macron affirms support on Cyprus problem
President meets top Total executives in Paris
Since 2020, the EU has suffered two large shocks - the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - that have increased longer-term fiscal pressures through higher debt and higher public investment needs. As the EU looks to address these challenges, its members are locked in a debate over how to adapt its long-standing fiscal rules to the economic reality that has emerged. Germany is leading the camp that believes the proposed rules are too loose when it comes to tackling public debt, while France and others argue they are too strict. Maria Demertzis joins Thanos Davelis to look at these new fiscal challenges facing Europe, break down the debate over how to reform the EU's fiscal rules, and explore what this means for countries like Greece.
Maria Demertzis is a Senior fellow at Bruegel and a part-time Professor of Economic Policy at the School of Transnational Governance at the European University Institute in Florence.
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EU fiscal reforms resisted by biggest states
The longer-term fiscal challenges facing the European Union
Brussels makes overture to Berlin with new EU rules to cut down deficit
Greece’s top court bans far-right party from May election
Barred from polls, a Greek neo-Nazi seeks way back to politics
Greek unemployment rate fell to 10.9% in March
Greek youth unemployment
Last week at the Delphi Economic Forum we heard Greece’s main western partners - notably the US and Germany - hint that there will be a push to resolve long-standing Greek-Turkish disputes after the upcoming elections. At the same time, the Forum looked at the dynamic shifts taking place in the Eastern Mediterranean, most notably the 3+1 partnership between Greece, Israel, Cyprus, and the US. Expert Konstantinos Filis, the Director of the Institute of Global Affairs and an Associate Professor at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to break down whether a compromise between Athens and Ankara could be on the horizon following elections, and look into what more Washington can do to send the message that the 3+1 partnership is a top priority.
Watch the Delphi Economic Forum on demand: Delphi Economic Forum VIII
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Western partners to push for solutions in Greek-Turkish relations
Turkey will continue to ‘annoy,’ says Erdogan at jet presentation
U.S. hands Cyprus ancient artifacts, some 4,000 years old
Greece looks to Vienna for new boost on Parthenon Sculptures
At the beginning of 2023 Bulgaria gained access to Turkey’s terminals and gas transmission network under a long-term deal that would help the country replace supplies once provided by Russia. This had come to a surprise to some in Athens, as Greece and Bulgaria have accelerated their energy cooperation through projects like the IGB natural gas pipeline and the FSRU in Alexandroupolis. It appears Bulgaria is now looking to deepen its ties with Turkey, with some raising the prospect of reviving a version of the Nabucco plan, which was disregarded in 2013 in favor of TAP. Dr. Thedoros Tsakiris, an Associate Professor of Geopolitics and Energy Policy at the University of Nicosia, joins Thanos Davelis to explain why a possible return of Nabucco should raise concerns not only in Athens, but at the EU level as well.
Read Dr. Tsakiris latest in Kathimerini here (In Greek): Η επιστροφή του Nabucco και ο κίνδυνος για την Ελλάδα
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Sofia and the Greek-Turkish energy race
Analysis: Europe wary of Turkish hub to hide gas 'made in Moscow'
Doubts over new LNG projects
Multi-billion-euro investments in energy and its storage
Turkey will continue to ‘annoy,’ says Erdogan at jet presentation
Supreme Court to decide fate of Kasidiaris party
It looks like the US is sending a clear message on the importance of maintaining Greece’s qualitative military edge with moves that will get the ball rolling on Greece’s acquisition of both C-130 aircraft and F-35 jets. In another development that is expected to be announced soon, Kathimeirni reports Greece will receive an additional package of financial assistance from the US government for the purchase of American weapons systems. Lena Argiri, the DC correspondent for ERT - the Greek public broadcasting company, joins Thanos Davelis to look into why these moves are significant, what message this sends to the region, and whether Greece is getting closer to acquiring F-35s.
Read Lena Argiri’s latest article in Kathimerini: Greece inching closer to acquiring F-35s
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Turkey’s Erdogan Makes Another Online Appearance After Illness
Turkey’s Erdogan appears via video link after health scare
Greece seen on the right path
It wasn’t too long ago that Greece seemed to be going from crisis to crisis, with Grexit being thrown around as a real possibility. Today, we’re seeing Greece described as a European success story. Peter Spiegel, the US managing editor of the Financial Times, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss Greece’s transformation from the depths of the financial crisis to today. We look at the importance of maintaining this momentum after the upcoming elections, while placing this discussion within the broader context of global uncertainties - from the banking sector to Ukraine and the US-China rivalry.
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Greece is a European success story
Greece inching closer to acquiring F-35s
Putin hails Turkey ties as first Turkish nuclear plant inaugurated
With election season in full swing, Greece’s politicians are trying to engage with a group of voters that may not have received their full attention in the past: young voters. We’ve seen political leaders take to TikTok, speak to YouTubers, and create content targeting this specific bloc of voters. Given this emphasis on winning the youth vote, Nikos Efstathiou, the deputy editor in chief at the weekly magazine LiFO and a former journalist with Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to look into what young Greeks are looking for in these upcoming elections.
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Government set sights on 420,000 new voters
After Greece's worst train crash, young Greeks rally for change ahead of elections
PM unveils program for next four years
BoC gets on course for upgrade
The campaign for Greece’s May 21 national election officially kicked off on Saturday with the dissolution of parliament, and political parties, which have already been making their pitch to the Greek people, are now in full campaign mode. At the same time, observers are watching to see how developments on Greece’s far-right in the last few days will impact the political scene. Tom Ellis, the editor-in-chief of Kathimerini English Edition, joins Thanos Davelis from Athens with the latest analysis on the election, including the various campaigns, the potential for a new far-right party to enter parliament, the role of the media, and the need to begin discussing the day after the elections.
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Campaign for Greek election begins with dissolved parliament
The day after the elections
Map challenges Greek sovereignty
Turkey’s Erdogan Faces Biggest Election Challenge Over Economy
Will Turkey’s inflation crisis damage Erdogan’s re-election chances?
April 24th marks the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. This year, commemorations take on a new meaning as Armenians continue to face hostility as Azerbaijan, backed by Turkey, continues its monthslong blockade of the only route into Artsakh, the Armenian-governed enclave in Nagorno-Karabakh, cutting off food, water, and gas. Aram Hamparian, the Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss why this year’s commemoration of the Armenian Genocide takes on a new sense of urgency, look at the US response to Azerbaijan’s aggression, and explore the steps Congress is taking to give meaning to the words Never Again.
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Biden Must Go Beyond A Cut-And-Paste Job On Armenian Genocide Recognition
Congress Marks Armenian Genocide by Warning of Second Genocide against Artsakh
Armenian Genocide Education Act Introduced
President Biden’s April 24 Statement Silent on Azerbaijan’s Genocidal Actions Against Artsakh
Military plane traveling to Egypt to collect Greeks evacuated from Sudan
Dendias raises concerns over EU handling of Sudan crisis
Greek president approves PM request for May 21 election
Mitsotakis stresses need for political stability after May 21 vote
EU lawmakers on Thursday gave the green light to a series of proposals aimed at finally ending years of standoff over how to manage migration, an issue that has provoked one of the bloc’s biggest political crises. The move comes amid a spike in both legal and illegal migration across Europe. The question now is whether EU countries can finally reform their creaking asylum system before Europe-wide elections next year. Alexandra Voudouri, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to look at these proposals and break down what it means for Europe and frontline states like Greece.
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EU lawmakers approve migration plan, set clock ticking
EU lawmakers endorse pact to revise migration rules
S&P points to upcoming rating upgrade
Menendez reiterates opposition to sale of F-16 fighters to Turkey
On Wednesday the Supreme Court ruled that the Turkish state-owned Halkbank remains subject to criminal prosecution in US courts for fraud, money laundering, and sanctions offenses related to the bank’s alleged participation “in a multibillion-dollar scheme to evade US sanctions on Iran.” The case has strained US-Turkish relations. Jonathan Schanzer, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Senior Vice President for Research with an expertise on terror financing, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this Supreme Court decision, discuss what it could mean for Turkey’s President Erdogan, and explain why it sends a strong message to illicit actors that the US justice system cannot and will not shield them.
Read FDD’s analysis with expert commentary from Jonathan Schanzer: Supreme Court Allows Iran Sanctions-Evasion Case Against Turkish Bank to Proceed
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US Supreme Court gives Turkey's Halkbank another chance to avoid charges
In Prosecution of Turkish Bank, the Supreme Court Issues a Mixed Ruling
EU lawmakers greenlight migration plan, set clock ticking
EU lawmakers endorse pact to revise migration rules
Ministry publishes commission report on Tempe rail disaster
About a week ago the US imposed sanctions on Turkish entities it said violated US export controls and helped Russia's war effort. This is part of ongoing efforts to “cut off more of the international assets and finance channels still connecting Moscow’s economy to global trade and finance.” Expert Sinan Ciddi joins Thanos Davelis to look into why this move is significant, and break down how the blind eye that Ankara turns toward many forms of illicit finance has aided certain Turkish entities in defying Western sanctions against Russia.
Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he contributes to FDD’s Turkey Program and Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP). He is also an Associate Professor of Security Studies at the Command and Staff College-Marine Corps University and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
Read Sinan Ciddi’s latest here:
U.S. Sanctions Turkish Entities for Aiding Russian War Effort
In Support of a Democratic Turkey
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Cyprus says will not tolerate sanctions-busting amid scrutiny
Government to create sanctions implementation unit
Menendez: Turkey must ‘end belligerence’ toward Greece to get F-16s
On Monday the Biden's administration notified Congress of the planned sale to Turkey of avionics software upgrades for its current fleet of F-16 fighter aircraft, a deal valued at up to $259 million. The deal, which would mark the first military equipment sale to Turkey in years, moved ahead after leaders of U.S. congressional committees gave informal approval. Petros Kasfikis, the Washington DC correspondent for the Athens News Agency and Mega TV, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the details of this deal, what it means for the potential sale of F-16s to Turkey, and explore whether this signals a shift in Washington when it comes to Ankara.
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US sets $259 million F-16 equipment sale to Turkey
Effort to halt Turkey’s patenting ‘Turkaegean’
Chevron seeks drilling ship to expand East Med gas search
What will the impact on Turkey’s foreign policy be should Kemal Kilicdaroglu and the Turkish opposition manage to unseat President Erdogan in the upcoming elections in May? Some observers envision a quick reversal of Erdogan’s anti-Western approach, while others warn that we might see a striking degree of continuity. A look at the opposition’s record and platform suggests something in between given its stated goals of improving relations with the West while simultaneously continuing to pursue a more independent foreign policy. Nicholas Danforth, a Non-Resident Senior Research Fellow at ELIAMEP - the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what an opposition win would mean for Ankara’s foreign policy.
Read Nicholas Danforth’s latest policy paper for ELIAMEP here: A New New Turkey? What an Opposition Victory Would Mean for Ankara’s Foreign Policy
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Election campaign set to shift gears
BoC, first bank in Cyprus and Greece to receive ECB’s approval to pay dividends
An ‘important milestone’ for Bank of Cyprus
Greece’s Parliament voted on Tuesday to ban the extreme-right Greeks-National Party from running in the upcoming elections, aiming to block its members linked to the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn criminal organization from entering parliament. The decision comes ahead of what could be a tight race between the ruling New Democracy and opposition Syriza parties. Nektaria Stamouli, Politico’s Athens-based Eastern Mediterranean correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to look at why Greece’s parliament has taken this step and break down its broader implications for the upcoming elections.
Read Nektaria Stamouli’s report in Politico: Greek parliament votes to ban extreme-right party from elections
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Greek far-right party seeks to defy election ban
U.S. sanctions Turkey-based entities it says helped Russia's war
Energy Minister puts forth Cyprus' natural gas to cut costs for consumers
Minister explores options for expediting gas extraction
Egypt’s foreign minister was just in Athens, meeting with both Prime Minister Mitsotakis and Foreign Minister Dendias. The visit put the spotlight on the Greek-Egyptian relationship as both countries look to further strengthen their strategic ties, including on energy, and on regional partnerships such as the East Med Gas Forum and the trilateral between Greece, Cyprus, and Egypt. The visit also addressed Turkey’s role in the region, especially given Turkish President Erdogan’s charm offensive vis-a-vis Egypt and the lull in tensions between Greece and Turkey. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the deepening relationship between Athens and Cairo, and look into the potential for honest and sincere dialogue with Ankara.
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Greece: Thaw with Turkey should continue after elections
Visiting Egyptian FM meets with Mitsotakis, Dendias
Easter exodus begins at Piraeus port
Easter tourism set to soar
Tourism Minister signs joint action plan with US Ambassador
The upcoming elections in Turkey are ones where the fate of Turkey — as well as the nature of its relations with the world — will be affected for the years to come. That’s the argument Prof. Cengiz Aktar makes in his latest op-ed that explores why, given these stakes, Turkish President Erdogan will leave nothing to chance. Prof. Cengiz Aktar joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the reasons he believes the odds are in Erdogan’s favor leading up to Turkey’s May 14th election, from Erdogan’s domestic policies to his foreign policy, and look at why the opposition may be possessed by an ever-growing overconfidence.
Prof. Cengiz Aktar is a Turkish political scientist, essayist and columnist. He currently serves as a professor of political science at the Faculty of Turkish Studies and Modern Asian Studies at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
Read Prof. Cengiz Aktar’s latest piece: Five Reasons Erdoğan Might Be Re-elected
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Real estate bolsters foreign investments
IMF revises upwards forecast for Greek economic growth in 2023, 2024
Greece: Thaw with Turkey should continue after elections
Visiting Egyptian FM meets with Mitsotakis, Dendias
This weekend missiles from a drone nearly hit a US convoy carrying American personnel and Mazlum Kobane, a top American ally in the fight against the Islamic State and the commander in chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces. Kobane said he was the target of an assassination, while the Pentagon said the strikes “directly threatened the safety of US personnel” working to defeat IS. Turkey is believed to have carried out the attack. The question now is how will President Biden react? Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a former Pentagon official, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this latest troubling incident and explore what steps the Biden administration should take in order to signal to Erdogan that certain actions cross a red line.
Read Michael Rubin’s latest piece here: Turkey just tried to kill Americans. Will Biden react?
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US-backed Syrian Kurdish leader Mazlum Kobane says Turkey's attempt on life not the first
Turkish foreign minister: sovereignty of some Aegean islands ‘not determined’
Dendias: Greece should be optimistic but also careful about relations with Turkey
Israel inks $400 million sale of anti-tank missiles to Greece
Israel signs $400 mln deal to sell Greece anti-tank missiles
One of Turkish President Erdogan’s most prominent political opponents, Selahattin Demirtaş, has spoken out from prison to the Financial Times, urging Turkey’s opposition to seize what he said is its best chance yet to defeat Erdogan. Selahattin Demirtaş - who led the Peoples’ Democratic party (HDP), Turkey’s third-largest political group, before he was jailed in 2016 - also stressed that the Kurdish minority, which makes up about 18 percent of the population, will be decisive on May 14. Ayla Jean Yackley, a journalist covering Turkey with stories in The Financial Times, Politico, and other major outlets, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss her interview with Selahattin Demirtaş for the Financial Times, that explores the decisive role Turkey’s Kurds will play in the upcoming elections.
Read Ayla Jean Yackley’s latest piece in Financial Times here: ‘Kurds will be decisive’: Erdoğan opponent piles on Turkey election pressure from prison
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Cyprus to offer technical aid to Ukraine on mines clearance -minister
Cyprus to provide training in demining to Ukraine (with video)
Greek economy projected to grow by 2.2% in 2023
Undecided voters are expected to play a key role in Greece’s national elections on May 21 as their percentage remains high - above 16 percent according to the latest polls. The new polls also show that the possibility of calling new elections remains strong, as the chances of polls leading to a single-party government or the formation of a coalition government seem remote. Panos Koliastasis, an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Politics at the University of Peloponnese and the author of the book "Permanent campaigning in Greece in times of crisis: the Samaras, Tsipras and Mitsotakis premierships", joins Thanos Davelis to break down the impact undecided voters could have on the election. We also look into what the latest polls mean for any efforts to form a government - whether it’s by a single party or a coalition.
Read Panos Koliastasis latest in Kathimerini (In Greek): Πόσο εφικτή είναι μια λειτουργική κυβέρνηση συνεργασίας;
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Role of undecided voters pivotal
Government set sights on 420,000 new voters
Greece to send more arms to Ukraine, but sets limits
Russia's Lavrov in Turkey to discuss Syria, Caucasus, possible Putin visit
Greece’s economic performance was in the spotlight again this week as Eurogroup President Paschal Donohoe was in Athens to meet with Prime Minister Mitsotakis and to participate in the “Resilience, Progress, Perspective” conference on the Greek economy. The Eurogroup President highlighted Greece’s economic progress pointing out that its growth is above the euro area average while inflation is among the lowest. Greece’s economic progress was also placed within the broader context of important policy discussions taking place at the EU level - where Greece plays a key role. Eirini Zarkadoula, the Brussels correspondent for ERT - the Greek Public Broadcasting Company - and the Athens News Agency, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the main takeaways from the Eurogroup President’s visit to Greece.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Donohoe in Athens, meeting with Mitsotakis and Staikouras
Eurogroup chief congratulates Greece on its economic progress
Watch Eurogroup President Paschal Donohoe’s interview with ERT
Egypt – Cyprus relations defined by shared principles, Christodoulides says
Cypriot President wraps up Cairo visit
‘Kurds will be decisive’: Erdoğan opponent piles on Turkey election pressure from prison
Finland became NATO’s 31st member on Tuesday, marking a major shift in Europe’s security landscape and a setback for Russia's Vladimir Putin. Until late last week, Turkey had maintained a block on Finland’s membership bid, and is still keeping Sweden - which is also seeking NATO membership - in limbo. Expert Max Bergmann joins Thanos Davelis to explain why this moment is significant for NATO, how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has revitalized the transatlantic alliance and the the US presence in Europe, and look at what Turkey's obstructionist position in NATO - whether it’s blocking Sweden’s membership bid, its ties to Russia, or its threats and provocations in the Aegean - means for the alliance in the long term.
Max Bergmann is the director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and the Stuart Center in Euro-Atlantic and Northern European Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). He has also served in the State Department in a number of different positions, including as a member of the secretary of state’s policy planning staff.
Read Max Bergman’s latest in Foreign Affairs here: Why European Defense Still Depends on America
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Nato's border with Russia doubles as Finland joins
Finland joins NATO, doubling military alliance’s border with Russia in a blow for Putin
Explainer: After Finland joins NATO, why is Turkey making Sweden wait?
Turkey is the headache NATO needs
Greece, Turkey say communication channels must be kept open
Moscow hosts talks aimed at Syria-Turkey rapprochement
Erdogan has been on a charm offensive, working to “reset” ties with countries in the region - ties he effectively torpedoed over the last decade or so. While Erdogan wants a “reset” and “rapprochement” with countries like Egypt, Israel, the US, and even Syria, to end Turkey’s regional isolation, there will be a price to pay. The question is whether Erdogan - or the opposition should it win the upcoming elections - can satisfy the demands coming from countries in the region and Washington. Prof. Henri Barkey, the Cohen Professor of International Relations at Lehigh University and Adjunct Senior Fellow for Middle East Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Thanos Davelis to look into why Erdogan is stepping up his charm offensive at this moment, and what we should expect from these efforts.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Is Turkey about to ditch its Russian S-400 missile system?
Erdogan’s Charm Offensive Will Not Satisfy Egypt, Syria, or Israel
Racing to woo the undecided voters
As elections loom, narratives scrutinized
‘Greek banks are safer’
With a relative calm taking hold in the Aegean between Greece and Turkey, Athens is turning its focus to the Western Balkans. Here Greece is looking to play an active role in resolving disputes in the region, such as between Serbia and Kosovo, and facilitating the full integration of the Western Balkans into both the EU and NATO. Greece’s relations with Albania also fall under this agenda. As Greece looks to build on its record as a problem solver in the Balkans, Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias traveled to Cyprus this week, where he met with his Cypriot and Israeli counterparts as the three countries work to deepen their dynamic regional partnership. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to look at Greece’s Balkan agenda, the latest trilateral in Cyprus, and more.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Βαλκανικές (αν)ισορροπίες
Cyprus, Greece, Israel: East Med energy source for Europe
Greek defense minister to visit Turkey as tension wanes
Greece’s PM makes border wall extension an election pledge
Cyprus and New Jersey National Guard to sign partnership agreement
New Jersey and Cyprus armies tie the knot
Greek authorities foiled an Iranian-backed terrorist attack on Jews and Israelis in Athens earlier this week with Mossad’s assistance, which helped identify the connection between the local terror cell in Greece and Iran’s broader global terror operations. Jonathan Schanzer, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Senior Vice President for Research with an expertise on terror financing and the Middle East, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this latest incident in Athens, highlight the importance of Greek-Israeli security cooperation, break down how Iran tries to use terror against Israeli and Jewish targets overseas, and explain why this should be a wake up call for Europe to stop turning a blind eye to Iran’s sponsorship of terrorism.
Read the analysis from FDD’s experts, including Jonathan Schanzer, here: Iran-Backed Athens Attack Foiled With Mossad Help
Follow up with Jonathan Schanzer’s interview with Seth Frantzman here: Where is the next Iranian threat coming from for Israel?
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
The tangled web of a failed terror plot
Biden celebrates Greek Independence Day at the White House
Greece-US alliance stronger than ever
Turkey approves Finland Nato membership bid
'Welcome to NATO': Turkey's parliament ratifies Finland's membership
Greece is officially heading to elections on May 21st. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis made the much anticipated announcement on Tuesday, officially kicking off the campaign season. Mitsotakis has called on Greeks to compare his administration with the previous Syriza government in terms of its handling of the economy, foreign policy, and Greece’s image abroad. Opinion polls show his party, New Democracy, in the lead over the main opposition Syriza, but the gap has narrowed amid criticism of the government’s handling of a train crash that took the lives of 57 people. How this will impact the election remains to be seen. John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist based in Athens and Al Jazeera’s southeast Europe correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis.
Read John Psaropoulos’ latest piece: Greek parties bleed votes between a train disaster and election
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece to hold national election on May 21
‘Nobody’ leading polls ahead of vote
Pondering the new electoral landscape
As elections loom, narratives scrutinized
Greece raises $2.7 billion as new 5-year bond sees strong demand
Erdoğan to slash Turkey’s energy bills ahead of tough election
Since the tragic earthquakes in Turkey it appears that a sense of calm is prevailing in the Aegean - at least for the moment - that has led to an improvement in ties between Greece and Turkey and a decrease in threats and provocations from Ankara. This is raising the question in diplomatic circles over the possibility that this moratorium on tensions could lead to substantive dialogue following the election cycle in both countries this May. Professor Kostas Ifantis joins Thanos Davelis to look at where Greek-Turkish relations are today, break down whether a substantive dialogue with Turkey following elections is a realistic prospect, and look into what role the US can play in this discussion.
Kostas Ifantis is a Professor of International Relations at the Department of International, European and Area Studies at Panteion University of Athens, and has previously served as Director for Research at the Policy Planning Center of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Sense of calm prevails in the Aegean
Greece to hold national election on May 21
Greece calls parliamentary elections for May 21
Greece arrests two men suspected of planning attack on Jewish restaurant
Israel’s Netanyahu: Mossad helped Greece uncover terror plot
It’s now been a few weeks since China brokered an agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran to normalize relations. The deal - and China’s role in it - shocked many countries in the region, including the US, and is already having a ripple effect across the Middle East. Dr. Theodoros Tsakiris, an associate professor of geopolitics and energy policy at the University of Nicosia, joins Thanos Davelis to break down how this deal is currently viewed in the region, including by Greece and Cyprus. We also look into the recent announcement by Athens and Nicosia to significantly strengthen their cooperation through the establishment of a High Cooperation Council - and why it is a significant development.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Τι φέρνει η επαναπροσέγγιση Ιράν – Σαουδικής Αραβίας
Nicosia, Athens to form common front within EU
Erdogan continues charm offensive
Alexandroupoli-Burgas pipeline idea picking up steam again
We’re heading to the US Congress on today’s episode, where Senator Menendez once again caught everyone’s attention while questioning Secretary of State Antony Blinken this week when he sharply criticized Turkey. Representative David Cicilline also had a noteworthy exchange with Secretary Blinken in the House, asking what steps the Biden Administration is taking to ensure that US weapons are not used by Turkey to threaten allies and partners in the region. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the key takeaways from this week’s hearings in Congress. Since March 25th is Greek Independence Day, we also look at what the main takeaways are today, 202 years after the start of the Greek revolution.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Menendez says Turkey doesn’t ‘deserve’ to get F-16 jets
Rep. Cicilline questions Secretary Blinken on steps administration is taking to ensure US weapons are not used by Turkey to threaten allies and partners
Biden on Greek Independence Day: ‘Our alliance has never been stronger’
US Congress commemorates Greece’s independence anniversary
Vatican returns Parthenon sculptures to Greece
Nikos Christodoulides attended his first EU leaders summit as President of Cyprus this week, and came with a clear agenda - to engage the EU on the Cyprus issue. At the same time, Christodoulides also stressed that Cyprus is not just the Cyprus problem, but a part of the solution to the key challenges facing Europe and the region, whether it’s on energy or sanctions against Russia. Efi Koutsokosta, the EU Correspondent for Euronews and Skai TV who interviewed President Christodoulides in Brussels, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the new Cypriot President’s proposal for EU involvement on Cyprus issue, and look at how Cyprus is a part of the solution as Europe looks to tackle key issues in its neighborhood.
Read Efi Koutsokosta’s interview with President Nikos Christodoulides (in Greek): Το πλήρες σχέδιο Χριστοδουλίδη για πρωταγωνιστική εμπλοκή της Ε.Ε. στο Κυπριακό
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
President presents proposal for EU involvement on Cyprus issue at council meetings
The best days of the Greek economy are ahead of us says the PM
With Grexit Averted, Guess Whose Debt Outperforms?
No time for complacency, warn European regulators
Greece is putting forward a plan to overhaul the EU’s electricity grids in order to lay the foundations for a massive rollout of renewable power. Athens is arguing that efforts to expand and strengthen Europe’s electricity grid need to be stepped up in order to handle the transition to solar and wind, especially with the EU looking to reach climate neutrality by the middle of the century. As part of this proposal, Greece, which is already at the heart of initiatives to connect Europe to Africa’s grid, is also pointing out the need for better connections in the Western Balkans. Nikos Tsafos, the chief energy adviser to Greece’s Prime Minister, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this latest proposal from Athens and the importance of overhauling the EU’s power grid to meet the challenges ahead.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece Seeks to Overhaul EU’s Power Grid in Green Transition
Greece to have elections in May, PM says
Bracing for 101-day electoral marathon
UBS Will Look to Cut Credit Suisse’s $10 Billion Shipping Portfolio
WSJ: UBS likely to shrink Credit Suisse’s $10 bln shipping portfolio
After 12 hours of talks in North Macedonia this weekend, the EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell announced that Kosovo and Serbia had reached an agreement to implement an EU-backed deal to normalize relations. This has been welcomed by many as an important and historic agreement as flare-ups between the two have fed worries about a return to conflict. The two sides, however, stopped short of actually signing the agreement, and questions remain about what the next steps will be. Professor James Ker-Lindsay joins Thanos Davelis to break down this latest deal and look at what it could mean for the region.
Prof. James Ker-Lindsay is a visiting professor at the University of Kent, a research associate at the London School of Economics, and has written extensively on the Balkans and Southeast Europe, including on Serbia and Kosovo.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Kosovo, Serbia agree on "some kind of deal" to normalize ties
Kosovo and Serbia reach EU-back deal to normalise ties but do not sign
Greece among 7 out of 30 allies to meet NATO spending target in 2022
NATO chief urges members to boost defence spending as only 7 hit target
Decision time for the F-35 package
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was in Cairo on Saturday for the first time since ties were ruptured a decade ago to push to restore full diplomatic relations between the two countries. The move comes despite lingering tensions over Turkey’s support of the Muslim Brotherhood, its presence in Libya, and its provocative stance in the Eastern Mediterranean - three issues Cairo reportedly wants to see Ankara take steps on if it is to normalize relations. Dr. Nervana Mahmoud joins Thanos Davelis to look at what this visit means for Egypt-Turkey relations, and break down whether Ankara can deliver on Cairo’s conditions.
Dr. Nervana Mahmoud is a regional observer and independent commentator who writes mainly about Egypt, liberal Islam, women rights, radicalism, and wider issues about the Middle East. Her work has been featured in major outlets and publications. She also publishes a regular newsletter on Egypt.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey's foreign minister in Cairo for first time since ties cut a decade ago
Egypt, Turkey Close to Resuming Full Diplomatic Relations
Local credit system is steady
Stournaras: Greek banks’ exposure to Credit Suisse ‘almost zero’
Serbia, Kosovo reach pact on implementing peace plan, EU’s Borrell says
Kosovo and Serbia agree to EU plan to normalise relations
Turkey’s President Erdogan signed off on Finland’s NATO membership on Friday — removing the biggest obstacle to the Nordic country joining the alliance. With a difficult election coming in May, however, Turkey’s president keeps insisting that Sweden is harboring alleged Kurdish terrorists and other dissidents. So far, Sweden’s efforts to placate Turkey, including with the introduction of a new terrorism law, have failed. Both Finland and Sweden had pledged to enter the alliance “hand in hand”, but it now appears this is unlikely. Howard Eissenstat, a non-resident scholar with the Middle East Institute’s Turkey Program and an associate professor of history at St. Lawrence University, joins Thanos Davelis to break down Erdogan’s decision to green-light Finland’s NATO membership bid, but continue to leave Sweden in limbo.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey’s Erdogan Finally Endorses Finland’s NATO Bid, but Not Sweden’s
Turkey, Hungary to approve Finland’s NATO membership
Greece raises minimum wage to pre-bailout levels
Greece to again raise minimum wage from April 1
State Department OKs Greek purchase of US amphibious vehicles
News of the rapprochement between long-time regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran sent shockwaves through the Middle East. The fact that China brokered the deal also took many in Washington by surprise, as it adds to worries over how US partners are responding to growing competition between the US and China. Steven Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei Senior Fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Thanos Davelis to break down whether this China-brokered deal actually upends Mideast diplomacy and challenges the US, explore Washington’s options moving forward, and look at what ripple effects it could have for the broader region - from the Middle East to the Eastern Mediterranean.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Chinese-Brokered Deal Upends Mideast Diplomacy and Challenges U.S.
The Saudi-Iran deal reflects a new global reality
Greek credit system ‘able to absorb foreign jitters’
Finland gears up for Turkey’s NATO blessing, as Sweden gets left behind
Earlier this week Nikos Christodoulides made his first official visit to Athens as the newly elected President of Cyprus, unveiling steps to significantly strengthen the cooperation between Cyprus and Greece, something Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said was “more necessary than ever” as Christodoulides takes office “in the midst of great geopolitical volatility”. At the same time, it was highlighted during the visit that following last month’s tragic earthquakes we’ve seen a de-escalation of tensions from Ankara. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the significance of Christodoulides’ visit to Athens, break down whether the lull in Ankara’s aggressive behavior we are seeing is temporary or here to stay, and look at Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias' recent trip to Kosovo.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Nicosia, Athens to form common front within EU
PM says tension with Turkey easing
FM Nikos Dendias in Kosovo
Turkey’s anti-Erdoğan opposition vows a reset on EU and NATO
General strike to disrupt services on Thursday
Poll finds ND’s lead over SYRIZA slips to 2.9 points
With the US focus on Russia and China, regions like the Eastern Mediterranean appear to be on the backburner in Washington, DC. This is raising questions about Washington’s overall strategy for the region, which has grown increasingly important over the last years. Constantinos Filis, the director of the Institute of Global Affairs and associate professor at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why the Eastern Mediterranean deserves Washington’s full attention, look at how Turkey, the elephant in the room, factors into this discussion, and explain why this is an opportunity for Greece - a key US ally and partner - to work with the US to set the agenda for the region.
You can read Constantinos Filis’ latest in Kathimerini (In Greek): Αμερικανικές αγωνίες (και αμηχανίες) για την Τουρκία
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Mitsotakis: Restructuring of railways ‘a personal matter’
Railways to gradually return to service from March 22
Turkey’s current account deficit hits highest level since records began
Alexis Papahelas penned a powerful opinion piece in the wake of the tragic train crash - “The Sisyphean task of transforming Greece” - in which he argues that Greece is changing, but important areas are being left behind. He compares the Greek leaders looking to make important changes to the mythical figure Sisyphus, who was condemned to an uphill battle without ever reaching the summit. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this piece and argue that instead of looking to Sisyphus, it would be better to talk about the “Herculean task” of transforming Greece, a task which Greece is meeting head-on.
Read Alexis Papachelas’ latest piece here: The Sisyphean task of transforming Greece
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
No plans to return Parthenon marbles to Greece, says Rishi Sunak
UK PM Sunak rules out law change for return of Parthenon marbles
Calm after quake: Greek PM says tension with Turkey easing
Nicosia, Athens to form common front within EU
Turkey’s President Erdogan has finally made it official, setting May 14 as the date for elections that many see as existential for Turkey’s authoritarian leader. After twenty years of dominating Turkish politics, and given the stakes for Erdogan, there are questions as to how far he will be willing to go on May 14th to ensure the results are in his favor, and whether there will be a peaceful transition of power. Merve Tahiroglu, the Turkey Program director at the Project on Middle East Democracy, joins me to look at whether the upcoming elections in Turkey will be free and fair, look at what role the international community and civil society can play to ensure the integrity of the elections, and explore whether Erdogan will be willing to hand over power should he lose.
Watch the FDD’s panel discussion featuring Merve Tahiroglu where these issues were explored: Turkey After Erdogan
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Erdogan calls Turkish elections for May 14, three months after quake disaster
Cypriot president pledges 2% of GDP on defense spending
British Museum chair: Worth trying to find solution for Parthenon Sculptures
Boris Johnson and the Parthenon Marbles
Some Biden administration officials, notably Brett McGurk, White House coordinator for the Middle East, and Amos Hochstein, special presidential coordinator for Global Infrastructure and Energy Security, have been passing through Iraqi Kurdistan, encouraging Iraqi Kurds to sell oil to Turkey while arguing this will bolster US efforts to isolate Russia and Iran. Expert Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and former Pentagon official, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why these energy schemes, primarily from officials like Amos Hochstein, are doing not only Iraq, but Iraqi Kurds and US interests from the Middle East to the Eastern Mediterranean a disservice.
Read Michael Rubin’s latest in the Washington Examiner: State Department does Iraq a disservice with energy schemes
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
PM ends talks of elections before Easter
Defense ministers agree to keep channels open
The head of the Bank of Greece, Yannis Stournaras, is adamant that 2023 will be the year when Greece finally regains investment grade after over a decade in the junk-bond wilderness. In an interview with the Financial Times, Stournaras also stressed the importance of the country maintaining fiscal prudence and reforms, while taking advantage of a “window of opportunity” to significantly lower its debt burden. Eleni Varvitsioti, the Financial Times correspondent for Greece and Cyprus based in Athens, joins Thanos Davelis to look into how soon Greece can finally consign its junk status to history, look at the key challenges that still need to be addressed for the Greek economy, and explore how inflation - which is proving to be a top priority for central bankers across Europe - will impact Greece.
Read Eleni Varvitsioti’s interview with Yannis Stournaras in the Financial Times: Greece months away from investment-grade rating, says central bank chief
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Growth beats forecast in 2022
Tens of thousands march in Greece to protest train disaster
Mitsotakis faces Greece’s biggest protests since eurozone crisis
Greece’s prospects as a hydrogen hub
As the dust begins to settle following the tragic and deadly train crash in Greece last week, there are still a number of questions, from those related to the safety standards of the country’s railway system to who is to blame. In the meantime, we are continuing to see an outpouring of grief and anger in Greek society, with nationwide protests and demonstrations taking place on Wednesday. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimeirni’s English Edition, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the potential impact this tragedy will have on Greece’s politics, what it means for the upcoming elections in the country, and look at the role of civil society and the media in addressing the deep rooted issues this crash has put in the spotlight.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greek PM calls Cabinet meeting for Thursday
Greek workers join walkout over deadly train crash, call protests
Vatican ‘donating’ its own 3 Parthenon sculptures to Greece
Turkey's opposition unsure on embracing pro-Kurdish party
On Monday Turkey’s six-party opposition threw their support behind Turkish opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu as the main challenger to President Erdogan in landmark elections expected on May 14. This decision came after an intense few days that saw Meral Aksener - the leader of the second largest party in the coalition - splinter the opposition after publicly opposing Kilicdaroglu’s candidacy. The opposition bloc was reunited Monday after a last minute deal. Expert Alan Makovsky joins Thanos Davelis to break down whether Kilicdaroglu can emerge from Erdogan's shadow, and look at what the political drama of this weekend means for the opposition.
Alan Makovsky is a senior fellow for national security and international policy at the Center for American Progress, and has worked on Turkey and the region in several capacities, including as a senior staff member on the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the House of Representatives and at the State Department.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey's opposition leader looks to emerge from Erdogan's shadow
Turkey’s opposition ends saga, names Kilicdaroglu as Erdogan challenger
EU sending experts to help Greece improve rail safety
Greece months away from investment-grade rating, says central bank chief
In the wake of the tragic train crash in Greece, in which at least 57 people - mostly young students - lost their lives, the question on everyone’s mind is: How could this happen? While there have been promises to investigate the causes of the crash and ensure nothing like this happens again, this, as was recently pointed out by Nick Malkoutzis in an op-ed, is also an opportunity for Greek society to examine its role in this tragedy. Nick Malkoutzis, the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr, a political and economic analysis site that focuses on Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how this tragedy could happen, and what it will take to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again.
Read Nick Malkoutzis’ latest piece for MacroPolis: Our tragedy: How could this happen?
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
‘Unjustifiable Delays’: Rail Safety Upgrade in Greece Stalled for Years
Strike, protests in Greece as anger grows over train crash
Greece: Crash victims returned to families in closed caskets
Bad luck can’t always be held responsible
Earlier this week two trains collided in Greece, killing 57 people. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called the collision “a horrific rail accident without precedent” in Greece, and pledged a full, independent investigation. The rail crash has shaken Greeks to their core, with protests erupting in Greek cities as many see this as an accident that had been waiting to happen. Iliana Magra, a journalist with Kathimerini who covered the accident, joins Thanos Davelis from Athens with the latest on what we know about the crash, the current situation at the site of the accident, the reaction among Greeks, and the steps the government is taking in response to this tragedy.
Read Iliana Magra’s latest in The New York Times: Anger Mounts in Greece After Deadly Train Crash
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Death toll rises, dozens still missing
Anger, sorrow in Greece as train crash death toll rises
Exports are going for a record
Turkish opposition alliance says it will announce election candidate on Monday
Erdogan indicates Turkey elections to be in May, three months after quake
Turkey’s President Erdogan and his government have come under fierce criticism for what many see as an inadequate relief effort following last month’s devastating earthquakes. In the meantime, the government appears to be getting ready to mount a strong crackdown on the dissent highlighting its mismanagement of disaster relief. Expert Sinan Ciddi joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this backlash against Erdogan and the government, looking at the key issues being raised, and breaking down how Erdogan is dealing with this public defiance. We also explore whether this is an inflection point for Turkey’s relations with the West, especially after the outpouring of support from its allies in the wake of the earthquake.
Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he contributes to FDD’s Turkey Program and Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP). He is also an Associate Professor of Security Studies at the Command and Staff College-Marine Corps University and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
Read Sinan Ciddi’s latest articles here:
Erdogan faces growing backlash over earthquake mismanagement
Will Erdogan Embrace The West?
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Rescuers comb wreckage of Greece’s deadliest train crash as death toll rises
Greece train crash: Angry protests erupt after disaster
Power costs a priority for Nicosia
Economy, migration, green energy: new ministers present priorities
Energy has been at the top of the agenda over the past days. Last week’s 1st East Macedonia and Thrace Forum put the spotlight on the port city of Alexandroupoli, which is at the heart of key regional developments, while the recent announcement that seismic surveys were completed south and west of Crete is adding a new dimension to Greece’s plan to not only become an important transit hub for energy, but also an energy provider. Dr. Yannis Maniatis joins Thanos Davelis to look at Alexandroupoli’s upgraded role in the region, the exciting prospects south and west of Crete, the vision for Greece’s energy future, and the role the US and EU can play here.
Dr. Yannis Maniatis is an Associate Professor at the University of Piraeus. He previously served as Greece’s Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change from 2013-2015.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece concludes 2D seismic surveys in gas exploration off Crete
ExxonMobil drill off Crete in 2024-2025
1st East Macedonia & Thrace Forum-Geoffrey Pyatt: Alexandroupolis a focus of a new energy corridor
Cyprus’ new president says country on firm Western footing
New president sworn in, pledges to make people’s lives better
Who’s who in the new cabinet
Fiery Greece train collision kills 32, injures at least 85
Carnage after trains collide near Greek city of Larissa
Last week’s visit by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Athens, and the launching of the fourth round of the US-Greece Strategic Dialogue was by all accounts another positive step towards deepening the strategic relationship between Greece and the United States. While the Biden administration has built on the positive momentum set by former Secretary Mike Pompeo, is it failing to make the most of this head start? Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins Thanos Davelis to look at this question, and break down what more could - and should - be done by Secretary Blinken to take the US-Greece relationship from good to great.
Read Endy Zemenides’ latest in Kathimerini: Be Like Mike
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greeks revel in Carnival after pandemic pause
ExxonMobil drill off Crete in 2024-2025
Helleniq Energy to decide on exploratory well off Greece in 18-24 months
The 1st East Macedonia and Thrace Forum took place in Alexandroupoli this week, and put a spotlight on the role of this region in upgrading Greece’s geopolitical footprint. Naturally, discussions focused on the role the port city of Alexandroupoli is playing as a major defense hub for Greece, the US, and NATO, as an energy hub, and more generally in strengthening the region's position as a gateway to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Expert Nikolas Katsimpras, who participated in the forum in Alexandroupoli, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the importance of highlighting this region, the central role Alexandroupoli is playing in US-Greek strategic cooperation, and more.
Nikolas Katsimpras is a lecturer in Columbia University’s Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Program, an international affairs consultant, a veteran officer of the Hellenic Navy, and is on the board of the Hellenic American Leadership Council.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Menendez highlights promise of East Mediterranean
1st East Macedonia & Thrace Forum: Innovations in solar & wind solidifying Greece’s leadership in renewables sector
1st East Macedonia & Thrace Forum-Geoffrey Pyatt: Alexandroupolis a focus of a new energy corridor
On Ukraine anniversary, EU pledges more support for refugees
Support to Kyiv ‘unwavering’
This week the UN’s highest court ruled that Azerbaijan needs to take all steps at its disposal to lift the blockade on the only highway that connects Nagorno-Karabakh, or Artsakh, with the outside world. This comes after months of Azerbaijan’s blockade, and as the situation for people living in Nagorno Karabakh has become increasingly desperate. Azerbaijan has argued that there is no blockade and that the protesters are engaged in grassroots environmental demonstrations. Simon Maghakyan, a visiting scholar at Tufts University and a Ph.D. student in Heritage Crime at Cranfield University, joins Thanos Davelis to look at this latest decision by the ICJ and break down how Azerbaijan is weaponizing environmentalism to justify ethnic cleansing.
Read Simon Maghakyan’s latest piece in TIME: How Azerbaijan Weaponized Environmentalism to Justify Ethnic Cleansing
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
UN court calls for end to Nagorno-Karabakh roadblock
Cyprus’ new president scopes out peace talks reset
Christodoulides: 'Open and constructive' first meeting
Almost one year ago to the day, Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. This war has been described as a turning point not only for Europe, but for world history. As we’ve seen, the war’s impact has spread beyond the borders of Ukraine, with implications for the rest of the world, and Greece is no exception here. Yannis Palaiologos and Vassilis Nedos, who joined The Greek Current the day Putin launched his brutal invasion of Ukraine, join Thanos Davelis today to look back over the last year, analyzing what this war has meant for Europe, Greece, and the broader West, and break down the challenges that lie ahead.
Yannis Palaiologos is a correspondent-at-large for Kathimerini and Inside Story, and Vassilis Nedos is Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Putin Began His Unjust War One Year Ago. Here’s What Ukraine Needs Now.
No transfer of S-300s to Ukraine
EU still has not agreed on anniversary Russia sanctions
Nearly 1 million asylum requests in the EU in 2022
Menendez highlights promise of East Mediterranean
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken just concluded a two-day visit to Greece, where he held key meetings with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, inaugurated the 4th Greece-US Strategic Dialogue with his Greek counterpart, Nikos Dendias, and also met with former prime minister and main opposition leader Alexis Tsipras. Deepening cooperation on defense and energy security was high on the agenda, as was Greece’s stabilizing role in the region and its clear stance in the war in Ukraine. Constantinos Filis, the Director of the Institute of Global Affairs and an associate professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis with the key takeaways from this historic visit.
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US secretary of state visits a solid ally
Greece open to dialogue but with terms
Dendias, Blinken open new round of talks on defense, energy, Ukraine
No transfer of S-300s to Ukraine
Christodoulides to Stewart: 'Tatar's two-state solution is out of the question'
We’re heading to Cyprus today, where it’s been a little over a week since the Cypriot people elected a new president, Nikos Christodoulides. The 49-year-old former diplomat has set clear goals, vowing to put together a young government with women filling half of the Cabinet positions and to work to break the stalemate on the Cyprus problem. In terms of foreign policy, the new president’s orientation is clearly Euro-Atlantic, presenting an opportunity to take US-Cyprus relations to new levels. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini English edition, joins me from Cyprus with the latest analysis.
Read Tom Ellis’ op-ed in Kathimerini here: Cyprus’ new president
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Blinken arrives in Athens, meets with Mitsotakis
Seismic surveys completed in two blocks off Crete
The EU announced a new round of sanctions on Russia this week, which are set to hit Moscow with trade bans and technology export controls worth €11 billion in response to its invasion of Ukraine. With the EU unveiling its 10th sanctions package, we head to Brussels for a discussion between expert Maria Demertzis and Thanos Davelis to look at what additional measures are being added to the sanctions mix. We also break down why the previous 9 rounds of sanctions haven’t managed to entirely isolate Russia, cripple its economy, or inhibit Moscow’s ability to wage war, and why the future looks much more difficult for Putin.
Maria Demertzis is a Senior fellow at Bruegel and a part-time Professor of Economic Policy at the School of Transnational Governance at the European University Institute in Florence.
Read Maria Demertzis’ latest for Bruegel here: Are sanctions against Russia working?
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Statement on the 10th package of sanctions
Putin is staring at defeat in his gas war with Europe
With eye on Russia, Greece and Bulgaria expand gas deal
Mitsotakis promises new faces and more women on ND ballot
The Financial Times recently published a report documenting the secret meetings between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and British Museum chair George Osborne, as they explore ways to end the long-standing dispute over the Parthenon Marbles. While observers note that the climate is better than it has been for 200 years to resolve this issue, key challenges remain. Eleni Varvitsioti, the Financial Times correspondent for Greece and Cyprus based in Athens, joins Thanos Davelis to look into these secret talks, break down what we know so far about a potential plan, and look at what lies ahead in the fight to bring the Parthenon Marbles home.
Read Eleni Varvitsioti’s latest in the Financial Times: Inside the secret meetings that could seal the fate of the Parthenon Marbles
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Major renovation planned for Athens’ archaeological museum
Greek inflation eases to lowest level since Feb 2022
Food prices soar despite inflation easing
Greece is heading to elections this spring, where the economy will naturally take center stage. While the world is taking note of the clear progress being made in Greece since the dark days of the financial crisis, putting the economy on a long-term path of strong and steady growth that will also generate higher incomes remains a central challenge and raises the stakes in these elections. Nikos Vettas, the general director of the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE) and a professor at the Athens University of Economics and Business, joins Thanos Davelis to look at why these upcoming elections could be pivotal for the future direction of the Greek economy, and highlights the main issues that a new government will need to focus on.
Read Nikos Vettas’ latest analysis in Kathimerini: The Greek economy and the elections
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Blinken to visit Turkey, Greece next week
Athens-Sofia responsibility for regional security ‘growing by the day,’ Bulgarian president tells Kathimerini
It’s been over a week since a devastating earthquake struck Turkey and Syria, and it's increasingly clear that this is a humanitarian catastrophe on a scale that many of us can’t imagine. With the rescue phase of operations coming to a close, the challenges facing the Turkish government and its people remain immense. In the meantime, the Turkish government has put a priority on public relations, prioritizing “narrative” over effective policy. Professor Howard Eissenstat, a non-resident scholar with the Middle East Institute’s Turkey Program and an associate professor of history at St. Lawrence University, joins Thanos Davelis to argue that in order to address the current crisis effectively, the Turkish government will have to place policy above politics.
Read Prof. Howard Eissenstat’s latest article for The Middle East Institute: Turkey’s government is prioritizing politics over policy in its earthquake response
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How will the earthquake affect Turkiye's election in May?
How Corruption and Misrule Made Turkey’s Earthquake Deadlier
Delicate balance for newly elected Cyprus president
Greek-American associations launch relief campaign for Turkey, Syria
This weekend Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias visited the earthquake stricken areas of Turkey to show Greece’s full solidarity with the Turkish people. Dendias also pledged that beyond sending rescue teams to Turkey, Greece will continue to support its neighbor, either bilaterally or as a member of the EU. The scene has revived memories of the 1999 earthquake diplomacy between Greece and Turkey that led to a warming in relations. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the Greek response to last week’s deadly earthquake and the new perspective it gives to Greek-Turkish relations. We also look at other key developments, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s scheduled visit to the region, and the election of Nikos Christodoulides as President of Cyprus.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
New perspective in Greece-Turkey relations
Dendias-Cavusoglu: ‘We need not wait for natural disasters to improve our relations’
Ex-minister Christoulides wins Cyprus presidential election
Cyprus president-elect ready to meet Turk Cypriot leader
Stocks soar in Athens and Nicosia
Momentum building for another bumper season for Greek tourism
Leading experts, analysts, and elected officials put the spotlight on Greece and the region in Washington, DC this week, as HALC, the Delphi Economic Forum, and Kathimerini hosted the 4th Southeast Europe and East Med conference. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how this conference has grown over the years to play a key role in setting the agenda on the East Med and look at the message sent by the US foreign policy establishment. We also discuss key news coming out of the conference, including what to expect from the new leadership in the Hellenic caucus and the Congressional Hellenic Israel Alliance, and Senator Menendez’s announcement that he had signed off on the sale of F-35s to Greece.
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Menendez okays F-35 sale to Greece
Battle of former diplomats in Cyprus’ presidential election
EU vows more cash for frontier policing as border fence debate revives
On Wednesday Greece’s parliament banned a far-right political party led by a jailed former member of the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party, which was designated a criminal organization by a Greek court, from participating in the general election later this year. The bill bars parties from the legislature whose leaders have been convicted of serious crimes and are deemed a potential threat to democracy. Prime Minister Mitsotakis said the measure’s aim was “not to ban ideas,” but to protect democracy and the constitution. Niki Kitsantonis, a freelance journalist in Athens writing for the New York Times, joins Thanos Davelis as we look at this latest move by Greece’s parliament, and discuss its significance.
Read Niki Kitsantonis’ piece in the Greece Moves to Block Far-Right Party as Election Nears
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Hope fades for survivors as Turkey-Syria earthquake toll passes 20,000
Back with a vengeance: Migration fight returns to Europe
Zelenskiy pushes for EU membership and raises fears of Russian designs on Moldova
Turkey is facing a major turning point this year as the country heads to elections in May. As President Erdogan faces his toughest electoral challenge yet, the question being asked by leading experts like Prof. Henri Barkey is: what will Erdogan do to stay in power? The earthquake that struck Turkey on Monday and the ensuing tragedy is undoubtedly going to put a new spotlight on Turkey’s leader. Prof. Barkey, the Cohen Professor of International Relations at Lehigh University and Adjunct Senior Fellow for Middle East Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Thanos Davelis today to dig into this question, exploring what steps Erdogan could take both at home and abroad, and breaking down how this devastating earthquake could impact Erdogan’s political fate.
Read Henri Barkey’s latest piece in Foreign Affairs: Turkey’s Turning Point
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Earthquake’s tragic aftermath puts spotlight on Turkey’s leader
Second Greek disaster management team departs for Hatay
Turkey accepts assistance from Cyprus
Menendez okays F-35 sale to Greece
Former Cypriot Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides led the first round of voting for Cyprus’s presidency on Sunday, and will face a runoff next week against second-place finisher Andreas Mavroyiannis. The winner will succeed outgoing conservative President Nicos Anastasiades, who has been at the helm of Cyprus for a decade, and will be called to address key issues like migration, growing financial woes, evolving geopolitics, and finding a way to break a deadlock on the Cyprus problem. Nektaria Stamouli, Politico’s Eastern Mediterranean correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis.
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Cyprus presidential election heads for runoff next Sunday
Ex-foreign minister will face diplomat for Cyprus presidency
Death toll in Turkey, Syria earthquakes rises to nearly 8,000
Crews find survivors, many dead after Turkey, Syria quake
January was a month in which Greece’s economic performance was in the spotlight. Whether it was at the World Economic Forum in Davos, during a high profile visit by Prime Minister Mitsotakis to Japan, or Fitch’s upgrade of Greece to one step below investment grade, the message is clear: all eyes are on Greece. Alex Patelis, the chief economic adviser to Greece’s Prime Minister, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the main takeaways from Davos and Japan, look at the main factors behind this Greek comeback, and break down what it will take to get Greece back to investment grade.
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The message from Davos: Greece is back
Japan, Greece step up security ties as 'strategic partners'
PM invites Japanese investments to Greece
Rescuers scramble in Turkey, Syria after quake kills 4,000
PM tells Erdogan Greece ready to ‘contribute even more’ to quake relief efforts
Greece sending EMAK disaster response team to Turkey
Christodoulides certain he will be the next president of Cyprus
Ex-foreign minister will face diplomat for Cyprus presidency
Over the last years housing costs - particularly rents - have shot up across the Athens area, with some rents jumping as high as 55% since 2017. The share of people in Greece who are overburdened with housing costs is rising, and nearly three quarters of tenants in Greece now spend over 40% of their monthly income on rent. This is quickly becoming a top priority for the government as well, which is looking for ways to bring down costs. Nikos Roussanoglou, a journalist with 23 years of experience at Kathimerini covering the economy, with a focus that includes Greece's business environment, technology, and housing market, joins Thanos Davelis to look at why rents have shot up and what this means for average Greeks.
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Housing costs squeezing Greeks
Cyprus presidential candidates push leadership credentials
Jailed leader of Greek far-right party faces election ban
After The Economist listed Greece as the unlikely economic winner of 2022, the Economist Intelligence Unit has now highlighted the country as one of the best performers on its Democracy Index for 2022, with Greece registering the fifth-biggest increase in score of all the countries covered by the index. Nikos Efstathiou, the deputy editor in chief at the weekly magazine LiFO and a former journalist with Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into this Greek comeback, and explore the work that needs to be done as Greece strengthens its economy and democracy.
Read the EIU report here: Democracy Index 2022
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Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis participates in an open discussion with David Ignatius, in Georgetown University (May, 2022)
Questions over ex-Golden Dawn MP’s prison campaign
Akar in new anti-Greek tantrum
No end to airspace violations by Turkey
US Congress says F-16 sale to Turkey depends on NATO approval
January 30th marked the 100 year anniversary of the signing of the Lausanne Convention, which led to the forced expulsion of 1.2 million Greek Orthodox Christians from Turkey and 400,000 Muslims from Greece. This traumatic moment in history fundamentally changed Greece and Hellenism, and its memory is still very much alive and well in Greece. Professor Alexander Kitroeff, a Professor of History at Haverford College who has written extensively on the history of Greece and the Greek diaspora, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the lasting legacy of this traumatic experience, from its impact on Greece to the way it still influences Greek-Turkish relations to this day.
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The Lausanne Convention and the battle of memory
Blinken’s Athens visit limited to bilateral format
Erdogan says Turkey positive on Finland's NATO bid, not Sweden's
Turkey is the main obstruction to NATO unity
27 years ago the Imia crisis brought Greece and Turkey to the brink of war. Almost three decades later, a lot has changed in terms of Greece’s defense doctrine. Today, as Turkey’s President Erdogan brings tensions in the Aegean to a boiling point, the lessons from this crisis are more important than ever. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the legacy of the Imia crisis and how it has impacted Greece’s defense doctrine. We also look at where Greece’s alliances - particularly with the US and France - fit in the broader picture, and what role Washington would play if Erdogan moved beyond rhetoric.
Read Vassilis Nedos latest in Kathimerini: Greek defense doctrine rolls with punches
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Japan, Greece step up security ties as 'strategic partners'
PM invites Japanese investments to Greece
US Senator Van Hollen: No F-16s for Turkey if it does not ratify NATO’s Nordic expansion
Senator Van Hollen says no F-16s for Turkey if Sweden, Finland not admitted to NATO
The UN Security Council just renewed the mandate for UNFICYP – the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus - for another year instead of for six months. The renewal comes amid controversy over the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative in Cyprus, and is also occurring less than a week before the first round of presidential elections in Cyprus. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis to break down these latest developments and look at why now is the time for the US to put more diplomatic energy into solving the Cyprus problem.
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Security Council renews Unficyp mandate for a year
Only America Can Resolve the Cyprus Question
Erdogan might approve Finland’s NATO bid, ‘shock’ Sweden
Fitch puts Greece near rating target
Never Give An Inch - the new book by Former CIA Director and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo - was recently released. Aside from recounting his tactics in the Trump administration, the former Secretary also sheds light on key foreign policy priorities under his tenure. These include his dealings with Turkey and President Erdogan, his visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, his views on the deepening ties between the US and Greece, and his relationship with Prime Minister Mitsotakis. Lena Argiri, the DC Correspondent for ERT - the Greek Public Broadcasting Company, joins Thanos Davelis to break down former Secretary Pompeo’s latest revelations.
Read Lena Argiri’s review of former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s book (in Greek): Βιβλίο Πομπέο: Το τρίωρο βίντεο για το πραξικόπημα, η οργή της Άγκυρας και η Ελλάδα
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Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on CBS discussing his new book, 2024 plans
Political books are often bland. Mike Pompeo’s is savage.
Greek government wins no-confidence vote over wiretapping scandal
Government should ‘stick to the budget targets’
Every year on January 27 we commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day. While this is a story of great pain and sorrow, as the Greek experience shows us, it’s also an opportunity to remember the brave individuals who decided to stand up to hate no matter the consequences - the Righteous Among The Nations. David Harris, a lifelong friend of Greece and the previous CEO of the American Jewish Committee, joins Thanos Davelis as we commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day, the story of Greece during the Holocaust, and its special relevance today given the alarming rise in antisemitism.
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Reserve off Crete is promising
Turkey: Sweden complicit in hate crime, NATO talks pointless
Turkey says it is "meaningless" to restore NATO dialogue with Sweden, Finland
Greece is known for its historic ties to the sea - from the Battle of Salamis to its merchant shipping fleet today. As of last year, the Union of Greek Shipowners noted that Greece remains the top shipowning nation in the world with approximately 21 percent of the global fleet in terms of capacity. When breaking down the story of Greek shipping, two islands stand out today - Chios and Oinousses. Steven Tagle joins Thanos Davelis to discuss his latest in-depth report from Chios and Oinousses that breaks down how these two islands have come to lead the world’s shipping industry and how sea trade became Greece’s version of the American dream.
Steven Tagle is a fellow from the Institute of Current World Affairs funded by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. He previously served as speechwriter for the US Embassy in Athens and as a Fulbright Fellow in Greece.
Read Steven Tagle’s latest piece here: How two Greek islands came to lead the world’s shipping industry
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Greek opposition submits censure motion over phonetapping scandal
Greece at forefront of state-of-the-art photovoltaics
Turkey’s president has announced May 14 as the date for the country’s next parliamentary and presidential elections. These elections are drawing the attention of the world, and many - including The Economist - are describing them as the country’s last chance for democracy. Steven Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and a Turkey expert, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the stakes involved in these elections for Turkey’s democracy. We also look at how these elections could impact a number of key issues in Turkey’s relations with the US and the West, from the potential sale of American F-16s to Turkey to its continued threats in the Aegean.
Read Steven Cook’s latest in Foreign Policy: What Everyone Gets Wrong About Turkey
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Turkey could be on the brink of dictatorship
Sweden cannot expect Turkey’s support for Nato membership, Erdoğan warns
CFR: Conflicts to Watch in 2023
Chief diplomats boycott Libya-hosted Arab League meeting
Libya in a state of isolation
Athens, Istanbul mayors send message of peace
This past week Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis traveled to Davos to participate in the World Economic Forum. Aside from a number of key meetings with leading business personalities, Mitsotakis also spoke to Fareed Zakaria in a wide ranging interview that covered Greece’s economic transformation, upcoming elections, and tensions with Turkey. The overall message was clear: Greece is back, and in a big way. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini English Edition, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis from Athens.
Sign up for Kathimerini’s weekly newsletter, The Greek Letter, which includes exclusive analysis by Tom Ellis: Sign up here
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Erdogan announces Turkish elections to be held on May 14
Greece expanding border wall, calls for EU help on migration
The recent announcement of a long-term energy agreement between Turkey and Bulgaria giving the latter access for 13 years to Turkish regasification terminals, came as a surprise to some and caused consternation in Athens. This comes as Greece is emerging as a key player in helping its northern neighbors in the Balkans - primarily Bulgaria - decouple from Russian gas through a number of projects. Dr. Theodoros Tsakiris, an associate professor of geopolitics and energy policy at the University of Nicosia, joins Thanos Davelis to break down how energy has transformed Greece’s relationship with Bulgaria, what additional steps Greece can take to help its Balkan neighbors break their dependence on Russian energy, and look at where this latest deal between Sofia and Ankara fits in.
Read Dr. Theodoros Tsakiris’ latest in Kathimerini: Sofia and the Greek-Turkish energy race
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Cyprus protests portrayal as safe haven for Russian money
Erdogan issues ‘crazy Turk’ attack threat
The new year offers an opportunity to take stock of the many changes in Europe over the last year - a year marked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. George Pagoulatos, a professor of European politics and economy at the Athens University of Economics & Business and director general of the Hellenic Foundation for European & Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), joins Thanos Davelis with the view from Athens on the evolving shifts in Europe over the last year and the challenges they pose for the West, including the ongoing war in Ukraine, the role played by increasingly bold revisionist and authoritarian states like China and Turkey, and a shift toward an anarchic global setting dominated by great power politics.
Read George Pagoulatos’ latest op-ed in Kathimerini here: 2022 to 2023: Europe trapped in contradictory geopolitical shifts
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A conversation between PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Fareed Zakaria at the World Economic Forum
Mitsotakis has series of meetings at Davos
Ankara mood of dejection after FM’s US visit
Last week news dropped that the Biden administration reportedly will ask Congress to approve a $20 billion sale of F-16s to Turkey, coupled with a separate sale of F-35 fighters to Greece. The sale of F-16s was also the focus of Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu’s meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington on Wednesday. Expert Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and former Pentagon official, joins Thanos Davelis to explain why the White House is only half right here. Rubin argues that Congress should go ahead with the F-35 sale to Greece, but Turkey still does not deserve new F-16s.
Read Michael Rubin’s latest here:
Biden is half right on Eastern Mediterranean arms sales
Türkiye Is Not An Important NATO Member. Stop Pretending It Is.
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Turkey urges Biden administration to be 'decisive' over F-16 deal as Congress objects
F-16, F-35 bidding starts amid election period
Economic resilience and risks for Greece
Α global survey by Britain’s CIA Landlord Insurance has found that the lowest sale prices available for residential property, when compared to other European capitals, are in Athens. As a result, there has been a significant increase in investment interest from abroad in real estate in Greece, especially in the region of Attica which includes the city of Athens. Nikos Roussanoglou, a journalist with 23 years of experience at Kathimerini covering the economy, with a focus that includes Greece's business environment, technology, and real estate, joins Thanos Davelis to look at this latest survey and break down what it means for the real estate market in Athens and Greece, for foreign investments, and for Greece’s capital city.
Read Nikos Roussanoglou’s report in Kathimerini here: Athens assets most affordable among European capitals
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Minister: Cyprus exceeds renewable energy source targets
U.S. Supreme Court mulls Turkish lender Halkbank's bid to avoid charges
For the first time in a while, the economic party is happening in the Mediterranean, and Greece is leading the way ahead of Spain and Portugal. As The Economist looked into the best and worst economic performers of 2022, Greece found itself at the top of the list, with high growth, narrow inflation breadth, plunging debt-to-GDP ratio and an outperforming stock market. Prime Minister Mitsotakis tweeted about the results, saying the government’s efforts and reforms were making a real impact. Prianthi Roy joins Thanos Davelis to break down the numbers and explore whether this positive trend will persist in 2023.
Prianthi Roy is the Country Forecast Manager and Europe Analyst at Economist Intelligence (EIU). She oversees long-term forecasts and business environment rankings for 82 countries globally and leads country analysis for Europe, specifically the Nordic countries.
Read The Economist’s report here: 2022’s unlikely economic winners
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Parties setting out electoral goals
Sweden, Finland must send up to 130 "terrorists" to Turkey for NATO bid, Erdogan says
Turkey pushes back vote on Sweden and Finland’s Nato accession
This week a Libyan court ruled to suspend an energy exploration deal that the Tripoli-based government signed last year with Turkey that ignored the rights of Libya’s neighbors and inflamed Libya’s own internal crisis. The energy deal struck down by the court followed up on an illegal MoU between Ankara and Tripoli that attempted to split the Eastern Mediterranean between themselves at the expense of countries like Greece and Egypt. Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusolgu said this week that the GNU told Ankara not to take the ruling seriously. Expert Aya Burweila joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this latest development in Libya, break down its broader significance, and look at how major outlets are dropping the ball when it comes to covering Libya.
Aya Burweila is a Libyan expert from Benghazi based in Athens, is the founder and director of the non-profit Code on the Road, and a BBC Woman Expert in Terrorism and Radicalization.
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Turkey says Tripoli backs energy deal despite court suspension
Biden Administration to Ask Congress to Approve F-16 Sale to Turkey
Menendez vows to block plan to sell fighter jets to Turkey
Migrant entry numbers into Europe hit six-year high
Over the last years we’ve seen a wave of creativity sweep across Greece - from art and culture to the country’s growing gastronomical scene. As this past year’s tourist numbers indicate, the world is also taking notice. An integral part of this success story are Greece’s wines, as Greek winemakers rediscover ancient cultural traditions and varieties to produce world-class wines again. Ted Diamantis, one of the leading importers of Greek wines in the United States who has been on the front lines of this transformation, joins Thanos Davelis to look into how these dynamic changes are not only boosting Greek products, but Greece’s overall image.
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Getting To Know The Wines Of Greece
Greece the Honoured Country in China’s Largest Beverages Expo
In Athens, Creativity in Art, Food and More Rises
Athens assets most affordable among European capitals
Turkey using courts, laws to target dissent ahead of votes-Human Rights Watch
Turkey doctors' chief sentenced over call for chemical weapons inquiry
Amid discussions on the potential sale of US F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, an argument has emerged that if Ankara doesn’t get American F-16s, it will turn to Russia or China to upgrade its fleet of jets. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins Thanos Davelis to explain why this argument is tantamount to accepting Turkey’s hostage politics, making the case that this isn’t really an actual dilemma. We also look at why the US, having very strong negotiating leverage, should not go ahead with such a sale unless it gets significant trade-offs and sees a substantial policy shift from Ankara.
Read Endy Zemenides’ interview with Lena Argiri in Kathimerini: US should reject Turkish ‘hostage politics’
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Investment grade by April?
Greece’s former king to be buried as a private citizen
Constantine, the former and last king of Greece, dies at 82
In 2020, when tension with Turkey had reached a peak, Greece declared the extension of its territorial waters in the Ionian Sea from 6 to 12 nautical miles as it’s entitled to under international law. Now, it's being reported that Greece could make a similar move around the island of Crete. Turkey, which has a longstanding threat of war against Greece if it exercises its rights and extends its territorial waters in the Aegean, has warned Athens of “serious consequences” if it takes this step. John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist based in Athens and Al-Jazeera’s southeast Europe correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to look at why Greece is now considering this step and break down what such a move would mean for the region. We also explore the role of the US in the Aegean as Turkey ramps up tensions.
Read John Psaropoulos’ latest article here: As Congress fumbles, Greece and Turkey sail into a gathering storm
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US should reject Turkish ‘hostage politics’
Minimum wage of 780 euros mulled
Greek economy to slow in 2023 as energy costs, Ukraine war hit spending -OECD
This weekend Sweden’s Prime Minister said Turkey is asking for too much over its NATO application, adding that Sweden has lived up to its commitments and that the decision now “lies with Turkey.” Ankara has effectively demanded the impossible, notably that Stockholm override a decision by its own Supreme Court and extradite a journalist wanted by the Erdogan regime. Analysts say Turkish President Erdogan is likely to drag this process out, at least until the all-important presidential elections scheduled in June. Expert Sinan Ciddi joins Thanos Davelis to discuss what this means for Sweden and Finland’s NATO bid, and look at why it should serve as a lesson to both Europe and the US that appeasement doesn’t work with Turkey’s Erdogan.
Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he contributes to FDD’s Turkey Program and Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP). He is also an Associate Professor of Security Studies at the Command and Staff College-Marine Corps University and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
Read Sinan Ciddi’s latest piece: ‘Enough Is Enough’: What Blinken Should Tell Turkey’s Cavusoglu
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Sweden says Turkey asking too much over NATO application
NATO chief: Sweden has done what’s needed to join alliance
German foreign minister: Two-state solution for Cyprus not an option
Drilling for gas in Crete to start earlier
Government optimistic of swift development of natural gas finds in Block 6
Last year Greece had to deal with a number of security challenges, whether it was the wider impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, US competition with China, or Turkey’s revisionism. Looking ahead, it’s likely Greece will be confronted with similar challenges in 2023 as well, as Russia, Turkey, and China continue to pose a threat to regional stability in Greece’s broader neighborhood. Admiral Alexandros Diakopoulos, the former National Security Advisor to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and a senior policy adviser at ELIAMEP, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the security issues Greece is likely to face in 2023, and look at the role Greece can play in addressing these broader global challenges.
Read Alexandros Diakopoulos’ latest for ELIAMEP: National security challenges in 2023
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Turkey fires off new threats against Greece
Menendez denounces Erdogan’s belligerent rhetoric
PM brushes off Turkish warnings
Epiphany celebrated in Greece after 2 years of restrictions
This week, after his first cabinet meeting of the new year, Prime Minister Mitsotakis sent a strong signal that he does not plan to call general elections before April. The announcement comes as Greece’s political parties begin to get into campaign mode. Nick Malkoutzis, the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr, a political and economic analysis site that focuses on Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what’s at stake as Greece prepares to head to the polls in the spring.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
PM signals April elections as MP at centre of latest sleaze scandal resigns
Sources rule out Greek election before April
PM adds minimum wage hike to pre-election promises, with hints of more to come
Fourteen candidates join race for Cyprus presidency in Feb. vote
Turkey freezes pro-Kurdish party funds before vote
Turkish court orders temporary freeze of Kurdish party funds
A humanitarian crisis is unfolding in the Caucasus, as Azerbaijan is blockading the Lachin corridor, the main road in Nagorno Karabakh, or Artsakh. Azerbaijan’s blockade, which has been ongoing since December 12, has deprived some 120,000 Armenians in Artsakh of food, medicine and other vital supplies, and the Armenian foreign ministry has accused Azerbaijan of "ethnic cleansing." Aram Hamparian, the Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss Azerbaijan’s blockade of Nagorno Karabakh and the humanitarian crisis unfolding, and look at what steps the US should take to support the people of Nagorno Karabakh and hold Baku accountable.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Armenia warns of humanitarian crisis as central road in Nagorno-Karabakh blocked for 24 days
Armenian activists protest over Karabakh road link standoff
Sources rule out Greek election before April
British Museum in talks with Greece over return of Parthenon marbles
British Museum says in 'constructive' discussions over Parthenon marbles
2022 saw Greek-Turkish relations hit historic lows, as Ankara took its provocations against Greece in the Aegean to dangerous levels. The year wrapped up with Turkey’s foreign minister renewing Ankara’s casus belli - or threat of war - against Greece. This followed boasts from President Erdogan that Turkey’s new Tayfun missiles could target Athens. These developments have raised the question about what the US would do in response to a Turkish assault against Greece. Ryan Gingeras, a professor in the Department of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and an expert on Turkish, Balkan, and Middle East history, joins Thanos Davelis to look into Turkey’s renewed threats against Greece and break down what a Greco-Turkish crisis in the Aegean would mean for the US.
Read Ryan Gingeras’ latest piece in War on the Rocks: An Honest Broker No Longer: The United States Between Turkey And Greece
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey’s Zero Sum Foreign Policy
Sources deny Sculptures deal report
Parthenon Marbles May Return to Greece in Exchange Deal With UK
Cyprus and US sign first bilateral defense program
National Guard hails US defence cooperation programme
This week it was announced that Italy’s ENI and France’s Total are expediting plans to develop hydrocarbons off the coast of Cyprus following the discovery of another natural gas field, Zeus-1. This newest discovery “reaffirms the promising potential” of the East Med at a time when Europe is looking for alternatives to Russian gas. At the same time, Nicosia is also considering a proposal for a pipeline that would bring natural gas from Israel to Cyprus. Dr. Theodoros Tsakiris, an Associate Professor for Geopolitics and Energy Policy at the University of Nicosia, joins Thanos Davelis to explain why these latest developments are significant, and look at what they mean for Cyprus’s role in the energy puzzle of the Eastern Mediterranean.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Eni, Total announce sizeable new gas discovery off Cyprus
Cyprus: Plant to process Israeli gas for export an option
Greece to double subsidy on energy bills to 840 mln euros in January
Turkey says Sweden 'not even halfway' to NATO candidacy
Turkey: Sweden still has requirements to meet to join NATO
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis became the first Greek prime minister to visit the historic Greek minority in southern Albania in over 30 years on Thursday. Expectations were great in the community, not just because of the symbolic significance of the visit, but also because people hope to see a willingness from Athens to address some of the key challenges they face - whether it’s standing up for their rights, or helping the community economically. Mitsotakis was accompanied by Olympic gold medalist Pyrros Dimas, a native of the region. Nikos Efstathiou, the deputy editor in chief at the weekly magazine LiFO, a former journalist with Kathimerini, and an author who has written a recently published book on Pyrros Dimas that gives in-depth insights into the experience of the Greek minority in Albania, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the significance of this week’s visit by Prime Minister Mitsotakis.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Gloom hanging over southern Albania set to clear
Mitsotakis: Ethnic Greek minority in Albania is ‘bridge of friendship’
BoG: Do not risk our upgrade
Warning of growth slowdown
Turkey keeps up overflights in Aegean
In the wake of WWII, Europeans formed the Coal and Steel Community to break Germany’s monopoly over coal and steel and secure peace on the continent for nearly 80 years. This peace is at risk today as revisionist countries like Russia and Turkey look to use their monopolies on gas shipments to threaten, coerce and extort Europe, putting the post World War II rules-based order at risk. Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and former Pentagon official, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what the EU can learn from the Coal and Steel Community if it is going to maintain peace and security, discuss where Greece and Cyprus fit in this narrative, and break down the role the US can - and should - play in supporting its European allies.
Read Michael Rubin’s latest here:
Europe 2.0 starts in Greece and Cyprus
The Dangerous Lesson Turkey’s Erdogan Learned From Putin
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Eni, Total announce sizeable new gas discovery off Cyprus
FM Dendias: EU perspective a one-way road for Albania
Mitsotakis to visit villages in southern Albania on Thursday
Pope Francis made headlines this week with his decision to return to Greece fragments of the Parthenon sculptures that the Vatican has held in its museum. This, along with recent reports of negotiations between Greece and Britain over the return of the Parthenon sculptures, has once again put this issue in the spotlight. Angelos Chaniotis, a professor of ancient history and Classics at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, NJ, joins me to discuss the significance of this decision by Pope Francis, assess whether ongoing talks are moving the issue of the return of the Parthenon sculptures closer to the finish line, and look at what can be done to break the decades-long deadlock with the British Museum.
Read Prof. Angelos Chaniotis’ latest in Kathimerini: The Parthenon Sculptures. Now what?
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Pope Francis to Return 3 Parthenon Marble Fragments to Greece
Germany hands over 20 looted Benin Bronzes to Nigeria
PM expects 2022 tourism revenues of at least 18 bln euros
2022’s unlikely economic winners
Swedish court blocks extradition of journalist sought by Turkey in Nato deal
Turkey fumes at Sweden in NATO membership dispute
With Greece inching toward general elections next year, there are concerns that a series of issues both inside and outside Greece, the latest Qatargate scandal being one of them, could potentially fan anti-systemic sentiment and see voters give a boost to the extremes of the political spectrum. This could impact the formation of a future government, as polls show it is most likely the case that the party finishing first will need to form a coalition government. This has prompted some observers to express concerns about the elections bringing about destabilization. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini English Edition, joins Thanos Davelis to break down his latest piece - “Post-election coalitions, geopolitical concerns” - and look at the questions these developments raise ahead of elections.
Read Tom Ellis’ latest op-ed in Kathimerini here: Post-election coalitions, geopolitical concerns
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
EU member countries reach compromise on gas price cap
EU agrees on gas price cap, skeptics denounce it as an ‘illusion’
Despite Ankara’s efforts to normalize relations with Cairo, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi delivered a new blow to the Turkish-Libyan maritime memorandum this week with a decree unilaterally declaring Egypt’s maritime border with Libya. This decree builds on the agreement between Greece and Egypt in 2020 that delimits their EEZs, and serves as a shield for Greece’s rights in the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly south of the island of Crete. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why this latest move by Egypt’s president is significant for Greece, and look at the message it sends to both Ankara and the Tripoli-cased government in Libya.
Read Vassilis Nedos’ latest piece in Kathimerini: Sisi’s maritime declaration shields Crete
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Pope returns Greece’s Parthenon Sculptures in ecumenical nod
US, Russia stall Turkey's ground operation, but Kurdish gains under threat
A Turkish court has sentenced Istanbul’s popular mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu - who could potentially face off against Erdogan in the upcoming elections - to more than two years in prison and barred him from politics. This has been described as a “major setback for democracy” in Turkey as the country prepares for elections next year. It also follows a trend of democratic backsliding that has seen the Erdogan regime use the courts to sideline or silence key opposition figures and journalists. Howard Eissenstat, an Associate Professor of Middle East history at St. Lawrence University and a Turkey expert, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this development, look at what it means for the upcoming elections in Turkey, and break down how it could impact US-Turkey relations.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu sentenced to jail over ‘fools’ insult
Istanbul mayor sentenced to jail and barred from politics over ‘idiots’ insult
Greece repays euro zone bailout loans early for first time-source
Greece's Mitsotakis says EU leaders close to gas price cap deal
Mitsotakis calls for EU agreement on gas price caps by Monday
Today we’re going from the halls of Congress to the European Parliament to Turkey, in an all encompassing episode with HALC’s Executive Director Endy Zemenides, who joins Thanos Davelis to look at a number of key developments that have dominated the headlines. We breaking down the significance of the final text of the National Defense Authorization Act that Congress unveiled - which did not include an amendment on F-16 sales to Turkey - and the chances of a potential sale going through Congress, look into Qatargate, and discuss the decision by a Turkish court to sentence Istanbul’s mayor and a potential rival to Turkish President Erdogan in the upcoming elections to jail with a political ban.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey’s stance towards Finland, Sweden weakens NATO
EU Parliament ‘under attack’ as Qatar corruption scandal grows
Turkish court sentences Erdogan rival to jail with political ban
Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu sentenced to jail over ‘fools’ insult
Greek banks to subsidize interest rate rises for vulnerable borrowers
Greek-US ties are at an all-time high, and those reading the headlines will surely be aware of the strong defense ties between the two countries. While US-Greek defense ties are crucial, American investments are also a significant part of this equation. Over the last years major US companies - including a number of giants in the tech sector - have given Greece a vote of confidence, boosting innovation and helping Greece as it looks to transform and digitize its economy. Dr. George Tzogopoulos joins Thanos Davelis to break down how the excellent status of Greek-American relations is also reflected in the economic sphere, and look at how the US-Greece cooperation in tech - through key investments by major US tech giants in the country - can unleash innovation in Greece and the region.
Dr. George Tzogopoulos is a lecturer at the European Institute of Nice (CIFE), and senior fellow at the Hellenic Foundation for European & Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP) and at the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies in Ramat Gan, Israel.
Read George Tzogopoulos’ latest pieces here:
Why Greek-American tech cooperation matters
The US Economic Presence in Greece
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
The long rise and abrupt fall of Greek MEP Eva Kaili
More than €1.5 mln in cash seized from homes of Kaili and Panzeri
Eva Kaili dismisses corruption allegations amid Qatar probe
Greek Roma leaders urge calm after teen shot by police dies
Turkey has been bombing northeast Syria and the SDF - America’s indispensable allies in the fight against the Islamic State - since November, and it appears that Ankara is massing more troops on the Syrian border, threatening a cross-border ground operation. Expert David Phillips joins Thanos Davelis to look at whether a Turkish ground operation in Syria is on the horizon, why Turkey’s aggression against the Syrian Kurds is a gift to the Islamic State, and break down what steps the United States should take to make it clear to Ankara that it stands with its Kurdish partners and that this aggression is unacceptable.
David Phillips is Director of the Program on Human Rights and Peacebuilding at Columbia University. He has also served as a Senior Adviser and Foreign Affairs Expert at the State Department during the Clinton, Bush, and Obama administrations.
Read David Phillips’ piece in The National Interest here: Turkish Aggression in Syria Is a Gift to ISIS
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Erdoğan warns Greece that Turkish missiles can reach Athens
Erdogan threatens Greece with missile strike
Greek foreign minister slams Turkey’s missile threat
Turkey’s stance towards Finland, Sweden weakens NATO
The Biden administration imposed sanctions on Thursday on prominent Turkish businessman Sitki Ayan and his network of firms, accusing him of acting as a facilitator for oil sales and money laundering on behalf of Iran. The move only came after an in-depth report in Politico which highlighted how Ayan, who has close ties to Turkish President Erdogan, helped Tehran dodge US sanctions. Expert Sinan Ciddi joins Thanos Davelis to break down this story and the Turkey-Iran connection, and look at why, despite being aware of his activities, the US government was reluctant to sanction Ayan until after Politico broke the story.
Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he contributes to FDD’s Turkey Program and Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP). He is also an Associate Professor of Security Studies at the Command and Staff College-Marine Corps University and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
The Turkish connection: How Erdoğan’s confidant helped Iran finance terror
Exclusive: U.S. puts sanctions on Turkish businessman, citing links to Iran's Quds Force
Greece passes intelligence bill banning the sale of spyware
Turkey oil tanker logjam snarls Russia oil sanctions
EU and Western Balkans leaders met in Albania this week for a summit meant to reassure the region of its future in the EU. For the six Western Balkans countries gaining full EU membership still remains a distant goal, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has pushed EU leaders to focus on bringing the region closer to the bloc. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was also in Albania for the summit, where he held key meetings with his Albanian counterpart. Dr. Ioannis Armakolas, an Associate Professor at the University of Macedonia and Senior Research Fellow & Head of the South-East Europe Programme at ELIAMEP, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the significance of the latest EU–Western Balkans Summit, and look at the messages Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ visit to Albania sent about relations between the two countries.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
EU, Western Balkans boost partnership amid Ukraine war
EU-Western Balkans summit: Accession 'is a two-way street'
“What’s needed is a common vision shared by the prime ministers of Greece & Albania”
Albania belongs in the heart of Europe, Mitsotakis tells archbishop
Greece seeks ‘win-win’ deal on Parthenon Sculptures in UK
Sen. Menendez states that he will not approve F-16 sale to Turkey
Over a decade after the abandonment of a pipeline project designed to take Russian crude through Bulgarian territory to Greece, Athens and Sophia are now reviving the project - this time without Moscow’s participation. Talks are centered on reversing the direction of the original pipeline, instead bringing oil from Alexandroupoli on the Aegean coast to Bulgaria and possibly Romania. John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist based in Athens and Al Jazeera’s southeast Europe correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to look at this latest energy project that could see Greece’s geopolitical status elevated even further.
Read John Psaropoulos’ latest reports here:
Greece, Bulgaria discuss oil pipeline bypassing Bosphorus Strait
Ukraine war will make renewables top electricity source: IEA
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Bypassing the Bosporus
Ankara renews invasion threats
Turkey issues new threat against Greece over Aegean islands
NDAA warns against unauthorized territorial overflights
A new government program in Greece is looking to give young Greeks a shot at becoming homeowners, offering mortgages for as little as 1% to address an affordability crisis. The move comes as many young Greeks are being priced out of the property market and forced to cover the cost of soaring rents despite little rise in their real incomes. Eleni Varvitsioti, the Financial Times correspondent for Greece and Cyprus based in Athens, joins Thanos Davelis to look at this latest government proposal and break down whether it can be a game changer for young Greeks, giving them a real chance at homeownership.
Read Eleni Varvitsioti’s latest report in the Financial Times: Cheap loans set to give young Greeks a shot at a home of their own
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece, Britain discussing Parthenon Sculptures return but deal not close, Athens says
Parthenon Sculptures high on agenda
Enlargement back on EU’s agenda at Western Balkans summit
PM in Tirana on Tuesday to attend EU-Western Balkans
On Friday Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias hosted his Albanian counterpart in Athens in a visit that comes ahead of a trip next week by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Albania. This has put Greece’s relationship with its northern neighbor and its broader diplomatic approach to the Western Balkans into focus. A key issue on the table will be moving forward with referring the delimitation of Greece and Albania’s EEZs to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to look at where Greek-Albanian relations are today, break down the key issues on the agenda ahead of the prime minister’s trip Albania, and place this relationship within the context of Greece’s broader approach to the Western Balkans.
Dendias, Xhacka discuss strengthening relations, Western Balkans in Athens
Athens seeking Tirana deal for Hague referral
G-7 joins EU on $60-per-barrel price cap on Russian oil
EU agrees $60 price cap on Russian oil
Syria Kurds halt joint ops with U.S.-led coalition after Turkish raids
As Turkey threatens to mount a fresh ground assault against the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces in northeast Syria, America’s Syrian Kurdish allies are warning that Washington and the Kremlin need to take a much firmer stance to prevent a Turkish offensive that will further undermine the battle against the Islamic State. While Washington has expressed “strong opposition” to a new Turkish military operation in Syria, sources have also indicated that Turkey is spurning all mediation efforts. Amberin Zaman, a senior correspondent reporting from the Middle East, North Africa and Europe exclusively for Al-Monitor, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the increasing likelihood of a Turkish offensive, the response from Washington and Moscow, and the options on the table for Syria’s Kurds.
Read Amberin Zaman’s latest reports here:
Syrian Kurdish commander says Kobani likely target of threatened Turkish ground offensive
Syrian Kurdish commander slams US response to Turkish attacks as US diplomats evacuated from Syria
American aid volunteer David Eubank says Syrian Kurds feel even more betrayed by US in wake of Turkey's most recent attacks
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece to get EU-funded anti-disinformation hub
Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary agree to boost gas grid interconnections
With time running out ahead of a Monday deadline for implementing a G7 price cap on Russian oil designed to hit Vladimir Putin's war fund, the pressure is on the EU to reach an agreement. Despite several rounds of negotiations and US pressure, the EU remains in a deadlock. Efi Koutsokosta, the EU Correspondent for Euronews and Skai TV, joins Thanos Davelis from Brussels to discuss the G7 plan and give us a behind the scenes look at the ongoing talks as diplomats work to break this impasse before the final deadline for member states to phase out all imports of Russian seaborne crude.
Read Efi Koutsoukosta’s latest piece here: EU talks to cap Russian oil prices hit impasse as key deadline nears
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece can quadruple gas export capacity by 2025
Staikouras: 2022 will set records for investments and exports
The last week has seen Greece take important steps in exercising its rights in its maritime space south and southwest of Crete. First, Athens and Cairo signed a deal on search and rescue missions across the Mediterranean - a move that follows up on their 2020 deal to delimit their exclusive economic zones. It also strikes at the heart of Turkey’s Blue Homeland doctrine. Second, Greece is expanding the area of seismic surveys for oil and gas in this area, a project underway with the US firm ExxonMobil. Expert Constantinos Filis, the Director of the Institute of Global Affairs and an associate professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the significance of these moves for Greece, and look at the messages they send.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece and Egypt sign MoU on aeronautics, maritime search & rescue
Greek Navtex is a message to Libya
Greece issues Navtex expanding area of seismic surveys south of Crete
US-backed force in Syria wants 'stronger' warnings from Washington amid Turkey threats
Syrian Kurdish commander slams US response to Turkish attacks as US diplomats evacuated from Syria
US tries to break EU deadlock over Russian oil price cap
After years of tension between Turkey and Egypt, Turkish President Erdogan and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi shook hands at the opening of the World Cup in Qatar in what Cairo described as a new start in bilateral relations. Despite this meeting, there are still a number of unresolved issues between the two countries, from Libya, to the Eastern Mediterranean, to Turkey’s support of the Muslim Brotherhood. The effort by Erdogan to court Egypt comes as Cairo and Athens have taken steps to deepen their relations. Dr. Nervana Mahmoud joins Thanos Davelis to break down whether we are seeing a thaw in relations between Ankara and Cairo, what steps Cairo still expects to see from Ankara, and where Greek-Egyptian relations fit in the broader discussion.
Dr. Nervana Mahmoud is a regional observer and independent commentator who writes mainly about Egypt, liberal Islam, women rights, radicalism, and wider issues about the Middle East. Her work has been featured in major outlets and publications. She also publishes a regular newsletter on Egypt.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Egypt and Greece: It’s time to cement our bonds
Turkey, Egypt delegations held meetings after leaders' handshake -sources
Erdogan says Turkish, Egyptian ministers to meet in process of building ties
Egypt signs deals with Greece amid talk of rapprochement with Turkey
Bypassing the Bosporus
Anastasiades to EU: Cypriot gas is waiting
Turkish fighter jets carried out dozens of airstrikes in northern Syria and Iraq on Sunday, in what Turkish officials said was a retaliation for a bombing in Istanbul last week. Ankara has blamed the PKK and the YPG in Syria for the bombing, despite both denying any involvement, and, as many have pointed out, there are still a number of questions around the attack that have yet to be answered. As the dust settles following Turkey’s airstrikes, Erdogan is now suggesting the offensive could be widened into a ground operation. Expert Alan Makovsky joins Thanos Davelis to discuss whether these airstrikes are the precursor to another Turkish incursion into Syria, look at how this fits in with Erdogan’s political calculations ahead of elections next year, and examine what such a move by Turkey would mean for its relations with the US.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Erdogan says Turkey's strikes in Syria, Iraq may lead to ground offensive
Syrian Kurdish commander says Kobani likely target of threatened Turkish ground offensive
The Istanbul Terror Attack Is More Than It Seems
Greece: Boat with hundreds of migrants safely towed to port
Egypt, Greece sign deals on migrant rescues, agriculture
Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias’ planned visit last week to Tripoli, Libya, to meet the head of Libya’s Presidential Council, Mohamed Menfi, ended before it even started when the Tripoli-based government’s foreign minister Najla Mangoush, who signed an illegal energy exploration deal with Turkey, that tried to force a meeting at the airport. Dendias refused to meet Mangoush, and without exiting the plane departed Tripoli and flew to Benghazi and Tobruk, where Libya’s parliament sits. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis as we look into what this means for relations between Greece and Libya.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Athens-Tripoli relations in crisis mode
Erdogan, Sisi meet in Qatar after years of acrimony
Turkey Bombs Kurdish Foes in Iraq and Syria, Likely Killing Dozens
Turkey strikes in Syria, Iraq a week after Istanbul bombing
Erdogan says Turkey's strikes in Syria, Iraq may lead to ground offensive
Tourism about to register an all-time revenue record
Greek economic growth seen lower in 2023 amid energy woes
On Thursday the UN and other parties said an agreement that unblocked grain shipments from Ukraine and helped temper rising global food prices was to be extended by four months. There was a fear earlier this month that the deal would collapse after Russia’s President Putin abruptly pulled out. After rejoining, Turkish President Erdogan boasted that his relationship with Putin was key to restoring the agreement. Ayla Jean Yackley, a journalist covering Turkey with stories in The Financial Times, Politico, and other major outlets, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the significance of this grain deal, and look at how it shines light on Erdogan and Putin’s deep ties.
Read Ayla Jean Yackley’s latest in The Financial Times:
Ukraine Black Sea grain export deal extended
‘One hand washes the other’: grain deal shines light on Erdoğan’s ties to Putin
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Athens-Tripoli relations in crisis mode
Greek, Israeli defense ministers stress importance of ties
A potential EU-wide cap on gas prices - an initiative supported by Greece - hangs in the balance as Brussels has yet to present a legislative proposal needed for its creation, while countries remain divided over the issue even as energy ministers prepare to meet next week to hammer out a deal ahead of what could be a difficult winter. Instead, the European Commission circulated a paper outlining what this gas price “correction mechanism” could look like. Efi Koutsokosta, the EU Correspondent for Euronews and Skai TV, who had access to this outline, joins me to look at what’s on the table, why there are still divisions within Europe to this proposal, and the main challenges ahead as winter approaches.
Read Efi Koutsokosta’s latest reporting in Euronews: Energy crisis: EU gas cap will be 'immediately' suspended if LNG cargoes go elsewhere, officials say
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Dendias cuts visit to Tripoli short after Libyan official tries to ‘force’ meeting
Hello, goodbye: Greek minister lands in Tripoli, then immediately takes off again
Greeks march to commemorate 1973 student uprising
Greece: Thousands march on anniversary of student uprising
Senator Bob Menendez led a stinging indictment of US policy in the Caucasus during a Senate hearing on Wednesday in which he called out the State Department’s both-siderism, citing its apparent refusal to clearly and unequivocally condemn Azerbaijani aggression. This all comes as the US is trying to broker a peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Aram Hamparian, the Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America, joins Thanos Davelis to break down how this hearing shed light on the State Department’s deeply flawed policies in this region and the dangers of America’s both-siderism, and look at the key bills on the table that could give the US a stronger hand in addressing aggression in the region.
Watch the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s hearing here: Assessing U.S. Policy In The Caucasus
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
US hosts talks between Armenia, Azerbaijan’s foreign ministers
Chairman Menendez Grills State Department Officials on U.S. Aid to Azerbaijan; Lack of US assistance to Artsakh
US representatives keep up pressure for strings on F-16 sale to Turkey
Erdogan says military threat to Greece a ‘basic principle’
Prime Minister Mistotakis’ recent participation at COP27 in Egypt and the latest announcements by Greece that it is exploring for hydrocarbons at sea have put a renewed focus on energy in the Eastern Mediterranean, specifically Greece’s role as a key energy player. Greece’s gas ambitions, as the Prime Minister spelled out at COP27, are just a part of the broader picture as key investments in renewables are changing the energy landscape in the country. John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist based in Athens and Al Jazeera’s southeast Europe correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how a nexus of electricity cables, renewables, and possible pipelines are transforming Greece into an important production and import-export energy hub in the region.
Read John Psaropoulos’ latest article here:
Greece’s gas dreams are just a part of its enormous energy ambitions
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ interview on Bloomberg TV
Biden meets with Turkish President Erdoğan
White House readout of President Biden’s meeting with President Erdogan
NATO to hold crisis talks after ‘Russian-made’ missile hits Poland
Biden: ‘Unlikely’ missile that hit Poland fired from Russia
While votes are still being counted following last Tuesday’s midterm elections in the US, there are a few things we can say with certainty. The anticipated Republican “red wave” failed to materialize, Democrats will hold the Senate, meaning Senator Menendez will remain Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Greek American and Philhellenic candidates across the country had a great night. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why these midterms were history defying, and why the Greek-American community and Hellenic interests were among the big winners.
Read Endy Zemenides’ latest in Kathimerini: US Election 2022: Winners, losers and what it means for the next two years
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Istanbul: Six dead, dozens wounded in Turkey explosion
Turkey Accuses U.S. of Complicity in Istanbul Attack That Killed 6
Kurdish militants deny Turkish claims they carried out Istanbul attack
New Commission assessment could slash debt
Greek bond reopening raises €200 mln
This week Sweden’s Prime Minister went to Turkey in a bid to convince President Erdogan to green light its NATO membership bid. Instead, Erdogan demanded Sweden do more to get his approval. Holding up Sweden’s membership to NATO isn’t the only area where Turkey is creating problems for the transatlantic alliance. Its aggression against Greece - a NATO ally - has dominated headlines, while Ankara’s claims to half the Aegean and its questions over the sovereignty of Greek islands are mirror images of Beijing’s “salami slicing” tactics in the South China Sea. Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a former Pentagon official, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the challenges this behavior poses, and look at how the US should respond.
Read Michael Rubin’s articles here:
If Sweden won't stand up to Turkey, the US should
The U.S. Military’s Next Problem: ‘Salami-Slicing’ Is Going Global
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece hopeful will find hydrocarbons to last a decade
Energy minister: Gas exploration starts off southwest Greece
Greek economy to grow 1% in 2023
With the US midterms behind us, we are turning our attention back to the Eastern Mediterranean, where Greece, Cyprus, and Turkey are all getting ready for national elections in 2023. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini English Edition, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the general climate as the region moves into this pre-election period. We’ll break down the key issues that are likely to be at the top of voters’ minds in Greece such as the cost of living, the ongoing wiretapping scandal, and tensions with Turkey, while also exploring what to keep an eye out for in Turkey and Cyprus.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greek Prime Minister Denies He’s Behind Wiretapping of Ministers
Spyware affair tarnishes Greece’s restored image
The Path Ahead In Turkey’s Upcoming Electoral Campaign
‘Historic day’ hailed for Elefsis Shipyards
Greece mulling various proposals for new corvettes
Greece is kicking off a delayed natural gas exploration project with ExxonMobil, reserving two areas off southwestern Greece this week. Potential natural gas reserves in the area are estimated to be between 70-90 trillion cubic feet, which would meet all of Greece’s gas needs and potentially cover 15-20 percent of Europe’s natural gas needs as well. The decision comes at a critical time as Greece is cementing its role as a regional energy hub, and as European countries are working to break their dependence on Russian gas. Dr. Theodoros Tsakiris joins Thanos Davelis to break down why this move is significant and could be a game-changer in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Dr. Theodoros Tsakiris is an Associate Professor for Geopolitics and Energy Policy at the University of Nicosia, and is the Coordinator of the Task Force for the Expedition of Hydrocarbons Exploration and Production at the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Greece. The views expressed in this interview are his personal opinions.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greek PM: Gas exploration to start off Crete in coming days
Gas exploration to start west of Crete
Sweden’s leader vows to counter terror threats to Turkey
Turkey's Erdogan wants Swedish action on anti-terrorism for NATO bid approval
International cooperation in education is a ‘common goal’ for Greece and the US
Thirty US unis in Athens forging ties
We’re going on the campaign trail on today’s episode for an up-close look at the US midterm elections that are finding Americans deeply polarized. Petros Kasfikis, the Washington DC correspondent for the Athens News Agency and Greece’s Mega TV, who has been on the road covering key races in Pennsylvania and New Hampshire where he is following Representative Chris Pappas’s re-election campaign, joined Thanos Davelis on election day to give us the view from the campaign trail. We break down the overall climate among voters and look at what’s at stake for key Hellenic issues and broader US foreign policy as well. Our discussion took place before the polls closed on Tuesday.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Fetterman beats Oz to flip Pennsylvania Senate seat for Dems
Pappas Wins Re-election in New Hampshire, Holding Off Trump Acolyte
Malliotakis Defends N.Y.C. House Seat, Toppling Familiar Democratic Foe
Democrat Alexi Giannoulias wins race for Illinois secretary of state
Alexandroupoli port sale is off
Turkey’s worsening economic crisis has eroded President Erdogan’s popularity ahead of elections in 2023, threatening to oust him from power for the first time in two decades. Yet a large number of voters continue to support him despite his role in creating the crisis. During his twenty years in power Erdogan has developed widespread patronage networks and built clientelistic relationships that have helped sustain his rule, paying him back for the favors in money, public relations, and votes. Merve Tahiroglu, the director of POMED’s Turkey Program, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this network of patronage and clientelism, and break down why it matters with elections on the horizon.
Read Merve Tahrigolu’s latest for POMED here: Cronies in Crisis: Economic Woes, Clientelism, and Elections in Turkey
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Head of Cyprus Church, Archbishop Chrysostomos, dies aged 81
Greece to ban sale of spyware amid wiretapping scandal
Mitsotakis dismisses newspaper wiretapping claims as ‘shame and disgrace’
Learn about HALC's #NoJetsForTurkey campaign and take action here: https://hellenicleaders.salsalabs.org/nojetsforturkeyletter/index.html
The latest visit to Turkey of Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz has put the Israel-Turkey relationship in the spotlight. Despite the continued tensions on a number of issues - from Turkey’s hosting of Hamas to Turkish President Erdogan’s aggressive rhetoric in the past against Israel - Ankara and Jerusalem have taken several steps to improve relations this year. Sinan Ciddi, the co-author of a recent piece in The National Interest titled “The Limits of Turkey’s Charm Offensive”, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss Erdogan’s charm offensive with Israel, what’s motivating Ankara to try and mend relations with Jerusalem, and whether this effort is, at best, window dressing on a cold peace.
Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he contributes to FDD’s Turkey Program and Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP). He is also an Associate Professor of Security Studies at the Command and Staff College-Marine Corps University and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
Read Sinan Ciddi and David May’s latest piece in The National Interest: The Limits of Turkey’s Israeli Charm Offensive
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greek central bank chief: ECB should slow rate hikes, needs allies in inflation battle
Greece urged to dig harder on phone surveillance scandal
MEPs urge Greece to do more to investigate spyware scandal
Learn about HALC's #NoJetsForTurkey campaign and take action here: https://hellenicleaders.salsalabs.org/nojetsforturkeyletter/index.html
Today we’re heading to Washington, DC, where the US Supreme Court recently turned down Turkey's bid to dismiss 2 lawsuits against it filed by demonstrators in the now infamous attack by Turkish President Erdogan’s bodyguards that took place at Sheridan Circle in 2017. Andreas Akaras, an attorney from the firm Bregman, Berbert, Schwartz & Gilday, LLC who also represents the anti-Erdogan protesters, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what this Supreme Court decision means in the effort to hold Turkey accountable for the attack at Sheridan Circle, and look at what comes next in this landmark case.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Supreme Court rejects Turkey’s bid to stop US brawl lawsuits
Erdogan makes drilling plans clear
Akar says Turkey open to talks with Greece
NATO chief to Turkey: It’s time to admit Finland, Sweden
The UN Security Council recently extended the mandate of the UN mission to Libya – known as UNSMIL – for another year, a move welcomed by Greek diplomats. This decision puts the spotlight on the situation in Libya, where the Tripoli government seems to be giving Turkey a blank check as we’ve seen with the recent illegal Turkish-Libyan MoU on energy exploitation and Ankara’s increasing military footprint in western Libya. At the same time, Athens has urged the US to press the interim government to come to the table with Greece. Expert Aya Burweila joins Thanos Davelis to break down these developments, what they mean for Greece and the region, and more importantly, how they are playing out within Libya.
Aya Burweila is a Libyan expert from Benghazi based in Athens, is the founder and director of the non-profit Code on the Road, and a BBC Woman Expert in Terrorism and Radicalization.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Athens hails extension of UN mission to Libya
Greece wants Libya to talk about EEZ
Cavusoglu issues fresh threat against Greece
Dendias responds to recent comments by Cavusoglu
State Department reiterates US position for federal Cyprus solution
Unficyp stepping up patrols in buffer zone
On Tuesday Israelis went to the polls for the fifth time in four years, and analysts expected a tight race for the 120-member Knesset, Israel's parliament. As Israelis wait for the final results of these elections, which are expected later this week, countries in the region - from Greece and Cyprus to the UAE - are also watching the results closely. Seth Frantzman, the Senior Middle East Correspondent and Middle East affairs analyst at The Jerusalem Post, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how these elections may impact the Middle East and Israel’s relations with countries in the broader region.
Read Seth Frantzman’s analysis in The Jerusalem Post: How Israel’s elections may impact the Middle East
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
US ties with Greece are ‘deep’ and ‘strong,’ House Foreign Affairs Committee chair tells Kathimerini
EXCLUSIVE Greece to borrow up to 8 bln euros from bond markets in 2023
On Friday Finland and Sweden’s prime ministers said they will join NATO at the same time, presenting a united front to Turkey which has raised questions about both their applications. All NATO members, besides Turkey and Hungary, have approved their bids. The new Swedish government has also stated that it will fulfill all requirements under a deal signed earlier this year with Turkey to join the alliance, a key priority for the country amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Earlier in October, however, Turkish President Erdogan said that his country still opposed Sweden's bid. Dr. Paul Levin, the director of the Institute for Turkish Studies at Stockholm University in Sweden, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why Turkey is still holding up the Nordic countries’ accession, and look at how this is playing out in Sweden and across the alliance.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Finland, Sweden promise to join NATO together in united front to Turkey
EXCLUSIVE In letter, Sweden lists 'concrete actions' on Turkey's concerns over NATO bid
Sweden’s top diplomat: We’ll fulfil deal with Turkey on NATO
Supreme Court rejects Turkey’s bid to stop US brawl lawsuits
Greece wants Libya to talk about EEZ
Thanks to investments in the port of Alexandroupolis and the start of the commercial operation of the IGB pipeline, Greece is emerging as a key player in the region. The operation of a second natural gas pipeline from Greece to North Macedonia now presents an opportunity for the region to connect even further and for Greece to cement its role as an energy hub. At the same time, European Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen is in the midst of a goodwill trip through the Western Balkans to drum up support for the EU, making it clear it is of the “utmost importance” for the EU to invest further in the Western Balkans. Alexandra Voudouri joins Thanos Davelis to discuss how energy is changing the geopolitical landscape in the Balkans, break down the opportunities this presents for Greece, and look at the role the EU is playing.
Alexandra Voudouri is a foreign and political affairs analyst for Macropolis.gr as well as the municipal radio station Athina 9.84 FM, and is a research associate for ELIAMEP’s South East Europe program. Her focus is mainly on developments in Southeastern Europe and in the Balkans.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
EU revisits Balkans to win friends, seek more influence
Energy fever in the Balkans
‘Moment of truth’ has come for Western Balkans, says EU commissioner
EU executive recommends Bosnia become candidate member
Greece urges cuts in peak-hour use of energy-intensive appliances
Lebanon and Israel sign sea border deal
Israel, Lebanon finalise maritime demarcation deal without mutual recognition
Every year on October 28th Greece remembers its entry into World War II and the moment in 1940 when it refused to surrender to Mussolini’s Italy, choosing to fight for independence and against fascism. Greek resistance to fascist Italy and then Nazi Germany inspired many in occupied Europe, and came at a time when the Axis seemed invincible. This year’s commemoration comes as people across the world - from Ukraine to Iran - are fighting against the odds for their independence, their democracy, and their human rights. Professor Roderick Beaton joins Thanos Davelis to break down the significance of OXI Day, and look at how this story continues to inspire today.
Professor Beaton is the Emeritus Koraes Professor of Modern Greek and Byzantine History, Language and Literature at King's College London. His recent work includes authoring the acclaimed books The Greeks: A Global History and Greece: Biography of a Modern Nation.
You can acquire Professor Roderick Beaton’s latest books here:
The Greeks: A Global History
Greece: Biography of a Modern Nation
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
EU expanding border guard presence along busy Balkan route
Scholz condemns challenges against Greek sovereignty
Germany’s Scholz exhorts Turkey to respect Greek ‘sovereignty’
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who arrived in Athens on Wednesday evening, kicked off his visit to Greece on Thursday morning with a visit to the Acropolis with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Scholz is the first German chancellor to visit Greece in the post-Merkel era. This visit comes one year after former Chancellor Angela Merkel was in Athens, and the dynamics are drastically different as the war in Ukraine is impacting Europe’s understanding of the world. Dr. George Tzogopoulos joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the broader significance of this visit, the opportunities it presents for Greece and Germany to turn a new page in their relationship, and its potential to impact broader questions about Europe’s trajectory.
Dr. George Tzogopoulos is a lecturer at the European Institute of Nice (CIFE), and senior fellow at the Hellenic Foundation for European & Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP) and at the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies in Ramat Gan, Israel.
Read Giorgos Tzogopoulos’s latest piece in Kathimerini: German chancellor’s visit to Greece
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Scholz visit a chance to rectify ties
Turkish doctor detained for proposing chemical weapons probe
Turkey arrests doctors' chief for 'terror propaganda'
Young Greeks priced out as inflation, rents soar
Migration is back in the headlines this week, as the UN released a report warning of increasing numbers of deaths on routes across the Mediterranean, on land borders to Europe and within the continent. The news comes as Greece’s migration ministry released statistics of an 80% increase in migrant arrivals, as Europe turns its attention to curbing migration via the so-called Balkan route, and as Human Rights Watch slammed Turkey in a scathing report pointing out how Ankara has deported Syrian refugees back to Syria. Expert Angeliki Dimitriadi, a research fellow at the Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi) in Berlin who contributes to the institute’s work on migration, joins Thanos Davelis to look into these latest developments and the questions they raise about Europe’s migration policy.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Migrant arrivals up 80% compared to last year
Germany, EU push to curb migration via Balkan route
More than 29,000 migrants to Europe died since 2014
Turkey: Hundreds of Refugees Deported to Syria
Sweden’s top diplomat: We’ll fulfill deal with Turkey on NATO
Gas crunch eases in Europe — but the respite might not last
On Tuesday, November 8th, Americans will be heading to the polls to vote in a midterm election that many anticipate will have an enormous impact on the direction of the US. While it looked like Democrats may have gained some momentum late this summer, polling shows that Republicans are regaining the edge, meaning the leadership of the House and the Senate is up for grabs. The outcome of the midterms could also be crucial for Hellenic issues, as a number of Greek-Americans are up for re-election or in key races across the country. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins me to discuss what’s at stake this November. We look at what these midterms could mean for the Greek-American presence on Capitol Hill and across the country, and how these midterms could impact policy on Greece, Cyprus and the broader Eastern Mediterranean.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
US midterm elections: Why are they so important?
Why Republicans Are Surging
Why This Election Is So Weird
Gov’t pledges continued support for vulnerable households, businesses
Turkey’s finance minister defends economic ties with Russia
Russian Superyachts Find Safe Haven in Turkey, Raising Concerns in Washington
The Mediterranean, which connects Europe, Africa and the Middle East, is once again on the frontlines of important developments - as it stands at the crossroads of multiple crises engineered by Russia as part of its effort to weaken Europe’s resolve. In addition, China and Iran are looking to make inroads into the region, while countries like Turkey have also embraced a disruptive role, challenging the existing order at sea. As the Mediterranean becomes more turbulent, what does this mean for the United States? Thibault Muzergues, the Europe & Euro-Med program director at the International Republican Institute and author of the book War in Europe?, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how the Mediterranean is becoming a contested space, what this means for the West and the US, and why Washington cannot afford to neglect this region.
Thibault Muzergues is speaking in his own capacity, and his views are not representative of the International Republican Institute.
Read Thibault Muzergues’ latest piece in War On The Rocks: The Next Mediterranean Front Line
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
With eye on Turkey, Greece opens Israeli-built flight school
Germany gives ground and allows EU to edge toward energy price cap
EU leaders hail breakthrough in gas cap plan to tackle energy crisis
Late last week 92 asylum seekers were found by Greek police and European border guards stripped naked at the Evros border between Greece and Turkey. Questions about this incident spilled over onto Twitter, where Greece and Turkey traded accusations about what happened as Greece’s officials said that Turkey orchestrated the incident. In 2020 Turkey encouraged migrants to storm the Evros border, and since then there’s been an ongoing information war over migration. The issue has also become a central part of Turkey’s broader narrative as it ramps up tensions with Greece in the Aegean, prompting fears that a possible military incident could trigger a wider conflict. John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist based in Athens and Al Jazeera’s southeast Europe correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis.
Read John Psaropoulos’ latest coverage:
Greece, Turkey spar on Twitter after 92 refugees found stripped
Could Greece, Turkey tensions spill into open conflict?
Follow Hellenica for more exclusive coverage by John Psaropoulos
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
New rift opens between Erdogan, US
EU leaders avoid deep rift on gas price cap at energy summit
Brussels Playbook: Summit summary
While everyone’s attention is on Ukraine, key developments in Syria have gone under the radar. Recent reports put the spotlight on Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the jihadi faction that runs the northwestern province of Idlib, which had moved into Afrin, the Kurdish-majority enclave that was occupied by Turkey in 2018. This move, and the broader trend we are seeing of gradual HTS expansion and consolidation have raised questions about where Turkey stands in this power grab as it’s an open secret that Turkey and HTS collaborate on the ground. Amberin Zaman, a senior correspondent reporting from the Middle East, North Africa and Europe exclusively for Al-Monitor, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what’s at stake in northern Syria.
Read Amberin Zaman’s piece in Al Monitor here: Are Syria’s HTS jihadis Turkey’s new friends?
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Zelenskyy thanks Greece for tanks, EU bid, solidarity
Erdoğan gears up for huge pre-election spending spree in Turkey
Turkey set to increase defense spending
This week is largely seen as crucial for European leaders as they work to make sure rising energy prices and short supplies do not further tank their struggling economies while keeping all 27 members united in their opposition to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Leading up to this week’s key summit, the European Commission announced a set of new emergency measures - including seeking a price cap on a key gas trading hub if prices spike - aimed at helping members source and store enough gas for next year. This also comes amid calls from certain EU members who are pressing for a ninth round of sanctions against Russia. Efi Koutsokosta, the EU Correspondent for Euronews and Skai TV, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what’s at stake this week in Brussels.
Read Efi Koutsokosta's latest in Euronews: Brussels plans 'dynamic' cap to contain volatility in gas prices and curb speculation
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Mitsotakis welcomes proposed EU extra energy measures
EU faces battle to keep energy prices from tanking economy
EU proposes energy emergency measures but dodges gas price cap
MEPs reject Frontex budget over misconduct
Turkey renews threats, test fires missile
Ellinikon investment signals new era for Attica, says Mitsotakis
Tensions in the Aegean, Turkish overflights over Greek islands and its violations of Greek airspace, and the evolving story in the US over the sale of F-16s to Turkey have put the issue of air superiority in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean into focus. Today the pendulum is swinging toward Greece, as it has taken key steps to bolster its air-defense capabilities while Turkey has seen itself get kicked out of the F-35 program and had CAATSA sanctions imposed. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how the question of air superiority has played out over the years, and looks into whether this changing dynamic between the two countries is a factor in Turkey’s decision to escalate tensions with Greece.
Read the latest from Vassilis Nedos:
Ankara struggling to cover lost ground
Greek and Turkish defense ministers meet
The swing of the Turkish pendulum and Greece
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey, Greece trade accusations over 92 naked migrants
Minister alerts EU officials to incident with 92 naked migrants at Evros border
Ukraine war bolstering Cyprus’ positions
Turkey’s President Erdogan and Russia’s President Putin met this week in Kazakhstan, where Putin floated a proposal to turn Turkey into an energy hub that could feed Europe with Russian gas. On Friday, Erdogan gave the project the green light, saying that Turkey and Russia had instructed their respective energy authorities to immediately begin technical work on Putin’s proposal. This proposal raises concerns that Turkey will become even more dependent on Russia. Expert Sinan Ciddi joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this latest proposal to turn Turkey into an energy hub for Russian gas to Europe, look into why Erdogan and Putin - who have met a few times since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - seem to need each other, and break down how this is viewed in Washington, DC.
Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he contributes to FDD’s Turkey Program and Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP). He is also an Associate Professor of Security Studies at the Command and Staff College-Marine Corps University and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
‘No waiting’: Turkey, Russia to act on Putin’s gas hub offer
Why Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan need each other
EU official: East Med gas can wean bloc off Russian energy
Turkey: new ‘disinformation’ law could jail journalists for three years
Turkey passes ‘disinformation bill’ ahead of elections
Despite the fact that amendments attaching strings to the sale of F-16 fighter jets and upgrade kits to Turkey were not included in the US Senate’s version of the annual defense spending bill, or the NDAA, this week, the issue of US F-16 sales to Turkey is not over. This was made clear when Senator Menendez tweeted that he will not approve any F-16s for Turkey until Erdogan halts his campaign of aggression across the region. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why this issue is far from settled, and looks at how the upcoming midterms could impact the attitude in Congress when it comes to Turkey and the sale of F-16s.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Issue of US F-16 sales to Turkey ‘not over,’ says HALC chief
Turkey bullish about F-16 deal with Washington, despite Menendez's vow to block it
Putin courts Erdogan with plan to pump more Russian gas via Turkey
France says Turkish energy hub makes ‘no sense’
Greek and Turkish defense ministers meet
Prime Minister Mitsotakis has said that he believes Britain is edging closer to returning the Parthenon Marbles, and will raise the subject with the UK’s new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, on an upcoming visit to London this year. Mitsotakis said he believes the “mood is changing in the UK,” a reference to reports that, after decades of defensiveness, the British Museum may be ready to do a deal. When asked about the Parthenon Marbles earlier this month, however, Prime Minister Truss ruled out their return to Athens. Janet Suzman, the chair of the British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss whether now is the right time for Mitsotakis to press for a deal on the Parthenon Marbles, and to look at how attitudes in Britain are shifting on this issue in favor of their return to Greece.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greek PM will tell Liz Truss now’s the moment to return Elgin Marbles
UK Prime Minister Liz Truss rules out deal with Greece over Parthenon Marbles
Elgin Marbles: New body aims to return sculptures to Greece
EU blasts Turkey over Greek airspace violations, threats in enlargement report
Cyprus may consider transferring weapons to Ukraine, government says
The Hunt to Arm Ukraine Leads to Difficult Choices
It’s been roughly a week since Turkey and the Tripoli-based Libyan government signed an agreement on hydrocarbon exploration, a follow up agreement to their illegal 2019 memorandum on their exclusive economic zones that completely disregards geography and international law. Greece is looking to its partners and allies amid concerns that this latest deal could further escalate tensions in the region, and the issue was a central topic of discussion during Foreign Minister Dendias’ recent trip to Egypt. Constantinos Filis, the Director of the Institute of Global Affairs and an associate professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to break down whether this latest Turkey-Libya deal could escalate tensions in the region, and to look ahead and assess Greece’s diplomatic options.
Read Constantinos Filis latest in Kathimerini (In Greek): Η εξαργύρωση της στήριξής μας στο Ουκρανικό
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greek FM in Egypt for talks after Turkey’s deals with Libya
Athens sees Cairo as a foil to Ankara
US Senate drops amendments restricting F-16 sale to Turkey
Amendments restricting sale of F-16s dropped
Turkey must behave as a NATO ally
IMF sees Greece outperforming
The war in Ukraine seems to have given Turkey’s President Erdogan a renewed lease on life in Western capitals, while at the same time giving Turkey leverage to press its Western allies into ignoring its non-stop abuses - primarily directed against NATO ally Greece - simply to get Turkey to help Ukraine against Russia. This dynamic is playing out most clearly in DC with Turkey’s request to purchase advanced F-16s. Congress has put this issue front and center by introducing legislation that would condition Turkey’s ability to buy the jets. Cliff Smith, the director of the Middle East Forum’s Washington Project, joins Thanos Davelis to explain why the US should reject Turkish demands that it be allowed to use US technology to antagonize a fellow NATO member.
Read Cliff Smith’s latest piece here: Turkey’s Antagonism Of Greece Is Putting NATO To The Test
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Gas rate concern for budget
Analysts view draft budget as ‘optimistic’
Turkey's 'disinformation' bill to have pre-election 'chilling effect,' Europe watchdog says
Europe’s attention was on Prague on Thursday and Friday as the leaders of Europe’s countries, from the broader region and the EU specifically, met to tackle key issues facing the continent - from the war in Ukraine to the looming energy crisis. Aside from attempting to tackle these pressing issues, the two days also saw lingering tensions come to the forefront. Turkey’s Erdogan once again attacked Greece, while questions about energy exposed the fault lines within Europe. Efi Koutsokosta, the EU Correspondent for Euronews and Skai TV, joins Thanos Davelis to wrap up the week with the latest analysis from Prague.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Macron at Europe’s center stage with new summit initiative
European leaders giddy with new forum — as long as they overlook lingering tension
Heated exchange between Mitsotakis and Erdogan in Prague
Erdogan even more ‘isolated’ after Prague, say Greek diplomatic sources
Ν. Αναστασιάδης: Η ανοχή στην Τουρκία, δημιουργεί κινδύνους μιας νέας- εντός της Ευρώπης- σύρραξης
Europe’s Energy Crisis Exposes Old Fault Lines and New Power Dynamics
Cyprus in renewed push to extract natural gas as shortages loom in EU
Turkey suggests Sweden, Finland can join NATO separately
A close reading of recent statements and threats by President Erdogan and Turkish officials that target not only Greece, but also the US, as well as a consistent pattern of events over the last months, show that the risk of conflict between Turkey and Greece is on the rise. Ryan Gingeras, a professor in the Department of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School, an expert on Turkish, Balkan, and Middle East history, and the author of the forthcoming book The Last Days of the Ottoman Empire, joins Thanos Davelis to look at why a conflict between Greece and Turkey appears not only possible but increasingly probable, and why Erdogan - despite the risks involved - may choose to pursue this course of action.
Read Ryan Gingeras’ latest piece in War On The Rocks here: Why Erdogan Might Choose War With Greece
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Ankara eyes bigger military in Anatolia, Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus
Greek PM calls for ‘respect for international law,’ as Europe’s new club meets
Heated exchange between Mitsotakis and Erdogan in Prague
Europe holds 44-leader summit, leaves Russia in the cold
PM says EU needs to counter gas market manipulation
Tensions flare over the EU’s new irresponsible big spender: Germany
The New York Times recently took its readers to a small village in the southern Peloponnese, Iklaina, where archeologists have uncovered a site that is opening a new window into the world of the Mycenaean civilization, the world described by Homer in the Iliad and Odyssey. Dr. Michael Cosmopoulos, the endowed Professor of Greek studies and Professor of Archaeology at the University of Missouri, St. Louis, who is leading excavations at this site, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why these discoveries are changing the way we understand the world of the Mycenaean Greeks, who lived at the crossroads of history and mythology, and why this matters today.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Unearthing Everyday Life at an Ancient Site in Greece
Dramatic rescues as boats sink off Greece; at least 21 dead
Greece crafts response to Turkish moves
In 2019 Turkey signed a memorandum with the Tripoli-based government in Libya to split the Eastern Mediterranean in two, completely disregarding international law and Libya’s neighbors like Greece and Egypt. On Monday, Turkey took this a step further, announcing that it had signed an agreement with Libya’s interim government allowing for Ankara’s oil rigs and research ships to search for oil and natural gas on Libyan soil and in the maritime zone set out in the illegal 2019 memorandum. These moves were condemned by Greece, Egypt, the EU, the US, and the Libyan parliament in the east of the country, and threaten to escalate tensions further between Greece and Turkey. Angelos Syrigos, Greece’s Deputy Minister of Education and Religious Affairs and an assistant professor of International Law and Foreign Policy at Panteion University in Athens, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this latest Turkey-Libya agreement and its potential consequences for Greek-Turkish relations.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey-Libya preliminary deal prompts Greece, Egypt to push back
Ankara ratchets up tension via Libya
Turkey trying to ‘fabricate a reality’ with ‘illegal’ Libya deal
EU rejects legality of Turkey-Libya memorandum
State Department: Provisional Libyan government should not be signing new agreements
EU agrees oil price cap in new Russia sanctions plan
EU considering ‘flexibile’ gas price cap, energy chief says
Turkey’s annual inflation hits new 24-year high at 83.45%
Inflation in Turkey surges to 83%
Turkey’s inflation hits 83% as Erdogan vows to keep cutting interest rates
As EU leaders prepare to head to Prague, they will be called on to find answers to the pressing questions around rising energy costs. A small majority of EU states, including Greece, has called on Europe to place a cap on natural gas prices as a way for Europe to not only take back control of its gas market, but strike back at Russia, which is weaponizing energy to put pressure on Europe. Prime Minister Mitsotakis made this clear on Monday in an op-ed in Bloomberg, arguing that the time to act is now. Calls for a price cap, however, are coming up against German opposition, which is escalating tensions within the EU, and raising questions about German solidarity. Efi Koutsokosta, the EU Correspondent for Euronews and Skai TV, joins Thanos Davelis from Brussels to break down what’s at stake.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Prime Minister Mitsotakis in Bloomberg: Europe Can Fight Putin By Capping Gas Prices
Tensions flare over the EU’s new irresponsible big spender: Germany
EU chief: New Greece-Bulgaria gas pipeline ‘means freedom’
Greece-Bulgaria pipeline starts operations to boost non-Russian gas flows
Turkey-Libya preliminary deal prompts Greece, Egypt to push back
Dendias to meet Egyptian counterpart over Turkey-Libya memorandum
Azerbaijan’s recent attacks against Armenia have once again seen calls for the US to revoke a waiver that the current and previous administrations have issued to Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, thus cutting military aid to Azerbaijan. Given that Azerbaijan’s aggression is directly linked to Turkey, which openly supports Baku, the question has been raised whether Congress should apply a creative interpretation of Section 907 that includes Ankara as well. In the meantime, as Turkey grows more aggressive in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean, its attempts to push for a new or enhanced TurkStream should raise concerns. Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a former Pentagon official, joins Thanos Davelis to explain why it’s time to consider applying Section 907 to Turkey as well, and why the Biden administration should give trans-Turkish energy corridors the same treatment it ultimately gave Nord Stream 2.
Read Michael Rubin’s latest pieces here:
Halt Erdogan’s Aggression: Apply Section 907 To Turkey
Biden Should Kill TurkStream to Promote Transatlantic Energy Security
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Turkey revisits island status in UN letter
Greece ending Russian gas dependence
Google made a major announcement from Athens on Thursday, laying out its plans to set up its first regional cloud service hub in Greece. This investment follows major decisions by Microsoft and Amazon to set up shop in Greece, and promises to create nearly 20,000 jobs through direct investment and partnerships by the end of the decade while giving a boost to Greece’s efforts to become a regional and world cloud computing hub. Alex Patelis, the chief economic adviser to the Prime Minister of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the significance of this latest move by Google, and look at what it means for Greece’s efforts to boost its tech sector and transform its economy.
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Google to build its first cloud region in Greece
Google promises Greece 20K jobs with cloud expansion
Innovation Park to Turn Thessaloniki into Greece’s Silicon Valley
FDI jumps to 5 bln euros in Greece in 2021
Rare 1,000-year-old manuscript returned to Greece from US
EU countries to back energy windfall levies, lock horns over gas price cap
Countries ‘furious’ over EU reluctance to consider gas price cap
Turkey’s Erdogan is once again taking tensions with Greece to new heights with his statements this week accusing Greece of harboring terrorists and conducting a “covert occupation” of the eastern Aegean islands, language that is reminiscent of Putin’s statements before his invasion of Ukraine. At the same time he’s also targeting the US and the deepening US-Greece relationship, calling on the US to not “mislead” Greece and to stop manipulating public opinion against Turkey. Expert Constantinos Filis, the Director of the Institute of Global Affairs and an associate professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what’s behind Erdogan’s latest statements and Turkey’s dangerous escalation of tensions with Greece.
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Athens steadfast against new threats
Turkey includes US in the frame
Google Cloud hub in Greece
Erdogan: Turkey to re-inforce military presence in occupied northern Cyprus
On Tuesday Senators Bob Menendez and Marco Rubio introduced bipartisan legislation condemning Azerbaijan’s recent unprovoked attack on Armenia and calling for the immediate end to US security assistance to Azerbaijan. This is the latest effort from members of Congress to hold Azerbaijan and President Aliyev - who is backed by Turkey - accountable. These moves also follow a recent landmark visit to Armenia by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, where she clearly condemned Azerbaijan’s “illegal and deadly attacks”. On Tuesday Greece’s Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias also traveled to Yerevan, where he underscored Greece’s full solidarity with Armenia. Aram Hamparian, the Executive Director of ANCA, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the current situation in the Caucasus, the role of Congress in holding Aliyev accountable, and highlight the link between what happens in Armenia and the Aegean.
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Dendias travels to Armenia, underscoring Greece’s full solidarity
Speaker Pelosi strongly condemns ‘illegal and deadly attacks by Azerbaijan’ during visit to Armenia
Pelosi’s visit fires debate in Armenia over alliance with Russia
Menendez Introduces Bipartisan Resolution Increasing Pressure to Halt U.S. Security Assistance to Azerbaijan
Rep. Speier Introduces Resolution Condemning Azerbaijani War Crimes; Demanding International Investigations and U.S. Sanctions
Mitsotakis: Ankara is alone
State Department: Greece’s sovereignty over the Aegean islands is not disputed
Countries ramp up pressure on Brussels to propose a gas price cap
Greece proposes European fund to address soaring gas prices
Today we’re looking back at a hectic week in New York, where world leaders gathered for the 77th UN General Assembly. This UNGA kicked off with Turkish President Erdogan’s attempt to rebrand himself before a Western audience while taking a stroll in Central Park, but instead saw him fail to secure a meeting with President Biden, while in his speech before world leaders he repeated the same threats against Greece that have unfortunately become common from Ankara’s leadership. At the same time, Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ trip to New York struck a different tone, and aside from his address to the UNGA he also made a number of key appearances and held crucial meetings with world leaders and organizations. Petros Kasfikis, the Washington DC correspondent for the Athens News Agency and Greece’s Mega TV who covered the UNGA in New York, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis.
With its recent decision to completely lift the Cyprus arms embargo, Washington is now in a position to take its relations with Nicosia to the next level. At the same time, as three scholars at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies argue, this move also presents a valuable opportunity to reach an agreement with Nicosia to transfer some of its Russian-made arms to Ukraine in return for the provision of modern US equipment and other security assistance. Brad Bowman, the senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP) at the FDD, joins Thanos Davelis to break down how with some savvy geopolitical maneuvering, the Biden administration could get Ukraine weapons it needs and already knows, while helping a strategic partner and promoting Western interests in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Read the latest piece co-authored by Brad Bowman: Lifting the arms embargo on Cyprus is a major opportunity to aid Ukraine
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PM highlights Greece’s red lines in UN speech
Anastasiades describes Erdogan’s comments to UN as ‘ironic’
'UN adopts equidistant stance, even when faced with violation of resolutions'
While the world’s attention is on Ukraine, recent deadly clashes between political factions in Tripoli are a reminder not only that there is still an open conflict in Libya, but also of the role of outside forces in the country, like Turkey. In the meantime, Greece, given its geography, its historic ties to Libya, and naturally the illegal Turkey-Libya memorandum, can’t remain above the fray, and is enhancing its presence in Libya through its diplomatic missions and with key investments. Admiral Alexandros Diakopoulos, the former National Security Advisor of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, joins me to break down the current situation in Libya, Turkey’s overall strategy, and why it’s important for Greece to engage constructively and play the long game in Libya.
Read Admiral Diakopoulos’ latest piece in Kathimerini here (In Greek): Το χάος στη Λιβύη και ο ρόλος της Ελλάδας
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Turkey’s central bank cuts rates despite rampant inflation
Turkey cuts interest rates again as country struggles under 80% inflation
Cyprus GDP seen at +5.5% in 2022, outlook tempered by energy -Central Bank
More foreign firms set up shop in Cyprus
This week Turkey announced that its research ship, the Oruc Reis, is going to make a return to the Eastern Mediterranean to carry out exploratory research for natural gas and oil. Turkey didn’t specify the exact location, but the Oruc Reis was deployed in 2020 to conduct surveys in what Greece claims as its exclusive economic zone, leading to a summer of tensions. Greece and Cyprus are following developments closely, looking out for any moves that could cause tension in the region to spike even further. At the same time, Turkey has stepped up both its aggressive rhetoric and its illegal overflights in the Aegean in recent weeks, prompting concerns that Ankara is laying the groundwork for a potential crisis in the build up to elections next year. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis from Athens.
Read the latest from Vassilis Nedos in Kathimerini here:
Turkish research ship may be preparing for activities in the East Med, reports say
Ankara locks attention on two islets
Oruc Reis to make return to East Med
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Greece to give energy savers bigger power bill subsidies
Greece extends energy bill subsidies ahead of 'winter battle'
EU raps Turkey for discrimination against Greek minority
Aside from key elections next year in both Turkey and Greece, 2023 also marks the 100th anniversary of the Treaty of Lausanne, the treaty that established Turkey’s modern borders and is at the heart of Greek-Turkish relations, and the centennial of the founding of the Turkish Republic. While Turkish President Erdogan has been dangerously ramping up tensions with Greece in the Aegean in the build up to elections, these two historic anniversaries could add to those tensions. Ryan Gingeras, professor in the Department of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and author of the upcoming book The Last Days of the Ottoman Empire, joins me to look into how elections coupled with the weight of history on display next year could impact Greek-Turkish relations.
Read Ryan Gingeras’s latest piece in Kathimerini here
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Erdogan uses UN stand to attack Greece
FM responds to inflammatory statements made by Erdogan at the UN
Direct flights from US to Greece being extended into winter
As the world leaders gathered in London for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth, the focus was naturally on the British royal family. It seems in their efforts to add a veneer of royalty to their coverage, outlets like CNN and BBC made a move that has prompted a sharp reaction in the Greek world - they featured the son of Greece’s former King, referring to him as Crown Prince. Professor Alexander Kitroeff, a Professor of History at Haverford College who has written extensively on the history of Greece and the Greek diaspora, joins me to explain why this move by outlets like CNN and BBC is problematic. We also explore the troubled history of the former royal family in Greece, an institution that was abolished in 1974 as Greece embraced a new democratic future.
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HALC calls out CNN over “Crown Prince” gaffe
Royal Title Given to Ex-Crown Prince by the BBC Angers Greeks
US Navy interested in Alexandroupoli port
Cyprus, Israel pledge quick deal in gas field dispute
On Friday the Biden administration announced that the US would fully lift the arms embargo on Cyprus, a landmark decision that confirms the deepening of the strategic partnership between the two countries. This move follows the partial lifting of the embargo in 2020. It also comes after years of advocacy work on Capitol Hill, where Congressional leaders like Senators Menendez and Rubio, and Representatives Bilirakis, Cicilline, and Deutch played a key role in bringing an end to a policy that has not only failed to bring us any closer to ending the occupation of Cyprus, but has also undermined US interests in the Eastern Mediterranean. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis to walk us through the major milestones that led to Friday’s historic announcement, and provide a look ahead at what to expect as leaders gather in New York for the opening of the UN General Assembly.
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Lifting of Defense Trade Restrictions on the Republic of Cyprus for Fiscal Year 2023
US lifts decades-old arms embargo on Cyprus, move hailed as ‘milestone’
Joint Statement on the Third U.S.-Turkey Strategic Mechanism Dialogue
US and EU step up pressure on Turkey over Russia sanctions
Winter plan to lure Northern Europeans
On Tuesday Azerbaijan unleashed a colossal artillery barrage deep into Armenian territory, kicking off two days of heavy fighting before a ceasefire was agreed to. This unprovoked attack was widely condemned, especially on Capitol Hill, where members of Congress called for an end to US military aid to Azerbaijan. While the State Department also called for the immediate cessation of hostilities, President Aliyev’s attack on Armenia has put its past failure to clearly call out Baku’s aggression under the microscope. Expert Michael Rubin, a Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and former Pentagon official, joins Thanos Davelis to explain why this State Department policy of "both-siderism" - which we’ve also seen in the Aegean - not only enables extremists like Aliyev, but also sends the wrong message to revisionists like Turkey's President Erdogan.
Read Michael Rubin’s latest pieces here:
Biden Recognized Armenian Genocide. Will Blinken Enable Its Repeat?
Could Greece And Turkey Go To War? The Answer Is Yes
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Cease-fire holds between Armenia and Azerbaijan
Armenia says 105 troops killed in Azerbaijan border clashes
Greek FM expresses concern over deteriorating relations with Turkey
Erdogan attacks against Greece not paying off inside Turkey
Greek Parliament ratifies Sweden and Finland NATO bid
Turkey calls on next Swedish government to take counter-terrorism steps needed for NATO membership
Turkey renews veto threat on Sweden, Finland NATO bids
This past weekend Prime Minister Mitsotakis gave what is the equivalent of the State of the Union address at the Thessaloniki International Fair, outlining the key priorities of his government, touching on the economy, domestic politics, and foreign policy. This included announcing a new 5.5 billion euro package of relief measures designed to support Greeks in anticipation of what will be a difficult winter, addressing the wiretapping scandal that has dominated Greek headlines, and condemning Turkey’s escalating threats in the Aegean. His address also took on political undertones, as he used his speech to make a pitch to the Greek people to continue placing their trust in his leadership, essentially kicking off the pre-election period. Nick Malkoutzis, the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr, a site that examines political, economic and social developments in Greece, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis.
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PM sets out winter relief measures, rules out change to electoral law
Mitsotakis uses TIF speech to kick off pre-election period
EU plans windfall levies on energy firms to tackle price spike
Ukraine war: EU moves to cut peak electricity use by 5%
US envoy: Greece to help Europe overcome energy crisis
Chris Van Hollen: Turkey an ‘unfaithful’ ally
A Pennsylvania race for the US Senate is attracting more and more attention as Dr. Mehmet Oz’s ties to Turkey come under the radar. The Republican candidate and former TV personality has come under scrutiny not only for his financial ties to the Turkish government, but also his proximity to the Turkish Diyanet, lobbyists, businessmen, and politicians beholden to the Erdogan regime in Ankara. These ties, and the fact that Oz has yet to address these concerns head on, were also the focus of a recent video that went viral on Twitter. Benjamin Baird and Cliff Smith join Thanos Davelis to shed light on Oz’s financial and political ties to Turkey, breaking down why these connections cast doubts on his suitability for office.
Benjamin Baird and Cliff Smith are the director of the Islamism in Politics project and director of the Washington Project, respectively, at the Middle East Forum.
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Behind Dr. Oz's Curtain
Benjamin Baird on Turkey's Malign Influence Network in America
Erdogan, the Diyanet, and its Field Office near DC
Turkey ‘vows’ to continue East Med gas exploration
In latest outburst, Turkish defense minister accuses Greece of deceit
Turkish Parliament Speaker calls Greece a national threat
Greece receives French president’s backing over Turkey
Greece is the place to be this summer, and the number of tourists arriving to the country is expected to surpass the pre-pandemic records set in 2019, contributing to a celebratory mood across the country. All it takes is a visit to the Greek islands or a stroll through Athens to realize that a huge change is currently afoot as a result of this surge in tourism. Professor Stathis Kalyvas, the Gladstone Professor of Government in the University of Oxford’s Department of Politics and International Relations and author of the recent piece in Kathimerini “A Summerless Greece?”, joins me to discuss how this incredible surge in visitors is dramatically changing the landscape of Greece, and looks at whether this is putting the “Greek summer” - an essential part of the country’s collective identity - out of reach for many Greeks.
Read Prof. Stathis Kalyvas’ latest piece in Kathimerini: A summerless Greece?
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Greece gets first 2 upgraded F-16s out of a total 83
Hellenic Air Force receives its first Viper F-16 fighters
Erdogan slams Greece, warns US about F-16s
Greek leader says armed conflict with Turkey won’t happen
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is rapidly raising the strategic profile and potential of Alexandroupolis, a Greek port town in Thrace on the northern Aegean Sea. Alexandroupolis has become emblematic of Greece’s growth as an energy hub and U.S. security partner, and is ideally situated to help the US and its allies achieve shared transatlantic objectives on energy diversification, strengthening NATO, and ensuring Ukraine’s harvests can reach the wider markets. Jonathan Ruhe and Ari Cicurel join Thanos Davelis to look at the growing importance of Alexandroupolis for transatlantic security, and break down what additional steps the US should take to fully capitalize on the opportunities offered by both Alexandroupolis and Greece.
Read Jonathan Ruhe and Ari Cicurel’s latest article in The National Interest: Without Alexandroupolis, Transatlantic Security Is Dead in the Water
Follow up with their in-depth briefing for JINSA: Port in a Storm: Enhancing U.S.-Greece Cooperation at Alexandroupolis
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Athens prepared for all scenarios
Could Greece And Turkey Go To War? The Answer Is Yes
EU nations struggle to find joint approach on energy prices
A new report by an international group of scientists is sounding the alarm for the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, warning that this region and its inhabitants are especially at risk from the threats posed by a warming planet and changing climate. As this report points out, this region is warming almost twice as fast as the global average. The report aims to underscore the impact of climate change in the region ahead of the United Nations climate summit in Egypt this November. Dr George Zittis, a co-author of the report, joins me to break down why the Eastern Mediterranean is so vulnerable, what’s at stake if no action is taken, and what steps governments in the region can take to address these challenges.
Read the report Dr. George Zittis co-authored here: Climate Change and Weather Extremes in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East
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East Med especially at risk as world heats up, report warns
Exclusive: Greece to repay euro zone bailout loans early for first time
Housing, energy, pensions to take TIF center stage
Liz Truss officially became Britain's fourth prime minister in six years this week, taking the reins from her predecessor, Boris Johnson, at a time when the UK faces serious economic and energy issues. But, what does her election mean for Greece’s relations with the UK? Is this an opportunity for renewed momentum for Greek-British ties? Ioannis Chountis, a political affairs adviser at the Hellenic Parliament and a PhD candidate at the University of Aberdeen who frequently comments on UK-Greek relations, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what Greece should expect from Britain’s new prime minister.
You can read Ioannes Chountis’ latest piece in Kathimerini here: What should Greece expect from Liz Truss?
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Greece: Turkish letter ‘a monumental distortion of the facts’
Read: Greece’s letters to EU, NATO and UN
US says Turkish threats against Greece ‘unhelpful’
EU plans Russian gas price cap despite Putin threat
You’ll ‘freeze freeze,’ Putin warns West over energy sanctions
This weekend Turkey’s President Erdogan accused Greece of “occupying” islands in the Aegean Sea, and said Turkey was prepared to "do what is necessary" when the time comes. He has even threatened Turkey could “come down suddenly one night,” a phrase he’s previously used to hint at looming military operations into Syria and Iraq. These threats, which Erdogan doubled down on this Tuesday, come as Turkey attempts to reverse reality in the Aegean and create a narrative that portrays Greece as the one provoking. Expert Constantinos Filis, the Director of the Institute of Global Affairs and an associate professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss these latest threats from Turkey and break down what’s on the horizon for Greek-Turkish relations.
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Diplomatic response to Turkish threats
Turkish president issues fresh threat against Greece
EU voices concern over Turkey's 'hostile remarks' against Greece
Turkey’s annual inflation passes 80% after interest rate cut
Turkey's inflation hits new 24-year high beyond 80%
EU plans to slam brakes on energy prices this week
EU to unveil new responses to energy crisis
Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine Turkey has been sitting on the fence, pursuing a “balanced approach” to Moscow, Ukraine, and the West. In fact, Turkish President Erdogan has spared no effort in trying to play a go-between when it comes to Russia and Ukraine. What has become increasingly clear is that both Moscow and Ankara are benefiting from Turkey’s mediating role. Ambassador Marc Pierini, the author of the recent piece “Understanding the Erdogan-Putin Duet”, joins Thanos Davelis to break down how Erdogan’s balancing act is benefitting both Turkey and Russia, but why Putin ultimately has the upper hand.
Marc Pierini is a senior fellow at Carnegie Europe where his research focuses on developments in the Middle East and Turkey from a European perspective. He previously served as EU ambassador and head of delegation to Turkey.
Read Marc Pierini’s latest for Carnegie Europe here: Understanding the Erdoğan-Putin Duet
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Erdogan accuses Greece of 'occupying' demilitarised islands
Turkish leader Erdogan ups rhetoric on Greece amid tensions
Turkish, Greek tension places pressure on NATO alliance
Russia blames ‘absolute turmoil’ of sanctions for gas ‘problems’
Russia blames sanctions for gas pipeline shutdown
Greece to tap tourism revenues to keep subsidising power bills
With energy prices breaking record after record as a result of the war in Ukraine, the EU is now rushing to intervene in its energy market, drafting an emergency plan to tackle the issue amid pressure from member states. This marks a significant shift in approach from the EU, as countries that had originally pushed back on proposals by Greece and other southern European countries for a price ceiling on natural gas and the decoupling of gas prices from electricity rates are now leading efforts for an immediate intervention. Efi Koutsokosta, the EU Correspondent for Euronews and Skai TV, joins Thanos Davelis from Brussels with the latest analysis.
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Northern EU sees the light
Figuring out how to reform the EU’s power market
EU sets sights on energy market reform as prices soar
Nord Stream 1: Russia shuts major gas pipeline to Europe
Greece heralds deal to recoup 161 ancient treasures from US
Erdogan slams Greece, accuses it of ‘hostile act’
Erdogan: Greece a ‘pawn’ in ‘sowing unrest’ in Aegean
With elections coming up in Turkey next year it looks like Turkey’s President Erdogan is in an increasingly difficult spot as the country’s economy has been in a freefall and voters are angry and many demand change. Erdogan also faces a united coalition of opposition parties whose stated goal is to restore Turkey as an institutional democracy which they blame Erdogan for undermining. Beyond defeating Erdogan, however, it is unclear what the opposition stands for. Expert Sinan Ciddi joins Thanos Davelis to make the case that while Erdogan is down, he is definitely not out of this race, and the inability of Turkey’s opposition to offer voters an alternative vision for the country and candidate may be Erdogan’s greatest advantage for remaining in power.
Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he contributes to FDD’s Turkey Program and Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP). He is also an Associate Professor of Security Studies at the Command and Staff College-Marine Corps University and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
Read Sinan Ciddi’s piece in The National Interest: Turkey’s Erdogan Is Down But Not Out
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Greek parliament votes to investigate wiretapping scandal
Greece to launch parliamentary inquiry into spy scandal
Funds offsetting price surge not infinite
Northern EU sees the light
Taking a page out of the Russian disinformation playbook, Turkey has stepped up its efforts to spin a new narrative in the Aegean, pushing fake news stories that attempt to portray Athens as the one provoking Ankara. Most recently we saw this with its unfounded allegations - which were denied by the top Greek officials - that the Greek S-300 missile system locked on to Turkish jets, or that Greek jets allegedly harassed Turkish ones on a NATO mission. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to break down Turkey’s strategy of disinformation and fake news in the Aegean.
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Greece denies reports that its S-300s locked on Turkish F-16s
Athens dismisses Erdogan 1922 war comments
Τουρκική στρατηγική με fake news
Παραβιάσεις ρεκόρ από την Τουρκία το 2022 – Έφτασαν τις 4.734
Greece's tourism industry is booming after pandemic slump
PM to lay out the stakes in Thessaloniki
A new natural gas discovery off Cyprus’ southern coast that’s estimated to contain around 2.5 trillion cubic feet of the hydrocarbon has observers debating whether this can unlock additional potential for the East Med and provide further gas supplies to Europe as the continent grapples with an energy crisis. The discovery was made at the Cronos-1 well in the Cypriot EEZ by partners Eni of Italy and France’s Total. Dr. Theodoros Tsakiris joins Thanos Davelis to break down the importance of this discovery both for Cyprus and the region.
Dr. Theodoros Tsakiris is associate professor of geopolitics and energy policy at the University of Nicosia in Cyprus.
Read Theodoros Tsakiris’ latest op-ed in Kathimerini: The importance of Cronos-1 to Cyprus
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Greek PM defends workings of intelligence service
Akar issues fresh threats against Greece
Turkey VP doubles down on threatening rhetoric
Dendias slams Turkey’s ‘imperialistic attitudes’
Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss a number of developments - from the East Med to the halls of Congress. We look at a story unfolding that indicates that Cyprus has reportedly secured a deal to procure Israel’s cutting-edge Iron Dome air defense system, the latest reaction from a bipartisan group of US lawmakers to reports that Turkey is moving forward with another acquisition of Russian-S400 missiles and what this means for the #NoJetsForTurkey campaign, the latest viral campaign led by HALC and ANCA to shed light on US Senate candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz’s connections to Turkey, and the wire-tapping scandal in Greece that is dominating Greek headlines.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Cyprus goes light on Israel’s Iron Dome
Greek wiretap cases turn up heat on Mitsotakis
The wiretapping case and Greece’s image abroad
Government to go on offensive over wiretapping
Pappas Raises Alarm on Sale of Russian S-400s, U.S. F-16s to Turkey
Turkey Says Won’t Buy F-16s From US If Conditions Imposed on Use
Would Turkey’s president have leverage over ‘Senator Doctor Oz’?
Finland and Sweden hold talks with Turkey to push Nato bid
Turkish drones have gained international recognition for their role in a number of regional conflicts - from Nagorno Karabakh to Ukraine. Now, Turkey is using its drones to add a new dimension to its provocations against Greece, increasingly using UAVs to violate Greek airspace and territory in the Aegean. Amidst these developments Athens is taking steps to bolster its UAV and other air defense capabilities, implementing a counter drone system using Israeli technology and recently approving a $400 million drone purchase from the US. General (ret.) Taxiarchis Sardellis, HALC’s Nonresident Senior Fellow for Defense and Security Policy, joins me to look at the latest moves Greece is making in the field of UAVs on its own and with partners like Israel, and break down why the US needs to support these efforts.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece Looks to Israel for Defenses Against Turkish Drones
Turkey’s rapprochement with Syria leaves regional refugees fearful
Turkey signals new rules of engagement to Syrian Kurds, Damascus
Greece seen tapping the bond market in September
This weekend Greece marked the end of EU surveillance of Greek government spending, a restriction dating to its painful financial bailout years. Greece and its European partners hailed the exit as the end of a dark era that inflicted deep scars on the economy and society, while observers point out that the move sends "a message to investors and markets that Greece is out of the woods [and] a step closer to investment grade.” Dr. George Pagoulatos, the Director General of the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), joins Thanos Davelis to look at why this development is significant for Greece, what challenges still remain for Greece’s economy, and whether this offers an opportunity to look back at the lessons learned from the financial crisis.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
‘Enhanced surveillance’ ends
Greece rid of budget watch but inflation, energy woes bite
Greece exits bailout monitoring, but austerity pain lingers
Cyprus says new gas discovery aids Europe’s energy search
PASOK wants investigative committee to probe wiretapping case
House committee on wiretappings to convene on August 24
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/world/2022-06-21/last-best-hope-better-world-order-west
https://www.politico.eu/article/turkey-difficult-ally-west-recep-erdogan-russia-vladimir-putin/amp/
As Turkey and Israel restore full diplomatic relations, HALC Executive Director Endy Zemenides and Dr. Aykan Erdemir, director of international affairs research at the Anti-Defamation League, discuss what prompted the move and the implications for the region.
As the 100th anniversary of the Asia Minor Catastrophe approaches in September, HALC Executive Director Endy Zemenides is joined by Professor Ismini Lamb, Director of the Modern Greek Studies Program at Georgetown University, to discuss these horrific events, the genocide of Greek Orthodox Christians in Turkey, and present-day attempts at accountability.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-08-16/russia-turkey-spar-over-air-defense-sale-that-us-opposes?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=1ddc9386-f4e0-4d7a-b930-ffeee0cb1022
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/08/08/germany-leading-power-europe-russia/
Ryan Gingeras, professor in the Department of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School, and HALC Executive Director discuss Turkey sending a new drill ship to eastern Mediterranean, what motivates Erdogan, Turkey's approach to maritime issues, and the "Blue Homeland" concept taking hold in Turkey.
Last month marked the commemoration of the 99th anniversary of the signing of the Lausanne Treaty, a treaty that is at the heart of Greek-Turkish relations - whether we are talking about sovereignty in the Aegean Sea or the rights of minorities in each country. In its efforts to revise the status quo in the region, Turkey has made attempts to re-interpret Lausanne as it sees fit. For example, Ankara has referred to this treaty in an effort to cast a shadow over the sovereignty of Greek islands in the Aegean, and recently is attempting to make an issue with Greece over the rights of the Muslim minority in Thrace. Symeon Tegos, who has extensive experience working in Thrace with the Greek Foreign Ministry, joins me to break down why Ankara’s accusations regarding the Muslim minority in Thrace are unsubstantiated and an attempt to reverse reality.
Symeon Tegos is the newly appointed Consul General of Greece in Boston, and for the last three years served as director of political affairs at the office of the Foreign Ministry in Thrace.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey’s Erdogan rails at Greece over Muslim minority rights
Athens shoots down Turkish allegations over minority schools in Thrace
Turkey sends new drill ship to eastern Mediterranean
Milder East Med scenario
EU to stop Greek budget watch in formal end to major crisis
HALC Executive Director Endy Zemenides discusses developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and Israel's Operation Breaking Dawn with Jonathan Schanzer, author and senior vice president of research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
Russian President Putin met with Turkish President Erdogan in Sochi on Friday, making this the leaders’ second meeting in just over two weeks. The meeting comes as Russia is turning to Turkey and other potential new trading partners as it tries to circumvent Western sanctions - reportedly setting off alarms that the Kremlin could strengthen economic ties with a NATO country that has not joined in on imposing sanctions on Moscow. Also, a top priority for Erdogan going into this meeting was also securing a green light from Moscow for a Turkish military incursion into northern Syria. Expert Alan Makovsky joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the main takeaways from this latest meeting between Erdogan and Putin, break down Western concerns over the deepening economic ties between the two countries, and look at the feeling in Washington as these developments unfold.
Alan Makovsky is a senior fellow for national security and international policy at the Center for American Progress, and has worked on Turkey and the region in several capacities, including as a senior staff member on the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the House of Representatives and at the State Department.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Russia turns to Turkey, other trading partners to blunt sanctions’ impact
Putin hosts Erdogan for talks on trade, Ukraine, Syria
Grief over fire at Istanbul’s Balikli Greek Hospital
Vartholomaios laments ‘blow’ to Greek diaspora
Elpidophoros vows diaspora help in restoring Istanbul hospital
Greece’s intelligence chief resigns amid spyware scandal
Greece: Spy chief quits amid Predator spyware furor
Earlier this week we saw tensions rise in the Western Balkans, as a dispute between Kosovo and Serbia led to protests and reports of gunfire. Amid these tensions, Greece has engaged diplomatically with both sides to help them come to an understanding. As Greece steps up its diplomatic presence in the Balkans, Athens is also upgrading its cooperation with Kosovo. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to look at whether tensions could boil over between Kosovo and Serbia, and what this would mean for the region. We also look at Greece’s diplomatic engagement with the Balkans, its relations with Kosovo, and why those relations hinge to a great degree on Albania and Greek-Albanian relations.
Read Vassilis Nedos latest piece here: Athens seeks delicate balance in Balkans
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Greece says tourism rebound will help ease cost of energy crisis
New support measures to be announced at TIF
Erdogan and Putin to Meet in Sochi for 2nd Time in a Month
Over the last years geopolitics have raised the profile of Greece’s northern region of Thrace, with key ports like Alexandroupoli taking center stage. While key investments in the security and energy infrastructure of the region accelerate, Thrace still faces a unique set of challenges. One of these is demographics, with Thrace’s border villages facing shrinking and aging populations. Thrace isn’t the only place in Greece that’s looking at negative demographic trends, and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has given special attention to tackling this issue. This includes a strategy to support and revitalize remote regions like Thrace. Steven Tagle joins Thanos Davelis to break down these challenges and discuss the ways that the government and locals are trying to tackle this issue and revive Thrace, a region of increasing strategic importance.
Read Steven Tagle’s latest piece here: Greece’s border villages face shrinking, aging populations
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Turkish inflation hits almost 80%, peak might be near
Turkish Inflation Approached 80% in July and Has Yet to Peak
Greece vulnerable to stagflation
Last week Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock traveled to Greece and Turkey, where she took a clear stance against Turkish revisionism in the region, stating in unequivocal terms that the sovereignty of Greece’s islands are not up for dispute. While in Turkey, she also made a point to raise issues related to human rights violations. These clear statements mark a shift in Berlin’s traditional policy that saw it maintain equal distances between Greece and Turkey and limit its criticism of Ankara’s track record on human rights and rule of law. Constantinos Filis, the Director of the Institute of Global Affairs and an associate professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss whether we are at the beginning of a fundamental shift in Germany’s foreign policy when it comes to Turkey, and look at what this could mean for Greece.
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Opinion:German foreign minister did the right thing in Ankara
Ukrainian Grain Shipment Expected to Reach Turkey Wednesday
Ukraine war: First grain ship leaves under Russia deal
Turkey plays politics with drillship’s sailing
Turkey’s Defense Minister Hulusi Akar issued a barrage of new and wild accusations against Greece recently, specifically targeting Greece’s efforts to modernize its military, which he said shows that Athens is allegedly “up to something” against Turkey. He also tried to once again raise questions about Greek sovereignty in the Aegean, and accused Greece of expansionism. General (ret.) Taxiarchis Sardellis, a Nonresident Senior Fellow for Defense and Security Policy at the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins Thanos Davelis today to discuss Turkey’s latest accusations against Greece. We also break down how Greece’s efforts to modernize its defense sector go beyond the threat posed by Turkey, being integral to Greece’s broader role as a reliable ally and a pillar of stability in the region.
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Akar: Greece is ‘up to something’ against Ankara
AKP spokesperson says Mitsotakis threatens peace and stability
British Museum floats ‘Parthenon partnership’
British Museum calls for ‘Parthenon partnership’ with Greece over marbles
Cyprus tourism rebounds despite lack of Russian tourists
How can Washington best balance security interests in Europe and the Middle East while still prioritizing the Indo-Pacific? Expert Aaron Stein, who joins me today on our podcast, makes the case in a recent piece for War on the Rocks that the answer might be found in deepening the military partnership with Greece, one of Washington’s most important regional allies, as well as the Republic of Cyprus. Specifically, the United States should lay the groundwork to expand the scope of the forces deployed in Greece and work with Athens to leverage Greece’s strategic location for American interests in order to enhance security and stability in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Aaron Stein is the chief content officer at Metamorphic Media and an expert on the region, arms control, and nonproliferation.
Read Aaron Stein’s latest piece in War on the Rocks here: At The Seam Of Three Regions: The Case For More Basing And Access In Greece And Cyprus
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Germany criticizes Turkey over island dispute with Greece
Turkey: Germany must be impartial in disputes with Greece
Extra €500 million in energy aid coming, PM says
Earlier this week Turkey announced that its newest drill ship would set sail August 9th for a drilling operation “in the Mediterranean,” setting the stage for an escalation of tensions should the ship deploy to an area that falls within Greece or Cyprus’s EEZs. The announcement comes as Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also upped the ante with Athens again this week, issuing a barrage of heated rhetoric against Greece. Despite the harsh and provocative rhetoric coming out of Ankara and the threat of tensions in the Mediterranean next month, Greece and Cyprus are working to keep tensions low. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis to look at Turkey’s increasingly revisionist and aggressive stance vis-a-vis Greece and Cyprus and what steps can be taken to make it clear that Ankara’s actions are unacceptable.
Read Endy Zemenides’ latest interview with The Greek Reporter here: Friend or Foe? How US Perceptions of Turkey Have Shifted
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Greece and Cyprus ‘keeping the tone down’ in East Med tension
Cyprus, Greece, look to EU if Turkey renews gas search
New barrage of Turkish accusations
German envoy says EU rights must be defended at Greek border
Greece: Baerbock calls for investigation into pushbacks at EU borders
Sides react ‘as usual’ after Council renews UNFICYP
Security Council extends Unficyp mandate
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in Greece Tuesday to seal a number of agreements on energy, military cooperation, and in other fields. The visit comes as Greece has forged closer diplomatic and economic ties with Saudi Arabia in recent years as it seeks to build alliances and partnerships in the wider region. This was Mohammed bin Salman’s first trip to an EU country since the killing in 2018 of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and follows President Biden’s visit to Saudi Arabia earlier this month. Dr. John Sfakianakis joins me to discuss this visit to Greece by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and break down Greece’s diplomatic pivot toward the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, over the last years.
John Sfakianakis is a senior scholar at Pembroke College at the University of Cambridge and an associate fellow with the Middle East and North Africa Program at Chatham House. He is also the chief economist and head of research of the Gulf Research Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Saudi crown prince: First EU visit since Khashoggi killing
PM, Saudi Crown Prince talk business, regional issues
Greece, Saudi Arabia sign raft of agreements during crown prince’s visit
New barrage of Turkish accusations
Cavusoglu: Talks over F-16 sale ‘going well’
Senior European Parliament Member Targeted as Spyware Abuse Spreads
Wildfires have swept across Greece, and major blazes have threatened protected national forests, homes, and livelihoods as authorities issued calls for evacuations. This is taking place amid a protracted heat wave that has pushed temperatures past 41 degrees Celsius in some places. Amidst these challenges in Greece, we also saw other parts of Europe face wildfires and record-breaking temperatures. Dr. Christos Zerefos, the Secretary General of the Academy of Athens and Climate Envoy for Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the wildfires that have swept across Greece and Europe, and look at whether the continent is ready for a hotter world.
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Thousands of hectares burned in famed national park, Lesvos
Fire in northern Greece national park continues to rage
Europe’s not ready for a hotter world
Europe agrees compromise gas curbs as Russia squeezes supply
Countries agree on mandatory gas cut regulation: Document
PM Mitsotakis sends letter to EU chief with energy proposals
Greece, Saudi Arabia seal deal on data cable, discuss power grid link
PM, Saudi Crown Prince talk business, regional issues
Russia and Ukraine signed separate agreements Friday with Turkey and the UN clearing the way for exporting millions of tons of desperately needed Ukrainian grain, ending a standoff that had threatened food security around the globe. During the signing ceremony, Turkey’s President Erdogan played up his role as a statesman and Turkey’s role in mediating the agreement. Despite this deal, however, Erdogan has alarmed the US on a number of fronts. Henri Barkey, the Cohen Professor of International Relations at Lehigh University and an adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins me to break down why this deal is significant and whether it’s a win for Turkey, and looks at how Erdogan remains a headache for President Biden.
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Turkey’s Leader Remains a Headache for Biden Despite Aiding in Ukraine Deal
EU countries seek deal on weakened plan to cut winter gas use
Greek PM to propose EU gas reduction for industries
Firebreaks halt blaze on Greek island, homes saved
Fire in northern Greece national park continues to rage
Fire damages homes in southern Greece; more blazes active
Thousands of hectares burned in famed national park, Lesvos
The Nord Stream gas pipeline between Russia and the EU reopened this week, with deliveries slowly getting back to levels seen before the pipeline closed for maintenance earlier this month. This has allowed Europe to catch its breath, but the fear that Russia could use gas to blackmail Europe remains, and EU countries, including Greece, are preparing emergency measures should Russia decide to completely cut off natural gas in the winter, a worst case scenario. Dr. Yannis Maniatis joins Thanos Davelis to discuss what’s at stake for Europe should Russia go down this route, look at the emergency plans on the table, and break down why Greece may be in a better position than other European counterparts should Russia decide to turn off the tap.
Dr. Yannis Maniatis is an Associate Professor at the University of Piraeus. He previously served as Greece’s Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change from 2013-2015.
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Greece opposes EU plan to put limit on gas
Preparing for the worst-case scenario
Southern rebellion threatens to sink EU gas rationing plan
Cyprus expects gas field development plan by end of year
New drilling at Aphrodite field in 2023
Ukraine, Russia sign U.N. deal to export grain on Black Sea
Russia and Ukraine sign grain deal to avert global food crisis
On Wednesday Turkey announced that its fourth drill ship, the Abdülhamid Han, will launch operations in the Eastern Mediterranean in August, raising the prospect of heightened tensions with Greece and Cyprus. In the meantime, Greece’s Defense Minister traveled to the United States this week, where he raised the issue of Turkey’s revisionism in the Aegean, and took important steps to bring Greece closer to acquiring F-35 jets. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what’s at stake as Turkey prepares to launch new drilling operations in the region, and break down the key takeaways from the Greek Defense Minister’s visit to the US.
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Turkey to drill in Eastern Mediterranean next month
Austin to contact Turkey’s Akar about Aegean
Iraq accuses Turkey of attack that killed nine in Kurdistan
Turkish Warplanes Strike Iraq Resort, Killing at Least 8, Officials Say
Greece opposes EU plan to cut gas use, plans power cuts in emergency
Preparing for the worst-case scenario
While Cyprus has become a key US partner in the Eastern Mediterranean, there is still a partial arms embargo on Cyprus as US law currently prohibits providing Cyprus with US-made weaponry. The US only partially lifted the embargo a few years ago because of concerns over Cyprus’s links to Russia, which US lawmakers called on Cyprus to address. Cyprus has now fulfilled these requirements. Lifting the arms embargo has also taken on new significance in the face of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Turkey’s revisionism in the region. Ari Cicurel, a Senior Policy Analyst at JINSA - The Jewish Institute for National Security of America, joins me today to explain why it’s time for the Biden administration to finally lift arms export restrictions on Cyprus.
Read Ari Cicurel’s latest policy briefing for JINSA: Cyprus Satisfies U.S. Legal Requirements for Arms Exports
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Greece tames wildfire near Athens, hundreds evacuated
Fire outside Athens brought under control
Anastasiades: 'Our aim for reunification remains'
Anastasiades: Tatar proposals another stab at two-state solution
This weekend North Macedonia’s parliament gave the government the green light to resolve a dispute with Bulgaria that paves the way for EU membership talks to begin. The deal would also unblock the start of negotiations for Albania, another EU hopeful. While this may lift Bulgaria’s veto over North Macedonia’s membership bid, there are still a number of hurdles before North Macedonia can join the EU. These include commitments from Skopje to make changes to its constitution, which could prove a step too far for the government as this would require a two-thirds majority in parliament. Professor Yorgos Christides joins me to look at what comes next, and break down why this is significant not only for North Macedonia, but for the Western Balkans and the EU.
Yorgos Christidis is a research fellow at ELIAMEP and an Associate Professor of Comparative Politics at the Department of Balkan, Slavonic and Oriental Studies at the University of Macedonia in Greece, and a visiting Professor at the University of Sofia.
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North Macedonia takes step toward starting EU accession talks
EU to open accession talks with Albania, North Macedonia
US Secretary of Defense says will contact Turkish counterpart over Aegean tensions
Akar slams Greece for seeking to block sale of F-16 jets to Turkey
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin is set to travel to Tehran on Tuesday, where he will meet with the leaders of Iran and Turkey to discuss Syria. Much is at stake in Putin’s meeting with Turkey’s Erdogan, with the two leaders set to discuss a range of issues, including Turkish threats to launch a new military incursion in Syria. Putin is also looking to strengthen Russia’s relationship with Iran. Putin’s trip comes just days after President Biden’s own tour of the Middle East, where he sought to rally Israel and Arab countries to counter Russia, China and Iran. Steven Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and a Turkey expert, joins me to break down what’s at stake at this summit in Tehran, and place Putin’s trip to Iran within the broader context of President Biden’s recent visit to the Middle East.
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Putin Seeks to Cement Ties With Iran, Turkey in Rare Trip Abroad
Putin, Erdogan head to Iran for talks on Syria, future of Middle East
EU agrees deal with Azerbaijan to double gas exports by 2027
EU to call on member states to ‘immediately’ slash gas usage
Erdogan says Turkey will freeze Finland, Sweden's NATO bids if promises not kept
Today we’re taking you to the US House of Representatives, where the House Rules Committee voted on Tuesday to include an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would prohibit the sale of F-16s or modernization kits to Turkey unless certain conditions are met. The amendment was debated in the House on Wednesday night, with a vote expected on Thursday. This marks an important milestone in the the #NoJetsForTurkey campaign. Petros Kasfikis, the Washington DC correspondent for the Athens News Agency and Mega TV, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the details of the amendment and look at what still needs to happen for this amendment to become US law.
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Amendment conditioning sales of F-16s to Turkey included in NDAA
The US must not reward Erdogan’s aggression
State Department: ‘Sovereignty and territorial integrity of Greece not in question’
Putin to meet Erdogan and Raisi next Tuesday to discuss Syria, Kremlin says
Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and U.N. Hold Talks on Exporting Grain Blockaded by War
Plan B on energy: Back to lignite
EU leaders are bracing for a gas supply crunch that could freeze whole sectors of the bloc's economy as fears grow that Russia could pull the plug on supply and shut down the Nord Stream pipeline for good. If Russia does decide to pull the plug on supply, Europe, including Greece, will need to prepare for a challenging winter. This could also prove a test for the West’s resolve against Russia, as the Kremlin uses energy as a bargaining chip to splinter Western unity. Yannis Palaiologos, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to look into whether European countries are prepared should Russia cut off supplies of natural gas, what this could mean for Western unity in the face of Russian aggression, and what it means for Greece.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
EU insists on targeted support
Nord Stream nightmare: Has Putin stopped Europe’s gas for good?
Preparing for life without Russian gas
German envoy: Any questioning of Greece’s territorial integrity is ‘unacceptable’
PM: Erdogan must make position clear
Joint US-Greek exercise gets under way
Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the ultra-nationalist MHP in Turkey and Erdogan’s junior coalition partner, recently presented a map of the Aegean that showed many Greek islands as Turkish, including Crete. The image prompted reactions from Greece’s foreign ministry and from Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who tweeted the image and called on Turkish President Erdogan to clarify whether this is in fact Turkey’s policy, or just a “fever dream” of extremists. Expert Constantinos Filis, the Director of the Institute of Global Affairs and an associate professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis from Athens.
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PM urges Erdogan to take position on map depicting Greek islands as Turkish
Sharp rise in Turkish air violations
Preparing for life without Russian gas
Factbox: Europe's action in case Russian gas supply stops
Greek Tourism Boom Means Growth May Top 3.2%, Stournaras Says
Most journalists, analysts, and even politicians themselves seem to have concluded that Greece will head to early elections this fall. This week, Prime Minister Mitsotakis moved to dismiss these rumors, saying that he is prepared to assume the cost of resisting pressure for snap polls for the sake of stability, and added that he plans to see his government through its four-year term. In the meantime, polls are showing that the people do not want elections now. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini English Edition, joins Thanos Davelis today to discuss why most pundits and politicians are convinced of early elections, and make the case that this election uncertainty is damaging not only to the ruling party, but to Greece.
Read Tom Ellis’ latest piece in Kathimerini: The election uncertainty is hurting the country
New pipeline from Greece to Bulgaria offsets Russian gas cut
Mitsotakis, Petkov inaugurate IGB pipeline
Dendias discusses ‘3+1’ alliance, EastMed Act, Ukraine with US delegation
Since the late 1960s there has been agreement among successive US administrations that Israel should have a qualitative military edge for the sake of regional peace and security. Now, as the Biden administration throws its support behind the sale of F-16 fighter jets to an increasingly revisionist and aggressive Turkey, is it time to apply this example to the Eastern Mediterranean? Expert Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and former Pentagon official, joins Thanos Davelis to argue that given that Erdogan is more likely to use these F-16s to harass his neighbors rather than defend Turkey, a qualitative military edge for Greece and Cyprus would stabilize the Eastern Mediterranean, enhance NATO assets, and discourage aggression.
Read Michael Rubin’s piece in the Washington Examiner: Time to guarantee Greece and Cyprus a qualitative military edge
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Turkey’s fourth drillship set for August deployment
PM dismisses snap poll rumors, says will not ‘jeopardize country’s stability’
As concerns grow across Europe over the possibility of a complete disruption of Russian gas flows, Greece is transforming itself into a gateway for alternative sources of energy to flow into Europe. Its northern region of Thrace, with cities like Alexandroupoli, is at the heart of this effort, particularly when it comes to enabling Balkan energy independence from Russian gas through key infrastructure projects. Steven Tagle joins Thanos Davelis to look at how Thrace has become pivotal to Greece’s and the region’s energy security amid the war in Ukraine.
Steven Tagle is a fellow from the Institute of Current World Affairs funded by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. He previously served as speechwriter for the US Embassy in Athens and as a Fulbright Fellow in Greece.
Read Steven Tagle’s latest article for the Institute of Current World Affairs here: As war in Ukraine intensifies, Greece promotes Balkan energy security
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Greece says gas link with Bulgaria completed, can start operation this month
EU urges N Macedonia to back proposed deal with Bulgaria
Ministry vs electricity hikes
Skrekas Announces Higher Power Subsidies for Households, Businesses
The US-Turkey relationship has been characterized by a steady attempt at “hostage diplomacy” on the part of Ankara, and its veto over Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership bids is the latest example. One devastating effect of this consistent use of “hostage diplomacy”, as HALC’s Executive Director Endy Zemenides argues in his latest piece in Kathimerini, is that the US government has developed Stockholm syndrome, allowing Turkey to escape serious consequences for a whole host of transgressions. Endy Zemenides joins Thanos Davelis to break down Ankara’s hostage diplomacy and look at how the US can break out of its Stockholm Syndrome.
Read Endy Zemenides’ latest piece in Kathimerini here: Washington’s Stockholm syndrome
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Greece can cope with possible Russian gas disruptions thanks to LNG - minister
Preparing for winter without Russian gas
US lawmakers table amendment to block sale of F-16s to Turkey
Greece has quietly been building an anti-drone system that will significantly enhance its ability to defend its islands in the Aegean. The system being deployed, which uses Israeli technology and has similar characteristics to Israel’s Drone Dome, essentially operates in a way that interferes with the flight capability of potential enemy UAVs. Aside from this anti-drone system, Greece is also looking to boost its drone arsenal, and a plan to purchase American drones is being presented to Greece’s parliament early next week. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this anti-drone umbrella Greece is setting up over its islands.
Read Vassilis Nedos latest piece in Kathimerini here: Anti-drone umbrella over the islands
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Turkey blocks Deutsche Welle over licensing issues
Turkey blocks access to Deutsche Welle and Voice of America
North Macedonia backs compromise plan with Bulgaria, opening the way for EU membership
North Macedonia signals acceptance of plan to unlock EU membership talks
Earlier this week there were many who anticipated that Turkey would stand by its veto over Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership bids. Instead, on Tuesday night we saw the three countries reach an agreement that NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said addressed Turkey’s concerns, essentially paving the way for the Nordic countries to join NATO. After the deal was reached, we saw President Biden meet with Turkish President Erdogan, while the Biden administration reiterated its support for the potential sale of F-16 jets to Turkey. Howard Eissenstat, an Associate Professor of Middle East history at St. Lawrence University and a Turkey expert, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the deal that was reached on Tuesday, break down what Erdogan’s real gains are here, and discuss the role the US played in getting Turkey to lift its veto.
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Erdoğan gains from lifting Sweden and Finland Nato veto with US fighter jet promise
Biden administration throws support behind potential F-16 sale to Turkey
Turkey pushes Finland and Sweden on extradition after deal
Athens not worried about Turkey deal
Biden and Erdogan discuss ‘importance of maintaining stability in Aegean’
Greece to make formal request for F-35s from US
Greece proceeds with purchase of 20 Lockheed F-35 fighter jets -PM
This year holiday bookings to Greece are skyrocketing, and many are hoping Greece could reach or even exceed the numbers from 2019, a record breaking summer. While visitors are returning to Greece en masse this summer, the country is struggling to find enough people to work in its vital tourism industry to cope with this increase in demand. Prime Minister Mitsotakis even described these shortages in the tourism sector as “threatening”, and issued a plea to employers to raise salaries and improve working conditions. Nektaria Stamouli, a correspondent with Politico based in Athens covering Greece, Cyprus, and the Balkans, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis.
Read Nektaria Stamouli’s latest piece in Politico: In Greece, holidaymakers are back but workers are in short supply
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Travel receipts may beat 2019
Turkey lifts objections to Finland and Sweden’s Nato bid
Turkey supports Finland and Sweden Nato bid
NATO's Door Open, Stoltenberg Says After Turkey Lifts Objection To Sweden, Finland Joining Alliance
Euro firefighters head to Greece for the summer
Last week Bulgaria’s government collapsed after a no-confidence vote in parliament. The move comes at a delicate time - especially considering Bulgaria’s position vis-a-vis Ukraine and Russia, and its role in holding up the EU integration of North Macedonia and Albania. Following the vote of no-confidence, Bulgaria’s parliament voted to lift its veto on North Macedonia’s EU membership bid, which could have implications for the EU trajectory of the broader Western Balkans. Professor Yorgos Christidis joins Thanos Davelis to look at what the unfolding political developments in Bulgaria mean for the country, the West’s positions when it comes to Russia, and the Western Balkans.
Yorgos Christidis is a research fellow at ELIAMEP and an Associate Professor of Comparative Politics at the Department of Balkan, Slavonic and Oriental Studies at the University of Macedonia in Greece, and a visiting Professor at the University of Sofia.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Bulgaria vote buoys prospect of EU expansion into western Balkans
‘I fear Bulgaria will become a soft state’: Kiril Petkov on threat of Russia
Erdogan will meet Biden in Madrid, says ‘door closed’ for talks with Mitsotakis
Erdogan will discuss 'stalled' F-16 deal with Biden at NATO meet
‘Largest transfer of military equipment ever’ at northern Greek port
As this week’s NATO summit kicks off, instead of welcoming Sweden and Finland into the alliance, leaders will have to address the question of Turkey, which is derailing NATO’s enlargement and threatening NATO ally Greece. While Greece is prepared to respond decisively if Turkish President Erdogan raises questions about the sovereignty of Greek islands in the Aegean at the summit, the question remains whether key members of the alliance - including the US and Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg - are ready to push back against Turkey. Ambassador Alexandros Mallias, the former Greek ambassador to the United States and a frequent contributor to Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis today to explain why it’s time to have a real conversation about Turkey’s role in NATO.
Read Ambassador Alexandros Mallias’ latest piece in Kathimerini (in Greek): Έχει θέση η Τουρκία στο ΝΑΤΟ;
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Athens prepared for Madrid challenges
Greece to Triple Length of Border Fence With Turkey
Lack of trust on both sides a 'fundamental issue'
Cyprus unity in fight against wildfires hailed as ‘very positive’
This week the EU’s 27 leaders took a historic step during a two day summit in Brussels to grant EU candidate status to Ukraine. While the move marks a significant step for EU enlargement efforts, Western Balkan leaders, who traveled to Brussels for high level meetings with their EU counterparts, were left frustrated at the lack of movement on their bids to join the bloc. Ukraine and the Western Balkans weren’t the only issues on the table, as EU leaders tackled questions related to Turkish aggression against Greece and Cyprus and the economic fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Yannis Palaiologos, Kathimerini's Brussels correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis.
Read the latest coverage from Yannis Palaiologos here:
Strict message from Brussels to Ankara
Von der Leyen: Turkey ‘further away’ from EU
Greece confident about NATO summit
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EU awards Ukraine and Moldova candidate status
Bulgarian lawmakers vote to unblock N Macedonia’s EU bid
Bulgaria Opens Door to Unblocking Balkan EU Accession Talks
Cyprus signs deal for Airbus attack helicopters
Elections first, investment grade to follow
Government seeks to shut down election speculation
Last week the EU finalized a natural gas agreement with Israel and Egypt, building on what’s been a busy month when it comes to energy in the Eastern Mediterranean. These agreements further showcase how the region can be a game-changer in reducing the dependence of America’s European allies on Russian energy. At the same time, however, we’re seeing state and non-state actors in the region - from Turkey to Hezbollah - escalate tensions, putting these developments at risk. Jonathan Ruhe, the Director of Foreign Policy at The Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), joins Thanos Davelis to break down these recent developments, and argue that it's time for the US to reverse its hands-off approach to the Eastern Mediterranean.
Read JINSA’s national security briefing here: U.S. Leadership Needed on East Med Energy
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Western Balkans leaders fume after summit fails to unblock EU bids
Balkan membership hopefuls leave EU summit empty handed
Bulgarian government ousted in blow to EU enlargement hopes
More upgrades foreseen for Souda Bay
In response to Turkey’s clear aggression in the Aegean, the State Department has resorted to a policy of neutrality and equidistance. Instead of calling out Turkey’s revisionism and condemning its threats against Greece in a clear and unequivocal way, it has resorted to on the one hand supporting the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity, and on the other calling on “both sides” to “avoid rhetoric that could further raise tensions.” Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss his latest piece in Kathimerini, “The Immorality of Neutrality”, explain the risks this policy of “neutrality” poses not only to Greece, but to US interests, and make the case that the time for the State Department and the Biden administration to take a side is now.
Read Endy Zemenides’ latest piece in Kathimerini here: The immorality of neutrality
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Western Balkans leaders will attend EU summit, dropping boycott threats
Balkans Losing Hope of Progress on EU Membership
Case made for elections in the fall
This week Western Balkan leaders will travel to Brussels for a high-level meeting with EU leaders where they will discuss progress on their integration with the EU and the challenges posed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The meeting comes as the debate over EU enlargement picks up again, which has seen calls from key European leaders for the EU to live up to its promises to the Western Balkans and take meaningful steps to integrate the region into the European family. Florian Bieber joins Thanos Davelis to look at how the war in Ukraine is impacting the debate over EU enlargement, putting the Western Balkans’ hopes of integration into the EU back in the spotlight.
Florian Bieber is a Professor of Southeast European History and Politics and Director of the Centre for Southeast European Studies at the University of Graz, Austria. He is also a coordinator at The Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
It’s time to get European enlargement back on track
What Has Stopped EU Enlargement in the Western Balkans?
EU Rapporteur Adds To Pressure For Brussels To Give Balkans 'Something' Amid Ukraine Push
‘Extended’ heat wave to be ‘a challenge,’ says expert
Greek power system to be put to the test
Turkey says summit is not deadline for talks on Finland and Sweden's NATO bids
Last week Greece’s Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos and his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar held a brief one-on-one meeting in Brussels. The meeting came amid escalating aggressive rhetoric from Ankara that has taken tensions between Greece and Turkey to dangerous levels. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis on last week’s meeting between the two defense ministers. We also look at the role played by Greece’s allies - primarily the US - in setting up this diplomatic opening to ensure tensions don’t boil over, and break down what to expect next.
Read Vassilis Nedos’ latest analysis in Kathimerini: Efforts afoot to de-escalate tensions
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
US-Greek relationship makes EU ‘more secure’
Israeli foreign minister to visit Turkey amid security jitters
Lapid to visit Turkey amid cooperation against Iranian terror threat
Greece has stepped up efforts to combat wildfires in the wake of last year’s devastating blazes as the country braces itself for another scorching summer. As Christos Stylianides, Greece’s first minister for climate crisis and civil protection, laid out in a recent interview with the Financial Times, Athens is hiring more specialized firefighters and planes, increasing spending, and piloting an EU funded project that will see about 250 firefighters from EU member states in Greece during the critical summer months. Eleni Varvitsioti, the Financial Times correspondent for Greece and Cyprus, joins Thanos Davelis to talk about her interview with Minister Stylianides and look at the steps taken to prepare Greece to tackle and prevent wildfires.
Read Eleni Varvitsioti’s interview with Minister Stylianides in Financial Times: Greece’s first climate crisis minister prepares for summer heatwave
Greek, Turkish defense ministers meet briefly in Brussels
Effort under way to open communication channels
Biden nominates Russia-savvy career diplomat as Washington’s new ambassador to Cyprus
Julie Fisher will be the new US Ambassador to Cyprus
A climate of mistrust toward Turkey, which has been prominent in the halls of Congress, has now spread and taken hold across Washington, DC. This is particularly notable following Ankara’s veto over Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership bid, its decision to launch a new incursion into Syria, its relations with Russia, and its dangerous escalation of tensions with Greece. Lena Argiri, the DC Correspondent for ERT - the Greek Public Broadcasting Company, joins Thanos Davelis from Washington, DC to break down this climate of mistrust, and look at where Turkey’s aggressive and escalating rhetoric against Greece fits in the broader picture.
Read Lena Argiri's latest analysis in Kathimerini (in Greek): Η Τουρκία δοκιμάζει τις αντοχές των ΗΠΑ
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
PM: Greeks are absolutely safe
British Museum suggests a ‘sharing arrangement’ of Parthenon sculptures
There is a ‘deal to be done’ with Greece over Parthenon Marbles, says British Museum chairman George Osborne
While Russian-Turkish dealings in a number of conflict hotspots in the Middle East, the Black Sea and the Caucasus have attracted international attention, reactions to Ankara and Moscow’s collaboration when it comes to nuclear energy have been rather muted. Professor Ioannis Grigoriadis joins Thanos Davelis to look into the nuclear plant Russia and Turkey are building at Akkuyu, discuss its impact on Russian-Turkish relations, and break down the major environmental and security concerns this project presents for the Eastern Mediterranean.
Dr. Ioannis Grigoriadis is a Senior Research Fellow and the head of the Turkey Program at ELIAMEP. He is also an Associate Professor and Jean Monnet Chair of European Studies at the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at Bilkent University.
Read Dr. Ioannis Grigoriadis’ policy paper for ELIAMEP here: The Akkuyu NPP and Russian-Turkish Nuclear Cooperation: Asymmetries and risks
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Athens sees Ankara raising tensions
Alexandroupoli set to become even busier
In its quest for strategic autonomy, Turkey is pursuing a radical revision of the regional status quo by projecting power in the region with increasing aggression and disregard for international law. Admiral Alexandros Diakopoulos, the former National Security Advisor for the Greek Prime Minister, joins Thanos Davelis to look at Ankara’s pursuit of strategic autonomy and hegemony of the Eastern Mediterranean, the central role the Blue Homeland doctrine plays in this grand strategy, and break down the risks Ankara’s stance poses to the West and NATO.
Read Admiral Diakopoulos’s latest policy paper for ELIAMEP here: Turkey’s pursuit of strategic autonomy
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Cavusoglu attacks Greece, reiterates Turkish support of two-state solution on Cyprus
Germany urges Bulgaria to lift veto on North Macedonia EU entry talks
Scholz fails to win breakthrough with Bulgaria on North Macedonia’s EU bid
Erdogan warned that he was “not joking” on Thursday about his demand for Greece to demilitarize its Aegean islands, and Foreign Minister Cavusoglu has warned Greece to demilitarize or face a debate about the island’s sovereignty. Greece has effectively rebuked Turkey’s claims, but Ankara continues to escalate its rhetoric. Professor Petros Liakouras joins Thanos Davelis to break down why Turkey is raising the issue of demilitarization and sovereignty, and look at why international law does not support Turkey’s claims.
Professor Petros Liakouras teaches international law and is director of the International and European Studies postgraduate program at the University of Piraeus.
Read these two op-eds by Professor Petros Liakouras in Kathimerini: What’s behind the statements and letters
The demilitarization or sovereignty dilemma
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It’s time to get European enlargement back on track
Scholz backs giving ‘realistic chance’ to Western Balkans on EU membership bid
The Balkan chessboard and notable absentees
UNSC failing to see resolutions implemented says Cyprus ambassador
The war in Ukraine – one of the world’s biggest exporters of grain – is fuelling food shortages around the world and pushing millions of people into famine, raising fears of new waves of refugees toward southern Europe. The EU’s Mediterranean countries, which would be on the frontlines once again, are on alert, and have called on the EU to act with urgency on this issue and take steps to show solidarity and redistribute the burden. Expert Angeliki Dimitriadi joins Thanos Davelis to look at whether Europe is prepared for a new wave of refugees and migrants from Africa, and explore whether it could see the EU finally move on a common migration policy.
Angeliki Dimitriadi is a research fellow at the Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi) in Berlin, where she contributes to the institute’s work on migration.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Mediterranean nations criticize EU solidarity on migrants
Act now to end food, energy and finance crisis, Guterres urges world leaders
Ukraine war: WTO boss warns of global food crisis
Turkey’s Erdogan warns Greece to demilitarize Aegean islands
Athens dismisses ‘ahistorical’ Turkish claims on Greek islands
Growth beats expectations
In late May, Turkish President Erdogan announced that Turkey plans to launch another operation into northern Syria. Turkish artillery fire in the region has been registered since early June, while Russia has intensified military patrols in the parts of northern Syria it controls. Both the US and Russia have called on Turkey not to launch this new military operation in the region. Ambassador Marc Pierini joins Thanos Davelis to look at why Turkey has taken this decision now, and what challenges this will pose not only for the region, but for Ankara’s relations with Washington and Moscow.
Marc Pierini is a visiting scholar at Carnegie Europe, where his research focuses on developments in the Middle East and Turkey from a European perspective. Prior to this, Pierini was a career EU diplomat, and served as EU ambassador to Turkey (2006–2011).
Read Ambassador Marc Pierini’s latest piece here: A New Operation in Syria?
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
PM standing firm, ‘does not hold grudge’
Greek, Israeli ministers talk EuroAsia Interconnector
Cyprus, Greece, Israel and USA hold ministerial meeting on climate action
Cyprus is lodging a complaint to the UN over Turkey’s new financial assistance deal with Turkish Cypriots and over Turkey’s decision to designate the Turkish Cypriots’ unrecognized main airport as a domestic flight route, effectively turning it into a Turkish one. There is a fear among Turkish Cypriots as well that both the financial deal and the airport designation are the clearest signals yet that Turkey wants to eventually annex the occupied northern part of Cyprus. Nicholas Danforth, a Non-Resident Senior Research Fellow at the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy, joins Thanos Davelis to break this down.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Cyprus to UN: Turkey seeks full control of breakaway north
Greece rejects all Turkish arguments on island demilitarization
No deal yet with Russia or Turkey to unblock Black Sea, Ukraine says
Russian, Turkish defence ministers discuss Syria, grain exports from Ukraine
Since its inception, the Turkish government has used the Grey Wolves, a Turkish ultranationalist organization, to target Kurds and other minorities both within Turkey and abroad. Diliman Abdulkader, the Co-Founder and Director of American Friends of Kurdistan, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss his latest publication on the Grey Wolves, which highlights their links to past and present Turkish governments and the state's use of the Grey Wolves to persecute the Kurds. We also explore how Western countries can put pressure on the Grey Wolves, and look at the ways in which the United States can play a vital meditating role between the Kurds and Turks.
Read Diliman Abdulkader’s latest publication in the Georgetown Journal of International
Affairs: The Ultra-Nationalist Grey Wolves: A Turkish Government Tool to Persecute Kurdish People
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Greece bracing for all possible scenarios
Mediterranean nations criticize EU solidarity on migrants
Cyprus received 11,000 asylum applications in the first five months of 2022
With Turkey escalating its provocations against Greece in the Aegean, we saw Germany once again - at least initially - call on “both sides” to reduce tensions. Following a reaction in Athens at this perceived neutrality, Germany’s government firmed up its stance and called Turkey’s overflights above Greek islands unacceptable. Xenia Kounalaki, a journalist and the foreign editor at Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to look at Berlin’s long-standing policy of “equal distances” between Greece and Turkey, and explore whether Germany’s latest call on Turkey to refrain from provoking Greece marks a more substantive shift in this policy.
Read Xenia Kounalaki’s latest analysis in Kathimerini: On the German-Turkish relationship (In Greek)
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Berlin changes course over Turkey threats
Germany’s Scholz to visit Thessaloniki on June 10
EU to send more than 200 firefighters to Greece for the summer season
Russia urges Turkey not to launch offensive in northern Syria
Erdogan announces military operations in Syria's Manbij, Tal Rifaat
Turkish revisionism in the Aegean is on full display these past weeks, with Ankara even questioning the sovereignty of large Greek islands. This isn’t a new story, however, as Turkey has been trying to turn the Aegean Sea into a disputed area for 50 years, raising new claims that attempt to undermine Greece‘s sovereign rights. As a result of these latest escalations, Athens is taking a number of steps to counter Turkey and raise the alarm with its international partners and allies. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to deconstruct Turkey’s revisionism, break down the Greek response, and look at what’s at stake over the next weeks and months.
Read Vassilis Nedos’s latest analysis for Kathimerini: Deconstructing Ankara’s revisionism
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey breaks off high-level talks with Greece as rift grows
Germany's Scholz calls on Turkey to refrain from provoking Greece
Greece won’t be lured into escalation with Turkey, Foreign Ministry says
Greece lifts mask mandate, but there are exceptions
Masks to remain in ferries, taxis, pharmacies
Over the last weeks Turkey has decided to block Sweden and Finland’s bids to join the NATO alliance, Ankara has escalated its provocations and threats against Greece in the Aegean, and Turkish President Erdogan is now threatening a new incursion into northern Syria. Dr. Lisel Hintz joins Thanos Davelis to look at these foreign policy decisions and break down how they also intersect with domestic politics inside Turkey.
Dr. Lisel Hintz is an Assistant Professor of International Relations at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies. She studies the intersections of identity politics, repression and resistance, foreign policy, and pop culture in Turkey and its neighborhood, and is the author of the book Identity Politics Inside Out: National Identity Contestation and Foreign Policy in Turkey.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Blocking NATO expansion will only harm Turkey
Turkish aggression raised with EU, US
Mitsotakis: Turkish provocations cannot be tolerated
Macron condemns Turkish statements on Greek islands
Berlin to supply arms to Greece, Athens to deliver Soviet weapons to Kyiv -Scholz
We’ve had over a week to reflect on Prime Minister Mitsotakis’s visit to Washington, DC, a visit that showcased Greece’s enhanced role as one of Washington’s closest allies. This visit also came at a time when solidarity within NATO has become of the utmost importance. Unfortunately, that solidarity is being tested in the Aegean, where Turkish provocations have escalated tensions. Dr. Jake Sotiriadis joins Thanos Davelis to reflect on Prime Minister Mitsotakis’s visit, look at how the US-Greece cooperation is advancing American foreign policy objectives across the region, and stress the need for NATO solidarity - which Turkey is testing.
Dr. Jake Sotiriadis is the Director of the Center for Futures Intelligence at National Intelligence University, where he sits on the research faculty.
Read Jake Sotiriadis’s latest piece in The National Interest: U.S. and Greece Take Strategic Partnership to New Heights
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Iran seizes 2 Greek tankers in Persian Gulf, tensions spike
Contempt for international law marginalizing Turkey, PM says
This week the EU Commission proposed to extend a moratorium on EU fiscal rules until the end of 2023, but warned that this "does not mean a free for all," stressing it will not allow for any fiscal excesses. Especially for over indebted countries, such as Greece, the monitoring of expenditures will be stricter. This decision came as the Commission recommended Greece’s exit from its strict post-bailout monitoring by the bloc’s institutions in August. Yannis Palaiologos, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what all this means for the EU and for Greece’s economy.
Read Yannis Palaiologos’s coverage in Kathimerini: Fiscal prudence urged again
Brussels keeps debt rules lifted, but recommends fiscal prudence
Greece tells UN that Turkey is challenging its sovereignty
Greece delivers letter to UN countering Turkish claims in the Aegean
Turkey 'not bluffing' over Greek islands
Turkey Warns Greece Over Aegean Island Forces as Spat Grows
Last week in Washington, DC Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis seized the opportunity to present Greece as more than a “pillar of stability” and a “reliable ally,” drawing a direct line between core American values and interests and fundamental Hellenic national issues. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis to look at why, after last week, Greece is now a paradigm in terms of both geopolitics and values.
Read Endy Zemenides’s latest op-ed in Kathimerini: A paradigm
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey demands ‘concrete steps’ to back Nordics’ NATO bids
Vartholomaios says Russian church has ‘disappointed us’ over Ukraine
On Monday Turkey’s President Erdogan vowed never to meet with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis again, saying Mitsotakis "no longer exists" for him. Erdogan accused Mitsotakis of deliberately antagonizing Turkey when he addressed Congress last week in Washington, DC, and has called off talks between the countries. His latest statements have raised fears of renewed tensions heading into the summer months. Tom Ellis, the editor-in-chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis from Athens.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey’s Erdogan says he will no longer talk to Greek PM
Ankara using migration to turn up the heat on Athens
Greece says it won't allow illegal entry of migrants by land or sea
U.S. raises concern over Turkey's plans for new offensive along Syria border
Greece, as Prime Minister Mitsotakis made clear in the US last week, has taken a clear and decidedly pro-Western policy after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, offering not only humanitarian aid but also arms to Ukraine. Recent polls, however, show that everyday Greeks remain wary of this position, viewing both the US and Russia with skepticism. John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist based in Athens and Al Jazeera’s southeast Europe correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to break down Greek public opinion on this issue, and look at the questions it raises as Greece looks to address key security concerns.
Read John Psaropoulos’s latest piece here: Ukraine war boosts Europeanism in border-wary Greece
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Turkey's Erdogan says Greek PM Mitsotakis 'no longer exists' for him
Turkey’s Erdogan says he will no longer talk to Greek PM
Greece rebuts British Museum claim Parthenon marbles were ‘removed from rubble’
At the White House this week, Prime Minister Mitsotakis announced that Greece will move forward with its bid to acquire the F-35 stealth fighter jet after 2028. He also added that Lockheed Martin had expressed an interest in investing in Greece’s aerospace industry. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the next steps for Greece in acquiring the F-35, Lockheed Martin’s role in Greece, and what else to look out for as Greece and the US deepen their defense cooperation.
Read Vassilis Nedos’ latest for Kathimerini: Air force upgrade ongoing, F-35 interest strong
Ελλάδα – ΗΠΑ: H προοπτική απόκτησης F-35 και το χρονοδιάγραμμα
H αγορά F-35, η «Λόκχιντ» και η ΕΑΒ
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Greece seeks to join F-35 program as it lobbies against Turkey F-16 sale
Greece condemns Turkish incursion near Alexandroupoli as ‘unprecedented violation of sovereignty’
Jordan offers to station firefighting aircraft in Cyprus
Greece’s leaders commemorated the 103rd anniversary of the genocide of the Greeks of the Pontus region today, in which at least 353,000 Pontian Greeks perished. This was a major phase of a larger genocide of Christians in Turkey that also targeted Armenians, Assyrians, and Greeks from Asia Minor and eastern Thrace. Professor Alexander Kitroeff, a Professor of History at Haverford College whose research focuses on identity in Greece and its diaspora, joins Thanos Davelis to commemorate the Pontian Genocide, discuss the efforts to achieve its international recognition, and explore how to overcome Turkey’s continued denial of this crime.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greek president calls for recognition of Pontian Genocide on 103rd anniversary
PM, FM pay tribute on anniversary of Pontian Genocide
Turkey lashes out at Greek officials’ ‘delusional statements’ on Pontian genocide anniversary
Greece, UK to hold formal talks on return of Parthenon sculptures
Biden hails Sweden, Finland NATO bids as leaders visit US
In White House visit, Finland and Sweden’s leaders talk Turkey
We’re taking you to Washington, DC today, where Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis just wrapped up a two day trip that included a meeting at the White House with President Biden and a historic address to a joint session of Congress. Lena Argiri, the DC Correspondent for ERT - the Greek Public Broadcasting Company, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Biden meets with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ address to the Joint Session of the US Congress
NATO talks with Finland, Sweden falter but will continue
Finland, Sweden apply to join NATO amid Turkish objections
NATO: Turkey blocks early talks on Finland and Sweden joining
Mandatory mask-wearing in planes, public indoor areas to end June 1
Covid mask rule partially eased for EU air travel
Turkey surprised its NATO allies last week by saying it would not view the applications of Sweden and Finland positively, and on Monday Turkish President Erdogan doubled down on comments last week indicating that the two Nordic countries´ path to NATO would be anything but smooth. Erdogan also cited Greece to express his disagreement over Finland and Sweden joining the transatlantic alliance. Expert Alan Makovsky joins Thanos Davelis today to break down what the key issues are, look at what Erdogan hopes to gain with this policy, and break down what this means for US-Turkish relations.
Alan Makovsky is a senior fellow for national security and international policy at the Center for American Progress, and has worked on Turkey and the region in several capacities, including as a senior staff member on the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the House of Representatives and at the State Department.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Erdogan says Swedish, Finnish delegations should not bother coming to Turkey
Turkey objects as Sweden, Finland seek NATO membership
Biden praises Greece for ‘moral leadership’ after Russia invasion
NATO does not need more tension between Greece and Turkey, Mitsotakis tells university audience
EU growth forecast cut as war in Ukraine fuels inflation
Commission delivers gloomy numbers but tries to bat away stagflation fears
Today we are heading to a remote island in the Aegean, Tilos. The island has already been producing most of its own electricity through solar and wind, and this week authorities announced that more than 80% of Tilos’ trash is now being recycled, with a recycling plant replacing the island’s landfill. Derek Gatopoulos, a correspondent for the Associated Press who has been covering news in Greece for more than 25 years, joins me today to explore how Tilos has become a pioneer in green tech and environmentally sustainable initiatives, and a model for other Aegean islands.
Read Derek Gatopoulos’s latest in-depth report from Tilos: Battery-powered Greek island bets on green future
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Advocacy groups press Congress to reject Biden weapons sale to Turkey
Erdogan says Turkey not supportive of Finland, Sweden joining NATO
Turkey’s leader opposes letting Finland, Sweden join NATO
NPR recently highlighted how Orthodox Christian churches in the US are drawing in far-right American converts that show strong strains of nativism and white nationalism, along with a strong admiration for authoritarianism and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Dr. Sarah Riccardi-Swartz and Dr. Aram Sariksian join Thanos Davelis to look at this phenomenon and explore what the broader implications are not only for Orthodox churches in the US, but also for US democracy.
Dr. Sarah Riccardi-Swartz is the postdoctoral fellow for the Recovering Truth: Religion, Journalism, and Democracy project in the Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict at Arizona State University. An anthropologist, scholar of American religion, and trained documentary filmmaker, she specializes in social politics, media, race, and Orthodox Christianity. She is the author of Between Heaven and Russia: Religious Conversion and Political Apostasy in Appalachia.
Dr. Aram Sarkisian is a postdoctoral teaching fellow in the History Department at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. A historian of immigration, religion, and labor, his research focuses on Orthodox Christianity in North America, especially amongst Russian and Slavic communities.
Read the in-depth NPR piece we cite here: Orthodox Christian churches are drawing in far-right American converts
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Greece to extend base access deal with US military
Leftist opposition refuses to back US defense deal
Υπερψηφίστηκε η Αμυντική Συμφωνία Ελλάδας – ΗΠΑ
Key Turkish opposition figure banned from politics after anti-Erdoğan tweet
Turkish court upholds key opposition politician’s conviction
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Western policymakers have watched Erdogan’s balancing act between Turkey’s NATO allies and Russia closely, seeing the war as an opportunity to pull Ankara back into the Western fold. As a result, several NATO countries have helped boost Erdogan’s image in recent weeks with diplomatic visits and new offers of previously off-limits arms deals. Merve Tahiroglu, the Turkey program coordinator at the Project on Middle East Democracy, joins Thanos Davelis today to argue that instead of focusing solely on Erdogan’s balancing act, Western policymakers should be paying attention to the attitudes of ordinary Turks to the war.
Read Merve Tahiroglu’s latest analysis for POMED here: Why Turkish Citizens Blame the United States for Ukraine War
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Biden Administration Asks Congress to Approve New Weapons Deal With Turkey
EU tensions grow over Russian oil ban as Hungary demands exemption
Hungary says its backing of EU's Russia oil ban hinges on hundreds of millions of dollars
Greece bans LGBTQ conversion therapy
After years of deteriorating relations, it appears there is a new narrative on US-Turkey relations that sees the war in Ukraine as a chance to reset relations and reverse Turkey’s tilt towards Russia. What’s missing from any discussion of this “reset” narrative, however, is Turkey’s escalation of aggressive behavior against Greece and Cyprus. HALC’s Executive Director Endy Zemenides joins Thanos Davelis today to break down why a failure by the US to publicly link any “reset” to Turkey ending its destabilizing behavior in the Aegean undermines US policy.
Read Endy Zemenides’s latest piece in Kathimerini: A false reset
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greek Inflation Hits Double Digits for First Time in 27 Years
Inflation is spiraling out of control
New US ambassador presents his credentials to the president
Ambassador Tsunis meets with FM Dendias
Ambassador Tsunis meets with Minister Pierrakakis
Later this month Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will be in Washington, DC, and he is arriving with a full agenda that includes the global impact of the war in Ukraine, regional energy developments, and Turkey’s provocations in the Aegean. Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of the 3+1 scheme, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, held a virtual meeting on Monday, while Prime Minister Mitsotakis visited the UAE on Monday. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to talk about the agenda leading up to Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ visit to the US, and analyze these latest diplomatic developments.
Read Vassilis Nedos’ latest for Kathimerini here:
Greek PM to travel to US with full agenda
Tank dispatch to Ukraine conditional
Foreign ministers of 3+1 scheme to meet via video call on Monday
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece, UAE agree joint investments in energy, other sectors
FM attends ‘3+1’ virtual conference
Cyprus pitches regional firefighting hub to Israel, Greece
Turkish lira hits weakest level since mid-December
This week the EU proposed the toughest package of sanctions yet against Russia for its war in Ukraine, including an embargo on Russian oil. However, some member states are worried about the impact on their own economies, and the EU has had to tweak its sanctions plan in a bid to win them over. As of Friday night there was still no green light in sight. Yannis Palaiologos, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis.
Read Yannis Palaiologos’ recent interview with European Council President Charles Michel: Michel confident EU states will adopt sanctions against Russia, urges Turkey to align with bloc’s policy
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
EU rewrites oil ban to give Hungary, Slovakia and Czech Republic more time
EU tweaks Russia oil sanctions plan in bid to win over reluctant states
EU must heed Greece, Malta, Cyprus concerns on oil ban
Bulgaria and Greece plan joint gas purchases
Dr. Oz's vote in 2018 Turkish election renews criticism
Pompeo holds briefing to raise concerns over Trump-backed Senate candidate in Pennsylvania
We’re taking you to the Aegean today, where Turkey’s provocations have reached unprecedented levels. Just on one day last week, Greece registered 168 airspace violations and 42 illegal overflights over Greek islands by Turkish jets. Expert Constantinos Filis, the Director of the Institute of Global Affairs and an associate professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to explain why Turkey has chosen to escalate tensions over the Aegean, and explore whether we should expect a tense summer for Greek-Turkish relations.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece says Turkey’s airspace incursions ‘unprecedented’
Turkey antagonizing Greece at every opportunity
Ankara stance linked to dismay with US
Turkish jet violations escalate
Foreign ministers of 3+1 scheme to meet via video call on Monday
MDCA with US submitted to Parliament
Mitsotakis: Households to get 60% rebate on extra electricity costs from December to May
Earlier this week Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy gave an all encompassing interview which aired on ERT - the Greek public broadcaster - and was later published in Kathimerini, in which he discussed Greece’s support for Ukraine, Turkey’s attempts to mediate a peace deal, Ankara’s “double standards” vis-a-vis the West and Russia, and much more more. Yiannis Souliotis, who traveled to Kyiv to interview President Zelenskyy for ERT and Kathimerini, joins our host Thanos Davelis to talk about his meeting with Ukraine’s President and the main takeaways from his interview.
Read Yiannis Souliotis’ article describing his interview with President Zelenskyy here: “I will visit Athens when we win the war”
Watch the full interview (in Greek) which was broadcast on ERT: Ζελένσκι στην ΕΡΤ
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
EU plans Russian oil ban and war crimes sanctions
EU's toughest Russia sanctions yet snag on worries over oil ban
EU targets head of the Russian church in new sanctions
This week Greece lifted COVID-19 restrictions for foreign and domestic flights as it prepares for a tourist season that it hopes will see this crucial sector bounce back to pre-pandemic levels. Meanwhile, with 14 direct flights to Athens, Greece is expecting to see a record number of Americans visit the country. Greece's Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias joins Thanos Davelis today to talk about the role of tourism in the US-Greece bilateral relationship, Greece’s expectations for this summer, and the efforts to make tourism a significant year round enterprise for Greece.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece lifts COVID curbs for travelers ahead of key summer season
Ambassador Pyatt’s Remarks: U.S.-Greece Tourism Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony
Greece, Bulgaria say new LNG terminal will help cut reliance on Russia
PM hails ‘new energy gateway’ at LNG terminal project launch in northern Greece
Greek price ceiling on electricity
Support measures worth 4.34 billion euros this year
The official launch of the new floating storage regasification unit (FSRU) at Alexandroupoli is taking place on Tuesday this week. This marks an important milestone not only for Greece’s role as a regional energy hub, but also for the Balkans. The launch will take place with the prime ministers of Greece, Bulgaria and North Macedonia, and the president of Serbia in attendance, along with the energy ministers of all four countries. Dr. Theodoros Tsakiris joins our host Thanos Davelis to discuss the significance of the new FSRU in Alexandroupoli for Greece and the region.
Dr. Tsakiris is an Associate Professor for Geopolitics and Energy Policy at the University of Nicosia and a member of the board of directors of DESFA, the Greek Natural Gas Transmission System Operator.
FSRU launch attracts keen regional interest
Greece seeks common EU line
EU Commission set to propose phasing out Russian oil by end of year
Greece lifts COVID curbs for travellers ahead of key summer season
Tourists, rejoice! Italy, Greece relax COVID-19 restrictions
Petrides: The next few years will be difficult
It was recently announced that Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will visit the White House next month and deliver what’s been described as a historic address to a joint session of Congress. This week we also saw two marathon hearings in the Senate and the House, where Secretary Blinken was grilled by members of Congress on the administration’s broader foreign policy strategy that covered Russia, China, and touched on Turkey. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest breakdown.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greek PM Mitsotakis to visit White House in May
Pelosi Invites Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of Greece to Address Joint Meeting of Congress
Secretary of State Blinken testifies in Senate Foreign Relations hearing
Key U.S. senator criticizes Blinken for failing to condemn Turkish jailing of philanthropist
Blinken to detail U.S. national strategy for China in coming weeks
Greece’s energy sufficiency fully guaranteed, Mitsotakis says
Mitsotakis: Polls at end of gov’t term
In a decisive turn in the war in Ukraine, Russia announced this week that it was cutting gas to Poland and Bulgaria. This move has put the spotlight on the efforts underway in the Balkans to show Gazprom that they have real alternatives to Russian gas. Nektaria Stamouli, Politico’s Athens-based correspondent covering the region, joins me today to look at how the Balkans are breaking their energy dependence on Russia and the central role Greece is playing in this effort.
Read Nektaria Stamouli’s latest piece for Politico here: Ukraine war piles pressure on southeastern Europe to find new gas
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece taps bond markets after sovereign upgrade
Turkish jet violations escalate
Greece, Turkey trade barbs over Aegean airspace incursions
Greece lodges new demarche over Turkish fighter jet incursions
This week a Turkish court condemned Turkish philanthropist and civic leader Osman Kavala to life in prison, a verdict that’s been described as a “travesty of justice.” The State Department also chimed in, expressing its deep concern. Its statement only mentioned Osman Kavala, however, failing to call out Turkey for upending the lives of the other defendants, including Professor Henri Barkey, a US citizen and former State Department employee. Merve Tahiroglu and Henri Barkey join our host Thanos Davelis to discuss this verdict, the US response, and its potential impact on Turkey’s relations with the West.
Merve Tahiroglu is the Turkey program coordinator at the Project on Middle East Democracy.
Henri Barkey is the Cohen Professor of International Relations at Lehigh University and an adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Read Henri Barkey’s op-ed in The Atlantic on this case: Erdoğan’s War on Truth
Read POMED’s Joint Statement on the verdict: Turkey’s Gezi Trial Verdict a Travesty of Justice
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US State Department on Turkey’s conviction of Osman Kavala
Greece to pay Gazprom end-May, help Bulgaria after Russia cuts gas supply
Greece files demarche over Turkish F-16 violations
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom released its Annual Report this week, and once again recommended that the State Department place Turkey on its Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating severe violations of religious freedom. Tugba Tanyeri Erdemir, a non-resident scholar at the Middle East Institute and an expert on religious minorities and cultural heritage, joins our host Thanos Davelis today to break down this report and look at the state of religious freedom in Turkey.
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USCIRF’s 2022 Annual Report
More support measures expected soon
Contingency plan under way
Greece announces return to capital markets
Analysts see no danger to market access
Last week evidence emerged of a disturbing act of vandalism at Hagia Sophia, with photos showing the historic Imperial Gate badly damaged. This is raising concerns over the repercussions of Turkish President Erdogan’s decision in 2020 to turn Hagia Sophia, then a museum, into a mosque. Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou, a leading expert on issues of religion and human rights, joins our host Thanos Davelis to look into this incident and the broader impact that Hagia Sophia’s conversion into a mosque is having on the UNESCO world heritage site.
Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou is an internationally recognized leader on issues of religion and human rights, and a previous Vice Chair and Commissioner on the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. Dr. Prodromou is also a faculty member at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, where she directs the Initiative on Religion, Law, and Diplomacy.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Hagia Sophia’s 6th Century Imperial Gate Vandalized
PM discusses Hagia Sophia door damage with UNESCO chief
Turkish court gives philanthropist Kavala life in prison
Philanthropist sentenced to life in Turkey in ‘travesty’ trial over Gezi Park protests
S&P brings Greece one notch from investment grade
Dealing with the energy crisis and the rising costs Greek households are facing as a result is at the top of the Greek government’s agenda, and this week we saw Prime Minister Mitsotakis announce a commitment to take action if the EU does not step up to the plate. Georgia Nakou, a political and financial analyst for MacroPolis, joins our host Thanos Davelis to look at how the government is responding to this energy crisis and examine how it is impacting the country’s politics.
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More fiscal space emerges for new energy relief package as parties jostle for support
Turkey's jailed rights defender Osman Kavala makes final appeal before verdict
Turkish philanthropist Kavala gives final defense in protest trial
US UAVs returning to Larissa base
Today US Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt joins our host Thanos Davelis for a look at the latest high level congressional visits to Greece, Greece’s important strategic position in the region and its role in the battle to wean Europe off of Russian gas in light of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, and the strong confidence on both sides of the Atlantic in the US-Greece partnership.
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US Congress members meet with Greek ministers
Ambassador Pyatt’s Fireside Chat with Apostolos Mangiriadis, SKAI TV
US secretary of state lauds Greek support of Ukraine
Statement by White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on the Bilateral Meeting between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of Greece
PM discusses Hagia Sophia door damage with UNESCO chief
Climate change is set to asymmetrically impact the Mediterranean over the next decades. The stakes couldn’t be higher for Greece and Cyprus, both of which were identified as the most vulnerable to climate change among the EU member states. Katerina Sokou, a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Europe Center of the Atlantic Council and the Washington DC correspondent for SKAI TV and Kathimerini, joins our host Thanos Davelis to break down her latest in-depth issue brief on the risks that climate change poses for the region and for Greece.
Read Katerina Sokou’s issue brief here: The Rising National Security Threats from Climate Change in the Mediterranean Region
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Mitsotakis announces €50 increase in minimum wage from May 1
Cyprus to further ease use of COVID certificates, masks
Today HALC’s Executive Director Endy Zemenides joins our host Thanos Davelis to break down whether the US is warming up to Turkey amid the war in Ukraine, look at the mixed signals the State Department has been sending to countries in the region, and introduce us to George Tsunis, the next US ambassador to Greece.
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Έντι Ζεμενίδης προς State Department: Ξεκαθαρίστε με Τουρκία για Γαλάζια Πατρίδα και casus belli
Greece impounds Russian tanker as part of EU sanctions against Moscow
Cyprus plans surveillance system to stem migrant crossings
Today expert Constantinos Filis, the Director of the Institute of Global Affairs and a professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins our host Thanos Davelis to break down how the war in Ukraine is impacting Greece’s relations with Russia, including a look at the Kremlin’s propaganda campaign in Greece, the recent expulsion of 12 Russian diplomats from the country, and the challenges a more permanent break in relations poses to Greece’s foreign policy agenda.
Read Constantinos Filis’ latest article in Kathimerini: Τι θα σήμαινε η ρήξη στις σχέσεις Ελλάδας – Ρωσίας;
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Greece, Norway order expulsion of Russian envoys amid Ukraine war
Greece mulls intervention in power prices as energy crisis deepens
Power bills bringing misery
Turkey launches offensive against PKK targets in northern Iraq
Turkey says its warplanes hit Kurdish militant targets in northern Iraq
Greece recently hosted the Iniochos 2022 military exercise, bringing together a robust list of countries, including the US, France, and Israel, and giving them the opportunity to hone their military capabilities and enhance their defense cooperation to meet key regional security challenges. Expert Bradley Bowman joins me today to break down the significance of this exercise for Greece, the US, and other regional players, and look at the message it sends to malign actors such as Iran.
Bradley Bowman serves as senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies where he focuses on US defense strategy and policy.
Read the Bradley Bowman’s latest article here: In Iniochos Exercise, Israel Rehearses Iran Strikes as Saudis Observe
Follow up with more material featuring Bradley Bowman here:
Erdogan’s Belligerence Has U.S., Greece Expanding Ties
The Strategic Nexus in the Eastern Mediterranean
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Pressure on Athens to send tanks to Ukraine
Nicosia close to ending all Covid restrictions
Cyprus 'very close' to ending all covid restrictions
Today the Hellenic American Leadership Council and a coalition of partners launched their campaign to prevent the sale of American F-16s to Turkey, and the hashtag #NoJetsForTurkey went viral, hovering in the top ten trends in the United States throughout the entire day. As our focus is on Turkey’s request for F-16s, we are re-upping an episode from this past October with Aaron Stein, the Director of Research at the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) and an expert on Turkey, arms control and nonproliferation, when we examined this initial request from Ankara.
Today we turn to the Aegean Sea, where Turkey has upped the ante with a series of violations of Greece’s airspace and illegal overflights with fighter jets over Greek islands - some of them inhabited - since the beginning of the week. These provocations come as the leadership in Ankara is looking to convince the US to sell Turkey upgraded F-16 fighters. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins our host Thanos Davelis with the latest coverage from Athens.
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Ελληνοτουρκικά: Επιμένει στις υπερπτήσεις η Άγκυρα
New violations of Greek airspace by Turkish fighters
Northern Greek port becomes new key to NATO efforts
Greece lifts COVID restrictions for summer tourism season
Eni-Total to resume work off Cyprus
The French presidential election is heating up with the first round this past Sunday setting up a showdown in two weeks between French President Emmanuel Macron and far-right challenger Marine Le Pen. Yannis Palaiologos, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, joins our host Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis on France’s presidential elections, which NATO members, the EU, and the broader West are nervously watching.
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Εκλογές στη Γαλλία – Άμεση ανάλυση: Η ανάσα Μακρόν και η τελική αναμέτρηση
Nerves for EU and NATO as Le Pen heads into second round clash with Macron
French election: Macron v Le Pen - two visions for presidency
Macron vs Le Pen and the West’s shortcomings
Greece speeds up gas exploration to help reduce Russia reliance
Turkey detains former Kurdish party officials for PKK links
Turkey Ramps Up Pressure on Kurdish Party With New Arrests
Today we are looking at Pennsylvania, where former President Donald Trump waded into the state’s Senate Republican primary, throwing his support behind Dr. Mehmet Oz, a Turkish-American TV physician. Georgia Logothetis, HALC’s Managing Director, joins our host Thanos Davelis to break down why this endorsement has infuriated some of Trump’s most fervent supporters, and look at why Oz’s close links to Turkey and the world of its autocratic President Erdogan are raising concerns in Washington.
Georgia Logothetis is the Managing Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council. She has run national and state advocacy campaigns, raised millions online in grassroots donations, created a comprehensive leadership training curriculum and has helped organize citizen lobbying in Washington, DC. She has been profiled in the Chicago Reader, and her work has been cited in The Washington Post, The New York Times and other publications.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Trumpworld Goes Into Meltdown After Trump Endorses Dr. Oz
Trump endorses Oz in key Senate race
Would Turkey’s president have leverage over ‘Senator Doctor Oz’?
US sanctions Western Balkan figures, citing ‘threat to regional security’
US imposes sanctions on Gruevski and other Western Balkans figures
Skrekas: Deeper and Stronger Energy Cooperation with Israel and Cyprus
HALCs Executive Director Endy Zemenides joins our host Thanos Davelis to discuss Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland’s trip to Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus, which unfortunately was marked by a major gaffe Nuland make while in Cyprus - where she referred to the Turkish Cypriot leader as “president”. We break down why this demonstrates the need for Biden administration officials to get the facts on Cyprus straight.
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Back to school: Cyprus 101
Έντι Ζεμενίδης: Δεν έχει αλλάξει η αμερικανική πολιτική σε σχέση με το ενδεχόμενο πώλησης F16 στην Τουρκία
Focus on LNG, not pipelines, US official tells Kathimerini
Greek PM warns of populism if Europe fails to tackle energy crisis
Greece gets 3.6 billion euros from European recovery fund
A new letter to Congress from the State Department has caused an uproar as it suggests that the potential sale of F-16s to Turkey would be in line with US and NATO interests. The letter was a response to more than 50 members of Congress who urged the Biden administration to reject Ankara's request, citing Turkish President Erdogan's lack of commitment to NATO and his "vast human rights abuses." Lena Argiri, the DC Correspondent for ERT - the Greek Public Broadcasting Company, joins our host Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis on Turkey’s F-16 saga.
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U.S. says potential F-16 sale to Turkey would serve U.S. interests, NATO - letter
US diplomat: Mediterranean gas pipeline to Europe not viable
Focus on LNG, not pipelines, US official tells Kathimerini
Zelenskyy urges Greece to use its influence in EU to help Ukraine
Ukraine's Zelenskiy urges Cyprus to end passport scheme for Russians
Greece seeks war crimes probe in besieged Ukrainian port of Mariupol
Greece will ask ICC to investigate possible war crimes in Mariupol
Does Russia’s war in Ukraine present an opportunity for President Erdogan to end his country’s isolation and advance the idea that Turkey is a global leader, and is this more about luck rather than shrewd diplomacy?
Steven Cook, an expert on Turkish politics and the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins our host Thanos Davelis today to break this down.
Read Steven Cook’s latest piece in Foreign Policy: Ukraine’s War Is Erdogan’s Opportunity
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U.S.-Turkey Joint Statement on the Strategic Mechanism
US official says Russians must access the truth on Ukraine
Nuland praises Cyprus’ solidarity over Russian invasion
Greece to ramp up coal mining to help cut reliance on gas, PM says
Greece pushing back phase-out of lignite plants to reduce dependence on Russian natural gas
Ukraine is home to a sizable Greek ethnic minority, and this is one of the reasons why Greece has adopted a forward-leaning diplomatic presence in the country. This is often brought up in reports, but without any historical context. Alexander Kitroeff, a Professor of History at Haverford College who has written extensively on the Greek diaspora, joins our host Thanos Davelis to talk about this historic Greek presence in Ukraine.
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Greek foreign minister leads aid mission to Odesa, reopens consulate
Dendias pledges Greek support for Odessa reconstruction
Greece, Cyprus and Israel to expand energy cooperation amid Ukraine war
Cyprus mulling US weapons proposal
Following the historic recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Congress and President Biden, we’re now seeing the House take this a step further with the introduction of the Armenian Genocide Education Act. Aram Hamparian, the Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America, joins our host Thanos Davelis to discuss this landmark bill, and more.
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ANCA Welcomes Introduction of Armenian Genocide Education Act
As another genocide looms, Western virtue-signaling won’t cut it
Greece completes early repayment of bailout loans to IMF
US Undersecretary of State to visit Cyprus this week
Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini English Edition, joins our host Thanos Davelis to discuss his latest piece for Kathimerini, which highlights the parallels between Turkey’s invasion and continued occupation of Cyprus over 47 years ago and Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
Read Tom Ellis’s latest piece in Kathimerini: Remember Cyprus?
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IMF sees Greek economy growing at slower pace due to Ukraine
Mitsotakis warns of ‘period of prolonged uncertainty and instability’
Turkey to OK Khashoggi murder trial’s move to Saudi Arabia
Turkey eyes Jamal Khashoggi murder trial move to Saudi Arabia
Today we take you to the halls of Congress, where the House Foreign Affairs Committee had a hearing on the Eastern Mediterranean. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins our host Thanos Davelis with the main takeaways.
Watch the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on the Eastern Mediterranean here: Opportunities & Challenges in Eastern Mediterranean
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Erdogan says Turkey ready in principle to act as Ukraine's guarantor
Cyprus growth to slow sharply, IMF says
IMF Says Cyprus Is Vulnerable to Fallout From War in Ukraine
Western sanctions punishing Russia for its invasion of Ukraine are reorganizing global trade routes along political lines, defying geography and efficiency. This new reality is creating a windfall for merchant shipping, but it risks creating higher prices for European consumers and hunger for Africa, with the UN recently warning of “famine, destabilization and mass migration” unless action is taken. In the meantime, Greek consumers are also feeling the sting of rising prices, and aides close to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis have called the fight against inflation the “mother of all battles.” John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist based in Athens and Al Jazeera’s southeast Europe correspondent, joins our host Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis.
Read John Psaropoulos’s latest piece for Al Jazeera here: Russia sanctions redraw shipping routes, cleaving East from West
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Further initiatives to offset energy woes
Greece will review plan to secure supplies if Russia halts flows
Lagarde: Cyprus will be affected by inflation and rising energy costs
Lagarde: Cyprus better equipped now to withstand crisis
Over the last couple of years Greece has taken significant steps to upgrade its armed forces, particularly its navy. This isn’t a phenomenon limited only to Greece however, and we see it across the region, including in Turkey, Israel, and Egypt. Energy discoveries and the territorialization of maritime zones are some of the main reasons these countries have embarked on a multi-billion dollar spending spree for their navies and to develop new technologies like UAVs, leading to a renewed arms race and regional competition in the Eastern Mediterranean. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins our host Thanos Davelis to discuss his latest policy paper for ELIAMEP that looks at what this arms race means for the region and for Greece.
Read Vassilis Nedos latest policy paper for ELIAMEP here: Regional power competition in the Eastern Mediterranean
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British Museum facing legal action over Parthenon marbles 3D scan refusal
Athens and Cairo discuss energy links, possible LNG supply
Turkish weaponry, primarily its drones, have made headlines as Ukraine has reportedly used them quite effectively against Russian troops. Turkish weapons have also shaped the outcomes of several recent clashes in the Middle East and beyond. This is a result of Turkey’s efforts to develop an indigenous defense industry, a key goal of President Erdogan. Expert Aykan Erdemir joins our host Thanos Davelis to discuss the recent trends in Turkey’s defense industry and identify the policy challenges it presents for the United States and its allies. We also look at the links between Turkish business tycoons like Ethem Sancak and the defense industry, and discuss Sancak’s role in facilitating the Kremlin’s influence operations in the West by promoting an anti-Western worldview that mirrors Russia’s talking points.
Dr. Aykan Erdemir is the senior director of the Turkey program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former member of the Turkish parliament.
Read Aykan Erdemir’s latest publications here:
Engines of Influence
Meet the Turkish Oligarch Who’s Pushing Kremlin Talking Points
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EU fund backs early repayment of Greek bailout loans to IMF
EU seeks end to golden passport schemes, halt to sales of visas to Russians
Three major summits - among the EU leaders, NATO, and the G7 - took place in Brussels on Thursday and Friday, where the primary aim was to show Western unity against Russia's war in Ukraine. President Joe Biden also traveled to Brussels, and stressed that "the single most important thing is for us to stay unified.” A central topic of discussion for EU leaders was on additional sanctions targeting Russian oil and gas, an issue that has divided European countries. Aside from President Biden’s participation, Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy also addressed the EU’s leaders via video, calling out countries that have resisted imposing additional sanctions. The summit also saw the US and EU announce a new partnership to reduce the continent’s reliance on Russian energy. Yannis Palaiologos, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, joins our host Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis.
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EU leaders reach compromise on energy after long debate
In a speech to the E.U., Zelensky singles out Hungary over sanctions.
The EU’s plan to cure its Russian gas addiction
U.S., EU Reach LNG Supply Deal to Cut Dependence on Russia
Macron says France will spearhead operation to evacuate Mariupol
US views Greece as ‘key partner and NATO ally,’ says Blinken
Biden: Greece, US stand together to confront challenges of our time
The arrival of two superyachts belonging to the sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich in Turkey this week comes amid international efforts to freeze assets belonging to Russian billionaires with links to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, and is raising concerns in the West that Turkey could become a haven for Russian oligarchs looking to avoid sanctions. So far, Turkey has not joined in on sanctions against Russia, opting to carve out a middle road that enables it to maintain ties with both Russia and Ukraine in an effort to play a mediating role. Amberin Zaman joins our host Thanos Davelis to explore whether Turkey might become a haven for sanctioned Russians, discuss Turkey’s broader role in illicit financing, and look at how this could impact Turkey’s relations with the West.
Amberin Zaman is a staff correspondent for Al-Monitor covering the Middle East, with a particular focus on Syria, Iraq, and Turkey.
Read Amberin Zaman’s latest piece for Al-Monitor here: Will Turkey become haven for sanctioned Russians?
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Roman Abramovich’s yachts sail into Turkish squall over sanctions
EU leaders wrangle with issue of oil and gas imports from Russia at summit
EU agrees on Russia sanctions so far, but energy divides
West rejects Russia's rouble payments 'blackmail' as it rallies behind Ukraine
Mitsotakis: NATO unified on backing Ukraine
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that Greece would send arms to Kyiv. While these arms are hardly enough to change the balance of the war, they have signaled a new doctrine in Greece’s foreign policy, one that upends the country’s long-standing aversion to getting involved in foreign conflicts. Prime Minister Mitsotakis made the case that this heightened willingness to help out abroad also benefits Greece’s national interests, a sentiment echoed by a number of analysts. This shift in foreign policy isn’t without its critics, and a number of Greeks, including the main opposition, have voiced their concerns. Expert Constantinos Filis joins our host Thanos Davelis to discuss the decision to assist Ukraine and this broader shift in Greece’s foreign policy doctrine.
Constantinos Filis is the Director of the Institute of Global Affairs and a professor of international relations at the American College of Greece.
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Greece tossed aside years of caution in Ukraine — and upset Greeks
Bulgaria exploring nuclear synergy with Greece
Greece-Bulgaria gas pipeline to be ready by end of June
A key link in the energy chain
Cyprus taking 'required steps' on sanctioned Russians - official
Cyprus: displaced Ukrainians adjust to life on Russia-friendly island
Europe faces unprecedented challenges in the wake of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, with the continent’s reliance on Russian energy in the spotlight. As a result, the EU is on a mission to cut Russian gas use and find alternative sources of energy to meet its needs. This is inevitably turning attention back to the Eastern Mediterranean and the EastMed Gas Pipeline, despite the US non-paper pulling support for the pipeline. Dr. Yannis Maniatis joins our host Thanos Davelis to explain why now is the time to re-evaluate the role that energy from the Eastern Mediterranean - with a focus on the EastMed gas pipeline - can play in breaking Europe’s dependence on Russia. We also look at what this means for Greece, which is poised to play a central role in bringing Eastern Mediterranean gas to Europe.
Dr. Yannis Maniatis is an Associate Professor at the University of Piraeus. He previously served as Greece’s Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change from 2013-2015.
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Greek foreign minister wants to lead humanitarian aid mission to Mariupol
Ukraine thwarts Russian advances; fight rages for Mariupol
EU leaders to agree to jointly buy gas, LNG this year
A few months ago the State Department pulled its support for the EastMed gas pipeline that would bring Israeli and Cypriot gas to Europe via a pipeline from Cyprus to Greece - a move that had broad diplomatic support in the region. In a recent op-ed in The National Interest, Michael Rubin argues that this decision by the Biden administration neither furthers national security nor combats climate change. Instead, it deliberately undercuts European gas alternatives as the continent looks to wean itself off Russian gas and oil, empowers irredentists in Russia and Turkey, and diminishes America’s reputation in Europe. Michael Rubin joins our host Thanos Davelis to discuss his latest piece and explain why it’s time for the Biden administration to reverse this decision and go all-in on the EastMed pipeline.
Michael Rubin is a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and a former Pentagon official.
Read Micheal Rubin’s latest piece here: It’s Time to Go All-In on the EastMed Pipeline
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Cyprus offshore appraisal confirms Exxon gas find
'What I saw, I hope no one will ever see' says Greek diplomat returning from Mariupol
An op-ed in The Wall Street Journal on Thursday made the case that the US should help Turkey transfer its Russian S400s to Ukraine as a way to help Ukraine and resolve tensions with the US. It also suggested that in return for sending its S-400s to Ukraine, the US should offer Turkey a replacement for the S400s and get Ankara back in the F-35 program. The op-ed has drawn sharp criticism from leading Turkey observers, who point out that this proposal completely misses the mark when it comes to the reality of Turkey’s arms deal with Russia and Turkish President Erdogan’s relations with Putin and the West. Dr. Lisel Hintz joins our host Thanos Davelis to break down why this op-ed shows a clear lack of understanding of Turkey-Russia relations, US-Turkey relations, and Erdogan’s diplomatic balancing act amid the war in Ukraine.
Dr. Lisel Hintz is an Assistant Professor of International Relations at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies. She studies the intersections of identity politics, repression and resistance, foreign policy, and pop culture in Turkey and its neighborhood, and is the author of the book Identity Politics Inside Out: National Identity Contestation and Foreign Policy in Turkey.
Read more from Dr. Lisel Hintz here:
No One Lost Turkey: Erdogan’s Foreign Policy Quest for Agency with Russia and Beyond
Rethinking Turkey’s ‘Rapprochements’: Trouble with Germany and Beyond
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Turkey’s Russian Missiles Could Defend Ukraine
Europe's southern states call for common EU energy policies
Draghi leads push for common EU response to energy crisis
Dendias confirms another successful evacuation mission from Ukraine
Greece offers to rebuild bombed maternity hospital in Ukraine
Instead of strongly condemning Russian President Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian Patriarch Kirill has given his full-throated support to the Kremlin. This support stems from an ideology supported by both Putin and Kirill known as "Russian World", which links faith with Russia’s nationalist aims. This support has resulted in a splintering within the Orthodox world, and is in clear contrast to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s condemnation of Putin and the invasion of Ukraine. In the meantime, leading Orthodox theologians around the world issued a joint statement denouncing the “Russian world” ideology and the invasion of Ukraine. George Demacopoulos, the co-director of the Orthodox Christian Studies Center at Fordham University, joins our host Thanos Davelis to discuss the “Russian World” ideology pushed by the Kremlin and Patriarch Kirill, and look at how the war in Ukraine is impacting the Orthodox world.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
A Declaration On The “Russian World” (Russkii Mir) Teaching
Analysis: Ukraine invasion splits Orthodox Church, isolates Russian patriarch
Ukrainian ambassador calls on Greece to shut ports to Russia
Greece will not send Soviet-era missile systems to Ukraine
Turkey's top diplomat says in Moscow that war must stop
In call with Putin, Erdogan offers to host him and Zelenskyy for talks
Since Putin invaded Ukraine, Greece has taken a firm stance in support of Ukraine - both diplomatically and materially. These steps have not gone unnoticed by Greece’s partners in the West, primarily the US, with the State Department praising Greece’s handling of the Ukraine crisis and its role on the southeastern flank of NATO. At the same time, the war in Ukraine is forcing a rethinking of broader NATO strategy, which has implications for Greece. Vassilis Nedos joins our host Thanos Davelis to look at how Greece has handled the war in Ukraine, and the potential for an upgraded role within NATO as the transatlantic alliance rethinks its broader strategy. We also discuss the main takeaways from Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ latest visit to Turkey, where he met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Turkish President Erdogan.
Vassilis Nedos is Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor.
Read Vassilis Nedos’ latest analysis here:
Guarded optimism in Athens after Istanbul talks
Greek role within NATO is upgraded
Η ηρωική έξοδος του Έλληνα προξένου
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State Department praises Greek handling of Ukraine crisis
PΜ announces 1.1 bln euros worth of new measures in price hike address
Pyatt: Greece enjoying US support on key foreign policy issues
Ambassador Pyatt’s Remarks at 3rd Southeast Europe East Med Conference, Delphi Economic Forum
Faced with the scenario of a permanently adversarial Russia, a number of countries to Russia’s south - primarily in the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and Africa - will be confronted with difficult choices in a vast array of domains—food security, trade, energy supplies, arms procurement, and military alliances. This could push them to choose between political alignment with Russia, which would imply autocracy, and good relations with the West, implying democracy. Ambassador Marc Pierini, the author of a recent piece titled “Moscow’s Southern Accent?”, joins our host Thanos Davelis to look at how the war in Ukraine will reshape the role that Russia will be able to play in the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and Africa.
Marc Pierini is a visiting scholar at Carnegie Europe, where his research focuses on developments in the Middle East and Turkey from a European perspective. Prior to this, Pierini was a career EU diplomat, and served as EU ambassador to Turkey.
Read Ambassador Pierini’s latest article here: Moscow’s Southern Accent?
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
State Department praises Greek handling of Ukraine crisis
Leaders of Germany, Turkey press for cease-fire in Ukraine
Erdogan says it is unclear whether Turkey will buy more Russian arms
Cyprus, an EU member, has backed the bloc’s escalating sanctions against Russia in the wake of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Europe’s punitive measures have raised questions about how the sanctions will impact Cyprus’s economy. While Cyprus has gone a long way toward untying its bonds to Russia, officials acknowledge that sanctions will hurt parts of the Cypriot economy. Cyprus’s finance minister stated that Cyprus is disproportionately affected compared to other countries due to the structure of the economy and its reliance on Russian tourists, which make up some 20-25 percent of the tourist market. Nekatria Stamouli joins our host Thanos Davelis to discuss the impact sanctions on Russia will have on Cyprus.
Nekatria Stamouli is a correspondent with Politico based in Athens covering Greece, Cyprus, and the Balkans.
You can read Nektaria Stamouli’s latest piece in Politico here: Cyprus is losing its Russians — and confronting existential questions about its economy
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Mitsotakis and Erdogan agree to improve ties amid Ukraine conflict
Cyprus president vows “more humane” migrant camp conditions
Turkey’s Western allies have often sidelined democratic values when dealing with Turkey’s President Erdogan. As the war rages in Ukraine and Turkey maintains its balancing act between the West and Russia, there are questions that the West is once again sidelining human rights and democratic values as it looks to engage with Turkey on Ukraine. Merve Tahiroglu, the Turkey Program Coordinator at the Project on Middle East Democracy, joins our host Thanos Davelis to look at whether Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is prompting the West to cozy up to Erdogan, and whether this means that Turkey is getting a free pass on human rights and democratic backsliding. We also discuss the recent POMED policy brief that outlines why democratic values must play a central role - along with geopolitics - as Western governments formulate their Turkey policies.
Read POMED's policy brief here: Supporting Democracy and Human Rights in Turkey: Can the United States and Europe Do More?
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
White House readout of call between President Biden and President Erdogan
The Secretary General underlines the importance of Turkey’s contributions to NATO
Senate confirms George J. Tsunis as next Greece ambassador
Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Turkey – the first such visit by an Israeli leader since 2008 - has put Turkish-Isearli relations in the spotlight. Turkey’s President Erdogan described the visit as a “turning point” in relations between the two countries. Despite Erdogan’s stated optimism, key differences still need to be resolved, and a major sticking point in rebuilding this relationship is Turkey’s support of the terrorist group Hamas. Expert Alan Makovsky joins our host Thanos Davelis to discuss the recent visit by Israel’s president to Turkey, the state of relations between Jerusalem and Ankara, and the key issue of Turkey’s support for Hamas. We also explore why the US should press Turkey to end its ties to Hamas.
Alan Makovsky is a senior fellow for national security and international policy at the Center for American Progress, and has worked on Turkey and the region in several capacities, including as a senior staff member on the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the House of Representatives and at the State Department.
Read Alan Makovsky’s latest piece here: For Sake of Regional Stability, U.S. Should Support Israel in Seeking End to Turkey-Hamas Ties
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EU-wide response required to protect consumers from energy price hikes
Western Europe leaders rebuff Ukraine fast-track EU membership appeal
EU united on Ukraine, but won’t offer fast-track membership
The imposition of sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine has put economic ties between the West - primarily the EU - and Russia in the spotlight, as countries look to assess the potential impact these measures will have on their economies. As a member of the EU, Greece has also joined its partners in imposing sanctions on Russia. While Greece has very limited direct exposure to Russia, there are still sectors that could face challenges and the economy will feel the effects of skyrocketing energy prices. Georgia Nakou joins our host Thanos Davelis to look at the size of Russia’s footprint on the Greek economy, pinpoint the areas that are at greatest risk from the sanctions, and look at what steps Greece and the EU can take to mitigate these risks.
Georgia Nakou is a political and financial analyst for MacroPolis, an independent analysis service providing daily insight and analysis of the key political, economic and social developments in Greece.
Read Georgia Nakou’s latest analysis for MacroPolis: How economic sanctions on Russia could affect Greek economy
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A ‘6-point plan’ to save Europe’s gas market
Greek PM accepts invitation for talks with Turkey’s Erdogan
Spokesman confirms Mitsotakis-Erdogan meeting, says Athens has ‘no delusions’
Israel, Turkey vow to heal rift despite sharp differences
Erdogan sees turning point in Turkey-Israel ties, with eye on energy
The war in Ukraine has found Turkey stuck in a balancing act between the West, Ukraine, and Russia as it’s entangled geographically, economically, politically, and militarily with the war’s protagonists. Rather than take a clear side, Turkey’s President Erdogan has made it clear that he does not want to turn his back on either Russia or Ukraine, and his solution is to offer himself as a possible intermediary. As the war drags on, however, this policy of fence-sitting is likely to become more and more complicated. Professor Henri Barkey joins our host Thanos Davelis to discuss his latest piece in Kathimerini, which analyzes Turkey’s balancing act between the West, Ukraine, and Russia and looks at Erdogan’s options moving forward.
Henri Barkey is the Cohen Professor of International Relations at Lehigh University and an adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Read Henri Barkey’s op-ed in Kathimerini here: A tangled web for Turkey in Russia’s war with Ukraine
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
US, French joint drills off Greece
Putin has deployed nearly 100% of pre-staged forces into Ukraine- U.S. official
14 containers of humanitarian aid to Ukraine to set sail this afternoon
Aid sent to Ukraine after biggest humanitarian drive in Cyprus
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has pushed European countries to make historic foreign and defense policy moves, and it appears that the political will for a common European approach on this front, elusive for decades, is forming. For the first time the EU is financing the purchase and delivery of weapons to Ukraine, a country at war, while Germany reversed its historic policy against sending arms to conflict zones and doubled its defense budget with a 100 billion euro increase in spending. These moves are in addition to the imposition of tough sanctions on Russia. George Pagoulatos joins our host Thanos Davelis to look at how Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has been an accelerator for European unity on foreign and defense policy.
George Pagoulatos is the Director General of ELIAMEP, the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy, is Professor of European Politics and Economy at the Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB), and Visiting Professor at the College of Europe.
Read George Pagoulatos's latest op-ed in Kathimerini: From 1992 to 2022: EU still seeking common foreign and defense policy
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One week in, Russia’s war on Ukraine has rocked the world
Top Russian, Ukrainian diplomats to meet Thursday in Turkey
Russia and Ukraine foreign ministers to meet in Turkey, say Moscow and Ankara
Southern Europe grapples with changing face of tourism
Russia is actively seeking to influence religious and traditional views to further its own agenda, pushing a narrative that Moscow stands for traditional values against a decadent West in an effort to foster division within Western societies. This is a particularly pernicious front of Russia’s malign influence campaigns, and combating it presents a uniquely difficult challenge for the United States and its European allies. Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou, one of the contributors to The Kremlin Playbook 3: Keeping the Faith, which takes a deep look at these issues, joins our host Thanos Davelis to talk about the Playbook and this element of Russian malign influence. We also look at how this is playing out in Greece, which is uniquely significant in Russia’s strategy of weaponizing “traditionalism”.
Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou is an internationally recognized leader on issues of religion and human rights, and a previous Vice Chair and Commissioner on the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. Dr. Prodromou is also a faculty member at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, where she directs the Initiative on Religion, Law, and Diplomacy.
Read The Kremlin Playbook 3: Keeping the Faith
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece moves to curb profiteering as fuel, consumer goods prices rise
Greeks’ evacuation continues as war rages
Greek convoy crosses into Moldova
Turkey designated the Russian invasion as a “war” over the weekend, giving it the right under the 1936 Montreux Convention to close the Bosporus Strait - a move that’s been seen as supportive of Ukraine. Aside from this move, however, Turkey has been reluctant to join its NATO allies in taking punitive measures against Moscow such as imposing sanctions or shutting its airspace to Russian aircraft, and Turkey’s President Erdogan has reiterated that he can neither abandon Russia nor Ukraine. At the same time, Ankara has joined Moscow’s crackdown on Western media outlets. Expert Aykan Erdemir joins our host Thanos Davelis to explore the delicate balancing act that Turkey’s Erdogan is playing between Moscow, Ukraine, and the West and answer the question of where Turkey stands in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Dr. Aykan Erdemir is the senior director of the Turkey program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former Turkish lawmaker.
Read Aykan Erdemir’s latest analysis here: Erdogan’s Balancing Act Between Russia and Ukraine
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PM meets with Egypt’s Al-Sisi to discuss energy link
Greece lifts mask-wearing outdoors as COVID infections recede
Passenger location form to be abolished as of March 15
Energy has taken on a central role in the crisis unfolding in Europe following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as Europe imports 40 percent of its natural gas from Russia. Despite this reliance on Russia and sky high energy prices, EU leaders have agreed on tough sanctions against Russia, and Germany even canceled the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline that would carry Russian gas to Germany. The war in Ukraine is also seeing Europe double down on its energy transition away from hydrocarbons and toward renewables, and has put its efforts at diversification back in focus. Expert Nikos Tsafos joins our host Thanos Davelis to look at the energy landscape in Europe following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and explore whether this is the beginning of an energy divorce between Europe and Russia.
Nikos Tsafos is the James R. Schlesinger Chair in Energy and Geopolitics with the Energy Security and Climate Change Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
Read Nikos Tsafos’ interview in The Atlantic: Russia Probably Won’t Cut Off Europe’s Gas, Because It’s ‘Essentially an Act of War’
Listen to CSIS’s podcast featuring Nikos Tsafos: End of Russia as Energy Superpower
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece Is in Early Talks to Buy More Nuclear Power From Bulgaria
Israel says outreach to Turkey won’t come at Cyprus’ expense
Over the weekend Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced that Ankara would implement the Montreux Convention, an agreement that allows Turkey to regulate the transit of warships through the Dardanelles and Bosporus straits during times of war. The decision comes after Turkey called Russia's invasion a "war", and means Turkey could block at least some Russian warships from accessing the Black Sea. Despite taking this decision, Turkey’s President Erdogan was clear that Turkey could not abandon its ties with Russia or Ukraine. Expert Aaron Stein joins our host Thanos Davelis to discuss this latest decision by Turkey, break down whether it will have a military impact, and look into how this decision helps Ankara address its diplomatic balancing act with Russia and the West.
Aaron Stein is the Director of Research at the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) and an expert on Turkey, arms control and nonproliferation. He is also the co-host of Arms Control Wonk, a podcast on nuclear weapons, arms control, disarmament and nonproliferation.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey announced it would regulate warship access to the Black Sea. Does that change Russia’s strategy?
Turkey Warns Against Sending Warships to Black Sea
Could Turkey close the Bosporus to the Russian navy?
Greece backs sanctions against Russia, ready to take in Ukraine refugees
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy ups pressure on EU with plea for immediate membership
Why Ukraine’s road to European Union membership will likely be long and winding.
More than half a million people have fled their homes to escape the war in Ukraine as heavy fighting continues across the country and as major cities remain under attack. On Sunday, EU migration commissioner Ylva Johansson said hundreds of thousands of refugees had already entered the EU, and the bloc needed to prepare for millions. In response, the EU has activated Temporary Protection for the first time, allowing Ukrainian refugees to reside in the EU without asylum applications. The EU’s response to Ukrainian refugees has raised concerns of double standards among aid groups. It has also raised the question of whether this new refugee crisis could prove to be a game-changer when it comes to European countries finally adopting an EU-wide refugee and migration policy. John Psaropoulos joins our host Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis from Athens.
John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist based in Athens and Al Jazeera’s southeast Europe correspondent.
Read John Psaropoulos’ latest piece for Al Jazeera here: Series of refugee crises hardens EU policy, then Ukraine happens
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Ukraine conflict: Half a million flee as fighting rages
EU plans to grant Ukrainians right to stay for up to 3 years
Greece sending military, civilian aid to Ukraine
US thanks Greece for support, expresses condolences for ethnic Greek casualties
Erdogan says Turkey cannot abandon ties with Russia or Ukraine
Turkey to implement pact limiting Russian warships to Black Sea
Russian forces on Friday closed in on Kyiv, and the city was hit by missile strikes. More than 100,000 people are estimated to have fled their homes, with many fleeing for the border. The US, UK and EU have all imposed sanctions on Moscow, but stopped short of removing Russia from the international banking system, Swift. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged the West to do more to help. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has raised important questions about the West, including whether it marks the end of the pax Americana. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins our host Thanos Davelis to answer these questions, look at the humanitarian dimension of this crisis, and spell out why there should be no hesitation whatsoever in standing with Ukraine.
Listen to the latest episode of Really American’s new podcast “Warning Shot which is co-hosted by HALC Executive Director Endy Zemenides and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Joel Rubin: Invasion
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Ukraine’s capital under threat as Russia presses invasion
Ukraine conflict: Refugees rush to borders to flee Russia's war
Ukraine slams West’s inaction as Russian forces bear down on Kyiv
Greece’s stance on Ukraine crisis should go without saying
Mitsotakis urges NATO colleagues to implement sanctions on Russia
Mitsotakis: Greece ready to accept Greek refugees from Ukraine
Greece to evacuate Kyiv embassy
Turkey says it cannot stop returning Russian warships from accessing Black Sea
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine early on Thursday, sending troops across the border from several directions and bombing targets across the country. President Biden announced new sanctions on Russia's military and economy in response to its invasion, while the EU announced it would introduce the ‘harshest’ sanctions ever. Kathimerini's Vassilis Nedos and Yiannis Palaiologos join our host Thanos Davelis with the latest reports and analysis from Athens and Brussels on what we know so far about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We also look at how Russia’s invasion affects both Greece and Europe, and examine the EU’s response and what sanctions are on the table.
Vassilis Nedos is Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, and Yiannis Palaiologos is Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Ικανοποίηση ΗΠΑ για τη συνεργασία με την Ελλάδα
EU to bar Russia from key markets with ‘harshest’ ever sanctions
EU divided on cutting off Russia from SWIFT
Israel's president heads to Greece to calm ally ahead of Turkey visit
The president of Israel visits Greece
Greece calls for emergency meeting of EU energy ministers
The international community is working to avert an oil spill in the Red Sea that risks becoming the worst natural disaster ever seen in the broader region, threatens global shipping, and could trigger a new wave of migration. An oil tanker off the coast of Yemen, has been deteriorating by the month since it was abandoned in 2017. A spill would be four times bigger than the historic Exxon Valdez disaster in the Gulf of Alaska in 1989. This is all taking place amid the backdrop of Yemen’s civil war. Expert Nikolas Katsimpras joins our host Thanos Davelis to look at the international efforts to prevent a major environmental disaster in the Red Sea, and explain why Greece must be present in any efforts to resolve this crisis.
Nikolas Katsimpras is a lecturer in Columbia University’s Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Program, an international affairs consultant and a veteran officer of the Hellenic Navy.
Read Nikolas Katsimpras’s latest piece in Kathimerini here: An impending Red Sea disaster and Greece
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VOA, Deutsche Welle to Fight Turkey’s Threat to Block Broadcasts
Turkey set to ban German and US public broadcasters
Greece makes plans for additional gas supply as Ukraine tensions rise
Is it time for the US to start treating the Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean as bigger than a Greco-Turkish dispute? Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, argues in his latest piece for Kathimerini - “Dangerous Double Standards” - that continuing to get this wrong, and continuing to give Turkey a free pass when it comes to invasion, occupation and threatening war, only enables Russia in Ukraine and China in the South China Sea. Endy Zemenides joins our host Thanos Davelis to discuss his latest op-ed and look at how the failure to hold Turkey accountable for its threats against Greece and its 47+ year occupation of Cyprus undermines US goals and enables malign actors like Russia.
Read Endy Zemenides’ latest op-ed in Kathimerini: Dangerous double standards
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
The Best Historical Analogy for Crimea Doesn't Involve Nazis: For precedent, look to Cyprus instead of Poland
Biden says Russia's military moves are the beginning of an invasion of Ukraine
EU sanctions to limit Moscow’s access to financial markets
‘Russia undermining international stability,’ says Greek PM
High energy prices are driving decades-high inflation numbers across Europe and the world, adding additional financial stress on governments, businesses and households. In Greece, inflation is at a 25-year high and price increases for many basic food items are in double digits. Greece’s government has taken steps to help households deal with rising costs, introducing subsidies, tax cuts and other temporary measures. Energy and fuel prices are showing no signs of easing, however, increasing the likelihood that Greece could see more inflationary pressures in the near future. Given its social impact, inflation is now also at the heart of the political debate in Greece. Nick Malkoutzis joins our host Thanos Davelis to discuss the challenges of inflation in Greece, the government’s response, and how rising costs are dominating the political debate.
Nick Malkoutzis is the co-founder and editor of the economic and political analysis site Macropolis.gr, and is the co-host of The Agora podcast, which examines political, economic and social developments in Greece.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Signs show more pressure ahead from inflation
Greek farm protests are a sign of Europe’s inflation anxiety
Faced with limited policy options, govt mulls inflation handout
EU to boost support to Cyprus as migrant flows across ceasefire line rise
EU official: Turkey will gain by curbing migration to Cyprus
Mitarakis expresses ‘surprise’ at UNHCR concerns
UNHCR concerned about violence, pushbacks of migrants at EU borders
The US government’s non-paper on the EastMed Gas Pipeline is back in the headlines after Representatives Bilirakis and Malliotakis sent a letter to the State Department in which they pushed back against the Biden administration’s shift in policy on the EastMed Gas Pipeline. The two members of Congress said that in canceling the project the State Department “has unilaterally taken [energy] options off the table,” and have requested an in-person briefing on the issue. Julie Fishman Rayman, the American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) Director of Political Outreach, joins The Greek Current with the latest take on the reactions from Congress to the State Department’s non-paper on the East Med pipeline project and the AJC’s broader view on developments in the Eastern Mediterranean.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greek American Congressmen demand meeting over East Med pipeline
Stranded truck drivers pulled from burning Greek ferry
Ferry fire: Eleven missing as hundreds rescued off Corfu
Dendias: ‘A conflict in Ukraine would have no winner’
Turkey has been escalating its rhetoric against Greece, openly disputing Greek sovereignty of its east Aegean islands. In fact, this week Erdogan threatened that Turkey is prepared to issue “a warning at the highest level” to Greece if Athens doesn’t change its position with regards to the demilitarization of the Aegean islands. Greece’s foreign ministry officially protested these comments and instructed Greek embassies to brief the EU, NATO and the members of the UN Security Council on the escalation of Turkey’s provocations. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Dendias also issued a strong response to Turkey during his trip to Norway which went viral. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins our host Thanos Davelis to talk about Turkey’s dispute of Greek sovereignty in the Aegean, President Erdogan's latest "warning" to Greece, and the response from Athens and Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Dendias, Turkish envoy in Norway trade barbs over territorial waters, casus belli
Athens lodges demarche with Ankara over Greek island sovereignty
Erdogan threatens ‘highest-level warning’ over Aegean islands
Greece kicks off tourist season early to meet 'great demand'
Government will press ahead with CBM proposal at EU summit
Nicosia turns the page in Cyprus peace talks
Israeli President Isaac Herzog is set to visit Ankara in mid-March, which would make him the first Israeli president to visit Turkey since 2007. This trip comes as Turkish President Erdogan attempts to mend relations with countries in the region - such as Israel, Egypt, and the UAE - in order to end Ankara’s diplomatic isolation and give a much needed boost to the Turkish economy. Israel, however, is treading carefully, and will expect to see Turkey address key concerns such as Ankara’s support for Hamas and Erdogan’s frequent antisemitic rhetoric. Israel has also made it clear that any potential improvement in relations with Turkey will not come at the expense of its alliance with Greece and Cyprus. Expert Aykan Erdemir joins our host Thanos Davelis to talk about Turkey’s relations with Israel and the potential for a thaw in relations. We also look at Erdogan’s recent visit to the UAE and Turkey’s efforts to normalize relations with the Gulf state.
Dr. Aykan Erdemir is the senior director of the Turkey program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former Turkish lawmaker.
Read Aykan Erdemir’s analysis here: Embattled Erdogan Signals Turkish-Israeli Thaw
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Erdogan threatens ‘highest-level warning’ over Aegean islands
FM responds to Turkish escalations over status of Greek islands
EU border agency to help Cyprus with migrant repatriations
Ukraine has lately been the scene of an unfolding political and military thriller that could potentially upset the existing balance in the region and have long-term consequences for Europe’s security architecture. The crisis has put Turkey and Russia’s relationship into the spotlight, especially as Turkey’s President Erdogan tries to balance Ankara’s close ties with Moscow and the West. This inevitably affects Greece both directly and indirectly. Admiral Alexandros Diakopoulos, the former national security adviser for Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, joins our host Thanos Davelis to break down this complex relationship between Turkey and Russia within the context of the crisis in Ukraine, and look at what it means for the West and, more specifically, Greece.
Read Admiral Diakopoulos’s latest op-ed in Kathimerini: Ukraine and Russia’s complex relationship with Turkey
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Greek parliament approves major arms deals with France
Herzog to visit Greece, Cyprus ahead of Erdogan meeting
In recent years US-Greece relations have reached new heights, with officials on both sides describing them as the best ever in decades. As Greece and the US grow closer, their cooperation is directly affecting Russia. Greece is hosting more American troops and deepening its economic ties with the US, ultimately frustrating Russia. This heightened US presence is also making Greece an indirect part of the standoff between Russia and Western allies over Ukraine. Journalist Nektaria Stamouli joins our host Thanos Davelis to talk about the deepening US-Greece relationship, the shift in perceptions among Greeks about the US and Russia over the last years, and how these developments are impacting Russia’s relations with Greece.
Nektaria Stamouli is a correspondent with Politico based in Athens covering Greece, Cyprus, and the Balkans.
Read Nektaria Stamouli’s latest piece in Politico: Greece draws in the US — and edges out Russia
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EXCLUSIVE Greece to repay last IMF loans by March, achieve primary surplus in 2023-FinMin
Turkish president in UAE as relations thaw after icy decade
Turkey's Erdogan visits UAE as countries repair strained relations
Turkey’s president arrives in UAE for trade talks
Earlier this month President Biden proclaimed that the leader of the Islamic State was killed in a Syrian hideout. The raid, which took place a few kilometers from the border with Turkey, did not include Turkish forces. In fact, President Biden praised the Syrian Democratic Forces, with Kurdish fighters at its core, for their contributions in the raid. Turkey’s exclusion from the raid, and the fact that the Islamic State leader’s hideout was so close to Turkey's border, have raised new questions about Ankara’s commitment to the fight against ISIS and its possible links to the terrorist group. Expert David Phillips joins our host Thanos Davelis to talk about the recent counterterrorism operation against the Islamic State’s leader and look into the links between Turkey and ISIS.
David Phillips is the Director of the Program on Human Rights and Peace-building at Columbia University. Phillips is also a former senior adviser to the UN Secretariat and US State Department, and the author of the books Frontline Syria: From Revolution to Proxy War, The Great Betrayal: How America Abandoned the Kurds and Lost the Middle East, and An Uncertain Ally: Turkey Under Erdogan's Dictatorship.
Read David Phillips’ latest piece here: The killing of Qurayshi: Are Turkey and ISIS still bonded?
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State Department states that sovereignty of Greek islands is unquestionable
Ankara insists on disputing Aegean status
Cyprus and USA sign Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement
Cyprus, US sign science and technology cooperation agreement
The Ecumenical Patriarch and the Greek state both sent complaints to Turkey in the wake of footage showing a DJ playing electronic music at the historic UNESCO-listed Monastery of Panagia Sumela. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew described the incident as an insult, and said that holding the event was “incompatible” with the monastery’s “religious character and its history.” Greece added that the move adds to “a series of actions by Turkish authorities against World Heritage Sites.” Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou joins our host Thanos Davelis to discuss why this latest incident at Sumela monastery is significant and how it fits into a broader pattern of disrespect, destruction, and appropriation of minority cultural heritage by Turkey.
Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou is an internationally recognized leader on issues of religion and human rights, and a previous Vice Chair and Commissioner on the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. Dr. Prodromou is also a faculty member at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, where she directs the Initiative on Religion, Law, and Diplomacy.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece protests to Turkey over disco band at Sumela monastery
Patriarch protests to Ankara over DJ performance at Sumela monastery
Final measures to be lifted in March
Cyprus: Migrant repatriations are key to easing overcrowding
In letters sent to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last July and September, Turkey for the first time disputed Greece’s sovereignty over its east Aegean islands. Over the years, Turkey has attempted to establish the Aegean as a disputed area, and has brought new issues to the table such as so-called gray zones and disputing Greece’s maritime boundaries and airspace. Experts note that with this latest move, Turkey is piling on another dispute in order to avoid talking about the real issue, which is maritime zones. Turkey has rejected Greece’s proposal to settle maritime boundaries at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and observers believe Turkey’s latest disputation of sovereignty is an elaborate way of avoiding going to the ICJ. John Psaropoulos joins our host Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis.
John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist based in Athens and Al Jazeera’s southeast Europe correspondent.
Read the latest report by John Psaropoulos: Turkey opens new dispute over sovereignty of east Aegean islands
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Greece says energy financial support since September exceeds 2 bln euros
Turkey says Deutsche Welle, others must obtain licences or have access blocked
Sunday’s Kathimerini featured an in-depth report on the challenges Turkey’s unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) pose to Greece’s security, and explored the ways in which Athens is working - both diplomatically and operationally - to counter their intrusions in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean. Meanwhile, as Athens looks to deal with the challenges posed by Turkey’s UAVs, it also has its eyes on developments in Ukraine. Athens is reportedly looking to strike a delicate balance with regard to the Russo-Ukrainian crisis, as it finds itself at the crossroads of an important movement of military forces from both NATO and Russia. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins our host Thanos Davelis to discuss his latest two articles for Kathimerini that look into Greece’s response to Turkey’s UAV program and the key considerations in Athens when it comes to the Ukraine crisis.
Read the latest reports by Vassilis Nedos in Kathimerini:
Athens seeks to counter Turkish UAVs
Ukraine crisis a balancing act for Athens
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece protests to Turkey over disco band at Sumela monastery
Patriarch protests to Ankara over DJ performance at Sumela monastery
ΕΙΒ supports Greece with record 5 bln euro financing in 2021
JPMorgan recently announced the acquisition of a 49% stake in the Athens-based startup Viva Wallet, and its investment will reportedly top $1.15 billion. JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon also visited Greece and said that JPMorgan is looking to further expand its presence in the country. In the meantime, reports indicate that Facebook’s parent company, Meta Platforms, is also planning significant investments in Greece, further entrenching Greece on the tech map. Alex Patelis, the chief economic adviser to the Prime Minister of Greece, joins our host Thanos Davelis to talk about the Greek startup ecosystem, the latest investments in Greece by JPMorgan and Meta Platforms, and the message these investments send about Greece’s startups and the Greek economy.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
JPMorgan to invest further in Greece
Facebook entrenching Greece on tech map
Greek Cypriots in last ditch effort to ‘save Varosha’
Greece steps up measures to fight hooliganism after killing of soccer fan
Greece promises new rules for soccer fan clubs after murder
Turkish President Erdogan visited Ukraine on Thursday where he reiterated Turkey’s support of Ukraine and signed a number of deals on trade and defense. These include joint production in Ukraine of Turkish drones, expanding a partnership that has seen Ukraine buy at least 20 unmanned aerial vehicles from Turkey. During the visit Erdogan offered to mediate between Ukraine and Russia, stressing he would do whatever he could to end the crisis. Expert Aaron Stein joins our host Thanos Davelis to talk about Erdogan's visit to Ukraine, Ankara's efforts to mediate between Russia and Ukraine, and the broader implications of the drone deal between Turkey and Ukraine for Turkey’s relations with Russia, Ukraine, and NATO.
Aaron Stein is the Director of Research at the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) and an expert on Turkey, arms control and nonproliferation. He is also the co-host of Arms Control Wonk, a podcast on nuclear weapons, arms control, disarmament and nonproliferation.
Read Aaron Stein’s latest piece in War on the Rocks: From Ankara With Implications: Turkish Drones And Alliance Entrapment
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Turkey, Ukraine Sign Free-Trade, Drone Deals as Erdogan Visits Kyiv
Erdogan seals pact with Ukraine over trade and drones
Greece to scrap negative COVID test demand for travellers
Greece: Police raid soccer fan clubs after deadly attack
While the latest polls in Greece show the ruling New Democracy party maintaining a double-digit lead over opposition party SYRIZA, they also point to an impressive increase in support for the center-left Movement for Change (KINAL). Over the last months KINAL has been able to attract frustrated moderate voters from both New Democracy and SYRIZA, raising questions for both major parties. Expert Panos Koliastasis joins our host Thanos Davelis to explain what the rise in popularity of KINAL means for Greece’s political scene, and explore whether its growing popularity is going to stick or if it’s a temporary bubble. We also look at what these latest polls tell us about the key issues Greeks are concerned about.
Panos Koliastasis holds a PhD in Political Science from Queen Mary University of London and works as a teaching fellow at the Hellenic Open University. He is the author of “The Permanent Campaign Strategy of Prime Ministers in Parliamentary Systems: The Case of Greece”.
Read Panos Koliastasis’ latest analysis in Kathimerini (in Greek): Είναι «φούσκα» η άνοδος του ΚΙΝΑΛ;
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
ND maintains double-digit lead in poll
Turkey, Ukraine Sign Free-Trade, Drone Deals as Erdogan Visits Kyiv
Ukraine hails Turkey drone deal, Erdogan offer to mediate in Russia standoff
Greece plans to repay last IMF bailout loans early - sources
Turkish warplanes struck suspected Kurdish positions in Iraq and Syria early on Wednesday in a new aerial offensive. The Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria condemned Turkey’s airstrikes and urged the international community to intervene to stop what it called “Turkish aggression.” It said the Turkish strikes came days after the Kurdish-led and US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces defeated scores of IS militants who broke into a prison where some 3,000 extremists are held. Nadine Maenza, the Chair of USCIRF, joins our host Thanos Davelis to discuss Turkey’s actions and explain how they target religious and ethnic minorities and run counter to the US mission to defeat IS. We also discuss USCIRF’s overall work on Turkey.
Nadine Maenza is the Chair of USCIRF and the President of the organization Patriot Voices. She has represented USCIRF in various delegations, and has traveled in her own personal capacity to better understand religious freedom conditions in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Bangladesh, as well as northeast Syria.
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Tweet by USCIRF Chair Nadine Maenza
Turkish warplanes attack Kurdish fighters in Iraq, Syria
Islamic State hits back, aided by power vacuum in Iraq and Syria
Turkey-Greece border: Twelve migrants die in freezing conditions
Mitarakis rejects Turkish pushback claims as ‘false propaganda’
Blinken thanks Dendias for Greek contribution to Afghanistan
Dendias: Greece ready to respond to any security challenge
Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides met with Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the State Department on Tuesday, where the two discussed deepening the bilateral relationship, which Secretary Blinken said was “stronger than ever.” They also discussed the 3+1 mechanism with Greece and Israel, and additional bilateral and regional issues. There was no mention in the readout, however, of Varosha, which Turkey has taken steps to illegally re-open. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins our host Thanos Davelis to discuss the meeting at the State Department between Foreign Minister Kasoulides and Secretary Blinken. We also look into the State Department’s letter to Congress on Turkey’s request to purchase upgraded F-16 jets.
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Kasoulides starts US trip with ‘excellent’ meeting with Blinken
Cyprus streamlines migrant returns with EU help
EU official recognises Cyprus’ massive refugee problem (updated)
Greek tech fund PJ Catalyst sells Pollfish unit to U.S.-based Prodege
Facebook entrenching Greece on tech map
On Tuesday Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides will meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the State Department, putting the US-Cyprus relationship in the spotlight. Blinken and Kasoulides will focus on further deepening bilateral relations, the Cyprus problem, energy issues, the 3+1 format, as well as other issues of regional and international interest. Nikos Christodoulides, the former Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cyprus, joins our host Thanos Davelis to discuss the strengthening of the US-Cyprus bilateral relationship over the last years, the importance of Foreign Minister Kasoulides’ trip to the US, and East Med energy diplomacy. We also look at what more can be done in the face of Turkish intransigence on Varosha.
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Cyprus a ‘reliable’ security partner to US
Censure motion over storm fails against Greek government
Turkish president sacks statistics chief as inflation tension escalates
Turkish leader names new statistics chief as inflation rises
The Russia-NATO crisis over Ukraine is putting Turkey’s balancing act between Moscow and the West into renewed focus. Because it is a NATO country, and because Russia has been building a strategic relationship with Ankara since 2016 to counter NATO on missile defense, Turkey’s decisions are going to be watched carefully in Moscow, Washington, and Brussels should the Ukraine-Russia crisis escalate. Ambassador Marc Pierini joins The Greek Current to explain why a military escalation in and around Ukraine would endanger Turkey’s relationship with Russia, impair its participation in NATO operations, or possibly both.
Marc Pierini is a visiting scholar at Carnegie Europe, where his research focuses on developments in the Middle East and Turkey from a European perspective. Prior to this, Pierini was a career EU diplomat, and served as EU ambassador to Turkey (2006–2011).
Read Ambassador Pierini’s latest piece in Carnegie Europe: The Russia-NATO Crisis Tests Turkey’s Balancing Policy
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Minister: Cyprus a ‘reliable’ security partner to US
Greek government faces confidence vote after botched blizzard response
MPs begin debate on censure motion against gov’t
The winter storm that swept through Greece this week and shut down Athens and other parts of the country has seen the government come under fire for its handling of this extreme weather event. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis issued an apology on Wednesday acknowledging the insufficient response of the state to the storm, which left thousands of motorists stranded in their cars, while blackouts were reported across Athens. In the meantime, Greece’s main opposition leader, Alexis Tsipras, has filed a motion of no confidence in the government as a result of its response to the winter storm. Tom Ellis, the editor-in-chief of Kathimerini English edition, joins The Greek Current to look into the political fallout from this storm and discuss his latest op-ed which urges the adoption of a nonpartisan approach to crisis management.
Read Tom Ellis’s latest op-ed in Kathimerini: A nonpartisan approach to natural disasters
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Shaky foundations
Opposition tables censure motion against gov’t over snowstorm mishandling
Israel, Cyprus, Greece power cable link secures EU funding
Greece allows music in bars and restaurants again as COVID cases ease
Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins The Greek Current to discuss his latest piece in Kathimerini, titled “It’s not the pipeline, stupid”, which breaks down the latest controversy over the US “non-paper” on the EastMed gas pipeline. We look at the series of public relations fiascos and laughable explanations from those responsible for the non-paper and parts of the US response, and what steps the State Department can take to fix this problem. Endy Zemenides makes the case that it’s time to move the “3+1” to a much higher political level, calling for Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s direct engagement. We also look at how the State Department should be handling Turkey, which is looking to dominate, rather than participate in, East Med initiatives.
Read Endy Zemenides latest piece in Kathimerini here: It’s not the pipeline, stupid
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Bilirakis, Pallone warn against US-Turkey F-16 deal
Greek army helps remove vehicles on snow-plagued road
PM acknowledges failures, offers apology in wake of snowstorm
Last week Turkish President Erdogan said that Israeli President Herzog would soon visit Turkey. The very next day, Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu held the first ministerial level call in 13 years with Israeli Foreign Minister Lapid. This comes as Turkey has been pushing the narrative that it wants reconciliation with Israel, and after it’s taken steps to reach out to regional rivals such as Egypt and the UAE to mend relations. Reports indicate that Israel so far remains suspicious. Seth Frantzman joins The Greek Current to discuss his latest piece in The Jerusalem Post on Turkey’s hints at reconciliation with Israel, and why Turkey’s Israel agenda is about giving nothing and getting everything.
Seth Frantzman is a Middle East analyst and the oped editor at The Jerusalem Post, and is a contributor to Defense News and The National Interest.
Read Seth Frantzman’s latest analysis here: Turkey’s Israel Agenda: Giving nothing, getting everything
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New shutdown called for Wednesday as problems persist
Turkish overflights amid dialogue
The EU called on Russia on Monday to defuse tensions over Ukraine and reaffirmed that Moscow would face "massive" consequences if it attacked its neighbor. The EU's foreign ministers, who met in Brussels, said the bloc "condemns Russia's continued aggressive actions and threats against Ukraine and calls on Russia to de-escalate." US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also joined the meeting via teleconference. In the meantime, NATO announced that European allies were deploying added ships and fighter jets to Eastern Europe and putting new forces on standby in response to Russia’s continued military mobilization along Ukraine’s border. Yannis Palaiologos, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, joins The Greek Current with the latest analysis.
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Ukraine-Russia crisis: EU foreign ministers meet to coordinate strategy with US
EU urges Russia to de-escalate, threatens 'massive' sanctions
NATO sends ships, fighter jets to eastern Europe as Russia tensions simmer
Snow blankets Athens, Greek islands and Turkey’s Istanbul
Rare heavy snow paralyses Greek capital and disrupts flights
Turkey: prominent journalist detained for insulting president Erdoğan
Sedef Kabas: Turkish journalist jailed for reciting proverb
Late last week a US appeals court put the federal government's prosecution of Turkish state-owned lender Halkbank on hold while the bank appeals to the US Supreme Court. This decision means Halkbank can appeal without having to defend itself in a Manhattan federal court for its alleged role in helping Iran evade US sanctions. Halkank is accused of helping Iran secretly transfer $20 billion of restricted funds, including $1 billion laundered through the US financial system, and converting oil revenue into gold and then cash to benefit Iranian interests. Expert Aykan Erdemir joins The Greek Current to look into this latest development and explain why this decision is a win for Turkish President Erdogan in his continued attempts to delay a potentially embarrassing jury trial.
Dr. Aykan Erdemir is the senior director of the Turkey program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former Turkish lawmaker.
Read Aykan Erdemir’s latest policy brief for FDD here: Halkbank’s Supreme Court Appeal Will Delay Iran Sanctions-Evasion Case
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Athens and Ankara seek positive agenda
US academics use radar to help seek missing in split Cyprus
Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov and his counterpart from North Macedonia, Dimitar Kovacevski, met on Tuesday in Skopje in an effort to improve relations and reach a breakthrough on the Bulgarian policy of blocking North Macedonia’s path to EU membership. Since 2020, Bulgaria has blocked the opening of EU membership negotiation talks with North Macedonia because of disputes over history and language, but it faces pressure from its Western allies in the EU to be more flexible. John Psaropoulos joins The Greek Current to look at this week’s talks, break down the core issues at play here, and give the perspective from Greece.
John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist based in Greece and Al Jazeera’s southeast Europe correspondent. Read John Psaropoulos’s latest report in Al Jazeera: What lies in the way of North Macedonia’s EU membership?
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Greece raises $3.4B in bond auction to help boost budget
Greece set to stay in markets
Turkey’s central bank ends string of interest rate cuts
Turkey’s central bank hits pause, leaves interest rates unchanged
The first six advanced Rafale jets, purchased from France, arrived in Greece on Wednesday marking the first major delivery to result from multi-billion euro defense deals the Greek and French governments signed last year. Prime Minister Mitsotakis welcomed the new jets, saying that they will make the Greek air force one of the strongest in Europe and the Mediterranean. Greece has earmarked nearly 2.5 billion euros to buy 18 Rafale jets. Greece also plans to acquire six more Rafale jets at a later date and to spend an additional 3 billion euros to buy three new French-made frigates. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins The Greek Current to talk about these new jets Greece has acquired, their unique capabilities, and the impact they will have on the Greek air force.
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Greece boosts air force with advanced French jet fighters
Οι επιχειρησιακές δυνατότητες των Rafale
Ελληνοτουρκικά: Υπερπτήσεων συνέχεια με χρήση UAV
Turkey Takes $5 Billion Lifeline From Old Rival U.A.E.
Turkey strikes currency swap deal with UAE as ties warm
UAE agrees deal to boost Turkey’s central bank reserves
Cyprus to lift restrictions on vaccinated travelers in March
Cabinet shortens recommended isolation for contacts
The US decision to shift its focus from the EastMed gas pipeline to regional electricity interconnectors is an opportunity for Greece. That’s what energy expert Nikos Tsafos argued in his latest op-ed in Kathimerini - “Beyond the EastMed Pipeline”. Nikos Tsafos joins The Greek Current to talk about this piece, in which he explores the impact the proposed pipeline has had on the region despite questions over its feasibility, looks at this shift in US policy, and explains how this presents a unique opportunity for Greece to reframe the dialogue around energy and climate change in the region.
Nikos Tsafos is the James R. Schlesinger Chair in Energy and Geopolitics with the Energy Security and Climate Change Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
Read Nikos Tsafos’s latest op-ed in Kathimerini: Beyond the EastMed pipeline
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Any east Med gas project must include Turkey, says Erdogan
Greece to step up Parthenon marbles pressure amid signs tide is turning
Greece to ban development in mountain areas to protect habitats
The EastMed gas pipeline has been dominating the news cycle over the last weeks. This attention follows a non-paper declaring Washington’s skepticism about the project and a recent online video published by Turkey’s TRT World which inaccurately portrayed US policy as favoring EastMed gas going to Turkey. As a result, the State Department issued in depth statements clarifying its positions on energy and connectivity in the Eastern Mediterranean and refuting TRT’s propaganda video. Lena Argiri, the DC Correspondent for ERT, joins The Greek Current with the latest analysis from Washington.
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State Department: US supports regional power connections
Turkey defies European deadline to release Osman Kavala from jail
Turkish activist Osman Kavala to remain in prison pending trial
In Greece, unvaccinated people 60 and up face monthly fines
Increased US-Greek cooperation at the port of Alexandroupoli has highlighted its geostrategic significance for the transatlantic alliance, becoming a key element in shaping the bilateral relationship. As the port sees increased activity, many locals believe that increasing operations at the port and railroad will eventually benefit the rest of Evros as well, bringing new businesses and well-paid jobs to the region and motivating locals to stay. Steven Tagle, who is currently based in Alexandroupoli, joins The Greek Current to talk about the significance of this port city for the US-Greece relationship, look into the plans currently underway to upgrade the port, and explore how local residents view these developments.
Steven Tagle is a fellow from the Institute of Current World Affairs funded by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. He previously served as speechwriter for the US Embassy in Athens and as a Fulbright Fellow in Greece.
Read Steven Tagle's latest dispatch from Alexandroupoli here: US military operations reflect Greece’s strategic significance
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Greece to raise minimum wage for the second time in 2022
Greece to raise minimum wage again this year, PM says
Turkey, Armenia hold 'constructive' first round of normalization talks
Turkey, Armenia hold first talks on normalising ties in years
In 2021 we saw Turkey slowly work to reduce tensions with a number of its regional rivals, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. While Turkey seems eager to move from active confrontation toward greater stability, its rivals have not all embraced rapprochement with the same zeal as Ankara. The question now remains how far regional dynamics will shift given that many underlying fault lines remain. Expert Nicholas Danforth joins The Greek Current to talk about his latest policy brief for ELIAMEP, the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy, which explores Turkey’s efforts over the past year to mend relations with its rivals in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Gulf, and share his thoughts on what we should expect moving forward.
Nicholas Danforth is a Non-Resident Senior Research Fellow at the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy, ELIAMEP, and the author of the newly published “The Remaking of Republican Turkey: Memory and Modernity.”
Read Nicholas Danforth’s policy brief for ELIAMEP here: New Dynamics, Old Problems: Turkey’s Rapprochement Overtures in the Eastern Mediterranean
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Greece says Turkey distorting history
Erdogan says Turkey committed to EU membership, calls for ‘direct’ dialogue with Greece
Plans for 86,000 new jobs within 2022
Greek inflation soars to 5.1% in December
EU auditors released a report on Monday that pointed out how the EU has been unsuccessful in its efforts to promote rule-of-law reforms in the Western Balkans. The bloc has spent about €700 million between 2014 and 2020 to help Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo make progress on reforms, and many EU governments see establishing high democratic standards in the region as important for the bloc’s own stability and security, particularly as these countries aspire to join the EU. Professor Florian Bieber, an expert on the Balkans, joins The Greek Current to break down the key takeaways from this report. We also discuss his latest piece in Foreign Policy, which looks at the nationalist and authoritarian turn Serbia has taken under President Vucic and why this matters for the Western Balkans.
Professor Florian Bieber is a Professor of Southeast European History and Politics and Director of the Centre for Southeast European Studies at the University of Graz, Austria. He is also a coordinator at The Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group.
Read Florian Bieber’s latest op-ed in Foreign Policy here: Why Serbia’s President Is a Threat to Europe
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EU funds have little impact in Western Balkans, auditors say
Rape trial of Greek sailing coach begins as #MeToo gains ground
US Ambassador to Greece nominee testifying before Senate committee
Klaus Regling, the Managing Director of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), recently gave an exclusive interview to Kathimerini where he discussed the economic prospects for Greece and Europe in 2022. Regling touched on the strength of the recovery of the Greek economy in 2021 and the road ahead, citing the importance of Greece’s Recovery and Resilience Plan as a tool to place Greece on a higher growth trajectory. He also addressed concerns over Greece’s debt, which now exceeds 200% of GDP, making it clear that the ESM believes Greek debt is manageable over the coming years. Yannis Palaiologos, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, joins The Greek Current to discuss the key takeaways from his interview with Klaus Regling.
Read Yannis Palaiologos' interview with Klaus Regling here: Klaus Regling in interview with Kathimerini (Greece), January 2022
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Greece approves fourth COVID-19 vaccine shot for those at risk
Kasoulides sworn in as foreign minister, Christodoulides bids farewell
No change in foreign policy, says Kasoulides, pledges more focus on foreign diplomats and EU
Following reports of US reservations over the feasibility of the EastMed gas pipeline project, a State Department spokesman affirmed Washington’s commitment to the 3+1 regional alliance with Greece, Cyprus and Israel and emphasized that Europe’s energy independence is a key national security issue. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s executive director, joins The Greek Current to discuss this latest development. We also look at his latest op-ed in Kathimerini, where he explores how Greece is well positioned – geographically, politically, strategically, values-wise – to become an even more important partner to Washington as America’s new security architecture continues to evolve to meet new challenges.
Read the latest op-ed by Endy Zemenides here: How critical is Greece to the US?
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US skeptical over EastMed pipeline plan
State Department affirms commitment to 3+1 mechanism
Cyprus foreign minister quits amid presidential run tussle
Cyprus FM resigns, hints at Presidency bid
Greece hopes marble foot will get UK to return sculptures
This week has seen tensions escalate between Turkey and Greece as leading politicians and officials in Ankara have made provocative statements and issued warnings directed at Greece. Athens has issued a stern response, while Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias called on Turkey to prove its commitment to international law through actions, starting with withdrawing its threat of war against Greece. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini English Edition, joins The Greek Current to talk about his two latest opinion pieces in Kathimerini that look into the escalating rhetoric coming out of Ankara this week, Greece’s response, and the road ahead for Greek-Turkish relations in 2022.
Read Tom Ellis latest op-eds in Kathimerini:
Turkish Naval Academy cadets swimming
2022: An emotionally charged year ahead for Greece-Turkey relations
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FM: Turkey must withdraw casus belli
Greece extends energy financial relief into January
Turkey spent at least $7.3bn propping up lira in December
The Russian Orthodox Church said this week that it was considering establishing an exarchate in Turkey, as it has just done in Africa, further deepening the schism between the Moscow and the Ecumenical Patriarchate that opened up following the decision by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to grant the Ukrainian Orthodox Church autocephaly, essentially making it independent of Russia. Professor Phil Dorroll joins The Greek Current to analyze these moves by Russia, explain why a move to establish a Russian exarchate in Turkey would do incredible damage to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Greek Orthodox community, and provide a broader look into how Moscow’s efforts to undermine the Phanar are playing out across the Orthodox world.
Professor Phil Dorroll is Associate Professor of Religion at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and his research has focused on Islam in Turkey and Muslim-Orthodox Christian relations.
Read Prof. Phil Dorroll’s twitter thread on the issue here.
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Russia Hinting at Establishing Exarchate in Turkey, Deepening Schism
Tsunis to appear before Senate next week for confirmation
Greek state preparing to issue bonds in anticipation of Fitch verdict
Fresh 10-year bond issue is expected this month
The Turkish government has been inviting reporters to document migrant raids and border security construction at the Turkish-Iranian border, which has become a main point of entry for Afghans fleeing the Taliban. It’s an effort Turkey is eager to put on display for Western journalists and observers in an effort to show the EU that it is dealing with the migrant issue for the whole bloc. Many analysts, however, see ulterior motives at play, and note that the EU’s fear of migration is a tool that Turkish President Erdogan uses to obtain various financial and political incentives from the EU. Nektaria Stamouli, who visited the Turkish-Iranian border, joins The Greek Current to talk about Turkey’s migrant security system, the challenges facing Afghans arriving at the border, and how this reflects on Europe.
Nektaria Stamouli is a correspondent with Politico based in Athens covering Greece, Cyprus, and the Balkans.
Read Nektaria Stamouli’s latest piece in Politico here: Turkey puts its migrant security system on display for Europe
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Italy sending Parthenon fragment to Athens in nudge to UK
Petition: Return the Parthenon Sculptures!
Cyprus mandates more testing to check rapid COVID-19 spread
Schools opening Monday, cabinet tweaks existing measures
Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid recently gave an exclusive interview to Kathimerini, where he made it clear that relations between Greece and Israel will continue to develop and bloom “regardless of any other developments in the region.” Aside from the focus on Israel’s “values-based strategic alliance” with Greece, Foreign Minister Lapid also commented on the prospects of a rapprochement between Israel and Turkey, the impact the Abraham accords were having on the region, Iran, and the role of the US in the Eastern Mediterranean and in the 3+1 partnership. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins The Greek Current to break down the main takeaways from his interview with Foreign Minister Lapid.
Read Vassilis Nedos’ interview with Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid in Kathimerini: Israel-Greece a ‘values-based strategic alliance,’ says FM
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Dendias informs State Department about Turkey’s ‘provocative’ rhetoric
Turkey's Erdogan says he'll visit Saudi Arabia in February
Saudi Arabia, Greece discuss Iran, Middle East security
Greek schools to reopen Jan 10, with more Covid-19 testing
Greece sets new daily Covid-19 case record
PCR price cap announced
SYRIZA calls for free Covid-19 tests
20 years ago Greece’s then Prime Minister Kostas Simitis made the first withdrawal of a euro banknote from a Greek bank, marking the official adoption of the euro and the switch away from the drachma. Over the last 20 years, the euro has overcome initial doubts, price concerns, and a debt crisis to spread across the European continent. George Pagoulatos joins The Greek Current to look back over the last two decades and talk about the euro’s legacy in Greece. We also discuss how the Greek financial crisis impacted the euro, the steps that were taken in response on a European level, and the ways Greece is shaping the debate today when it comes to the future of the single currency.
George Pagoulatos is the Director General of ELIAMEP, the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy, is Professor of European Politics and Economy at the Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB), and Visiting Professor at the College of Europe.
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Greece's euro history: Challenging adaption to membership
Turkish inflation soars to 36%, highest in Erdogan era
Turkey’s inflation hits a 19-year high of 36%
Omicron likely to peak quickly, level off later in January, expert says
Seventy percent of new infections in five regions are omicron
New virus infections surge past 36,000 again
A Libyan parliamentary committee said Wednesday that it has become “impossible” to hold the long-awaited presidential election scheduled for December 24th, a major blow to international efforts to end a decade of chaos in the country. The run-up to elections has been marred by disputes over the eligibility of candidates and growing security fears, and earlier this week the UN warned of growing tensions as armed groups mobilized in Tripoli. Expert Aya Burweila joins The Greek Current to discuss the decision to postpone elections and what it means for international efforts to bring peace to Libya.
Aya Burweila is a Libyan expert from Benghazi based in Athens, is the founder and director of the non-profit Code on the Road, and a BBC Woman Expert in Terrorism and Radicalization.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Libya parliament says ‘impossible’ to hold presidential vote
Explainer: Why Libya's election has collapsed and what comes next
Libya: Tensions as armed groups mobilize in Tripoli
Libya elections: Delay called for in presidential poll
Greece bans public Christmas festivities to curb Omicron spread
Greece cancels Christmas events, brings back mask mandate
North Macedonia’s prime minister formally steps down
North Macedonia's PM Zaev Steps Down
On Monday we looked at the defense angle - specifically the clause opening the way for Greece to acquire F-35s - of the US-Greece Defense and Interparliamentary Partnership Act, which the Senate passed in the NDAA last week. Aside from bolstering the defense cooperation between the US and Greece, this bill, which is a follow up to the landmark Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act, helps lay out a roadmap for a US policy in the Eastern Mediterranean that is both consistent with American interests and values, and builds upon growing collaboration and integration in the region between countries like Greece, Cyprus and Israel. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins The Greek Current to talk about the broader impact of this bill, and what comes next.
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3 Western Balkan countries deepen economic ties at summit
Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia Deepen Ties At 'Open Balkan' Summit
Greece to extend border wall to stop migrants, wants EU help
Last week the US Senate voted on and passed the NDAA, which included the U.S.-Greece Defense and Interparliamentary Partnership Act, which was introduced by Senators Bob Menendez and Marco Rubio. The bill upgrades the defense cooperation between the US and Greece, and also includes language that would open the door for Greece to acquire F-35 fighter jets. This has revived talk in Athens about Greece’s possible acquisition of the fifth generation stealth fighter. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins The Greek Current to discuss the significance of the Menendez-Rubio amendment and what it will take for Greece to actually acquire F-35s.
Read Vassilis Nedos’ latest analysis here: Revived hopes for buying the F-35 aircraft
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Turkish lira falls further as Erdogan stands firm on rates
Turkey's Erdogan says he's cut inflation to 4% before, can do again
Bulgaria, Greece talk energy cooperation, regional stability
EU leaders held their last summit of 2021 amid heightened concerns about the spread of the omicron variant, which saw some members - including Greece and Italy - impose unilateral travel restrictions intended to control the spread of the new variant. This raised important questions about freedom of movement for European citizens. Meanwhile, Russia’s military buildup at the Ukrainian border also took up a significant portion of time at the summit, with EU leaders issuing a stern warning to Moscow that there would be a severe cost for any aggressive actions against Ukraine. Yannis Palaiologos, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, joins The Greek Current to break down the decisions EU leaders took at this last summit of 2021.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Draghi puts health above unity as EU struggles to find footing on Omicron
Russia Ukraine: EU warns Moscow of 'severe cost' of aggression
Greece further amends Covid travel rules for foreigners
Turkey’s lira sinks to new low, prompting bank to intervene
Turkey's currency crisis deepens after Erdogan's latest rate cut
Turkey working to ease banks' capital strains amid lira crash - sources
Staikouras: ECB pledge is a vote of confidence in Greece
As Turkey increasingly drifts from the West, we’ve seen Turkey and Russia have moved closer. In a recently published report for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a team of experts look at Russia-Turkey relations under Presidents Putin and Erdogan, where they document how the Erdogan and Putin regimes have managed to compartmentalize their relationship, mixing competition with substantial cooperation across a range of areas. The authors also offer a nuanced set of policy recommendations for the US and its transatlantic allies, highlighting how they should react to Turkey’s drift from the West under Erdogan. Aykan Erdemir and John Hardie, two of the authors of this report, join The Greek Current to break down their work, titled “Collusion or Collision? Turkey-Russia Relations Under Erdogan and Putin”.
Dr. Aykan Erdemir is the senior director of the Turkey program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former Turkish lawmaker.
John Hardie is the research manager at FDD, and his own research focuses on Russian foreign and security policy, U.S. policy toward Russia, and transatlantic relations.
Make sure to read their report here: Collusion or Collision? Turkey-Russia Relations Under Erdogan and Putin
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
ECB: Monetary policy decisions
European Central Bank to taper pandemic stimulus, but gently
Turkish lira dips to new low after another interest rate cut
Turkey’s lira tumbles after central bank cuts rates
The Greek central bank is planning an appeal for the country’s bonds to remain eligible for new European Central Bank purchases after March when the vast bond-buying scheme launched in response to the pandemic is expected to end. The ECB has bought €35bn of Greek bonds over the past two years, and Greece’s borrowing costs have fallen sharply since the ECB started purchasing its bonds. There are concerns that a potential end to pandemic emergency purchases could risk leaving Greek junk bonds without European support. Eleni Varvitsioti joins The Greek Current to discuss the bond-buying program the ECB set up as a result of the pandemic, how it has impacted Greece, and the concerns in Athens about what comes next.
Eleni Varvitsioti is the Financial Times correspondent for Greece and Cyprus, and is based in Athens.
Read Eleni Varvitsioti’s latest piece in the Financial Times: Greece to make push for ECB to keep buying its bonds
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Senate passes annual defense bill authorizing $770 billion in Pentagon funding
US-Greece defense bill passes with NDAA
EU starts vaccinating kids 5-11
Omicron to be dominant variant in EU by mid-January
Health Ministry announcement for travelers to Greece
Bulgaria’s parliament on Monday formally approved the country’s new centrist-led government in a bid to restore stability, tackle the coronavirus crisis, and spur economic development in the country. Lawmakers voted 134-104 to elect 41-year-old Kiril Petkov as prime minister. Petkov, a Harvard educated entrepreneur, has made transparency in public spending, tackling corruption, and reforms in the judiciary central to his agenda. He also signalled that Bulgaria will end its obstruction of North Macedonia’s bid to join the EU once his new government takes office in the coming weeks, a move that would have a broader impact in the Western Balkans. Expert Dimitar Bechev joins The Greek Current to discuss the latest political developments in Bulgaria and look at how they could impact the region.
Dimitar Bechev is a visiting scholar at Carnegie Europe and a lecturer at Oxford University’s School of Global and Area Studies.
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Harvard-educated Petkov elected as Bulgaria's prime minister
New Bulgarian PM pledges U-turn on North Macedonia’s EU ambitions
Serbia: A Testament to People Power
Greece records highest daily Covid death toll with 130 fatalities
‘Persuasion strategy’ for Covid vaccine ‘exhausted’
Cyprus OKs COVID-19 vaccinations for children aged 5-11
FinMin: New support measures to offset price hikes
More support measures being planned to offset price hikes
Nikos Androulakis, a European Parliament deputy, defeated former Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou by a wide margin in a runoff election on Sunday to become the new leader of Greece's third largest party, the centre-left Movement of Change (KINAL). The election of a new leader for KINAL, the former Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), has been a subject of interest not only to supporters of the center-left party, but also to those observing the political landscape in Greece, who view the party as a moderate and pro-European voice in parliament. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini English Edition, joins The Greek Current to explain why this election was so important, who Nikos Androulakis is, and what his vision for the future of the party is.
Read Tom Ellis’s analysis in Kathimerini here:
The Movement for Change elections
Papandreou isn’t doing himself any favors
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Mitsotakis, Tsipras and KINAL
EU lawmaker Androulakis elected Greek socialist leader
Androulakis beats Papandreou to lead Greece's centre-left KINAL party
First six Rafale jets to arrive in January
Dimitar Kovachevski on course to become North Macedonia’s new prime minister
North Macedonia: Finance official tapped to become next PM
Separatist rhetoric among Bosnian Serb leadership is raising concerns about the dissolution of Bosnia-Herzegovina, with Milorad Dodik, the leader of Republika Srpska, recently ramping up talk of withdrawing from Bosnia’s military, intelligence, judicial, and tax institutions—effectively threatening secession. On Friday, a day after this interview took place, the parliament of the Serb part of Bosnia-Herzegovina voted to take that step. The vote amounted to a non-binding agreement that fell short of a final decision to quit the institutions, but this decision and Dodik’s rhetoric have sparked warnings from the international community about new conflict in the region. Expert Charles Kupchan joins The Greek Current to explain the current situation in Bosnia, look at the rise of nationalism in the broader Balkan region, and discuss how the US and the EU should respond to this crisis.
Charles Kupchan is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and professor of international affairs at Georgetown University in the Walsh School of Foreign Service and Department of Government. From 2014 to 2017, Kupchan served as special assistant to the president and senior director for European affairs on the staff of the National Security Council (NSC) in the Barack Obama administration. He is the author of the recent book Isolationism: A History of America’s Efforts to Shield Itself From the World, where he explores the enduring connection between the isolationist impulse and the American experience.
Read Charles Kupchan’s analysis for the Council on Foreign Relations here: Is Bosnia on the Verge of Conflict?
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Bosnia: Serbs vote to leave key institutions in secession move
West Struggles to Counter Secessionist Threat in Bosnia
State Department approves potential frigate sale to Greece, despite agreement with France
US State Dept approves potential warship sale to Greece, Pentagon says
Cyprus issues 2nd offshore drilling license to ExxonMobil and Qatar Energy
Climate change and its impacts have been central topics of discussion in Greece, especially after a summer of intense heat waves and devastating wildfires. Aside from creating a new ministry to exclusively handle the fallout from climate change, the Greek government has also announced ambitious targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions, completely faze out the use of coal powered power plants, and invest in electrification and renewable energy. While the focus in Greece has been on this summer’s wildfires, climate change is already having a wider impact on many aspects of Greek life. Journalist John Psaropoulos joins The Greek Current to discuss his latest four part series for Al Jazeera on the problems of climate change in Greece, and to look ahead at some of the steps Greece is taking in response.
John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist based in Greece and Al Jazeera’s southeast Europe correspondent.
Read John Psaropoulos’s four part series on climate change in Greece here:
Climate change and human error shrivel Greek agriculture
Climate change threatens Greek wetlands and ancient livelihoods
Climate crisis: The world has a long, hard climb to ‘net zero’
Greece, a green energy laggard in Europe, boosts renewable energy
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greeks reject populism, Mitsotakis tells Biden’s Summit for Democracy
Why Biden is hosting more than 100 countries to talk about democracy
Biden sounds alarm about global democracy at virtual summit
Covid ebbing but deaths, intubations concerning
Vaccination platform opens for children
It’s been a busy week in Greek diplomacy. It kicked off with Prime Minister Mitsotakis first speaking to Secretary of State Antony Blinken about the US-Greece partnership and developments in the broader region, setting the tone for the Prime Minister’s week. A day after this call, on Tuesday, Mitsotakis traveled to Jerusalem where he attended the latest trilateral summit with the leaders of Cyprus and Israel, where energy cooperation was at the forefront of discussions. Finally, Mitsotakis visited Sochi on Wednesday to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a meeting that took place against the backdrop of tensions between the West and Russia over the Ukrainian issue. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins The Greek Current with the latest analysis on these developments.
Read Vassilis Nedos’s latest articles for Kathimerini:
Energy at forefront of trilateral summit
Warm talks amid Cold War climate
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Erdogan says he will follow Turkish rulings on philanthropist Kavala
Turkey’s Erdogan to Ignore European Rulings on Kavala, Demirtas
US House approves defense funding bill, including Menendez-Rubio amendment
On Monday Pope Francis wrapped up a five day trip to Cyprus and Greece. Francis' trip was dominated by the migration issue, and he called for European countries to stop building walls, stoking fears and shutting out "those in greater need who knock at our door." In a gesture of solidarity, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis would take a number of refugees and migrants back to Italy from Cyprus, while a highlight of his trip was his visit to the Greek island of Lesvos which was at the forefront of the 2016 migration crisis. While in Cyprus he also discussed the Cyprus problem with President Anastasiades. He also engaged in inter-faith dialogue with the Orthodox Christian leaders of both Greece and Cyprus. Iliana Magra, a journalist with Kathimerini who travelled with Pope Francis in Cyprus and Greece, joins The Greek Current to talk about this historic visit.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Pope Francis returns to Lesbos, Greece and pleads for action on migrant crisis
Citing ancient Greeks, Pope Francis laments threats to democracy today
A weary pope urges Greek, Turkish Cypriots to heal division
Greece, Israel, Cyprus agree to continue cooperation on energy projects
Erodgan says Turkey seeks to clear up 'misunderstandings' with Gulf states
Erdogan's visit to Qatar to yield deals but no MbS meeting
UAE Officials Head to Turkey for Defense Talks
Is there a new momentum for the return of Parthenon Marbles to Greece? That’s what Janet Suzman, the chair of the British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles, argued in her latest op-ed for Kathimerini. Her piece came after Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the United Kingdom, where he raised the issue of the Parthenon Marbles in his meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Despite Johnson’s refusal, Greece has vowed to use “every means” in its quest to persuade London to relinquish the Parthenon sculptures, with a campaign that will focus on winning over the hearts and minds of Britons. Janet Suzman joins us on The Greek Current to talk about Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ visit to the UK and the momentum it has given the campaign for the return of the Parthenon Marbles.
Read Janet Suzman’s op-ed in Kathimerini here: New momentum for return of Parthenon Marbles
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Pope Francis returns to Lesbos, Greece and pleads for action on migrant crisis
Citing ancient Greeks, Pope Francis laments threats to democracy today
Pope condemns treatment of migrants in Europe
Pope meets the Archbishop of Athens
Secretary Blinken’s Call with Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis
PM heading to Russia: Transport, natural gas, East Med on the agenda
On Friday the northern Greek port city of Alexandroupolis hosted the largest transfer of US military equipment through the port to date as part of the Atlantic Resolve 2021 exercise. US Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt, who was in Alexandroupoli along with Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos and other officials, said that the ever-growing volume of military activity at the port city underscores its expanding strategic role and importance for Greece, for the US and the wider region. In another sign of the growing importance that US-Greek relations have acquired, we saw the first delivery of M1117 armored security vehicles from the US to Greece and Kathimerini reported that the US is planning to invest $33.5 million at Larissa Air Base. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins The Greek Current to break down these key developments.
Read Vassilis Nedos’ latest report in Kathimerini: US to spend $35 mln on Larissa base
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Upgrade of Alexandroupoli port underscores strategic relationship between Greece and US
Ambassador Pyatt’s Remarks at Atlantic Resolve Distinguished Visitors Day
Greece’s Alexandroupolis Hosts “Largest Shipment of US Equipment in History”
Cyprus says will continue East Med gas exploration, rebuffs Turkey
Planned Amazon investment is ‘vote of confidence’ in economy, says PM
Mitsotakis and Amazon Εxecutives Discuss Planned AWS Local Zone Investment
Europe’s leading human rights body, The Council of Europe, has initiated rarely used infringement proceedings against Turkey after Ankara’s failure to release businessman and philanthropist Osman Kavala despite a European Court of Human Rights’ judgement ordering his immediate release. This may eventually lead to withholding Turkey’s voting rights in the council or even suspension of its membership. This process has only been initiated once before, and experts say this indicates the flagrant nature of Turkey’s disregard for human rights and for the commitments it has made to other European states. Aykan Erdemir joins The Greek Current to break down the significance of the Council of Europe’s decision for Turkey, pro-democracy Turks, and Ankara’s relations with Europe and the West.
Dr. Aykan Erdemir is the senior director of the Turkey program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former Turkish lawmaker.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Council of Europe initiates action against Turkey over Kavala detention
Expert Q&A – The Council of Europe v. Turkey: Will Erdoğan’s Political Detentions Cost Turkey Its Membership?
A weary pope urges Greek, Turkish Cypriots to heal division
Pope to ‘touch some wounds’ on trip to divided Cyprus
Nicosia’s top diplomat says Pope visiting ‘front line State’ in migrant crisis
'I'm bullish' on trajectory of growth: Greek PM
World leaders recently gathered in Glasgow for the COP26 summit, where they signed off on the Glasgow Climate Pact, which states that carbon emissions will have to fall by 45 percent by 2030 to keep alive the goal set out in the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°C. This summit followed a summer of record breaking heat waves and intense wildfires, such as those experienced by Greece and other Mediterranean countries, which were largely attributed to climate change. Experts Alice Hill and Madeline Babin join The Greek Current to assess whether COP26 was a success, look at the many challenges rising temperatures pose to humans across the globe, and explore the policy initiatives that can be adopted in response.
Alice Hill is the David M. Rubenstein senior fellow for energy and the environment at the Council on Foreign Relations. She previously served as special assistant to President Barack Obama and senior director for resilience policy on the National Security Council staff, leading the development of national policy to build resilience to catastrophic risks, including climate change.
Madeline Babin is a research associate for the Energy Security and Climate Change Program at the Council on Foreign Relations, where her research focuses on climate change policy and building resilience to the catastrophic risk of climate change.
Read Alice Hill and Madeline Babin’s latest pieces here:
What COP26 Did and Didn’t Accomplish
The Policy Challenge of Extreme Heat and Climate Change
A World Overheating: How Countries Should Adapt to Climate Extremes
The Fight for Climate After COVID-19
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Pope Francis coming back to Greece
Migrant crisis front and center in pope’s Greece-Cyprus trip
With migrants in mind, Pope Francis visits divided Cyprus
EU launches €300bn bid to challenge Chinese influence
EU launches €300bn fund to challenge China’s influence
Under President Erdogan, Turkey has undergone a substantial degradation of its rule-of-law architecture in all relevant fields. One example of this is the continued imprisonment of philanthropist Osman Kavala, which is in violation of a 2019 judgment of the European Court of Human Rights. This case could see the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers - which is meeting over the next few days - initiate infringement proceedings against Turkey. Rule of law is also a thorny issue in the EU-Turkey relationship, as Ankara has repeatedly refused to entertain an open rule-of-law dialogue with Brussels. Ambassador Marc Pierini joins us to discuss the steps the Council of Europe could take over the Osman Kavala case, how the degradation of rule of law in Turkey is impacting EU-Turkey relations, and why the EU must stand firm when it comes to rule of law issues and its core values and principles.
Marc Pierini is a visiting scholar at Carnegie Europe, where his research focuses on developments in the Middle East and Turkey from a European perspective. Prior to this, Pierini was a career EU diplomat, and served as EU ambassador to Turkey (2006–2011).
Read Marc Pierini’s latest article here: The EU Should Stand Firm on Turkey
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece to mandate COVID-19 vaccination for over-60s
Appointments tripled after announcement mandating jabs
US to spend $35 mln on Larissa base
In recent months, Greece appears to have welcomed more women fleeing Afghanistan than any other country. In just a matter of weeks, Athens has become the landing place for more than 700 of Afghanistan’s female judges, lawmakers, journalists and lawyers, together with their families. They arrived in Greece with the help of NGOs, international aid groups, and several individuals who were able to secure almost instantaneous authorization from Greek officials. Journalist Nektaria Stamouli joins The Greek Current to discuss this campaign to get these women and their families from Afghanistan to Athens. We also look at where this decision by Greece to offer accommodation fits within the context of the government’s broader approach to migration.
Nektaria Stamouli is a correspondent with Politico based in Athens covering Greece, Cyprus, and the Balkans.
Read Nektaria Stamouli’s piece in POLITICO: How Athens became the unexpected hub for Afghan women
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Covid-19: No plans for another lockdown, government says
Omicron underlines importance of vaccination, vaccine committee head says
Erdogan doubles down on economic policy amid currency volatility
Turkey's Erdogan stays firm on interest rates, lira weakens 4%
Erdogan’s Audit Board to Probe FX Purchases After Lira Rout
Expert Alan Makovsky, who was recently in Greece, joins The Greek Current to talk about the progress he is seeing in Greece-US security ties, which he described in an interview in Kathimerini as “head spinning”. This expanding defense partnership was recently on full display in northern Greece, where the port of Alexandroupolis was once again at the epicenter of a major US-Greek joint exercise just last week. We look at the significant role that an expanded US presence in Alexandroupolis can play for Greece and US strategic interests in the region, including - as Makovsky noted in his Kathimerini interview - allowing Washington to cushion itself against Ankara in case ties between the two countries deteriorate further.
Alan Makovsky is a senior fellow for national security and international policy at the Center for American Progress, and has worked on Turkey and the region in several capacities, including as a senior staff member on the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the House of Representatives and at the State Department.
Read Alan Makovsky’s interview in Kathimerini here: Progress in Greece-US security ties ‘head-spinning’
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Comings and goings in Alexandroupoli
Greek-US drills reflect deepening ties
Turkey’s irritation with Greece’s actions
Turkey, UAE sign cooperation agreements as they mend ties
UAE Sets Up $10 Billion Fund to Support Turkey as Ties Warm
Turkey, UAE sign investment accords worth billions of dollars
Cyprus to screen children for COVID-19 to 'save Christmas'
Cyprus announces measures to ‘save Christmas’
Last week the US-Greece Defense and Interparliamentary Partnership Act made headlines as it was included as an amendment to the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act, or the NDAA. This move comes at a time when Greece and the United States have seen their bilateral relationship reach new heights. US-Turkey relations were also in the spotlight. Assistant Secretary of State Karen Donfried traveled to Turkey recently, where she talked about the US deepening its cooperation with the country, and touched on Ankara’s request to purchase US F-16s. Meanwhile, the State Department declined to put Turkey on its special watch list of religious freedom violators as was recommended by USCIRF. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins The Greek Current to discuss these key developments.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Amendments Abound as Senate Starts Process of Passing 2022 NDAA
With ‘Friends’ Like These ...
Turkish lira crashes to ‘insane’ historic low after President Erdogan sparks sell-off
Lira collapse leaves Turks bewildered, opposition angry
Health Minister: Fourth Covid wave will be the ‘toughest’
Covid deaths in Europe to top 2 million by March, says WHO
Every year Greece’s Aegean islands go through tens of millions of plastic water bottles, as the islands look to accommodate not only the needs of local residents, but also millions of tourists. This has transformed these communities into some of the biggest consumers of plastic. This dependence on bottled water inevitably impacts the environment, as much of this plastic ends up in the sea. Greece’s government has taken steps to wean the islands onto more sustainable water sources, such as by constructing desalination plants and pipelines, but challenges remain. Journalists Peter Schwartzstein and Alexander Clapp join The Greek Current to discuss their recent piece that looks into Greece’s dependency on plastic bottles, its environmental impact, and the steps that are being taken to address this problem.
Peter Schwartzstein is an environmental journalist covering the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. Alexander Clapp is an Athens based independent journalist.
Read their piece in Bloomberg here: Greece’s Popular Islands Are Crowded — With Plastic
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
New restrictions in Greece as pandemic deaths mount
Authorities announce 105 Covid-related deaths
PM reiterates calls for return of Parthenon marbles
Turkey’s central bank once again slashed interest rates on Thursday despite repeated warnings from economists that lower rates — and a weaker currency — tend to worsen inflation, sending the Turkish lira to historic lows against the US dollar. The central bank seems to be driven by the unorthodox policies of Turkish President Erdogan, who believes that lower rates are the only way to curb inflation. Meanwhile, the decline in the lira’s value and skyrocketing inflation are hurting Turkish households and businesses. Piotr Zalewski joins our host Thanos Davelis to look into the drastic decline in the value of the lira over the last months and years, Erdogan’s unorthodox economic policies and the influence he wields over the central bank, and how these developments are impacting Turkish households and consumers.
Piotr Zalewski is the Turkey correspondent for The Economist.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkish lira sinks to new low as investors warn of ‘vicious cycle
Greece latest EU country to slap COVID curbs on unvaccinated
Greece, like some other E.U. nations facing case surges, adds restrictions for the unvaccinated
Summit between Greek, Egyptian, Cypriot, and French FMs concludes
PM: Quadrilateral cooperation scheme is very important
As experts debate whether Turkey will engage in a new military operation in northern Syria, the facts on the ground demonstrate that Turkey is already in a perpetual state of war against the Kurdish-led autonomous administration in northeast Syria. Not only are drone strikes and shelling now a regular occurence, but Turkey is also weaponizing water supplies in the region at a time when Syria is facing its worst drought in 70 years. Journalist Amberin Zaman joins The Greek Current to discuss Turkey’s “war of attrition” against Syria’s Kurds and its weaponization of water amid a devastating drought. We also discuss her interview with Mazlum Kobane, the commander in chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces, who touched on - among other things - the prospects of a new Turkish incursion into the region.
Amberin Zaman is a staff correspondent for Al-Monitor covering the Middle East, with a particular focus on Syria, Iraq, and Turkey.
Read Amberin Zaman’s latest reports here:
Turkey's war of attrition against Syria's Kurds
Camels weep as their young perish in Syria’s killer drought
Syrian Kurdish commander says Russia opposes further Turkish land grabs
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece suspends espionage trial of 24 aid workers
Greece adjourns trial of aid workers involved in refugee rescues
Turkey's lira dives back into crisis territory
Turkey again cuts interest rates, currency hits new low
On Tuesday Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to a Russia-brokered ceasefire at their border following the deadliest clashes since the war that took place last year in Nagorno-Karabakh, or Arstakh. Armenia’s foreign ministry said this attack is part of a broader Azerbaijani policy that began in May aimed at infiltrating key Armenian areas in the east and southeast. It’s been reported that a key issue here is that Azerbaijan’s President Aliyev wants to set up a corridor running through Armenian territory that would link Azerbaijan to Turkey, a move supported by Turkey’s President Erdogan. In the meantime, members of Congress have condemned Azerbaijan’s latest aggression, and the US Senate is considering three key amendments to the NDAA that would hold Azerbaijan and Turkey accountable.
Aram Hamparian, the Armenian National Committee of America’s Executive Director, joins The Greek Current to discuss the latest developments at the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, the response from the US, and the key bills that the Senate is considering.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Why Turkey and Azerbaijan Won’t Get a Corridor Across Armenia
Menendez Introduces Amendment to Revoke U.S. Presidential Waiver of Section 907 Restrictions on U.S. Aid to Azerbaijan
Greek PM confident EU fiscal rules will change
Turkey’s Erdogan Evokes Religion in New Push for Lower Rates
Erdogan says he will keep battling interest rates, hitting lira
Turkish Lira Tumbles After Erdogan Renews Call for Unorthodox Rate Cuts
The US once again reiterated its firm opposition to Turkey’s purchase and acquisition of the S-400 Russian defense missile system on Tuesday. A State Department spokesperson rejected a recent proposal by Turkey’s Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, who stated that a possible compromise on this issue - which saw the US sanction Turkey under the CAATSA law - would see Turkey use the S-400s in the same way that the S-300 is used within NATO, a clear reference to the S-300s currently in Crete. The spokesperson also stressed that Turkey is the only country in NATO that has engaged in a significant new purchase of Russian weapons since CAATSA was passed into law. The comments followed questions from ERT - the Greek Public Broadcasting Company - and HellasJournal.
Lena Argiri, the DC Correspondent for ERT, joins our host Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Άδειασαν εντελώς τον Ακάρ οι Αμερικάνοι για τους S-400
Στέιτ Ντιπάρτμεντ στην ΕΡΤ
Return of Parthenon marbles is up to British Museum, says No 10
Mitsotakis: return of Parthenon Sculptures an issue of ‘values’
Armenia and Azerbaijan agree ceasefire after border clash
Armenian troops killed in Azerbaijan border clash
France hosted an international conference on Libya in the presence of US Vice President Kamala Harris, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi and other international and regional high-level officials, including Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to ensure the success of the country’s political process through elections that are scheduled for next month, and agreed to push for sanctions against anyone who disrupts Libya's electoral process and political transition. French President Macron also called on Russia and Turkey to withdraw their mercenaries from the country. Libya expert Aya Burweila joins The Greek Current with the latest analysis on the summit in Paris and on the current situation in Libya as the country gears up for elections next month.
Aya Burweila is a Libyan expert from Benghazi based in Athens, is the founder and director of the non-profit Code on the Road, and a BBC Woman Expert in Terrorism and Radicalization.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
World powers press for Libya elections but disputes remain
World leaders bolster troubled Libya ahead of key election
Turkey rebuffs French call for troop withdrawal from Libya
Macron, Putin discuss deescalating Belarus border tensions
Belarus, Russia intertwine as EU builds response
EU to widen Belarus sanctions as row intensifies
Greek prime minister tries to broker deal for return of Parthenon marbles
The US role in the Eastern Mediterranean and the partnership between Washington, DC and Athens is the focus of a recent report by JINSA, the Jewish Institute for National Security of America. The report, titled “At the Center of the Crossroads: A New U.S. Strategy for the East Med',' highlights the geopolitical importance of the region for the United States, and calls on Washington to re-envision its presence in the Eastern Mediterranean to better defend its interests and support its regional partners. A large part of the report centers on Greece, with the authors calling on the US to expand its presence in the country in order to address challenges around the Eastern Mediterranean basin.
Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins The Greek Current to talk about this report, which is also the focus of an article he is publishing in Saturday’s Kathimerini.
You can read the report here: At the Center of the Crossroads: A New U.S. Strategy for the East Med
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece wants dialogue with UK for return of Parthenon sculptures
PM urges return of Parthenon Sculptures
World powers press for Libya elections but disputes remain
Mitsotakis: Greece ready to work with new Libyan gov’t
Earlier this week it was reported that the EU was considering taking measures against Turkish Airlines over the latter's alleged role in trafficking migrants to Belarus. Turkish Airlines denied wrongdoing in a statement on Wednesday. On Thursday, however, Bloomberg reported that Turkey agreed with the EU that it would monitor flights headed to Belarus in an effort to prevent them from being used to ferry migrants toward the Polish border, and Turkish Airlines reportedly will no longer allow passengers from Iraq, Syria, and Yemen on its flights to Minsk. Expert Aykan Erdemir joins The Greek Current to discuss his latest policy briefing that looks into Turkish airlines’ alleged role in the Poland-Belarus crisis, and this latest development.
Dr. Aykan Erdemir is the senior director of the Turkey program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former Turkish lawmaker.
Read Aykan Erdemir’s latest policy brief for the FDD: Turkish Airlines in EU Crosshairs for Facilitating Lukashenko’s “Hybrid Warfare” With Belarus Flights
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkish Airlines risks EU ban over Poland border crisis
Turkish Airlines denies fueling Belarus-Poland migration crisis
Turkey Agrees to Curb Migrant Flows to Belarus Under EU Pressure
Turkey says it rejects efforts to portray it as part of Belarus migrant problem
Lukashenko threatens EU with gas cutoff as border tensions rise
Belarus accused of orchestrating border crisis with Poland
Turkish lira sinks to record lows against the US dollar
European Union officials on Wednesday accused Belarus of state-sponsored “trafficking” of human lives by luring desperate migrants to the Polish border — the edge of the EU — where many are now stuck in makeshift camps in freezing weather. The EU is preparing to hit Belarus with fresh sanctions as early as Monday, and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said earlier this week that “The EU will… explore how to sanction, including through blacklisting, third-country airlines that are active in human trafficking.” One of the airlines Brussels is looking into due to its alleged role in trafficking migrants to Belarus is Turkish Airlines.
Yannis Palaiologos, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, joins The Greek Current to explain what is going on at the Poland-Belarus border and look at the EU’s response to this crisis.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
EU accuses Belarus of ‘trafficking’ migrants toward border
Turkish Airlines risks EU ban over Poland border crisis
Turkish Airlines in EU Crosshairs for Facilitating Lukashenko’s “Hybrid Warfare” With Belarus Flights
Belarus accused of state terrorism over migrant crisis
North Macedonia's PM Delays Resignation
North Macedonia’s PM says will stay on in post temporarily
Cyprus wants EU support for migrant crackdown as flows rise
Cyprus seeks to suspend asylum applications from migrants entering illegally
In 2016, days after the failed coup attempt in Turkey, Professor Henri Barkey was falsely targeted by the Turkish government, which formally charged and prosecuted him for allegedly inciting the failed 2016 coup. He is part of a large and expanding group of alleged co-conspirators including Osman Kavala, one of Turkey’s most prominent civil-society organizers, has now spent years in jail for crimes he did not commit. The government is seeking life sentences plus 20 years for Henri Barkey and Osman Kavala. More than five years after the coup, people in the Turkish media—print, television, and social—still propagate these fabrications. Professor Henri Barkey joins The Greek Current to talk about Turkey’s false accusations against him that have upended his personal and professional life.
Henri Barkey is the Cohen Professor of International Relations at Lehigh University and an adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Read Henri Barkey’s op-ed in The Atlantic on this experience that has upended his life: Erdoğan’s War on Truth
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece sees new infection spike, rules out drastic measures
Hospital capacity stretched to the limit
EU preps new Belarus sanctions to quell surging migrant crisis
Belarus migrants: Poland PM blames Russia's Putin for migrant crisis
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew wrapped up an almost two week visit to the United States late last week. His trip included meetings with President Biden, Secretary of State Blinken, and key members of Congress. Religious freedom in Turkey and the reopening of the Halki Theological Seminary featured heavily in discussions with US political leaders, but the trip also highlighted the important role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on a number of issues, including the environment and climate change. During his trip, Patriarch Bartholomew also spoke about tensions with the Russian Orthodox Church and Moscow, which has engaged in a campaign of disinformation against the Patriarchate.
Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou joins us to discuss the main takeaways from Patriarch Bartholomew’s trip to the US, the tensions between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Russia, and look at how the US can support the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou is an internationally recognized leader on issues of religion and human rights, and a previous Vice Chair and Commissioner on the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. Dr. Prodromou is also a faculty member at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, where she directs the Initiative on Religion, Law, and Diplomacy.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Readout of President Biden’s Meeting with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
Biden, orthodox patriarch discuss climate, religious freedom
Vartholomaios: Russian Church ungrateful
The U.S. allows vaccinated international travelers in
An emotional journey: Families reunite in U.S. with tears, balloons as COVID travel ban ends
Vaccination bookings shoot up as Greece sees new case record
Covid-19: Greece smashes daily record with 7,335 new infections
North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Zoran Zaev announced earlier this week that he would resign after his party suffered an overwhelming defeat during recent municipal elections to the nationalist VMRO-DPMNE, the main opposition party. Following the election, Zaev insisted that the coalition could agree on another candidate for prime minister and form a government, rejecting calls from the opposition for early elections. Late on Friday, however, opposition leader Hirstijan Mickoski met with other political leaders, including members of the ruling coalition, to announce that they would form a new majority in North Macedonia’s parliament that could topple Zaev’s cabinet. Professor Florian Bieber, an expert on the Balkans, joins The Greek Current to break down the recent elections in North Macedonia and its aftermath.
Professor Florian Bieber is a Professor of Southeast European History and Politics and Director of the Centre for Southeast European Studies at the University of Graz, Austria. He is also a coordinator at The Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
North Macedonia: PM Zoran Zaev, the man who went 'all in' is all out
North Macedonia Coalition Parties Urge Zaev to Reconsider Resignation
What just happened in North Macedonia? 2021 municipal elections and their aftermath
North Macedonia’s Opposition Claims New Parliament Majority
Greece Eyes Sustainable Islands in Drive to Meet Climate Goal
Islands like Halki to become focus of green investment, Mitsotakis says
Authorities in Greece reported 6,808 new coronavirus cases on Thursday as the country experiences a sharp upturn in its daily infection rate, breaking record after record: 4,696 on Saturday, 5,449 on Monday and more than 6,700 on Tuesday. The situation in hospitals is also worrying, with data showing that beds are filling faster with new Covid-19 patients than there are discharges, and that the number of patients on ventilators remains quite high. In response to these developments, the government announced a series of new restrictions that relate to unvaccinated Greeks aimed at flattening the spike in cases. Journalist Nikos Efstathiou joins The Greek Current to discuss the trajectory of the coronavirus pandemic in Greece, the new measures, and efforts to expand vaccination.
Nikos Efstathiou is an independent journalist based in Athens, whose work appears in Kathimerini and other sources.
There are growing concerns that Turkey could launch another incursion into Syria, and reports indicate that the Turkish army has stepped up its presence in areas controlled by the Syrian opposition in northeastern Syria, amid ongoing Turkish threats against Kurdish forces in the area. In the meantime, Turkey’s parliament approved a motion late last month extending Erdogan’s mandate to send troops to Syria for another two years. Turkey is also reportedly negotiating with Russia over a Turkish operation in the Kobani area. Expert David Phillips joins The Greek Current to look into the concerning reports about another possible Turkish incursion into Syria, Turkey’s negotiations with Russia over this operation, and what steps the US can take to deter Turkey.
David Phillips is the Director of the Program on Human Rights and Peace-building at Columbia University. Phillips is also a former senior adviser to the UN Secretariat and US State Department, and the author of the books Frontline Syria: From Revolution to Proxy War, The Great Betrayal: How America Abandoned the Kurds and Lost the Middle East, and An Uncertain Ally: Turkey Under Erdogan's Dictatorship.
Zoran Zaev announced his resignation as North Macedonia’s prime minister and leader of the ruling Social Democratic party after a landslide defeat in local elections late on Sunday. The move raises important questions about what lies ahead for North Macedonian politics, with the nationalist opposition, which is opposed to the Prespes agreement with Greece, calling for early elections. Tom Ellis, the Editor in Chief of Kathimerini English Edition, joins The Greek Current to discuss his recent op-ed, where he explains what Greece should look out for following the election results in North Macedonia and why it’s important for the Greek government to project the message that it will uphold the Prespes Agreement in full.
Read Tom Ellis’ latest op-ed in Kathimerini: North Macedonia: Zaev’s resignation, Greece’s message
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece toughens restrictions on unvaccinated as cases spike
Greece reports record high daily COVID-19 infections
Greece can make significant contribution to green transition, Mitsotakis tells COP26
Greece’s Mitsotakis Signals Climate Law Ready for Approval This Week
On Sunday President Biden held a meeting with Turkish President Erdogan on the margins of the G20 Summit. During their meeting, President Biden raised concerns about Turkey’s possession of the Russian S-400 missile system, emphasized the importance of respect for human rights and called for the countries to cooperate more and handle “disagreements effectively”. Going into the meeting, President Erdogan had also stressed that he would raise the issue of Turkey - which was kicked out of the F-35 program - purchasing F-16s from the US. Expert Steven Cook joins the Greek Current to analyze the Biden-Erdogan meeting and the broader challenges in US-Turkish relations.
Steven Cook is the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).
Read Steven Cook's analysis of US-Turkey relations prior to the Biden-Erdogan meeting: What Erdogan’s Struggles Mean for U.S.-Turkey Relations
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Readout of President Biden’s Meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey
Biden tells Erdogan that US and Turkey must avoid crises
Turkey eyes five new targets for possible offensive in Syria
Pappas Leads Colleagues in Opposing Sale of F-16s to Turkey
Zoran Zaev to step down as North Macedonia’s PM
N.Macedonia opposition seeks election after local poll sweep
Greece’s often-strained relations in past years with Germany took center stage Friday during a visit to Athens by outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel. During their meeting, Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou raised the thorny issue of Germany's role in Greece's financial crisis, noting that “there were times of difficulty and tension,” adding that Greeks “often felt alone.” Many Greeks blamed Merkel for the enforced austerity measures during the crisis. During their joint press conference, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis praised Merkel’s political legacy, and called her “the voice of reason and stability, both in Berlin and in Brussels.” He said Merkel was “perhaps unfair sometimes, but always decisive in the borderline moments,” and recalled that in 2015 she “refused Greece’s ostracism from Europe.”
In light of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit, we are re-broadcasting our interview from September 25th with Dr. George Pagoulatos, the Director General of ELIAMEP, where we discussed Merkel’s legacy both on the global stage and in Greece.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greek president to Germany’s Merkel: Greece often felt alone
Mitsotakis calls for tougher EU line on Turkey
Greek PM voices concern over West’s stance towards Turkey
Intel: Pentagon holds 'productive' talks with Turkey over F-35 dispute
With F-16 deal in limbo, Erdogan-Biden meeting postponed to Glasgow
The US Treasury Department on Thursday imposed sanctions on two top Lebanese contractors and a lawmaker close to Hezbollah over alleged large-scale corruption that undermined the rule of law in Lebanon. This decision comes amid an unprecedented economic crisis in Lebanon. It also comes as Hezbollah attempts to expand its influence over Lebanon, seeking control over the powerful Finance and Public Works ministries as the country is negotiating for a recovery package form the IMF and looking to rebuild the port of Beirut.
Paul Gadalla joins The Greek Current to discuss this latest move by the US, Hezbollah’s power play in Lebanon, and look at the port of Beirut, which has received offers from a number of countries, including France, China, and Turkey, to reconstruct the demolished port.
Paul Gadalla is a former Beirut-based journalist and Middle East Analyst who focuses on the Eastern Mediterranean and religious minorities. His work has been published in a number of outlets including Kathimerini, The National Interest, and is also a contributor to the Middle East Institute.
Read Paul Gadalla’s latest piece for the Middle East Institute here: Why Hezbollah wanted the Ministries of Finance and Public Works
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
U.S. sanctions two Lebanese businessmen and a member of parliament
Germany’s Merkel due in post-crisis Greece on 2-day visit
Merkel in Athens for final visit
Greece marks WWII entry anniversary with military parade
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the Paris-based global money laundering and terror financing watchdog, added Turkey to its “grey list” last week, placing it under increased monitoring. This is not the first time Turkey was placed on the “grey list”, and in 2019 the FATF warned that unless Ankara improves its “serious shortcomings,” Turkey risked being added to the grey list once again. Toby Dershowitz and Aykan Erdemir join The Greek Current to explain why this is a significant step by the FATF, look at Turkey’s history with the money laundering and terror financing watchdog, and demonstrate how this designation shows yet again that NATO member Turkey continues to offer a permissive jurisdiction for terror finance, sanctions evasion, and money laundering under President Erdogan’s rule.
Toby Dershowitz is the Senior Vice President for Government Relations and Strategy at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
Dr. Aykan Erdemir is the senior director of the Turkey program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former Turkish lawmaker.
Read the latest piece by Toby Dershowitz and Aykan Erdemir in The National Interest: Turkey Returns to Financial Action Task Force ‘Grey List’
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Erdogan, Biden to discuss Turkey’s F-35 ouster in Glasgow
Erdogan says to discuss F-35 jets with Biden in Glasgow
U.S. lawmakers express concern over reports of potential Turkey F-16 purchase
Greek, Chinese foreign ministers discuss economic ties
Greece woos investments on Chinese foreign minister’s visit
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis held two days of meetings in Saudi Arabia, where the focus was on bilateral relations and energy developments in the region. During his visit, Mitsotakis made the case that Greece can be an entry point into the European power market for energy produced in the Middle East. The visit came weeks after Greece and Egypt signed a deal to build an interconnector that will transmit power from North Africa to Europe, and as Greece and Saudi Arabia are building closer relations.
Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins The Greek Current to discuss the recent agreement for an interconnector between Greece and Egypt, Greece’s potential role as an entry point for Middle East energy to the EU, and Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ recent two day visit to Saudi Arabia.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Το καλώδιο που προκαλεί ηλεκτροσόκ στην Τουρκία
Greece, Egypt sign deal for first subsea power link between Europe and Africa
Greece can be European market ‘entry point’ for Middle East solar power
Greece wants to work with Saudi Arabia to deliver energy to Europe
Biden, orthodox patriarch discuss climate, religious freedom
Bilateral framework inked with UK
This month the Piraeus Port Authority handed a further 16 percent of its shares to Cosco, cementing its control by the Chinese state-backed shipping group, which bought 51 percent of the Greek port in August 2016 during the financial crisis. The deal has intensified unease in the EU over China’s increasing involvement in European infrastructure and met a wall of opposition over environmental and social concerns, and China’s unmet investment pledges.
Eleni Varvitsioti, the Financial Times correspondent for Greece and Cyprus based in Athens, joins The Greek Current to look at the latest developments at the Port of Piraeus, the concerns of local residents to China’s investments, the reactions of the EU and the US to Chinese activity in the region, and the broader climate in Greece-China relations.
Read Eleni Varvitsioti's piece in the Financial Times: Piraeus port deal intensifies Greece’s unease over China links
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greek Socialist leader Gennimata dies after long illness
Parliament suspended, as condolences pour in for Fofi Gennimata
Turkey dispute with US eases after threat to expel envoys
Turkey and West climb down from brink of biggest diplomatic crisis
EU leaders were in Brussels on Thursday and Friday for a European Council summit, with soaring energy prices and a rule-of-law dispute with Poland at the top of the agenda. Other topics on the agenda included discussions over migration, with the EU condemning the use of migration as a pressure tool, resurgent EU coronavirus hot spots, and vaccine donations. The summit also saw German Chancellor Angela Merkel attend her 107th — and almost certainly final — meeting of the European Council, with EU leaders giving Merkel a standing ovation at the end of the two-day summit. Yannis Palaiologos, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, joins us on The Greek Current to analyze the main takeaways from this summit.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
In EU leaders’ toolbox: Many wrenches, few quick fixes
EU condemns use of migration as pressure tool
‘You are a monument’: EU leaders hail Angela Merkel at ‘final’ summit
Biden urged to meet with Ecumenical Patriarch
Patriarch to meet Biden, Blinken and Pelosi
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is set to visit the United States between October 23 and November 3, where he will hold a number of important meetings, including a meeting with US President Joe Biden at the White House. In a recent piece for the Middle East Institute, expert Tuğba Tanyeri-Erdemir argued that this in-person meeting provides the Biden administration a unique opportunity not only to raise human rights and religious freedom issues in Turkey, but also to push back against Russian attempts to undermine the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Tuğba Tanyeri-Erdemir joins The Greek Current today to discuss the upcoming visit by Ecumenical Patriarch to the United States, and the significance of his meeting with President Biden.
Dr. Tuğba Tanyeri-Erdemir is a research associate at the University of Pittsburgh’s Anthropology Department, the coordinator of the Anti-Defamation League's Task Force on Middle East Minorities, and a non-resident scholar with the Middle East Institute’s Turkey Program. She serves as the co-chair of the Middle East Working Group of the International Religious Freedom Roundtable.
Read Tuğba Tanyeri-Erdemir’s latest piece for the Middle East Institute here: Biden’s White House meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch offers a unique opportunity
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkish cenbank shocks again by slashing rates 200 points
Turkish lira tumbles as central bank slashes interest rate
Turkey Added to Global Money Laundering Watchdog’s ‘Gray List’
Greece: Striking hospital staff hold protest in Athens
Hezbollah and its political allies have intensified Lebanon’s political crisis and paralyzed the new government by trying to push the cabinet to dismiss Tarek Bitar, the judge in charge of investigating the 2020 Beirut blast. Last week, on October 14, clashes erupted in Lebanon’s capital city over the probe into the explosion of Beirut’s port, with deadly shootings taking place at a demonstration organized by Hezbollah and its ally the Amal movement. The incidents were described in reports as being reminiscent of moments from the bloody 1975-90 Lebanese Civil War. Steven Howard joins The Greek Current to discuss this latest incident, what’s at stake for Lebanon, and look at what steps Washington can take to support the country.
Steven Howard is the Director of Policy and Outreach for the American Task Force on Lebanon, a leadership organization of Americans of Lebanese descent.
Read Steven Howard’s latest piece in Providence Magazine here: Firefight on Beirut Streets Is a Warning to US and Lebanon
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Hezbollah’s campaign against Beirut blast judge paralyses Lebanon’s government
Hezbollah brag of 100,000-strong force aimed at foes at home
EU says Turkey still 'backsliding' on reforms, gloomy on membership chances
After critical EU report, Turkey’s bid to join bloc remains at a 'standstill'
“Relations between Greece and the United States are at a peak, but they are not at the summit.” That was the message US Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt conveyed to journalists after Greece and the US signed an updated MDCA last week and held their third Strategic Dialogue. Ambassador Pyatt joins The Greek Current to look at the recent US-Greece strategic dialogue and the signing of the MDCA. We look beyond the US-Greece defense partnership to see how the strategic dialogue is transforming relations in a range of sectors, including trade and investment, energy, the environment, and finding common solutions to the challenges posed by the climate crisis.
Read Ambassador Pyatt’s comments to journalists here: Ambassador Pyatt’s On the Record Briefing with Greek Journalists following the 3rd U.S.-Greece Strategic Dialogue
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Cyprus, Greece, Egypt sign electricity agreement (updated)
Greece vows to link Egypt’s energy grid to European Union
Top European court says Turkey should change law on insulting president
Last week Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias and Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed the new Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement between Greece and the United States and held the third round of talks as part of the strategic dialogue between both countries. Ambassador Alexandra Papadopoulou, Greece’s ambassador to the United States, joins The Greek Current to discuss how this development fits into the broader Greece-US relationship, why it’s a significant step as Greece looks to play a larger role in the Eastern Mediterranean and Balkans, and what the next steps are in the US-Greece partnership.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Dendias: Turkey’s opinion was not an issue for US
U.S. says it made no financing offers to Turkey on F-16 jets
U.S. Offering F-16s to Turkey as Reimbursement, Erdogan Says
Turkey summons 10 ambassadors after call for philanthropist's release
Statement on Four Years of Osman Kavala’s Detention
The United States and Greece signed an extension of the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement (MDCA) on Thursday, renewing their agreement for five years with an understanding that from then onward, it would remain in place indefinitely. The MDCA will boost defense cooperation between the two countries, including further investment in bases operated by the US military in Greece. Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias and US Secretary of State, who signed the agreement, were meeting in Washington for the third round of strategic dialogue between the two NATO allies. Lena Argiri joins The Greek Current with the latest analysis from Washington, DC.
Lena Argiri is the DC Correspondent for ERT - the Greek Public Broadcasting Company.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Deal with strong US guarantees
Alliances are just part of strategy
Greece, US expand defense pact in face of Turkey tensions
Turkey plans military action against Syrian Kurdish YPG if diplomacy fails
Erdogan threatens fresh military campaign in Syria
Last week US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that President Biden was truly willing to support greater European military and defense capabilities, a key point in the joint statement with Macron aimed at smoothing over the AUKUS dispute. But Sullivan said it was crucial to deal in specifics. This statement, the AUKUS deal, and the recent defense agreement between France and Greece have brought the issue of Europe’s defense capabilities to the forefront. Expert Max Bergmann joins The Greek Current to discuss why National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan’s statement signals an important shift in US policy on European defense, and why he thinks it’s important for the US to back the EU's defense ambitions.
Max Bergmann is a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress where he focuses on Europe, Russia, and US security cooperation. He previously served in the State Department in a number of different positions, including as a member of the secretary of state’s policy planning staff, where he focused on political-military affairs and nonproliferation.
Read Max Bergmann’s recent report on European defense for the Center For American Progress: The Case for EU Defense
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Biden’s top security adviser sees strong transatlantic alliance
MDCA extension signed in Washington
Blinken says renewed U.S.-Greece defense deal to advance stability in Eastern Mediterranean
Greece: Severe storm, floods batter Athens, fire-hit island
Fire-ravaged Greek island of Evia hit by floods and mudslides
Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins our podcast today to discuss his latest report that highlights Greece’s key foreign policy goals in the near future. We kick off by discussing Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias’ trip to Washington, DC, where he is expected to sign the updated Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement on Thursday and engage in the strategic dialogue between Greece and the US. We’ll also discuss how Greece is looking to step up its engagement in Libya, and wrap up with a look at the visit to Greece by North Macedonia’s President last week and Greece’s broader approach to the Western Balkans.
Συμφωνία με ΗΠΑ για τις βάσεις, μετά Λιβύη
Athens pushing for reference to Greek sovereign rights
North Macedonia must stick to Prespes deal
Ankara renews East Med threat
Egypt Set to Agree on Electricity Link-Up With Greece
Is it time to check the power Turkey seeks to exert on the global stage? Expert Michael Rubin makes the case that it is in his latest piece for The National Interest - “The West Shouldn’t Deny the Big Picture on Turkey’s Erdogan”. Michael Rubin joins The Greek Current to discuss Turkish President Erdogan’s ambitions on the global stage and the methods he uses to achieve these goals, one of which includes using SADAT, a Turkish private military company, which Michael Rubin says increasingly acts as Erdogan’s personal militia. We also break down how the West can hold Turkey accountable on the global stage diplomatically, economically, and, when its proxies operate outside Turkey’s recognized borders, militarily as well.
Michael Rubin is a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and a former Pentagon official.
Read Michael Rubin’s latest piece in The National Interest here: The West Shouldn’t Deny the Big Picture on Turkey’s Erdogan
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Has SADAT become Erdogan’s Revolutionary Guards?
Making Sense Of Sadat, Turkey’s Private Military Company
PM welcomes launch of Pfizer digital innovation hub in Thessaloniki
Pfizer Launches New Innovation Hub in Thessaloniki
Magnitude 6.3 earthquake jolts Greek island of Crete
Greece quake: Strong tremor shakes Crete
Great power rivalry with China has become the central feature of American foreign policy, and is playing out across the globe, including in the Aegean and the Balkans. In his latest op-ed for Kathimeinri titled “Is America back?” Endy Zemenides argues that the US needs to step up its presence in the region in order to prove that “it is back”, especially as we look at the US-China rivalry. Endy Zemenides joins our podcast to make the case that it is imperative for the US to fully utilize the tools at its disposal, like the DFC, and support emerging regional partnerships in order to firmly claim the upper hand in the region from Beijing.
Endy Zemenides is the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council.
Read Endy Zemenides’ latest op-ed in Kathimerini here: Is America really back?
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece boosts border guards over Afghan migration fears
Fire-hit Greek island races to fix damage before next storm
Reuters reported this week that Turkey made a request to the US to buy 40 Lockheed Martin-made F-16 fighter jets and nearly 80 modernization kits for its existing warplanes, as Turkey looks to modernize its Air Force after it was kicked out of the F-35 program. The deal, which would be worth billions, would need the approval of both the US State Department as well as Congress, which can block deals. The request comes as Turkey’s President Erdogan recently stated that Turkey is looking to buy a second batch of S-400s from Russia. Expert Aaron Stein joins The Greek Current to discuss this latest request by Turkey, explain why it could be the endpoint of Turkey's S-400 to F-35 to CAATSA saga, and place it within the broader context of US-Turkish relations.
Aaron Stein is the Director of Research at the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) and an expert on Turkey, arms control and nonproliferation. He is also the co-host of Arms Control Wonk, a podcast on nuclear weapons, arms control, disarmament and nonproliferation.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey asks U.S. to buy 40 F-16 jets to upgrade Air Force -sources
White House plans to nominate George Tsunis as new US ambassador to Greece
Gov’t promises investigation into migrant pushback accusations
Croatia confirms police pushed back migrants on Bosnian border
Cyprus won’t sign pact if EU doesn’t budge
On Thursday Greece’s lawmakers ratified a historic defense deal with France that includes a mutual assistance clause in case of an armed attack against either, the first such deal between two NATO members. The agreement was announced in Paris last week by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and French President Emmanuel Macron, with Greece also announcing plans to buy three French frigates. Prime Minister Mitsotakis hailed the agreement as the cornerstone of an independent European defence policy, John Psaropoulos joins The Greek Current to discuss today’s important vote in Greece’s Parliament, place this deal within the context of Greek-Turkish relations, and look at what this agreement will mean for Greek-French relations in the future.
John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist based in Athens and Al Jazeera’s southeast Europe correspondent.
Read John Psaropoulos’s latest piece for Al Jazeera: Greece ratifies landmark intra-NATO defence pact with France
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greek lawmakers ratify major defense pact with France
EU countries look to Brussels for help with ‘unprecedented’ energy crisis
Greece proposes EU-wide mechanism on rising energy costs
Greece denies report it is carrying out migrant pushbacks
EU executive demands probe into alleged migrant pushbacks in Greece, Croatia
On Wednesday EU leaders tried to reassure Western Balkan countries they could eventually join the EU if they met its standards, but the leaders failed to provide a credible signal that the bloc’s enlargement process will be relaunched in the near future. Instead, it looks like membership is slipping further into the future, to the frustration of candidate countries. The EU has spent many years and billions of euros preparing Balkan countries to join the bloc. This is also an effort supported by the US, which hopes it will spread stability in the volatile region and counter Russian and Chinese influence. Laurence Norman joins our host Thanos Davelis to discuss the EU summit in Slovenia on the issue, why the bloc’s Balkan expansion has stalled, and what’s at stake for the region.
Laurence Norman is the Deputy Bureau Chief of the Brussels Bureau for The Wall Street Journal covering the European Union and its foreign policy.
Read Laurence Norman’s latest article in The Wall Street Journal here: EU’s Balkan Expansion Plans Stall
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
EU leaders fail to give Balkan nations a membership timeline
Slovenia summit: Balkan leaders look to EU to open up club
Cyprus FM urges Lebanon to implement reforms to unlock aid
Exploratory talks between Greece and Turkey conclude amidst controversial statements
Turkey renews call for demilitarization of islands in letter to UN
Last month the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers agreed to initiate the infringement process against Turkey in December unless it complies with a European Court of Human Rights ruling and releases political prisoner Osman Kavala. Kavala has been unjustly jailed for almost four years. The Council of Europe’s warning also urged Ankara to comply with another recent ECHR ruling to immediately free Kurdish opposition leader Selahattin Demirtaş, the leader of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), who has been imprisoned since 2016. Merve Tahiroglu joins The Greek Current to discuss this latest warning from the Council of Europe, and explore what’s at stake should Turkey fail to comply with the European Court of Human Rights.
Merve Tahiroglu is the Turkey Coordinator at POMED - the Project on Middle East Democracy.
Read Merve Tahiroglu’s latest op-ed for POMED here: Turkey in Trouble at the Council of Europe
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Mitsotakis urges EU to clarify accession prospects of Western Balkan countries
Doubt lingers in Balkans after years of broken EU promises
Turkish harassment of ship in Cyprus EEZ discussed with Borrell
In his latest piece for Foreign Policy Magazine titled “Erdogan Might Be Too Sick to Keep Leading Turkey”, expert Steven Cook looks at some rumors that are circulating about Turkish President Erdogan’s health, and breaks down how Turkish politics could be impacted in the near future should Erdogan not be in a position to run for re-election in the upcoming presidential elections in 2023. Steven Cook joins our host Thanos Davelis to discuss his latest piece, and to look at what recent polling tells us about the political landscape in Turkey.
Steven Cook is the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).
Read Steven Cook’s latest piece in Foreign Policy: Erdogan Might Be Too Sick to Keep Leading Turkey
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey to open 1,000 markets to counter high inflation, Erdogan says
Erdogan Turns to Food Coops as Turkish Inflation Jumps Again
Greece sees higher than expected growth, deficits
Petros Kasfikis, the Washington DC correspondent for the Athens News Agency and Greece’s Mega TV, joins The Greek current today with the latest analysis from the capital of the United States. We’ll look at the US reaction to to the defense agreement Greece and France signed on Tuesday, the ongoing negotiations for the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement between Greece and the US and the latest statements on the MDCA by the State Department, the decision by the US to renew the partial waiver on the arms embargo on Cyprus, and the latest Senate letter to President Biden urging him to hold President Erdogan accountable for Ankara’s crackdown on democracy and pluralism in Turkey.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Franco-Greek arms deal divides the EU
Dendias: Turkish remarks on Greek-French deal ‘completely unacceptable’
10 US senators urge Biden to hold Erdogan accountable for democratic crackdown
US renews partial waiver on arms embargo
MDCA negotiations are nearing end
Greek PM views new camp, says migrant smugglers ‘crushed’
Greece says will not allow 'uncontrolled' migrant flows from Afghanistan
UNESCO ups pressure for return of Parthenon sculptures, minister says
On Wednesday Turkish President Erdogan traveled to Sochi, Russia, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin for nearly three hours. While there was no official readout from either side detailing what was discussed, reports indicate that a number of key issues were on the table, including tensions in Syria, energy, and weapons deals. The meeting came after Erdogan’s visit to New York for the UN General Assembly summit, where he did not conceal his dissatisfaction with President Biden or the state of US-Turkish relations, even suggesting that Turkey would buy more Russian S-400s. Nicholas Danforth joins our host Thanos Davelis to analyze the latest summit between Erdogan and Putin, and look at the balancing act Turkey is trying to play between the US and Russia.
Nicholas Danforth is a Non-Resident Senior Research Fellow at the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy, ELIAMEP, and the author of the newly published “The Remaking of Republican Turkey: Memory and Modernity.”
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Amid Tensions With U.S., Erdogan Praises Ties With Russia
Erdogan says Turkey is looking at further defence steps with Russia
Syria to be key topic in Erdogan-Putin summit
Erdogan-Putin summit highlights Turkey's fragile balancing act
MDCA negotiations are nearing end
US renews partial waiver on arms embargo
HALC tweet on US renewal of partial waiver of Cyprus arms embargo by the US
The US House of Representatives passed a bill on September 23 with an amendment - introduced by Representative Dina Titus - that requires the secretary of state to submit a report assessing whether Turkey’s Grey Wolves — a far-right militant group — meet the criteria to be designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. If the Senate also passes this legislation, then the US would join allies like France, Germany, Italy and Austria in targeting the Grey Wolves, which is linked to the MHP, Turkish President Erdogan’s far-right coalition partners. Dr. Aykan Erdemir, joins us to talk about the Grey Wolves and this latest legislation in the US Congress.
Dr. Aykan Erdemir is the senior director of the Turkey program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former Turkish lawmaker.
Read Aykan Erdemir’s latest policy brief for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies: Congress Joins European Allies in Targeting Erdogan’s Far-Right Partners
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
EU aims for deal with Turkey to stem migrant flows to Cyprus
Greece: After fires, experts sound alarm over grim climate future
Greece sealed an arms deal with France on Tuesday for the purchase of frigates worth about 3 billion euros. The agreement is part of a broader defense and security strategic partnership pact that includes a clause on mutual defense assistance and which French President Emmanuel Macron and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis described as “historic”. The two leaders announced the deal together in Paris, and both made a point to stress that in addition to strengthening cooperation in the region and safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both countries, the deal is also an important step towards European strategic autonomy.
Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins our host Thanos Davelis to break down this “historic” deal between Greece and France.
Read Vassilis Nedos latest piece in Kathimerini English Edition: New power balance in East Med with French frigates, corvettes deal
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece, France tout European defence autonomy with warships deal
France inks Greek defense deal after losing sub contract
Flake to push Turkey to reject Russian missile defense system
Watch the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Jeff Flake’s nomination
Anastasiades: Creative meeting with Tatar, differences recorded
With lunch invite, UN chief tries to restart Cyprus talks
On Sunday Germany held federal elections that saw the center-left Social Democrats win the largest share of the vote, narrowly beating outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel’s center-right bloc in a closely fought race. Both of Germany’s traditional leading parties finished with well under 30% of the vote, while the Greens and the pro-business liberals, the Free Democratic Party, backed by young voters, are set to play the role of kingmakers in whichever future coalition gets formed. Until then, Germany could be headed toward a potentially protracted power struggle.
Xenia Kounalaki, a journalist and the foreign editor at Kathimerini, joins our host Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis from the election in Germany.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Parties Vie for Power After Election Shakes Up German Politics
Germany election: Coalition talks begin after close election
Strong quake hits Greek island of Crete; 1 dead, 20 injured
1 person dead, buildings damaged as 5.8 magnitude earthquake strikes Greek island of Crete
Erdogan says Turkey plans to buy more Russian defense systems
Extended interview: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on "Face the Nation"
Senator Menendez’s tweet about any new Turkish purchase of Russian S-400s
After 16 years, Germany is saying farewell to Angela Merkel, its longtime Chancellor. As Germans head to the polls on Sunday, the rest of Europe will also be watching closely to see who emerges as the next leader of Germany. Throughout her tenure, Chancellor Merkel has steered Germany and the European Union through a number of crises, from the euro-debt crisis to the migration crisis - both of which left their mark on the continent and on Greece specifically. Professor George Pagoulatos joins The Greek Current to discuss Angela Merkel’s legacy on the European level and within Greece, what her departure means for Europe’s position on the global stage, and look ahead at tomorrow’s crucial elections in Germany.
Professor George Pagoulatos is the Director General of ELIAMEP, the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy, is Professor of European Politics and Economy at the Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB), and Visiting Professor at the College of Europe.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Germans Will Choose A New Government As Angela Merkel Steps Down As Chancellor
Cyprus says Turkey eyes island’s control with 2-state deal
President Anastasiades addresses the 76th UN General Assembly
Elpidophoros clears up Turkish House incident
Μάθημα ιστορίας και πατριωτισμού από τον Πρόεδρο Αναστασιάδη στον κ. Ελπιδοφόρο
Earlier this week His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, joined by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, attended an event marking the opening of the Turkish House - or the Turkevi Center - in New York. Both leaders chose to attend the event, which was officiated by Turkish President Erdogan, despite having prior knowledge that Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar would participate at the event as “President” of the illegal “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.” Their attendance, and particularly that of the Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church of America, has rightfully led to an uproar in both the Greek-American diaspora and in Greece and Cyprus.
Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of HALC, and Greg Pappas, the publisher of The Pappas Post and Founder and President of the Greek America Foundation, join our host Thanos Davelis to discuss why this decision by Archbishop Elpidophoros is so problematic.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Cypriot president snubs Archbishop in New York
Mitsotakis’ tour of Ground Zero church canceled
Statement on twitter by Archbishop Elpidophoros
Turkey’s currency hits a new low after a surprise interest rate cut.
Turkey: Surprise rate cut sends lira to a new record low
Greece Could Shut Coal-fired Plants Ahead of Plan, Premier Says
Over the last decade we’ve seen the involvement of Turkey and the Gulf states grow significantly in the Horn of Africa, and the region became one more arena - like Libya and Tunisia - of competition between Turkey and Qatar on the one hand, and Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE on the other. While clashing interests and ideologies still shape dynamics in the Horn, President Biden’s election has brought about a recalibration of Egyptian, Gulf, and Turkish policies toward the region. Varsha Koduvayur joins The Greek Current to look at how this regional rivalry, and the current “detente” between them, has played out in the region, and what steps the US should take moving forward.
Varsha Koduvayur is an Analyst at Valens Global, a security, research, and analysis firm, with an expertise on the Gulf States and the region. She is also the co-author of the recent op-ed: “Will Turkey’s Détente with Egypt and the Gulf Extend to the Horn of Africa?”
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Central bank chief: Greece’s roaring rebound paves way for continued ECB support
Cypriot president snubs Archbishop in New York
Statement by the Hellenic American Leadership Council and PSEKA
On Saturday Greece opened a new migrant camp on the eastern Aegean island of Samos. The facility is the first EU-designed, EU-funded migrant camp in the country, and is part of a broader European response to the tent cities that had emerged on Greece’s frontline islands since migrants and refugees began to arrive en-masse at the beginning of the migration crisis in 2015. The new facility, which is meant to provide a higher standard of accommodation for asylum seekers, has also come under criticism from aid groups and NGOs. In the meantime, Saturday’s announcement comes amid concerns from Athens and Brussels about a new wave of refugees from Afghanistan.
Nektaria Stamouli, a correspondent with Politico based in Athens covering Greece, Cyprus, and the Balkans, joins our host Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis on these developments.
Read the latest from Nekatria Stamouli for Politico: Barbed wire, curfews and wi-fi: EU touts ‘new generation’ migrant camp in Greece
Afghan takeover fuels Greece-EU border patrol spat
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
UAE welcomes regional rivals at major natural gas conference
As tensions ease, Turkey says talks to UAE on energy investment
Greece: Firefighters contain wildfire at resort near Athens
The Biden Administration announced on Monday that it will lift coronavirus travel restrictions for fully vaccinated travelers, reopening its borders for the first time in more than a year and bringing an end to the series of travel bans first imposed by President Donald Trump 18 months ago. This decision by the White House also answers a growing EU grievance — that EU countries had opened up to non-essential US travelers, but that Washington was not reciprocating for Europeans. The move to reopen travel between Europe and the US was welcomed by European officials, the travel industry, and citizens who were not able to visit the US. Kiran Stacey, the Washington, DC correspondent for the Financial Times, joins our host Thanos Davelis to break down this latest development.
Read Kiran Stacey’s reporting in Financial Times: US to relax air travel restrictions for vaccinated foreign passengers
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greek authorities begin moving migrants into new camp
Why Greece’s expensive new migrant camps are outraging NGOs
New naval base at Souda on the cards
Nine EU countries on the Mediterranean held a summit in Athens on Friday to discuss issues ranging from climate change to migration, security, and Afghanistan. The summit comes two days after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen - who was also in Athens on Friday - underlined the need for a common EU strategy in dealing with climate change, migration, and defense. Hours after the European Commission President’s state of the union address, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia signed a defense pact in response to China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region that caught European countries off guard. Vassilis Nedos joins The Greek Current to talk about the EUMED 9 summit, the recent deal between the US, Australia, and the UK, and what this deal means for Europe.
Vassilis Nedos is Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
After fires, Europe’s Med leaders pledge climate cooperation
EuroMed 9 summit in the thick of things
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Strongly Pro-Vaccine in New Statement
Elpidophoros: No religious exemptions from Covid-19 vaccines
Council of Europe to Start Proceedings Against Turkey if Philanthropist Not Freed
A constitutional court in Cape Verde has issued a recent ruling that would pave the way for the extradition of Alex Saab, a Colombian-born businessman indicted in 2019 for facilitating sanctions evasion and bribery schemes by the Maduro regime in Venezuela. His extradition from Cape Verde, combined with ongoing US efforts to extradite a Turkish money laundering suspect from Austria, could help expose a web of Iranian, Turkish, and Venezuelan illicit financial dealings. Aykan Erdemir joins our host Thanos Davelis to look at the connections between Turkey and Venezuela, Erdogan’s defiance of US sanctions against Venezuela, and why these two extradition cases will be critical to follow moving forward.
Dr. Aykan Erdemir is the senior director of the Turkey program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former Turkish lawmaker. He is also a frequent contributor to debates on illicit finance and sanctions evasion.
Read Aykan Erdemir’s latest policy briefs for the FDD: Businessman’s Extradition to U.S. Could Expose Turkish-Venezuelan Collusion to Evade Sanctions
U.S. Should Intensify Efforts to Extradite Turkish Money Laundering Suspect
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Cyprus recovers looted 18th century church doors from Japan
President expects to attend working breakfast with Guterres and Tatar in New York
Energy prices in Europe have skyrocketed as economies emerge from the pandemic, boosting demand just as supplies are falling short. Even with mild weather in September, gas and electricity prices were breaking records day after day across the continent, with no relief in sight. A number of countries, including Greece, have already announced measures to ease the pressure on consumers as governments are increasingly concerned about the social and political implications of rising energy costs. Georgia Nakou joins The Greek Current to discuss why Europe and Greece are seeing energy prices skyrocket, look at the reaction from the Greek government, and explore how this could affect Greece’s green transition strategy.
Georgia Nakou is a political and financial analyst for MacroPolis, which is an independent analysis service providing daily insight and analysis of the key political, economic and social developments in Greece.
Read Georgia Nakou’s analysis in MacroPolis: Short-term fix for electricity bills leaves open questions for green transition strategy
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Proposed amendment calls for designation of Turkey’s Grey Wolves as a terrorist group
Patriarch Bartholomew I set to meet Biden at White House
Is it time for the US to leave Incirlik airbase in Turkey? That’s the focus of a recent op-ed by Michael Rubin, who argues that rather than remaining a strategic asset, Incirlik is now a strategic liability. Michael Rubin joins our host Thanos Davelis on The Greek Current to discuss his op-ed - “The one foreign base Biden should abandon” - and explains why it’s time for the US to end its military presence in Turkey. We also look at what impact the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the broader region will have on the Middle East, as countries in the region begin to adjust to this new reality.
Michael Rubin is a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and a former Pentagon official.
Read Michael Rubin’s piece on Incirlik in the Washington Examiner here: The one foreign base Biden should abandon
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Nineteen US Congress members call for UN action against Turkey’s Varosha plans
Group: Turkish drones in Cyprus endanger commercial flights
Greece has created its first-ever ministerial post to exclusively handle the fallout from climate change in the wake of this summer’s devastating wildfires — and it has brought in a former EU crisis management expert for the role. Christos Stylianides, a Cypriot national who previously served as the EU commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management, was sworn in as minister on Friday last week. His appointment highlights how climate change challenges have vastly expanded for governments in recent years to also include handling severe events, such as floods, heatwaves, and wildfires. Yannis Palaiologos, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, joins our host Thanos Davels to talk about this new ministry Greece is setting up and why the appointment of Christos Stylianides is significant.
Read Yannis Palaiologos’ piece on Christos Stylianides in Kathimerini: Ex-EU crisis official steps into new role in Greece
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece’s economy to grow 5.9% in 2021, prime minister says
At TIF, Mitsotakis touts brighter post-pandemic future
France confirms deal with Greece for six more Rafale fighter jets
On Friday Lebanon’s President and Prime minister announced a new cabinet after thirteen months of political deadlock and a spiraling economic downturn. Lebanon has been without a fully empowered government since the catastrophic August 4, 2020 explosion that rocked the port of Beirut and forced the resignation of then Prime Minister Hassan Diab’s government. In the meantime, an economic meltdown unfolding since 2019 has been made worse by political gridlock. Paul Gadalla joins The Greek Current to break down these latest developments from Lebanon, and what they mean for the country and the region.
Paul Gadalla is a former Beirut-based journalist and Middle East Analyst who focuses on the Eastern Mediterranean and religious minorities. His work has been published in a number of outlets including Kathimerini, MENASource - an Atlantic Council blog, The National Interest, and Newsweek.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Lebanon’s new PM pledges to stabilize economic meltdown
Lebanese turn once again to Cyprus safe haven
Greece approves tough penalties for bogus COVID certificates
New measures from Monday for unvaccinated
Greece will continue to receive visitors from the USA until the end of the tourist season
Greece Repeats: US Tourists Still Welcome
This week when Greece’s Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias travelled to Tunisia, he wasn’t just traveling with a diplomatic team. He was also bringing 100,000 Covid-19 vaccines with him. This follows a delivery to Rwanda last week of 200,000 vaccines. These are the latest steps Greece is taking to combat the global pandemic that has seen it deliver vaccines to Libya, Albania, North Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ukraine, Kenya, and Jordan. Nikos Efstathiou, a journalist with Kathimerini, joins us to talk about these initiatives and explore how Greece is looking into expanding its “Vaccine Diplomacy” to additional countries.
Read Nikos Efstathiou’s piece for Kathimerini here (In Greek): Η Ελλάδα στη διπλωματία των εμβολίων
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Thousands gather in Greece for composer Theodorakis’ funeral
Cyprus receives 157 million for Recovery and Resilience Plan
EU disburses €157m in recovery funds to Cyprus
In December, 2019, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the European Green Deal, the EU’s ambitious plan to lead the world on climate action and make Europe carbon neutral by 2050. The record heat waves and destructive wildfires that hit Greece and other countries in the Mediterranean have only highlighted the need for action among experts and policymakers. Constantine Levoyannis joins The Greek Current to discuss the recent policy paper he co-authored for ELIAMEP, which looks at the European Green Deal, the security risks posed by climate change in Greece, and highlights how the region can play a leading role in transforming European energy policy through investments in renewables.
Constantine Levoyannis is a researcher for the project “Winds of Change” at ELIAMEP, the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy, and is the Head of EU Affairs at Nel Hydrogen.
Read the latest ELIAMEP policy brief by Constantine Levoyannis and Ioannis Grigoriadis here: Winds of change in the Eastern Mediterranean: Between hydrocarbons and renewable energy geopolitics
Hundreds of people gathered on Monday at Athens Cathedral to pay their final respects to Greek composer and politician Mikis Theodorakis, who was an integral part of the Greek political and musical scene for decades. Theodorakis passed away last week on Thursday at the age of 96. After his death was announced, Greece declared three days of national mourning, while tributes poured in from admirers of his work and legacy from across the world. Theodorakis’ work ranges from rousing songs based on major Greek poetic works to operas, ballets and film scores. Professor Gail Holst-Warhaft, joins The Greek Current to explore the life and legacy of Mikis Theodorakis.
Professor Gail Holst-Warhaft is a freelance writer and poet, a Philhellene, a musician who has performed with Mikis Theodorakis, and the author of a number of books on Greek music including Theodorakis: Myth & Politics in Modern Greek Music and The House with the Scorpions: Selected Poems and Song-Lyrics of Mikis Theodorakis.
Read Gail Holst-Warhaft’s obituary for Mikis Theodorakis in The Guardian: Mikis Theodorakis obituary
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Hundreds pay their respects to Greek composer Theodorakis
Greece taps new minister for climate fallout after wildfires
Greece begins giving COVID-19 vaccines outside churches
Teachers, clerics next in line for mandatory vaccination?
Turkish President Erdogan and the de-facto ruler of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nayhan, spoke on the phone earlier this week in the latest sign of a possible thaw between the regional rivals. Turkey and the UAE have been at odds over Ankara’s support for the Muslim Brotherhood and on opposing sides on a number of issues - from the conflict in Libya to the Eastern Mediterranean and the Horn of Africa. Journalist Amberin Zaman joins The Greek Current to look into the call between the leaders of Turkey and the UAE and overall relations between the two countries. We also discuss the role played by the Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani in facilitating these talks.
Read Amberin Zaman’s report in Al-Monitor here: Iraqi Kurdish leader helps ease Turkey-UAE tensions
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Council of Europe slams Greece over contentious migration bill
Rights body raps Greece over migrant rescue crackdown
Cyprus says August was hottest month on record since 1983
Global sizzling: July was hottest month on record, NOAA says
Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins us on The Greek Current today to look at his latest op-ed in Kathimerini, where he highlights what Greece needs to be paying attention to when we look at the ripple effects in the region to the US and NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban’s takeover of the country. We also look into Vassilis Nedos’s latest coverage of the trip to North Macedonia by Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias. His visit, aside from covering issues related to the implementation of the Prespes accord, also followed a period of Turkish diplomatic activity in the Western Balkans that saw Turkey and North Macedonia reach a deal on a defense cooperation agreement. We break all of this down on today’s episode.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Οι κίνδυνοι του Αφγανιστάν για την Ελλάδα
FM seeking to enhance ties with Skopje
FM: Greece can be North Macedonia’s ‘best friend’
North Macedonia, Greece, see trade boost after key name deal
Greek music great Mikis Theodorakis dies at 96
Greece mourns Mikis Theodorakis, composer and political activist
Greek health care workers protest compulsory vaccinations
Unvaccinated healthcare workers given second chance to get the shot
With the world and the US focused on Afghanistan, Turkey carried out airstrikes that hit genocide survivors in Iraq and members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in mid August. One of the airstrikes hit a medical clinic in Sinjar, killing eight people, while another airstrike saw a Turkish drone kill Yazidi leader Hassan Saeed on the day he was scheduled to meet with the Iraqi prime minister. Turkey has also hit multiple cities in Syria with airstrikes.
Dr. Amy Austin Holmes, a public policy fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars, a research fellow at ICSVE - the International Center for the Study of Violent Extremism - and an expert on the region, joins our host Thanos Davelis to discuss the airstrikes that took place last month, look at the impact of Turkey’s broader operations in Syria and Iraq, and explore what the US response should be.
Read the following publications by Dr. Amy Austin Holmes:
As Afghanistan crumbles, Turkey's airstrikes set up the next disaster
Threats Perceived and Real: New Data and the Need for a New Approach to the Turkish-SDF Border Conflict
Despite Ceasefire Agreement, Turkey Implicated In More Than Eight Hundred Violations
Five Years of Airstrikes: Turkish Aggression and International Silence in Sinjar, 2017-2021
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Syrian oil spill moving towards Cyprus appears to partially dissolve
All eyes on oil spill response in Cyprus
Dead turtle found in oil slick, breaking up and dissolving
Ankara to hand over 15 Muslim Brotherhood figures to Cairo
Cairo announces new round of ‘exploratory talks’ with Turkey
US Senator Bob Menendez, the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was in Greece and Cyprus last week and this week, where he held a number of key meetings with leading officials, including Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades. His trip highlighted the increasing strategic value of Greece and Cyprus for US policy in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Hellenic American Leadership Council’s Executive Director Endy Zemenides joins The Greek Current to discuss the significance of Senator Menendez’s latest trip to Greece and Cyprus.
Read Senator Bob Menendez’s interview with Kathimerini here: Greece more secure with Biden as president
Watch Senator Menendez’s speech at the Acropolis Museum: Menendez Delivers Keynote Remarks on U.S.-Greek Relationship in Athens
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Menendez hails Greece as regional ‘pillar of stability’
Menendez says two-state wrong for Cyprus
Turkey-UAE Relations Warm Further as Leaders Speak
Turkey's Erdogan speaks with UAE crown prince over strained ties
Greece struggles to shake up safety agency after huge fires
New ministers sworn in
Plans for new ministry put on ice
Earlier this year Turkey’s President Erdogan had hoped to build leverage over the US, the EU, and NATO by reaching a deal with Washington, DC to take over and secure Kabul’s international airport after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. That deal is all but dead after the Taliban took over Kabul. Turkey is continuing its dialogue with all the sides in Afghanistan, however, including the Taliban. Ankara has been in talks with the Taliban about providing technical help to operate Kabul airport after the Aug. 31 deadline for troops to leave Afghanistan. Dr. Aykan Erdemir joins The Greek Current to break down what Turkey’s potential engagement in Afghanistan might mean for Ankara and the West.
Dr. Aykan Erdemir is the senior director of the Turkey program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former Turkish lawmaker.
Read Aykan Erdemir’s latest op-ed in Balkan Insight: Turkey Turns to Taliban, But There is no More Airport Deal to Salvage
Read his contribution on Turkey in the FDD’s foreign policy tracker: FDD Biden Administration Foreign Policy Tracker - Late August
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
What might Turkey’s enhanced engagement in Afghanistan mean for Ankara, NATO, and for the future of Afghanistan?
Turkey cannot take new refugee ‘burden’ from Afghanistan, says FM
US dropped from EU’s coronavirus safe travel list
Unvaccinated U.S. visitors could soon face new restrictions on travel to Europe.
Greece-US alliance getting stronger
Greece more secure with Biden as president
At the end of July, the leaders of Serbia, North Macedonia, and Albania met in Skopje, where they agreed to bolster regional economic integration, vowing to abolish border controls between their countries by January 2023. They named their initiative “Open Balkans” or “Mini-Schengen” – after the European Union’s free travel zone. The announcement comes as leaders in the Western Balkans are growing disillusioned with what they see as a stalled EU accession process. The news has thus far been met with cautious encouragement from the West. Damir Marusic, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and the co-author of a recent op-ed in Foreign Policy on the Open Balkans initiative, joins The Greek Current to talk about this latest development in the Western Balkans and what it could mean for the region.
Read Damir Marusic and Benjamin Haddad’s op-ed in Foreign Policy here: The Balkans Don’t Believe the EU Anymore
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
A Mini-Schengen in the Balkans
Greek-US relations, Afghanistan dominate Mitsotakis-Menendez meeting
Turkey begins evacuation of troops from Kabul airport
Turkey will not act as EU ‘warehouse’ for Afghan refugees, says Erdogan
Greek-US relations, Afghanistan dominate Mitsotakis-Menendez meeting
Senator Bob Menendez’s speech at the Acropolis
This summer has highlighted a number of challenges the world is likely to face as a result of climate change - from the deadly floods in Germany and northern Europe, to heatwaves and wildfires that ravaged Greece, Turkey, and Mediterranean countries. Another area that is increasingly under pressure is the sea. This year, we witnessed a thick, slimy layer of so-called “sea snot” cover Turkey’s Sea of Marmara, and then spill into the northern Aegean. Scientists and experts warn that climate change and human activity, such as pollution, are pushing the sea to its limits. Dr. Stella Psarra joins The Greek Current to talk about how the climate crisis is impacting the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas, and what’s at stake for countries on its shores, like Greece.
Dr. Stella Psarra is director of research at the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, and a biological oceanographer specialized in phytoplankton ecology with 25 years of experience in marine research.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Η κλιματική κρίση οδηγεί σε «ασφυξία» τη Μεσόγειο
Mediterranean marine life under threat
After wildfires, Greek PM says climate crisis demands radical action
Greece to boost aerial firefighting capability, PM says
Turkish drones in northern Cyprus heighten regional unease
On Tuesday Greece’s Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias unveiled a series of new public health safety measures that foresee tough restrictions on individuals that have not been vaccinated against Covid-19. The measures come as Greece continues to see a steady increase in confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths, as well as hospitalizations and intubations, over the past several weeks. Data shows that more than 90% of the COVID-19 patients in the country’s intensive care units are unvaccinated. Nikos Efstathiou, a journalist with Kathimerini, joins The Greece Current to break down the new measures the Greek government has announced, give us a look at how the pandemic is currently impacting Greece, and more.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece announces new restrictions for those not vaccinated
Greece sets new record for new Covid cases
Israel's COVID-19 vaccine boosters show signs of taming Delta
Calls for booster shot gain traction in Cyprus
Greece plans to name heatwaves in the same way as storms
Cyprus passports rescinded of Turkish Cypriots linked to Varosha reopening
Cyprus to strip passports from Turk Cypriot officials
Since the beginning of August, Greece has battled devastating wildfires on the island of Evia, in the Peloponnese, and in Attica. The biggest disaster, however, took place in northern Evia, Greece's second-largest island. Over a million square meters of land has burned, destroying forests, homes and business, and killing thousands of animals in what Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called “the greatest ecological catastrophe of the last few decades." As recently as today, Greece’s fire department scrambled aircraft and ground forces to tackle new blazes.
Nektaria Stamouli, a correspondent with Politico based in Athens covering Greece, Cyprus, and the Balkans, joins The Greek Current to walk us through how devastating these fires have been, the government’s promises to restore areas impacted by the fires, and what reforms and steps experts are calling for in order to make sure Greece can more effectively tackle wildfires in the future.
Read Nektaria Stamouli’s latest piece in Politico Europe: Greeks fret as crises mount: Will this time be different?
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece wildfires: 2 new blazes break out amid strong winds
New fire breaks out in Vilia, as blaze in Evia still burns
Common stance on refugee pressure
Greece erects fence at Turkey border amid warnings of Afghan migrant surge
HALC's Stathis Theodoropoulos discusses the Delta variant and the way out of the pandemic with HALC Board Member Dr. George Chiampas, assistant professor and attending physician in the department of emergency medicine at Northwestern University and Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. He is also the chief medical officer for US Soccer and serves as the Medical Director for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
HALC's Stathis Theodoropoulos interviews Kathimerini's Vassilis Nedos about his latest column, which focuses on the strain of denialism behind climate change and the pandemic.
HALC's Stathis Theodoropoulos discusses Turkey's controversial drone program with HALC Executive Director Endy Zemenides.
As fires continue to rage across Greece, HALC's Stathis Theodoropoulos interviews Petros Kasfikis, the Washington DC corresponding for the Athens News Agency and Mega TV to analyze the latest developments.
50 years ago, the Turkish government closed the doors of Halki Seminary, an institution that served as the main school of theology for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, thus depriving the Ecumenical Patriarchate the ability to train Orthodox clergy in its historic home. In the decades since, the Hellenic community, religious freedom and human rights advocates, and even the US government have called on Turkey to reopen this historic seminary, only to be met with a string of broken promises from Ankara.
Expert Elizabeth Prodromou joins The Greek Current to talk about the significance of Halki Seminary, and why reopening this institution is of the utmost importance today for the survival of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and for religious freedoms in Turkey.
Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou is an internationally recognized leader on issues of religion and human rights, and a previous Vice Chair and Commissioner on the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. Dr. Prodromou is also a faculty member at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, where she directs the Initiative on Religion, Law, and Diplomacy.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
50th Anniversary of the Closing of Halki Seminary
UN demands Turkey, Turkish Cypriots reverse Varosha action
Greece sends police to Covid hotspot islands to step up controls
Armenia’s government said on Wednesday that three of its soldiers were killed after Azeri forces attacked Armenian positions near the border where clashes have become more frequent despite a ceasefire agreed to after Azerbaijan’s assault on Nagorno Karabakh last fall. Both sides later accepted a Russian ceasefire proposal to try to calm tensions. Meanwhile, this week the US House of Representatives expressed concern over President Biden’s waiver of Section 907 restrictions on US aid to Azerbaijan, called for more US assistance to Armenia, and passed an amendment to block foreign military and training aid to Azerbaijan.
Aram Hamparian, the Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee, joins The Greek Current to break down these latest developments.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Ceasefire called after Armenian soldiers killed in clashes
U.S. House Raises Alarm Over Biden Waiver of Section 907 Restriction on U.S. Aid to Azerbaijan
Rep. Pallone on his amendment to support Armenia and hold Azerbaijan accountable passing
EU health body warns against visiting popular Greek islands over Covid-19
Restrictions looming for island of Ios, says minister; Paros also at risk
Southeast Europe heat wave set to be among worst in decades
Forest fires rage near Turkish resorts, killing three
Over the last ten years, Tunisia has been viewed as the “lone success story” of the Arab Spring. The country was plunged into crisis earlier this week, however, after its president suspended parliament and dismissed Tunisia’s prime minister in a move denounced as a coup by Tunisia’s main political parties. Steven Cook, an expert on Arab and Turkish politics as well as US-Middle East policy, joins The Greek Current to talk about the latest developments in Tunisia, and look at what challenges this poses for the Biden administration. We also look at a recent piece he wrote in Foreign Policy Magazine, where he explores why Turkish politics are more unstable today than at any time in recent years.
Steven Cook is the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).
Read Steven Cook’s latest pieces in Foreign Policy Magazine on the latest developments in Tunisia and on Turkey:
Maybe Tunisians Never Wanted Democracy
Cracks Are Growing in the Erdogan Regime
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Seeking Mediterranean allies, government hosts Jordanian king
Countries in southeast Europe brace for heat wave
Athens appoints chief heat officer to combat climate crisis
Far-right groups have had a strong presence in recent rallies by anti-vaxx groups against government efforts to step up vaccination, as they see the pandemic and the social pressures it has created as an opportunity to regroup in the post-Golden Dawn era. In fact, according to police, around half of the some 3,500 people that gathered at a Syntagma Square demonstration last week belonged to organized far-right groups. Yiannis Souliotis, a journalist with Kathimerini who has covered both the rallies and these far right groups, joins The Greek Current to discuss this concerning development.
Read Yiannis Souliotis’ piece in Kathimerini: Far-right taps into anti-vaxx sentiment
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
EU condemns plan to reopen Varosha
EU warns will take actions against Turkey over Varosha
Wildfire tears through forest near Athens, homes damaged
Across Turkish-occupied territories in northern Syria, a pattern of violence and criminality has been established, and Turkish-backed groups are accused of becoming criminal syndicates that kidnap for money and exploit citizens’ resources for their own gain. A recent piece in Al Monitor focuses on Afrin, the majority Kurdish enclave in northern Syria that has been occupied by Turkish-backed forces since 2018, has become a “laboratory for Turkey’s experiments in demographic engineering and cultural imperialism. Amberin Zaman, one of the authors of this investigative piece, joins The Greek Current to talk about the violence, abuse, and profiteering now afflicting many of the territories under the control of Turkish proxies.
Amberin Zaman is a roving staff correspondent for Al-Monitor covering the Middle East, with a particular focus on Syria, Iraq, and Turkey. Prior to Al-Monitor, Amberin Zaman served as The Economist’s Turkey correspondent.
Read Amberin Zaman’s latest in-depth article for Al-Monitor: Turkish-backed rebels leave trail of abuse and criminality in Syria’s Afrin
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece extends mandatory regular testing for unvaccinated tourism staff
Virus spreading fast in 40-60 age group
UN Security Council slams decision to reopen Cyprus suburb
Nicosia okay with latest UNSC draft on Varosha
Democratic and Republican senators voiced heavy criticism of Ankara on Wednesday during a hearing on US policy toward Turkey in which Victoria Nuland, the undersecretary of state for political affairs, testified. Key Senators called out Ankara for backsliding on human rights, undermining NATO, being an “aggressor” toward Greece and Cyprus, and much more. They also demanded more action from the Biden administration to hold Turkey accountable.
Merve Tahiroglu, the Turkey Program Coordinator at the Project on Middle East Democracy, joins The Greek Current to break down the important takeaways from Wednesday’s hearing in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
You can watch the hearing here: U.S. Policy on Turkey
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
US senator says Turkish actions against pro-Kurdish party like ‘if Biden banned the Republican Party’
Possible health system gaps fuel concern
Greece: Tear gas fired during protest of vaccine mandate
Cyprus wants strong UNSC response on Varosha
Turkish President Erdogan and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Tuesday announced plans to reopen Varosha, part of the fenced off city of Famagusta in the occupied north of Cyprus. The move is in violation of UN Security Council resolutions, which call for Varosha to be handed over to UN administration, and to allow the original inhabitants to return to their homes. Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades described the move as “illegal and unacceptable,” while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the Turkish move as “provocative” and “unacceptable.” The issue of Cyprus and Varosha was also raised on Tuesday during a hearing in the Senate for Biden appointees to key State Department posts.
Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins The Greek Current to analyze Turkey’s latest provocative moves with regard to Cyprus and Varosha.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey says part of Cyprus ghost town to reopen; EU, UK, US object
Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s statement on Varosha
In Cyprus, Erdoğan provokes on anniversary of Turkish invasion
Greece takes delivery of 1st of 18 French Rafale warplanes
Dassault delivers first Rafale to Greece
Antetokounmpo leads Milwaukee to first NBA title since 1971
Giannis’ biggest fans watch, celebrate title a world away
This past Thursday marked the 5 year anniversary from the failed coup attempt that took place in Turkey which has since reshaped the country. The Erdogan government has used the failed coup to reshape the country's policies, institutions, political landscape and foreign posture, cracking down on dissidents both in Turkey and abroad. David Lepeska joins The Greek Current to discuss his latest piece in The National, where he explores the changes within Turkey over the last five years, looks at how Turkey has exported its crackdown on dissent to other countries, and considers why Erdogan may not be able to cash in on the failed coup for much longer.
David Lepeska is a journalist who has contributed to the New York Times, the Guardian, the Atlantic, and other outlets. He previously served as a foreign correspondent for The National. For the past decade, his reporting has mainly focused on Turkey.
Read David Lepeska’s piece in The National here: Why Erdogan can't cash in on a failed coup for much longer
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Erdogan, Tatar announce plans to reopen part of Famagusta
Athens reacts to Turkish plans over Famagusta
Turkey aims for dialogue with Taliban on Kabul Airport plan
Erdogan calls for US support for Turkey to protect Kabul airport
As the United States looks to navigate relations with Turkey, the lack of a clear destination for the relationship will result in a good deal of unpredictability and some level of instability in regions such as the Eastern Mediterranean. In his latest piece in Kathimerini, Endy Zemenides makes the case that this lack of predictability will pose a particular problem for Cyprus, where the United States has a tortured history of trying to have it both ways. In light of Turkish President Erdogan’s visit to the occupied part of the island and Turkey’s plans for the fenced off ghost town of Varosha, Endy Zemenides argues that the US must make it clear that it will not tolerate Turkey’s continued intransigence on Cyprus.
Endy Zemenides is the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council.
Read Endy Zemenides’ latest op-ed in Kathimerini English Edition: Moment of truth for US on Cyprus
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkish president: Two-state deal only way for Cyprus peace
Erdogan in Cyprus: no mention of Varosha, focus on two states
Mykonos, Greece's famed party island, falls silent under new COVID rules
PM backs voluntary shots for 12-15 age category
Faced with a surge in coronavirus infections, Greece on Friday announced new rules for open air entertainment venues such as bars and nightclubs stipulating that customers must hold proof that they have been vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19. The new rules are designed to give more freedom to people who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 and encourage others to get vaccinated as the country is seeing a surge in the new Delta variant. Iliana Magra, a journalist with Kathimerini, joins The Greek Current to talk about the current situation in Greece with the pandemic, the government’s efforts to step up vaccinations, and more.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
New rules for leisure, entertainment kick in Friday
Plan to vaccinate teens triggers large protests in Greece
More areas turn orange on Greece’s Covid map
More than 433,000 first-dose vaccinations booked in last two weeks
Turkish coast guard fires warning shots after denying Greek Cypriot marine police on patrol
Foreign ministry makes representations to UN over Turkish coastguard incident
Coronavirus: Minister unveils tighter SafePass rules
Cyprus issues blanket rule for Safe Pass
Turkey’s President Erdogan called Israel's new president, Isaac Herzog, on Monday to congratulate him on taking office. The call came amid strained relations between the two countries who expelled their ambassadors in 2018 after a bitter falling-out. Both sides emphasized the importance of Israeli-Turkish ties, but said the other must move first for any rapprochement. Dr. Michael Koplow joins The Greek Current to discuss the call that took place this week and his latest piece, where he makes the case that Israel’s interests have shifted away from Turkey, while Ankara is more interested in the optics of better ties with Israel than in the ties themselves.
Dr. Michael Koplow is the Israel Policy Forum’s Policy Director, based in Washington, DC.
Read Dr. Michael Koplow’s latest piece: Israel's Turkey Baloney
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey's President Takes Rare Step Back in Face of Protests
Erdogan Removes Loyalist University Rector After Protests
New rules for leisure, entertainment kick in Friday
Experts see pandemic peaking in August
Delta strain now accounting for 50% of Greece’s Covid-19 cases, expert says
The kickoff of the Tokyo Olympic games is around the corner, and will take place amid high COVID infections and worry from the Japanese public and the medical establishment there. There are also concerns about the increasing cost of hosting the games. Given these challenges, could it be time to consider giving the Olympics a permanent home in Greece, rather than rotating the games to a different city every four years? That’s the question that Paul Glastris, the editor in chief of the Washington Monthly and an early advocate of moving the Olympics to Greece on a permanent basis, raises in a recent interview with The Greek Reporter. Paul Glastris joins our podcast to break this issue down.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Will Greece Ever Be Permanent Home to Olympic Games?
Stop picking different cities to host the Olympic Games
The Dark Side Of Being An Olympic Host City
Cyprus vaccine drive: 'SafePass' mandatory, no more free COVID tests
Delta wreaks havoc as Cyprus passes 1000 mark
UN: Migrant Deaths on Sea Routes to Europe More Than Double
The first of six German-designed submarines destined for Turkey is scheduled to join the Turkish fleet next year. Five other subs are on the way over the next few years in a deal worth about $4 billion. Meanwhile, after a year of heightened tensions in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean as a result of Turkish provocations, Greece is warning that this deal comes at a dangerous time. It says it would shift the balance in the region in favor of Turkey. Prime Minister Mitsotakis and Foreign Minister Dendias have both stepped up diplomatic efforts to convince Germany to cancel the deal. Dr. Emmanuel Karagiannis joins The Greek Current to talk about this deal between Germany and Turkey and what it means for Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Dr. Karagiannis is an Associate Professor of International Security at King's College London's Department of Defence Studies.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
German submarines are giving Turkey an edge over Greece
Greece Still Hopes to Halt German Submarine Deal with Turkey
Greece pressures vaccine skeptics as infections surge
Taliban renew demand that Turkey leave Afghanistan
Taliban warn Turkey against extending troop presence in Afghanistan amid US pullout
Turkey’s President Erdogan is planning to visit the occupied northern part of Cyprus on July 20th, the anniversary of Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus in 1974, where events are expected to focus on the fenced-off town of Varosha. Turkey is planning major infrastructure developments in occupied Varosha, which is in direct contravention of multiple UN Security Council resolutions. The UN Secretary General has stated his concern over Turkish activity in Varosha, while the EU has also stepped up pressure over the issue. The US administration has also been in touch with Nicosia over these developments, and both the US House of Representatives and the Senate are raising the issue with the administration.
We spoke to Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides on Sunday night about Turkey’s provocative steps in Varosha, the diplomatic steps Cyprus is taking in response, and the need for the international community - including the EU and US - to put pressure on Turkey.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
UNSG recommends renewal of UNFICYP’s mandate, expresses concern over developments in Varosha
Athens’ moves towards EastMed pipeline
Ankara renews East Med escalation
Greece navigating uncharted waters
PM to announce vaccination decision by Tuesday
Lebanon is struggling with severe electricity and water shortages after two of the country’s main power plants ran out of fuel. This is only the latest manifestation of a financial and political crisis that shows little sign of ending. Lebanon’s government is bankrupt, has defaulted on its international debt, and has failed to take the measures required to clinch international support. Later in our podcast episode we’ll also look at the upcoming International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit taking place in Washington, DC next week. Richard Ghazal and Steven Howard from In Defense of Christians join The Greek Current to discuss the deteriorating situation in Lebanon and look at why the Biden Administration needs to capitalize on this upcoming IRF summit.
Richard Ghazal is executive director at In Defense of Christians.
Steven Howard is the advocacy director at In Defense of Christians.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Lebanese Power Stations Shut Down as Crisis Deepens
The Biden Administration Can Capitalize on the International Religious Freedom Summit
Greece, North Macedonia sign deal for construction of natgas interconnector
Ambassador Pyatt’s tweet about Greece and North Macedonia’s agreement
Measures reconsidered amid Covid spike
David Harris, the CEO of the American Jewish Committee (AJC), who is in Greece to meet with Greek political leaders and attend The Economist conference, joins the Greek Current to talk about his latest interview with Kathimerini’s Tom Ellis, where they explored topics including regional cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean, the US-Greece Defense and Interparliamentary Partnership Act - which is a joint legislative priority of HALC and AJC - and the concerning rise in anti-semitism across the world. We also discuss the main takeaways from his meetings with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and US Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt.
Read David Harris’ interview with Kathimerini here: Trajectory in Greek-US ties ‘steadily upward’
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
EU executive approves Cyprus’ 1.2 bln euro Covid recovery plan
EU border agency could help Cyprus stem migrant arrivals
EU will 'never, ever' accept two-state deal on Cyprus
Greece Still Hopes to Halt German Submarine Deal with Turkey
A recent US government publication of restricted cultural property imports originating in Turkey - at Ankara’s request - has caused a number of reactions from experts. While illicit trafficking in antiquities is a serious problem, some specialists are concerned that Turkey could use this new agreement to further marginalize indigenous ethnic and religious minorities within Turkey, such as Armenians, Greeks, and Assyrians, further limiting any say these groups may have over their cultural heritage. Meanwhile, as Turkey projects concern internationally over illicit trafficking in antiquities, it doesn’t do nearly enough to fight looting within its borders.
Simon Maghakyan, a Tufts University visiting scholar and University of Colorado Denver lecturer, joins the Greek Current to look at these issues, and break down the broader problem of cultural looting in Turkey.
Read Simon Maghakyan’s op-ed in Newsweek here: Turkey's Fight Against Cultural Looting Should Start at Home
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Pro-Kurdish lawmaker released from Turkish prison after five-day delay
Greece mulls restrictions on interregional travel
Local campaigns to bolster vaccinations
During the municipal elections in 2019, Turkey watchers were keeping a close eye on the Istanbul race, where Ekrem Imamoglu defeated Erdogan’s handpicked candidate twice. In the same election, Erdogan’s candidate also lost in Ankara, where Mansur Yavas won the election, and his popularity has been rising. Nikos Efstathiou, a journalist with Kathimerini, recently profiled Ankara’s mayor.
Nikos Efstathiou joins us today to talk about what’s behind Mayor Yavas’s growing popularity, which is seeing him compared to other politicians such as Istanbul’s Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and Meral Aksener who are increasingly seen as potential candidates that could take on Erdogan in the 2023 elections.
Read Nikos Efstathiou’s profile of Mansur Yavas in Kathimerini (in Greek) here: Τουρκία: Η ήρεμη δύναμη που απειλεί τον Ταγίπ Ερντογάν
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Cyprus forest fire that killed 4 now under control
‘Pure hell’: Cyprus hit by worst forest fire in decades
Fourth pandemic wave at the gates
Officials set to announce over 1,500 new Covid-19 infections Tuesday
In the first sign of any real movement on the migration issue in the EU in the past five years, member states reached a deal this week to strengthen the EU’s asylum agency. European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas said the agreement is a “first important foundation” in the effort to build an effective European-wide asylum system. Expert Angeliki Dimitriadi joins The Greek Current to break down this latest agreement, and to look at the broader challenges still facing the EU and frontline states like Greece when it comes to migration.
Angeliki Dimitriadi is Senior Research Fellow and Head of the Migration Programme at ELIAMEP - the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy - where her research focuses on Europe, particularly front-line countries and countries of transit.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
EU at long last agrees on reform of asylum agency
Deal on new asylum agency
Golden Dawn No 2 headed to maximum-security prison
Greece: Far-right party’s fugitive deputy leader jailed
US adds Turkey to list of countries implicated in use of child soldiers
During the early stages of the Euro 2020 soccer championship in June, aside from the games on the pitch, we also saw political issues emerge. One of those was related to the Prespes agreement, and we saw the North Macedonia national soccer team’s use of the name “Macedonia”. Prime Minister Zaev also ended up apologizing for a tweet where he used the term “Macedonia.” These moves sparked a reaction from Greece.
Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini English edition, joins The Greek Current to discuss his latest op-ed in Kathimerini where he looks at this latest incident, the broader issues at hand, and explains why implementation of the Prespes agreement is important for Greece’s interests. We also look at President Biden’s recent executive order targeting individuals allegedly contributing to the destabilization of the Western Balkans, which includes those undermining deals like the Prespes Agreement.
Read Tom Ellis’ op-ed in Kathimerini: The Prespes agreement should not be violated
EU governments gave Albania and North Macedonia - whose bid to join the EU is tied together - the green light to begin accession talks more than a year ago, but the process has officially stalled. One reason is that Bulgaria has put a hold on any talks with North Macedonia, which is preventing the process from moving forward. At the same time, Albania still needs to undertake more reforms to strengthen its democratic institutions and root out corruption.
Journalist John Psaropoulos, who was recently in Albania covering developments on the ground, joins The Greek Current to talk about the steps Albania’s government has taken to address European concerns. We also look at how the failure to kick off talks is leading to a number of Albanians choosing to leave for brighter futures elsewhere.
John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist based in Greece and Al Jazeera’s southeast Europe correspondent.
Read John Psaropoulos’ latest piece in Al Jazeera here: Stuck in the waiting room: Albania’s years-long bid to join EU
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey to pull out of Istanbul Convention on violence against women
Church must urge flock to take vaccine, PM tells Ieronymos
No plan to start vaccinations in beaches, squares, health ministry says
For the first time since 2015, Greece was invited to participate in the informal meeting on Syria that took place on the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting of the Global Coalition Against Daesh - or the Islamic State - in Rome. Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, who participated, stated this was a significant step which marks the return of Greece to crucial discussions on developments in the region. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins The Greek Current to discuss this latest development and look at how it impacts the broader role Greece is looking to play in the region.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
FM Dendias: Greek invitation to Syria meeting ‘a significant step’
Greece: 2-tier system for vaccinated access to entertainment
Greece to allow vaccinated people in restaurants without masks
Greek police recover two stolen paintings by Picasso and Mondrian
Recovery of stolen paintings a ‘special day,’ says culture minister
The Greek government announced it will offer a pre-paid card with 150 euros to young people aged 18-25 to get at least one shot of a vaccine against Covid-19, as part of an incentive to increase the number of vaccinations in the country. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called the card a “freedom pass”. The move comes as the government is hoping to fully reopen its economy after recently making vaccines available to all adult age groups. It was also announced amid broader concerns from public health officials as infections of the highly contagious delta variant continue to rise across Europe.
Nektaria Stamouli, a correspondent with Politico based in Athens covering Greece, Cyprus, and the Balkans, joins The Greek Current with the latest update on this new initiative and the concerns about the delta variant.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Young Greeks promised cash to get vaccinated
Greece offers youngsters 150 euros to get vaccinated
Turkey’s Erdogan takes first step in ‘crazy’ canal project
Turkey's Erdogan launches work on controversial Black Sea canal
Mixed response to vaccines for 16 to 17-year-olds
Cyprus ‘out of sequence’ as daily cases jump
During the peak of the financial crisis, Greek banks were weighed down by over 100 billion euros of non-performing loans. Since then, a new set of tools has emerged to help manage this bad debt, and a large amount has been transferred from the banks to other entities. While this has improved the overall outlook for Greece’s banks, the problem of bad debt remains. In her latest report for MacroPolis, expert Georgia Nakou discusses the latest developments with regard to dealing with these NPLs, and warns that the management of bad residential loans - which also has a political and social dimension - is about to re-emerge as a contentious issue now that measures put into place during the pandemic are set to expire.
Georgia Nakou, who joins us today, is a political and financial analyst for MacroPolis, which is an independent analysis service providing daily insight and analysis of the key political, economic and social developments in Greece.
Read Georgia Nakou's article in MacroPolis: Post-Covid era dawns on new landscape for bad debt in Greece
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece finally starts work on €8bn Athens ‘riviera’
Lamda acquires rights over former Athens airport site
EU greenlights major funding plan for refugees in Turkey
EU leaders travelled to Brussels today for a two day summit, with the agenda formally focusing on relations with Turkey and Russia, migration, and COVID-related travel rules. There was also growing anger over an anti-LGBTQ+ law passed by Hungary’s parliament, and 17 EU leaders, including Prime Minister Mitsotakis and President Anastasiades, signed a letter prior to the summit vowing to fight against discrimination towards the LGBTQ+ community, setting the stage for a confrontation with Hungary’s Viktor Orbán. Yannis Palaiologos, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, joins our host Thanos Davelis to discuss the latest developments from the summit, analyzing the main takeaways from today’s discussions in Brussels.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
EU mulling €3.5 bln migrant support package for Turkey
Advocates call for greater focus on democratic rights in Turkey ahead of European summit
German-French overture to Putin splits EU
EU leaders to confront Hungary’s Viktor Orbán over LGBTQ+ rights
Cyprus wants EU border agency to stop migrants from Turkey
Masks come off, but expert advises keeping them close by
Greece ends mandatory face mask-wearing outdoors as pandemic recedes
Turkey is seeking to play a vital role in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of US forces by offering to provide security to Kabul's international airport, and has been holding talks with the US on logistic and financial support for the mission. Jake Sullivan, President Biden’s national security adviser, said last week that the US and Turkey had agreed to a plan for the Turks to continue providing security at the airport. The issue of airport security is critical to the American diplomatic presence in Afghanistan. Experts Brad Bowman and Aykan Erdemir join The Greek Current to discuss the situation in Afghanistan and this potential deal between the US and Turkey.
Bradley Bowman serves as senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where he focuses on U.S. defense strategy and policy. He has previously served as a national security advisor to members of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees.
Dr. Aykan Erdemir is the senior director of the Turkey program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former Turkish lawmaker.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey Commits to Securing Afghan Airport After Americans Leave, U.S. Says
Turkey Pushes for Role in Afghanistan After US Pullout
Taliban takes control of 30 districts in past six weeks
Why Turkey wants to partner with Hungary to protect Kabul airport
Libya conference sees hope on elections, foreign forces
Libya's foreign minister sees progress on removal of foreign mercenaries
EU Mulls Billions in Migration Funds for Turkey as Tensions Ease
EU considers 3.5 bln euro migrant funding for Turkey, diplomats say
Germany and the United Nations are hosting an international conference on Libya in Berlin this week, and diplomats are aiming to take stock of Libya’s political progress, prepare for a national election set for December, and discuss the withdrawal of foreign troops and mercenaries. The majority of the attendees already met at the first international conference on Libya, which was also hosted by Germany, in January 2020. This time around, members of the newly-formed Libyan transitional Government of National Unity will also attend. Libya analyst Aya Burweila joins The Greek Current to discuss the upcoming Berlin conference, and the latest developments in Libya.
Aya Burweila is a Libyan expert from Benghazi and visiting lecturer at the Hellenic National Defense Academy. She is also publishing, together with Dr. Ethan Chorin, an upcoming volume on Libya titled Libya in 2021: What Went Wrong, What Comes Next.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Berlin conference: A step toward peace in Libya?
Explainer-Untangling the crisis in Libya
Macron pitches Biden on plan to get foreign fighters out of Libya
Day After Reopening, Libyan Coastal Road Closes
Menendez, Rubio Applaud SFRC Passage Of U.S.-Greece Defense and Interparliamentary Partnership Act of 2021
No summer pause seen for reforms
Turkey’s Constitutional Court on Monday accepted an indictment filed by a top prosecutor seeking a ban on the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) for alleged ties to the outlawed PKK, paving the way for a case to shut down Turkey’s third-largest party. The HDP denies formal links to PKK, and says any attack by Erdogan’s ruling party and its far-right nationalist allies is retribution for its opposition to the government. The HDP has come under increased pressure in recent months, with Erdogan's nationalist allies calling for it to be banned. This move by Ankara comes just one week after President Biden met with President Erdogan at the NATO summit.
Merve Tahiroglu, the Turkey Program Coordinator at POMED - the Project on Middle East Democracy, joins The Greek Current to discuss this latest development.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkish court accepts indictment seeking ban of pro-Kurdish party
Turkey: Woman killed in attack on pro-Kurdish party office
Egypt, Greece expand cooperation, agree on regional security issues
Mitsotakis, Sisi discuss Cyprus during Cairo meeting
No concessions to Erdogan, says US Sen. Bob Menendez
A labor reform bill that Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has said would bring Greece in line with the rest of Europe and align the country’s labor laws with the digital age was passed late on Wednesday after a contentious debate in Parliament. The bill also set rules on remote work, expand paternity rights, and includes safeguards against sexual harassment in the workplace. Panos Tsakloglou, the Deputy Minister for Social Insurance at Greece’s Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, joins The Greek Current to break down these latest reforms passed into law, and discusses the work his ministry is doing to reform Greece’s pension system.
Panos Tsakloglou is Deputy Minister for Social Insurance at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs in Greece. He is also a Professor at the Athens University of Economics and Business, where his research focuses on - but is not limited to - questions of inequality, poverty, and social exclusion.
Over the last year Turkey’s drones have seen action in conflicts ranging from Nagorno Karabakh, to Syria, to Libya, with the flagship of Turkey’s drone fleet, the Bayraktar TB2, at the center of international attention. In a recent piece in War on the Rocks, expert Aaron Stein highlights Turkey’s drone program, with an eye on how Ankara has pioneered drone use for the social media age. As a result of an aggressive social media strategy, Ankara has been able to rapidly spread content of its drones in action online. This “war propaganda” has led to a narrative about the effectiveness of Turkish drones, even driving international interest in arms sales from countries like Poland and Ukraine.
Aaron Stein, the Director of Research at the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI), and an expert on Turkey, arms control and nonproliferation, joins us on The Greek Current to break down his latest piece, look at Turkey’s drone program, and explore whether Turkey’s propaganda is more impactful than the drone itself.
Read Aaron Stein’s latest piece in War on the Rocks: Say Hello To Turkey’s Little Friend: How Drones Help Level The Playing Field
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece: Public workers strike over new labor law
Labor reform bills passes with 158 votes in 300-seat House
Macron pitches Biden on plan to get foreign fighters out of Libya
The Latest: Biden and Putin depart Geneva after summit
As Bulgaria prepares for its second election in three months on July 11th, Bulgarians are confronted by a number of political scandals and allegations of corruption. Some of these allegations include accusations against the former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, who has dominated Bulgarian politics over the last decade. Meanwhile, the United States has also upped the pressure on Bulgaria, introducing anti-corruption sanctions against certain high-profile Bulgarian power brokers and entities, while the EU has not taken any steps yet.
Expert Dimitar Bechev, a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, joins The Greek Current to discuss what’s at stake in this upcoming election in Bulgaria, the various allegations of corruption, US sanctions, and the role of the EU.
Dimitar Bechev was quoted in this piece in Politico on the current political scandals in Bulgaria: Bulgaria sinks under wave of pre-election scandals
President Biden was in Brussels for his first in-person NATO summit on Monday, where he stressed the importance of the transatlantic alliance, telling European allies that "America is back." During the summit President Biden also held his first face-to-face meeting with Turkish President Erdogan. Both President Biden and President Erdogan stated that talks had been productive, but no major breakthroughs were announced. Before the Biden-Erdogan meeting, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitstotakis and President Erdogan held much anticipated talks, which Greek government sources said “broke the ice” between the two countries.
Lena Argiri, the DC Correspondent for ERT - the Greek Public Broadcasting Company, joins The Greek Current to discuss President Biden’s meeting with Turkey’s President Erdogan, the meeting between Prime Minister Mitsotakis and Erdogan, and the key takeaways from the NATO summit.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Biden Should Cut the Gordian Knot With Turkey
Erdoğan and Biden hold bilateral meeting following NATO summit
Mitsotakis, Erdogan meeting ‘broke the ice,’ gov’t sources say
At NATO, Turkey hails its revival of dialogue with Greece
Erdogan says he agreed with Greek PM to continue dialogue
Mitsotakis-Erdogan: A personal relationship and the next steps
Nato warns of military challenge posed by China
No more AstraZeneca shots for under-60s
Vaccine platform opening for 18-24 age group
Greece, Albania ready to speed up path to The Hague on maritime zones
This week has seen a number of developments in Greece, from news related to the pandemic, to tourism, to protests over a labor reform, to tennis stars Maria Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas having a historic run in the French Open. Nikos Efstathiou, a journalist with Kathimerini, joins The Greek Current to discuss these news items. We look at the status of the country’s vaccination campaign, the gradual easing of travel restrictions to Greece from the US and other countries and what it means for tourism this summer, Greece’s decision to donate vaccines to neighboring countries, and why a proposed labor law has become a central topic of debate.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece shortens curfew, allows music for outdoor diners in latest COVID relaxation
Greece to offer COVID-19 vaccines to neighbouring countries
EU lawmakers OK virus pass, boosting summer travel hopes
Stefanos Tsitsipas becomes first Greek to reach French Open final
Greece: Unions launch general strike against labor reforms
Greece willing to back 'positive' EU agenda for Turkey
‘Turkish aggression undermines stability of region’ Christodoulides says
Joint Statement Adopted At The Meeting Of The European Affairs Ministers Of The Southern European (Med7) Countries
In the lead-up to President Biden’s meeting next week with Turkey’s President Erdogan on the sidelines of the NATO summit, there have been some rumors circulating that there is an agreement or a deal on the table over the Russian S-400 missiles that may help salvage relations between Turkey and the US. Diplomatic sources, however, have denied that there is any agreement in place. Expert Alan Makovsky joins The Greek Current to break down these rumors and offer his analysis on the latest developments.
Alan Makovsky is a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, and has worked on Turkey and the Middle East in several capacities, including as a senior staff member on the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the House of Representatives and at the State Department.
Alan Makovsky commented on the rumors over an S-400 deal with the US in this Al-Monitor piece: US, Turkey still far off on deal over Russian S-400 missiles
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece: Unions launch general strike against labor reforms
Greek unions strike, seek return to pre-pandemic work rules
Cyprus elects its 1st-ever female parliament speaker
Cyprus parliament elects first madam speaker
On Wednesday Senator Bob Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Marco Rubio introduced new legislation in the Senate to strengthen the United States’ defense partnership with Greece. The bipartisan legislation, titled the US-Greece Defense and Interparliamentary Partnership Act of 2021, aims to increase support for Greece’s military modernization, authorizing new transfers of American military equipment, and increased multilateral engagement among Cyprus, Greece, Israel, and the United States.
Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins The Greek Current to discuss the key elements of this legislation, and explain why it’s a significant step forward in the US-Greece relationship.
Take action and urge your Senators to support this legislation: www.hellenicleaders.com/DefensePartnershipAct
HALC and AJC Line Up Behind U.S.-Greece Defense And Interparliamentary Partnership Act of 2021
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Menendez, Rubio Introduce U.S.-Greece Defense and Interparliamentary Partnership Act of 2021
Greece taps markets for 4th time in 2021, raises 2.5bn euros
PM says results of 10-year bond issuance shows confidence in Greek recovery
Greece shortens curfew, allows music for outdoor diners in latest COVID relaxation
Music to return to cafes, restaurants as Greece loosens restrictions further
Developments in Greece and at the EU level this week have put the migration crisis back in the spotlight. On Monday Greece declared that Turkey is a safe destination for asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Somalia and Syria. In theory this could stem the number of arrivals at Greece borders, as it would allow it to return asylum-seekers from these countries to Turkey. In the meantime, the migration issue was on the agenda of the EU Home Affairs Council meeting on Tuesday, as efforts continue in order to get the European Commission’s proposed migration initiative back on track.
Yannis Palaiologos, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, joins us on The Greek Current to break down the latest developments.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
EU powerhouses ask Greece to do more to take back migrants
On migration pact, EU may finally try ‘break-it to make-it’ strategy
Greece says many migrants in Turkey could seek asylum there
Decision shuts the door on asylum seekers
Mediterranean countries give green light to deal on EU asylum agency
Auditor: EU’s Frontex border agency can’t fulfill its duties
US CDC eases travel recommendations on 61 countries, including Greece
Wide disparities in vaccination rates among localities and age groups
On June 14th Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is scheduled to meet with Turkey’s President Erdogan on the sidelines of the NATO summit. Their meeting will be intimate, with, at most, a top aide from each side present. According to officials involved in the preparation of the meeting, this face-to-face setting could lead to a more frank exchange of views. The Greek side reportedly has few illusions about the likely results, but a main goal remains to keep overall tensions between the countries to a minimum. The meeting will take place on the same day that President Biden will meet with Turkey’s Erdogan.
Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins The Greek Current with the latest analysis on the upcoming meeting, and more.
Read Vassilis Nedos’ latest analysis here: Greek, Turkish leaders to meet alone
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Biden, Erdogan to discuss their differences next week
Greece says many migrants in Turkey could seek asylum there
Professor Aristotle Tziampiris joins us on The Greek Current today to explore his latest piece in World Politics Review, in which he outlines how Greece is reshaping the Eastern Mediterranean. We look at how Greece’s foreign policy establishment views the broader region, and how this has led it to pursue a national strategy with four pillars, including close relations with Israel, a deepening military and political relationship with the US, and energy projects.
Dr. Aristotle Tziampiris is president of the Council for International Relations-Greece, and a professor of international relations at the University of Piraeus.
Read Aristotle Tziampiris’ latest piece here: Greece Is Reshaping the Eastern Mediterranean Region
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Cyprus checkpoints linking Greek and Turkish sides to reopen Friday - UN
Crossing points reopen in split Cyprus as virus numbers fall
Greece starts vaccine campaign at asylum-seeker facilities
Greece rolls out ‘long-awaited’ mass vaccine campaign to refugees
Over 2.2 mln now fully vaccinated
In-house vaccinations possible as of this month
Last week Reuters broke a story that Turkey had used its veto power within NATO to water down an official condemnation of Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko for forcing down a passenger plane flying from Greece to Lithuania to arrest Roman Protasevich, a dissident journalist that was on board. Lukashenko’s actions drew criticism from around the world, and the EU introduced sanctions in response. Dr. Aykan Erdemir joins The Greek Current to discuss his latest piece explaining Turkey’s decision, and argues that Turkish President Erdogan’s move to protect Russia’s Belarusian ally is the latest case of collusion between Ankara and Moscow to undermine NATO.
Dr. Aykan Erdemir is the senior director of the Turkey program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former Turkish lawmaker.
Read Aykan Erdemir’s piece in The Globalist here: Turkey Undermines NATO, Yet Again
And his briefing for the FDD here: Erdogan Saves Putin’s Belarusian Ally by Playing Spoiler Role Within NATO
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey’s persistent watering down of anti-Russian language leaves NATO in bind
Nations look to train at Cyprus security center
FM, US Ambassador visit CYCLOPS training facility construction site
Athens irked at being left out of Libya meet
Germany to host second Libya peace talks
On Tuesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides. During the call Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Christodoulides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the strong US-Cyprus bilateral relationship. Secretary Blinken also pledged US support for a federal solution to the Cyprus issue, expressed support for the 3+1 partnership between Cyprus, Greece, Israel and the US, and stressed the importance of countering Russian and Chinese malign influence in the region.
HALC’s Executive Director Endy Zemenides joins The Greek Current to analyze the main takeaways from this call and discuss his recent interview on US-Cyprus relations with The Pappas Post.
Read Endy Zemenides’ interview with The Pappas Post here: U.S. Secretary of State Blinken Calls Cyprus Foreign Minister
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Blinken covers all bases in phone call to Cyprus
Volkswagen tests electric cars, transit apps on Greek island
PM: Astypalea’s e-mobility project a launchpad for ‘greener future’
Turkish lira crashes to record low on Erdogan’s call for rate cut
Turkish lira hits record low after Erdogan renews call for interest rate cuts
Erdogan Renews Rate-Cut Demands as Economy Erodes Support
In late 2019 the head of Turkey’s Defense Industry Directorate announced that Turkey had flown its first drones to Lefkoniko Airport in the occupied northern part of Cyprus. Turkey has continued to transform this airport into a drone base, even moving many attack drones such as the Bayraktar-TB2 onto the base. Expert Michael Rubin joins The Greek Current to discuss this new Turkish base and why it poses a threat to not only Cyprus, but to other countries in the Eastern Mediterranean. Michael Rubin looks at the steps that the United States can take to ensure Cyprus has the means to defend itself, and explains that the only strategy that will work in the region is to demonstrate to Erdogan that Turkey has far more to lose from scrapping the status quo than it has to gain.
Michael Rubin is a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and a former Pentagon official.
Read Michael Rubin’s latest piece in The National Interest: Turkey’s New Drone Base Is a Problem
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greek, Turkish leaders to meet in June in bid to mend ties
First step taken for a calm summer
Ruling party wins as largest parties shrink
Far-right party, centrist group gain big in Cyprus poll
EU leaders travelled to Athens on Thursday to celebrate the 40th anniversary since Greece joined what was then the European Economic Community. The anniversary offered an opportunity to reflect on the benefits of Greece’s membership. Leaders highlighted that over the last 40 years, projects large and small have changed the country’s image and improved the daily lives of Greek citizens.
Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition, joins The Greek Current to discuss the impact the EU has had on Greece - economically, politically, and socially. We also explore his latest op-ed in Kathimerini, where he highlights how Greece’s membership also means that it has emerged stronger and more secure over the last 40 years.
Read Tom Ellis’ latest op-ed in Kathimerini: A more secure Greece, 40 years after its accession to the EU
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece ready to use COVID-19 pass before July to save summer, PM says
Greece ready to go with EU Digital Covid Certificate, PM says at presentation
Greek PM calls for improved ties with Turkey
EU’s Michel: All the tools on the table for Turkey
Since May 2nd, Sedat Peker, a notorious organized crime boss in Turkey, has been posting YouTube videos implicating current and former Turkish officials, their relatives and other prominent figures in crimes, including murder plots, rape and drug trafficking. His videos have drawn millions of views, and has triggered an in-depth look at the links between mafia gangs, police, politicians and business circles in Turkey. The allegations in the videos have rocked Turkish President Erdogan’s government, with Peker’s videos focusing on Turkey’s Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu. On Wednesday, Turkish President Erdogan finally stepped in and broke his silence. Amberin Zaman joins The Greek Current with the latest analysis.
Amberin Zaman is a roving staff correspondent for Al-Monitor covering the Middle East, with a particular focus on Syria, Iraq, and Turkey. Prior to Al-Monitor, Amberin Zaman served as The Economist's Turkey correspondent.
Read Amberin Zaman’s latest analysis in Al Monitor: Erdogan swats aside mobster, stands behind interior minister
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Peker videos: Gang leader's claims rattle Turkish government
Turkey pushed NATO allies into softening outrage over Belarus plane, diplomats say
Fact sheet puts US-Cyprus ties at historic high
U.S. Security Cooperation With the Republic of Cyprus
As President Biden prepares to meet with Turkey’s President Erdogan next month, the focus will undoubtedly be on the long list of foreign and security policy issues that have caused a rift in US-Turkish relations. In her latest piece, expert Tugba Tanyeri Erdemir, who joins us today on The Greek Current, makes the case that President Biden also needs to include cultural heritage diplomacy in his approach to Turkey. She explains that cultural diplomacy focused on the heritage of at-risk communities and carried out in collaboration with local stakeholders has the potential to engage a wider segment of Turkey’s population, and can go hand in hand with the promotion of pluralism and peace building.
Tugba Tanyeri Erdemir is the coordinator of the ADL’s Task Force on Middle East Minorities, and is a Research Associate at the University of Pittsburgh in the Department of Anthropology with an extensive background in cultural heritage preservation.
Read Tugba Tanyeri Erdemir’s latest piece here: Cultural heritage diplomacy needs to be part of Biden’s Turkey outreach
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
PM to meet Turkish FM on May 31 visit
Cyprus says people under 50 should use mRNA-based vaccines
Cyprus adopts restrictions for AstraZeneca
President Biden is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Turkish President Erdogan on the sidelines of the NATO summit on June 14. This will be the first time the two leaders will meet in person since President Biden took office earlier this year. Expert David Phillips joins The Greek Current to talk about the significance of this upcoming meeting, and argues that this is an opportunity for President Biden to express US concerns over Turkey’s aggressive behavior in the region and highlight Erdogan’s poor human rights record at home.
David Phillips is the Director of the Program on Human Rights and Peace-building at Columbia University. He is also a former senior adviser to the UN Secretariat and US State Department, and the author of the books The Great Betrayal: How America Abandoned the Kurds and Lost the Middle East, and An Uncertain Ally: Turkey Under Erdogan's Dictatorship.
Read David Phillips' latest op-ed in Ahval: What Biden must tell Erdoğan at next month's NATO summit
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Vaccination drive remains top priority
Erdogan fires deputy governor of Turkey’s central bank
Turkey’s Erdogan fires central bank deputy governor in the fourth ousting since March
In Monday’s Kathimerini Vassilis Nedos reports that the United States has decided to boost the presence of its armed forces in Greece, both on a permanent and a rotational basis. This increase in the US military presence in Greece was a given in negotiations for the renewal of the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement between the two countries. In the meantime, Greece hosted the joint military exercise DEFENDER-Europe 21, a large-scale U.S. Army-led exercise, where US Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt spoke about the importance of the deepening Greek-US relationship.
Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins The Greek Current to discuss this latest report, the importance of the DEFENDER-Europe 21 exercise, and more.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Ambassador Pyatt’s Remarks at DEFENDER-Europe 21
Belarus faces sanctions backlash over jetliner ‘state piracy’
EU leaders agree on Belarus sanctions after plane diversion
Operation likely carried out with assistance of foreign secret agents in Greece
A mobster’s online confessions are shaking Erdogan’s government
Turkish mafia scandal threatens Erdogan government
This week the US sent its highest-level official to Libya since 2014, a move it says is a signal of its increased commitment to resolving the country's crisis. The visit comes as Libya’s new Government of National Unity seeks to set the stage for a national election in December. This remains a challenge as foreign backed troops, mercenaries, and militias are still present in the country, despite calls for their removal. Expert Aya Burweila joins The Greek Current to talk about the challenges facing Libya's unity government, the destabilizing role of these militias, and Turkey’s refusal to withdraw its foreign mercenaries. We also look at the steps the Biden Administration is taking to support the political process in Libya.
Aya Burweila is a Libyan expert from Benghazi and visiting lecturer at the Hellenic National Defense Academy. She is also publishing, together with Dr. Ethan Chorin, an upcoming volume on Libya titled Libya in 2021: What Went Wrong, What Comes Next.
You can watch Aya Burweila’s interview with Ahval here: Erdogan’s neo-Ottomanism in effect with Turkey’s foreign occupation in Libya
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
U.S. Tripoli visit shows increased Libya focus after fighting
Fresh Hope at Long Last for Libyans
Libya’s first female foreign minister pressed to quit
Turkey: Istanbul court reopens Gezi Park protest trial
Turkish court begins retrial over 2013 Gezi Park protests
Greece to EU: Don’t let countries use migrants as leverage
Cyprus asks EU to prevent migrant boat departures from Syria
Earlier this week, Turkish media argued, with a frontpage story, that Turkey should sign a maritime deal with Hamas-led Gaza similar to the deal it struck with the GNA in Libya - which contravenes international law. Seth Frantzman joins The Greek Current to discuss this latest report in Turkish media, and explain how such a deal would not only put Israel and Turkey on a collision course, but would also violate the rights of Cyprus and Greece. We also look at the latest anti-semitic and anti-Israel rhetoric coming out of Ankara and Turkish media, which has reached such heights that the US condemned Turkey’s President Erdogan.
Seth Frantzman is a Middle East analyst and the oped editor at The Jerusalem Post, and is a contributor to Defense News and The National Interest.
Read Seth Frantzman’s articles in The Jerusalem Post that we discuss here:
Turkey media threatens Israel with 'Libya model' of water grab off Gaza
Turkey’s anti-Israel obsession reaches new heights
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Fire west of Athens guts homes, sends smoke over Acropolis
Greece evacuates more villages as forest fire spreads to Attica region
Negotiators clinch deal on coronavirus certificates
EU reaches deal on COVID-19 passes to rescue summer
On May 19 we commemorate the genocide of the Greeks of the Pontus region, in which at least 353,000 people perished. The Pontian Genocide, although commemorated and remembered separately, was part of Turkey’s broader genocide against Christian Greeks, Armenians, and Assyrians in Anatolia and Eastern Thrace that began in the spring of 1914. By 1923, out of approximately 2 million Greeks living in Asia Minor at the beginning of World War I, more than 700,000 had perished, and over 1.1 million were uprooted in the forced population exchange between Greece and Turkey.
HALC’s Executive Director Endy Zemenides and Kostas Ouranitsas, the chairman of the National Hellenic Student Association of North America and a HALC Leadership 2030 Fellow with roots from Pontus, join The Greek Current to discuss the continued fight for genocide recognition.
Read Endy Zemenides' piece in Neo Magazine here: The Hard Work Starts Now
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
EU-Turkey relations at 'historic' low point: European Parliament
European Parliament calls on Commission to suspend Turkey’s EU accession
Turkey condemns European Parliament vote
North Macedonia PM: EU risks losing sway in Balkans
As Greece steps up its vaccination efforts across the country - especially on its islands - there’s an element of the population that is reluctant to get the vaccine, slowing the government’s inoculation drive. Reports indicate that misinformation, conspiracy theories and, in some cases, religious faith all seem to influence attitudes about the vaccines in communities across Greece. Iliana Magra, a journalist with Kathimerini who spoke to a number of Greeks who are hesitant to get a Covid-19 vaccine, joins The Greek Current to explore the reasons why some are deciding not to get the vaccine. We also look at some of the steps the government is planning to expedite vaccinations.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Vaccine hesitancy slows Greek inoculation drive
Further incentives planned to bolster vaccination drive
EU lawmakers give final approval to bloc's green transition fund
PM says society must embrace green efforts
Cyprus president unveils 'ambitious' economic stimulus plan
Cyprus unveils 'ambitious' stimulus plan
Last week Armenia raised the alarm that Azerbaijan had launched an incursion into Armenian territory, once again escalating tensions. This latest development comes less than six months after a cease-fire ended Azerbaijan’s devastating assault on Nagorno-Karabakh. The US, France, and Russia have all called on Azerbaijan to withdraw its troops immediately, while the US Congress is also calling on the Biden administration to engage at the highest levels and to halt military aid to Baku.
Aram Hamparian, the Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America, joins The Greek Current to break down the situation at Armenia’s border and the reaction in Washington, DC.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
State calls for Azerbaijan to pull back forces from Armenia border
Armenia accuses Azerbaijan of failing to withdraw from its territory
Greek Neo-Nazi With Seat in European Parliament Is Sent to Prison
Greek extreme right Euro-MP extradited to Greece
'I'm finally here': Greece formally opens to tourists
Banking on an extended tourist season
Models show that annual mean temperatures across the Mediterranean are increasing by up to 2 C over the next 30 years as a result of climate change. This will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the city of Athens, which already sees summer temperatures surpassing 40 degrees celsius, or 104 F. This issue was the focus of an article in The Guardian this week, which profiled the efforts the mayor of Athens is undertaking to build a resilient and sustainable city that can combat projected temperature rises and the worst effects of climate change. Expert Eleni Myrivili joins us to discuss the mayor’s initiatives and what’s at stake for Athens.
Eleni Myrivili is a senior advisor to the Mayor of Athens and an Atlantic Council Senior Fellow and Consultant for the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center.
Read the article in The Guardian on how Athens is combatting climate change: ‘The next decade will be all about heat’: can Athens head off climate crisis?
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece joins Mediterranean race to win back tourists
Greece woos foreign tourists ahead of reopening
'Restrained optimism' for Greek tourism recovery - industry body
Critical weeks ahead for Turkish ties with EU, Greece
Cavusoglu has accepted Greek invitation to Athens, says minister
The Council of Europe has sent a letter to Athens expressing “deep concern” at allegations of pushbacks of asylum-seekers at Greece’s borders. Athens denies this is taking place, stressing that these allegations are “largely unsubstantiated” while also pointing out that Greece in fact has rescued thousands of people at sea since the start of Europe’s migrant crisis. In the meantime, European Commissioner Ylva Johansson spoke at the Delphi Economic Forum, highlighting migration issues, and the role of FRONTEX and the EU. Journalist Giorgos Christides joins us from Greece to analyze the latest developments on the migration issue.
Giorgos Christides is a reporter based in Greece for the German news magazine Der Spiegel, and has extensively covered the migration crisis.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Council of Europe accuses Greece of migrant pushbacks
Europe rights body worried by claims Greece ejects migrants
Greece denies allegations of pushbacks of asylum-seekers
Turkish Coast Guard hassles Frontex forces
Greece, preparing to welcome more foreign visitors, steps up vaccination efforts on islands
Central banker sounds alarm over climate change
‘The next decade will be all about heat’: can Athens head off climate crisis?
Zoran Zaev, the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, arrives in Greece on Thursday for meetings with Greece’s President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. In the lead-up to this visit, Kathimerini featured an in-depth interview with Prime Minister Zaev about the Prespes agreement, the strengthening of bilateral ties between Greece and North Macedonia, and about building the Balkans of the 21st Century.
Tom Ellis, the editor-in-chief of Kathimerini English Edition who interviewed Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, joins the Greek Current to talk about the relationship between Greece and North Macedonia, the impact of the Prespes agreement, and what it means for Greece’s broader engagement with the Western Balkans.
Read Tom Ellis’s interview with North Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev here: Together for the Balkans of the 21st century
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Pyatt: US President Biden committed to raising Greece-US relations ‘to next level’
Greece Has Started Recovery Plan, Paying Initial Costs Itself
State Department report slams Turkey on Ecumenical Patriarchate, Hagia Sophia
A dramatic drop in water levels on the Euphrates River in recent weeks has increased tensions between Turkey and Syrian Kurdish forces. Kurdish officials in northeast Syria accuse Turkey of reducing the levels of water flowing from the Euphrates, causing an agricultural crisis and a major power shortage in the region. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry denies that this is taking place. USCIRF Commissioner Nadine Maenza joins The Greek Current to discuss reports that Turkey is weaponizing water rights in northeast Syria, and why this is a threat to regional stability and to vulnerable religious minority communities in the area.
Nadine Maenza is a Commissioner with the USCIRF and the President of the organization Patriot Voices. She has represented USCIRF in various delegations, and has traveled in her own personal capacity to better understand religious freedom conditions in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Bangladesh, as well as recently spending a month in northeast Syria.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Water Drop in Euphrates River Increases Tensions Between Syrian Kurds, Turkey
Syria: Are water supplies being weaponized by Turkey?
USCIRF Annual Report 2021
USCIRF Commissioner Nadine Maenza’s statement
EU Confident of COVID-19 Travel Certificate for Summer
Government seeking to vaccinate all islanders by end-June
Greek, Spanish PMs see joint EU debt as precedent for more fiscal integration
Schinas says Greek recovery plan will be approved ‘within June’
Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins The Greek Current to discuss what he describes as a failure by the US to make any meaningful impact in and around the latest UN-led Cyprus talks in Geneva. We explore why the US “dropped the ball” here, and what steps it should take if it is serious about playing a key role in the Eastern Mediterranean. We also look at recent initiatives in Congress to hold Turkey accountable for violating the religious freedoms of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Orthodox Christians, and other religious minorities.
Read Endy Zemenides’ latest op-ed on Cyprus here: “Dropping the Ball on Cyprus”
Read his op-ed on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by President Biden: “The Hard Work Starts Now”
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece welcomes young students back to school
Cyprus ends lockdown with safe pass
Turkey seeks better Saudi ties despite Khashoggi slaying
This week Egypt and Turkey held two days of talks on bilateral and regional issues aimed at reseting ties after nearly eight years of a diplomatic rift. The talks come amid a charm offensive by Turkey toward Eastern Mediterranean and Gulf states aimed at ending its growing diplomatic isolation. Ankara has also sent out feelers to Israel, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu is scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia next week for talks. Amberin Zaman joins us to analyze this week’s talks between Egypt and Turkey, and look at Turkey's latest outreach to Saudi Arabia.
Amberin Zaman is a roving staff correspondent for Al-Monitor covering the Middle East, with a particular focus on Syria, Iraq, and Turkey. Prior to Al-Monitor, Amberin Zaman served as The Economist's Turkey correspondent.
Read Amberin Zaman’s latest report in Al Monitor: Will Turkey’s efforts to woo Egypt yield fruit?
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Egypt and Turkey hold ‘frank’ official talks, first since 2013
Turkey Seeks Saudi Arabia Talks as Part of Regional Reset
Hellenic Caucus Co-Chairs Maloney and Bilirakis Introduce Legislation to Hold Turkey Accountable for Violating the Religious Freedoms
EU commissioner floats shift on Albania membership talks
Under growing pressure, the head of the European commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said on Thursday that the EU is “ready to discuss” President Biden’s proposal to waive Covid-19 vaccine patents, but did not endorse it. The US decision to drop its objections to a patent waiver was received as a seismic shift in Europe. Supporters of the plan say it would allow more manufacturers to produce vaccines, arguing that this will increase access to vaccines in poorer countries. Opponents, including drug makers, say it may not have the desired effect.
Yannis Palaiologos, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, joins The Greek Current to break down the debate in Europe over President Biden’s proposal to waive vaccine patents.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Biden’s Support for Vaccine Patent Waivers Faces Uphill Effort in Europe
US shift on vaccines embarrasses Europe before India summit
Germany rejects US-backed proposal to waive vaccine patents
Will Turkey’s efforts to woo Egypt yield fruit?
Egypt and Turkey hold ‘frank’ official talks, first since 2013
Turkey Seeks Saudi Arabia Talks as Part of Regional Reset
Cypriots will need tests or inoculation to eat out, worship
This Monday Greece lifted restrictions on cafes, restaurants and bars, as the government took yet another step toward easing lockdown measures ahead of the country's international reopening. In the meantime, Prime Minister Mitsotakis told a digital conference organized by the Financial Times on Wednesday that trends linked to the overall outlook for the Covid-19 pandemic in Greece are encouraging, and he expects the situation to improve drastically ahead of the summer. Georgia Nakou joins The Greek Current to discuss the government’s decision to lift restrictions this week, expectations as we approach the tourist season, and more.
Georgia Nakou is a political and financial analyst for MacroPolis, which is an independent analysis service providing daily insight and analysis of the key political, economic and social developments in Greece.
Georgia Nakou was recently quoted in this New York Times article: ‘We Cannot Wait Until June’: Greece’s Reopening Gamble
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greek PM Mitsotakis Sees COVID Situation Improving 'Dramatically'
Egypt, Turkey officials meet for talks to reset frayed ties
Turkey, Egypt Start Talks to Try to Restore Relations
Greek bond sale declared a success with near-zero yield
Record low bond interest rate
President Biden has notified Congress that the administration is extending a waiver to Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, allowing US military assistance to Azerbaijan that was originally restricted over its conflict with Armenia and tension over Nagorno-Karabakh. The move comes days after President Biden officially recognized the Armenian Genocide, and has been criticized by Armenian American advocates and observers like expert Michael Rubin. Michael Rubin joins us on The Greek Current today to analyze this decision and its broader impact on the region.
Michael Rubin is a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and a former Pentagon official.
Read Michael Rubin’s piece in The National Interest: Blinken’s Cynicism Post-Genocide Recognition Emboldens Further Aggression
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Biden waving restriction blocking aid to Azerbaijan over Armenia conflict
Libya’s top diplomat urges withdrawal of foreign fighters
Turkish Coast Guard hassles Frontex forces
Greece hosted the Iniochos 2021 military exercise in April - an annual exercise led by the Hellenic Air Force - with military forces from the US, Israel, the UAE, Cyprus and a number of other countries. In addition to improving their readiness and ability to work together, the exercise sent an unmistakable message to Iran that it has failed to isolate Israel. Expert Bradley Bowman joins The Greek Current to break down why this military exercise that took place in Greece is significant for the Eastern Mediterranean, and why it’s bad news for Tehran.
Bradley Bowman serves as senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where he focuses on U.S. defense strategy and policy. He has served as a national security advisor to members of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees, as well as an active duty U.S. Army officer, Black Hawk pilot, and assistant professor at West Point.
Read Bradley Bowman and Ryan Brobst’s piece in DefenseNews: The Iniochos military exercise in Greece is bad news for Iran
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Cafes, restaurants reopen in Greece for outdoor service
"Like old times again" as Greece re-opens bars and restaurants
EU Looks to Open Borders After a Year of Pandemic Isolation
EU aims to open up to more foreign tourists this summer despite COVID-19
“Give us a reason to stay in Greece.” That’s the title of the investigative report on the front page of Kathimerini’s Sunday print edition that highlights the concerns young Greeks have about their place in Greek society today and their future in the country. Iliana Magra, a journalist with Kathimerini and the author of the report, joins The Greek Current to talk about her findings.
Read Iliana Magra’s article (in Greek) in Kathimerini’s here
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece keeps lid on Orthodox Easter events, readies tourism
Greece among first EU countries to test vaccination passport
Record connections between the US and Athens
After three days of talks, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said today that there was not enough common ground to resume formal talks on a settlement to the Cyprus issue. The Secretary General stressed he would not give up on the issue, saying that a new round of informal talks are planned, possibly in the next two to three months. Politico journalist Nektaria Stamouli joins The Greek Current with the key takeaways from this week’s informal summit.
Nektaria Stamouli is a correspondent with Politico based in Athens covering Greece, Cyprus, and the Balkans.
Read Nektaria Stamouli’s latest coverage of the Cyprus summit for Politico: Cyprus talks failed to find common ground, UN says
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
UN-led informal Cyprus talks stall, new round planned
Anastasiades warns against new faits accomplis
Greece: All adults can receive COVID-19 vaccines before July
Turkey enters first national lockdown as Covid-19 cases rise
Turkey enters first full lockdown
Full lockdown takes effect in Turkey, people leave cities
Since last Wednesday, three Turkish cryptocurrency exchanges have suspended operations in the country after the central bank announced restrictions on the use of cryptocurrencies, triggering a run on the exchanges. A number of Turks had turned to cryptocurrencies as a way to protect their savings from skyrocketing inflation and the weakening of the Turkish lira. Dr. Aykan Erdemir, the senior director of the Turkey program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former Turkish lawmaker, joins The Greek Current to analyze these latest developments.
Read Aykan Erdemir’s latest policy briefing for the FDD here: Ankara’s Crackdown Triggers Run on Turkish Cryptocurrency Exchanges
Read his piece in Foreign Policy:
Erdogan’s Power Plays Turn to Profit Margins
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Long day in Geneva, no sign of progress
Turkish Cypriots insist on two state solution
PM: Vaccine hesitancy driving high death rate
Greece surpasses 3 million mark in vaccines
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is hosting a three day informal summit in Geneva, Switzerland, with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, as well as the foreign ministers of Cyprus’s “guarantors” - Greece, Turkey and the UK. Guterres held bilateral meetings today with Anastasiades and Tatar, and will hold talks with all parties on Wednesday. The goal is to see if common ground exists for the parties to negotiate a lasting solution to the Cyprus problem.
John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist based in Greece and Al Jazeera’s southeast Europe correspondent, joins us to discuss his latest piece on this week’s summit.
Read John Psaropoulos’ latest article in Al Jazeera: Can new Cyprus talks find an unlikely breakthrough?
U.N. chief urges "be creative" as Cyprus talks open
Greek Neo-Nazi Lawmaker Stripped of Immunity by European Parliament
Greek neo-Nazi MEP arrested after Parliament lifts immunity
Another Greek credit rating update 'quite likely' - S&P Global
Athens formally submits national recovery blueprint
On Saturday President Biden took the historic step to put the United States on record as the latest nation to formally recognize and condemn the Armenian Genocide, joining with the US Senate and House of Representatives, 49 US states, and a dozen NATO allies. Aram Hamparian, the Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America, joins The Greek Current to talk about the significance of President Biden’s statement, what it means for Armenians around the world, and what comes next on the march for justice.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Statement by President Joe Biden on Armenian Remembrance Day
Why Biden’s Armenian Genocide Declaration Really Is a Big Deal
Turkey puts 108 Kurdish politicians on trial over 2014 Kobani protests
Lawyers walk out of Turkish court at pro-Kurdish party members' trial
UN faces tough task to get Cyprus peace talks restarted
President: Geneva talks signal crucial moment for Cyprus
This week President Biden hosted a two day virtual summit on climate change with forty world leaders, highlighting the issue as "the existential crisis of our time," and urging world leaders and businesses to take action. Sophia Kalantzakos and Constantine Karayannopoulos join The Greek Current podcast to discuss this climate summit, the broader challenges that lie ahead in achieving the twin goals of decarbonization and digitalization, the role of rare earths and critical minerals in this puzzle, and where Greece fits in this discussion.
Sophia Kalantzakos is a Global Distinguished Professor in Environmental Studies and Public Policy at New York University and a long-term affiliate at NYU Abu Dhabi, and is a frequent contributor to Kathimerini. She is currently a Senior Fellow in the Research Institute for the History of Science and Technology at Caltech and The Huntington.
Constantine Karayannopoulos is a 30-year veteran of the rare earths sector and chief executive of the Toronto-based company Neo Performance Materials. Neo Performance Materials produces Rare Earth specialty materials for customers in electronics, automotive, medical, aerospace and green technology applications.
Read the latest by Sophia Kalantzakos here:
Rich Rocks, the Climate Crisis, and the Tech Imperium
Rare earths, the climate crisis, and tech-imperium
Read about Constantine Karayannopoulos here:
One CEO's decade-long quest to find cost-competitive rare earth minerals outside China
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Biden calls on world leaders to invest in clean energy before ‘point of no return’
President Biden told Turkish President Erdoğan he's planning to recognize Armenian genocide
Biden told Erdogan he plans to call 1915 massacres of Armenians genocide
Greece closer to investment grade with ratings upgrade
S&P upgrades Greece’s rating and outlook
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom issued its annual report earlier this week. Once again, Turkey was listed as a country that USCIRF recommends the State Department should include on its special watch list for "engaging in or tolerating severe violations of religious freedom." The report’s release also comes as government sources indicate that US President Joe Biden will finally recognize the Armenian genocide. Expert Tugba Tanyeri Erdemir joins The Greek Current to analyze the USCIRF report and the latest news that the White House will recognize the Armenian genocide.
Tugba Tanyeri Erdemir is the coordinator of the ADL’s Task Force on Middle East Minorities, and is a Research Associate at the University of Pittsburg in the Department of Anthropology with an extensive background in cultural heritage preservation.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Read the USCIRF Annual Report 2021
Joe Biden set to formally recognize Armenian genocide, officials say
PM says he expects meeting with Erdogan in the near future
Dendias says Greece seeks common ground with Turkey
Biden: This will be 'decisive decade' for tackling climate change
Biden, Calling for Action, Commits U.S. to Halving Its Climate Emissions
Earlier this week, Greece announced it was lifting certain restrictions on travelers from the EU, the US, and other countries if they are vaccinated or test negative for Covid-19. At the same time, another flight from the US to Greece was announced, bringing the total number to 8 daily direct flights over the summer. These moves come as Greece prepares to officially open to tourists in mid May for the summer. Tourism is a key sector of Greece’s economy, responsible for over 20% of the country’s GDP.
Haris Theoharis, Greece’s Minister of Tourism, joins The Greek Current to talk about Greece’s plan to safely open for tourists this summer, the importance of the US market for Greek tourism, and more.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece opens its doors to Covid-free tourists
8 direct daily flights to Athens from U.S. Airlines
Cyprus president in Athens before Geneva talks
Anastasiades, Mitsotakis coordinate ahead of Geneva meeting
Greece to reopen tourism services on May 15
Cyprus hosted a meeting of top diplomats on Friday from Israel, the UAE, and Greece for talks they said reflected the “changing face” of the Middle East. Cyprus, Greece, and Israel already have a regional partnership, but talks in the Cypriot city of Paphos on Friday marked the first time that the UAE participated, a result of the shifting alliances brought about by the Abraham Accords. Cypriot Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides said the meeting signifies a new era for the region, driven by the common vision “of the wider Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East, and Gulf as an area of stability, prosperity and peace”.
Cyprus’s Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides joins us to discuss this latest diplomatic initiative, and look at the important role Cyprus is playing in the broader region.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
‘New era for the region’ as FMs of Cyprus, Greece, Israel and UAE meet in Paphos
Cyprus meeting, Riyadh visit latest examples of regional coalitions coming together
Greece signs deal to provide Saudi Arabia with Patriot air defence system
Last week Turkey’s foreign minister said that a new era in the relationship with Egypt was beginning. Last month Ankara said it established the first diplomatic contacts with Cairo since 2013 as part of what it says are efforts to mend relations with other countries in the region. The announcements come as Turkey finds itself increasingly diplomatically isolated. Steven Cook joins The Greek Current to break all this down.
Steven Cook is the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), and is an expert on Arab and Turkish politics as well as US-Middle East policy.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey hails ‘new era’ with Egypt after years of tensions
Israel and Greece sign record defence deal
Seven countries taking part in Iniochos exercise
Greece lifts quarantine requirement for US, EU, others
Greece Opens to Tourists, Anxious to Move on From Crisis Season
Greece’s Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias traveled to Ankara on Thursday for the latest round of talks between the two countries. It wasn’t a breakthrough on talks or his meeting with President Erdogan that made the news. Instead it was his joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, where the Greek foreign minister stated Greece’s positions clearly and publicly, prompting his Turkish counterpart to describe his remarks as “unacceptable.”
Lena Argiri, the DC Correspondent for ERT - the Greek Public Broadcasting Company, and Endy Zemenides, HALC’s executive director, join The Greek Current with the key takeaways from Foreign Minister Dendias’ trip to Turkey.
Follow Lena Argiri on Twitter for the latest breaking news: @lenaargiri
Read Endy Zemenides’ latest op-ed in Kathimerini: The Turkish dictator and President Biden
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Dendias’ wall
Mitsotakis meets foreign minister in wake of Ankara meeting
Bitcoin tumbles after Turkey bans crypto payments citing risks
Turkey bans crypto payments and Bitcoin feels the pain
Greece, Cyprus, Israel, UAE foreign ministers meet
Israel pledges to prevent a nuclear Iran in UAE, Cyprus, Greece talks
Israel says it will ‘definitely’ stop Iran from getting bomb
A recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights over the case of Ahmet Altan has highlighted what Professor Henri Barkey in a recent piece in The Washington Post has called the “utter debasement of the Turkish justice system under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.” Professor Barkey joins The Greek Current today to discuss this op-ed, and explore how Erdogan has turned Turkey’s judicial system into a political weapon that stifles dissent and criticism.
Henri Barkey is the Cohen Professor of International Relations at Lehigh University and an adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Read Prof. Henri Barkey’s latest op-ed in The Washington Post: How Erdogan turned the Turkish courts into a political weapon
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greek, Turkish foreign ministers stand their ground
Greek, Turkish FMs meet to mend ties, trade barbs instead
Cyprus's cabinet all receive AstraZeneca shots to win over public
Cypriot Cabinet gets AstraZeneca ‘group shot’
EU ambassadors in Brussels reached an agreement on Wednesday over the technical details for the Digital Green Certificates - a proposal Greece introduced earlier in the year to help facilitate safe travel and boost tourism this summer. The European Commission also set out its blueprint to raise approximately 800 billion euros to finance its NextGenerationEU stimulus program - the same program that will also fund the Greece 2.0 economic recovery plan. Finally, major disruptions in supplies of the AstraZeneca and now the Johnson & Johnson vaccines has put the bloc’s vaccination campaign back in the spotlight.
Yannis Palaiologos, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, joins The Greek Current to discuss the Digital Green Certificates, the NextGenerationEU program, and provide an update on the EU’s vaccine rollout.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
EU ambassadors agree its negotiating mandate on the Digital Green Certificate
EU Vaccine Passports Draw Close in Boon for Airlines, Hotels
EU Lays Out $1 Trillion Debt Plan to Challenge Treasuries
Changing Strategy, the E.U. Bets Big on Pfizer to Battle Covid
Greece, Libya to discuss delineating maritime boundaries
Greek PM agrees to talks with Libya on maritime zones
Greece to lift quarantine rule for more travelers from next week
Greece to ditch quarantine for tourists who are vaccinated or test negative
Over the past month, Russia has been massing troops, tanks and heavy artillery along its eastern border with Ukraine. These moves are not only raising the prospect of tensions escalating between Ukraine and Russia, but are also setting off alarms in Washington and at NATO headquarters. Amid these increased tensions, Ukraine’s President Zelensky visited Turkey’s President Erdogan over the weekend in a trip that highlighted Kiev’s partnership with Ankara, and shored up Turkish support for Ukraine.
Dimitar Bechev, a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council who follows Russia and Turkey, joins The Greek Current to analyze the latest developments and look at what Turkey’s show of support to Ukraine means for Turkey-Russia relations.
Read Dimitar Bechev's comments in Amberin Zaman's article in Al-Monitor: Turkey, US in rare position of unity over Ukraine
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Russia restricts flights to Turkey as political tensions rise
Russia calls U.S. an adversary, warns its warships to avoid Crimea
Ukraine to NATO: Act now to prevent war with Russia
US agencies call for pause in Johnson & Johnson vaccine
EU seeking ‘urgent clarification’ on Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccine delay
‘Green passport’ scheme for Covid-free EU travel gathers pace
EU Governments to Seek Deal on Controversial Covid Passports
Following a decade where Greece saw its influence in the Balkans wane as a result of the financial crisis, Athens is now eyeing a return to the Balkans given the new geopolitical realities that have unfolded in recent years, including the extensions of NATO membership to countries in the Western Balkans and the settlement of the name issue with North Macedonia. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins The Greek Current to analyze Greece’s latest diplomatic initiatives in the Balkans and the broader Balkan strategy that Athens is pursuing.
Read Vassilis Nedos' latest piece in Kathimerini here: Greece eyeing new inroads in Balkan region
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
FM vows Greece ‘is back’ in Libya
Turkey, Libya recommit to contested maritime borders deal
J&J one-shot vaccines to start on Monday in Greece
Johnson & Johnson begins shipments to EU
Greece to start vaccinating citizens over 40 in June, minister says
Last year in August the explosion that rocked Beirut turned everyone’s attention to Lebanon. French President Macron visited, and there were efforts to stabilize both the country’s politics and its economy. Despite this, Lebanon is dangerously close to becoming a failed state. The dire situation in Lebanon was the focus of a recent press briefing organized by the advocacy organization In Defense of Christians.
Robert Nicholson and Richard Ghazal, two of the event’s expert panelists, join The Greek Current to share their expertise on what’s going on in Lebanon, why it matters, what steps the US and the international community should take, and what's at stake for the country's Christian population.
Robert Nicholson is president of the Philos Project, a nonprofit based in New York City that promotes positive Christian Engagement in the Near East, and is on the advisory board of In Defense of Christians.
Richard Ghazal is a Senior Advisor with In Defense of Christians.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Lebanon Can Be Saved, But America Must Act Now
Crime reporter's murder shocks Greece
Veteran Greek crime reporter shot dead near home in Athens
Greek crime journalist shot dead in Athens in ‘execution-style’ murder
Greece restricts use of AstraZeneca vaccine to over-30s
Intubations for Covid-19 patients reach new high
Some 450,000 educators, students to be supplied with self-testing kits
Greece 2.0 will mark the largest inflow of funds that Greece has ever seen, with some observers pointing out that it may be more important even than the Marshall Plan was for Greece. While this plan aims to offer a blueprint for Greece’s transformation into a greener and more efficient economy, there are skeptics who ask whether the plan goes far enough. There is also speculation about early elections in September, where the government is likely to lean on Greece 2.0 in any election campaign.
John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist based in Athens and Al Jazeera’s southeast Europe correspondent, joins The Greek Current with his analysis.
Read John Psaropoulos’s piece in Al Jazeera here: Greece 2.0 seeks to transform the economy. Does it go far enough?
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
The Recovery Plan in Greece: Setting the course for a climate-neutral and digital future?
Two Presidents Visited Turkey. Only the Man Was Offered a Chair.
Italian PM calls Erdoğan ‘a dictator’ after Ursula von der Leyen chair snub
MEPs want EU leaders to answer for ‘Sofagate’ in Parliament
Greece mulling age limitations for AstraZeneca vaccine
EU drug regulator: Unusual blood clot is 'very rare AstraZeneca side effect'
AZ vaccine losing luster among the Greek public
Merve Tahiroglu, the Turkey program coordinator at the Project on Middle East Democracy, joins us to talk about her latest piece in Brookings’ TechStream blog about the social media app Clubhouse, its role in the recent student protests at Istanbul’s Bogazici University, it’s broader impact on Turkey’s political scene, and its transformation from a safe space for critics into another digital battleground for Erdogan’s information wars. We also look at Turkey’s broader crackdown on social media, and whether companies like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube can ultimately ensure users a safe space for public debate in Turkey.
Read Merve Tahiroglu’s piece in Brookings’ TechStream blog: On Turkish Clubhouse, a brief experiment in a more open web
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece to reopen schools using self-test kits for COVID-19
Greek schools set to reopen using self-test kits for Covid-19
Turkey convicts dozens in mass trial over failed 2016 coup
Turkey coup: Top officers given life terms in mass trial
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis travelled to Libya on Tuesday aiming to restart relations with the war-torn country. During his visit, he announced the reopening of the Greek Embassy in Tripoli, and called on the interim government to scrap an agreement on maritime boundaries signed with Turkey in 2019, which Athens says violates international law. His visit came as other EU leaders also visited the country, and called for the departure of foreign forces and mercenaries ahead of elections scheduled for later this year.
Tom Ellis, the editor-in-chief of Kathimerini English edition, joins us to share his take on the current situation in Libya, Greek-Libyan relations and Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ visit, and what lies ahead.
Read Tom Ellis’ op-ed in Kathimerini here: The Greek prime minister in Libya
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Mitsotakis hails restart in Greek-Libya relations; calls for ditching of Turkey maritime deal
EU leaders tell Erdoğan: We’ll cooperate — if you do, too
EU official, in Ankara visit, urges Turkey to ease disputes in the Mediterranean
EU to Turkey: Human rights issues are nonnegotiable
Aegean islands aim to become first fully vaccinated areas of Greece
Turkish authorities on Monday detained 10 former admirals after a group of more than 100 retired top navy officers issued a statement declaring their commitment to the 1936 Montreux Convention, an international treaty that regulates shipping through the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits. The statement was issued amid a debate over whether Turkish President Erdogan would pull the country out of the convention. Government officials have tied the statement to Turkey’s history of military coups.
Ryan Gingeras, a professor in the Department of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and an expert on Turkish, Balkan, and Middle East history, joins The Greek Current to analyze this latest development.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey detains ex-admirals over statement on straits treaty
Turkish ex-admirals arrested over criticism of Erdoğan's 'crazy' canal scheme
Greece breaks record of vaccinations administered
Greece looks to ease pressure with cautious shops reopening
European leader urges foreign fighters to leave Libya
Greece urges Libya to scrap Turkey maritime accord
This week Greece decided to relax some of its lockdown measures, even as it’s seeing a record number of infections that’s straining hospitals to their limits. The government followed up on this decision by unveiling its roadmap for the country’s gradual return to normal economic and social activities. Prime Minister Mitsotakis also announced that Greece will be stepping up its vaccination campaign, saying that Greece will double the number of vaccinations administered in the coming weeks. Journalist Nikos Efstathiou is with us to analyze the latest data and the moves by Athens to tackle the pandemic.
Nikos Efstathiou is a journalist with Kathimerini who until recently also worked in communications with the World Health Organization country office in Greece.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece to step up vaccination rate, says PM; criticises slow EU rollout
Gov’t unveils its roadmap to normality
Greek coast guard units harassed during migrant patrol
Greece accuses Turkey of escorting migrant smuggling boats
Greece accuses Turkey of trying to provoke it with migrant boats
Pro-Kurdish legislator who lost seat is detained in Turkey
Prime Minister Mitsotakis presented the key principles of a massive economic recovery and resilience plan - or Greece 2.0 as it’s called - on Wednesday. Mitsotakis described the plan as a game-changer for the country and as “a bridge to the post-COVID-19 era”. The government says this plan will boost economic growth by as much as seven percentage points over the next six years, and create tens of thousands of jobs. The plan consists of 170 projects, investments and reforms, and will mobilize 57 billion euros.
Eirini Chrysolora, a journalist at Kathimerini covering economic and financial affairs, joins The Greek Current to break down the Greece 2.0 plan.
Read Eirini Chrysolora’s report in Kathimerini English Edition here: Government unveils blueprint for the utilization of European resources
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece to offer 330 million euros to help restaurants and bars open
Liquidity boost on the menu
WHO: Europe's vaccination program is 'unacceptably slow'
Europe's vaccine rollout 'unacceptably slow' - WHO
PM: Over 60s to get at least first vaccine dose by early May
The issue of the Parthenon marbles was back in the headlines earlier in March, when British Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued a point-blank rejection of the sculptures being returned to Greece. Johnson’s statement comes as Athens has stepped up its campaign to reunite the Parthenon marbles in light of this year’s celebration of Greece’s bicentennial. Professor Angelos Chaniotis joins The Greek Current to talk about the latest efforts to reunite the Parthenon marbles and explore his proposal for a new approach to the issue that he explains in his op-ed in Kathimerini: “Marbles United, not Marbles Returned”.
Professor Angelos Chaniotis is a professor of ancient history and Classics at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, NJ.
Read Professor Angelos Chaniotis’ op-ed in Kathimerini here: Marbles United, not Marbles Returned
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Boris Johnson rules out return of Parthenon marbles to Greece
Greece Sees EU Crisis Funds as Game-Changer for Stricken Economy
Greek PM outlines roadmap for Greece 2.0
Greece relaxes some lockdown measures, despite virus surge
EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson held a second day of meetings today in Athens, where she met with Greece’s prime minister and foreign minister to talk about migration issues. Her visit to Lesvos, Samos, and Athens have put migration back in the spotlight, and come as the EU is working on a new migration pact. Journalist Nektaria Stamouli joins The Greek Current to talk about this new pact, the kind of solidarity Europe’s frontline states like Greece want to see from other EU countries, and the different challenges Greece is currently facing as a result of the migration crisis.
Nektaria Stamouli is a correspondent with Politico based in Athens covering Greece, Cyprus, and the Balkans.
Read Nektaria Stamouli’s coverage of the latest developments in Politico: EU commissioner gets cold shoulder promoting migrant camps in Greece
You can read the articles we discuss in our daily roundup here:
Greece registers 4,340 new COVID-19 cases, new high
Cyprus' famed halloumi cheese earns coveted EU quality mark
Adoption of halloumi PDO by mid-April, EC spokesperson says
On Monday EU home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson and Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi travelled to Lesvos and Samos, where they visited the migrant facilities on the islands. During a joint press conference, Johansson announced that the EU would provide Greece with €250m of funding for five new migrant facilities on the islands of Lesvos, Samos, Chios, Kos and Leros. Her visit to Lesvos was met with demonstrations from local residents who oppose the construction of new migrant camps.
Katy Fallon, a freelance journalist based in Greece and focusing on migration, joins The Greek Current with a report from Lesvos.
You can read Katy Fallon’s report in The Guardian here: EU announces funding for five new refugee camps on Greek islands
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
EU commissioner stresses need for solidarity on migration
EU official urges Greece to investigate reports of asylum-seeker pushbacks
Greek cabinet clears EU-funded recovery plan, eyeing big boost in growth
Von der Leyen and Michel to visit Turkey next week
EU top officials to meet Turkish president next week
In a recent piece in the Washington Monthly, Paul Glastris explores how American popular support for the Greek revolution sparked a debate in the US over the balance between realism and idealism in American foreign policy. He argues that the need to find the balance between principle and practicality in foreign policy is as great today as it was 200 years ago, pointing out that there are a number of lessons from 1821 that President Biden should take into account when formulating its own foreign policy doctrine.
Paul Glastris, the editor in chief of the Washington Monthly who is also currently writing a book on America’s involvement in the Greek War of Independence, joins our podcast to talk about his latest piece.
Read Paul Glastris’s piece in the Washington Monthly here: What Joe Biden Can Learn from the Greek War of Independence
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Government pleased with first Mitsotakis-Biden talk
Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of Greece
President Biden holds a virtual Commemoration of the 200th Anniversary of the Greek Revolution for the Greek American Community
EU vaccine politics reach fever pitch; Britain a target
EU stops short of vaccine export ban
Frustrated EU leaders pass vaccine fight to ambassadors
Professor Alexander Kitroeff recently gave a lecture on American Philhellenism and the Greek fight for independence that kicked off 200 years ago. As we celebrate Greece’s bicentennial today, Professor Kitroeff joins us on our podcast to talk about the links between the Greek revolution and the United States of America, from the philhellenes who travelled to Greece to join the fight, to the individuals who led efforts in the US to support the cause of freedom.
Alexander Kitroeff is a Professor of History at Haverford College and the author of a number of books. His lecture on Philhellenism, which was co-hosted by the Consulate General of Greece in Boston and College Year in Athens, titled “Greece's 1821 & America. A message of freedom”.
Watch Professor Alexander Kitroeff’s lecture here: Greece's 1821 & America. A message of freedom.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greek Independence Day events culminate in military parade
Greece celebrates 200 years of independence in pared-back ceremony
White House issues proclamation for Greek Independence Day
EU offers Turkey aid, trade help despite rights concerns
This week, Brussels is at the center of a number of important developments. These include the upcoming EU summit where European leaders will examine the bloc’s relationship with Turkey, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s meeting with the foreign ministers of NATO in his first official trip outside the US, which took place on Tuesday. Amidst these developments, there’s an ongoing debate on the EU’s handling of the pandemic and its vaccine rollout that leaders will have to tackle.
Yannis Palaiologos, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, joins us with the latest on the ground report from Brussels.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Cyprus rejects EU draft on Turkey which seeks to deepen trade ties
Cyprus, Greece mount pressure for revision of EUCO conclusions
EU plan for tougher controls on vaccine exports
US, Turkey remain divided over purchase of Russia’s S-400s
Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu
Greece kicks off events for bicentenary of independence war
Foreign Relations Committee Approves Menendez Resolution Honoring Greece’s 200th Independence Day
Erdogan urges investors to trust Turkey's economy, potential
Erdogan calls on Turks to help stabilize the lira as investors fear a monetary crisis
Erdogan calls on Turks to help shore up economy
Over the weekend, Turkey’s President Erdogan sacked the country’s central bank governor, and pulled out of the Istanbul Convention, a treaty to protect women. These moves stunned financial markets and Western allies, with the Turkish lira falling more than 8% against the U.S. dollar on Monday. The move raises concerns about a return to unconventional monetary policies favored by Erdogan as the economy struggles with inflation and currency instability. Dr. Aykan Erdemir joins The Greek Current to analyze these latest developments in Turkey.
Dr. Aykan Erdemir is the senior director of the Turkey program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former Turkish lawmaker.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey’s Central Bank Chooses the Wrong Kind of Heterodoxy
As global markets and allies reel, Turkey's Erdogan looks inward
EU leaders to tell Turkey that trade talks can go ahead, draft statement says
Cyprus rejects EU draft on Turkey which seeks to deepen trade ties
Biden to join EU leaders’ video conference in bid to rebuild ties
In Brussels, Blinken offers boost for NATO, cooperation on Afghanistan
On Friday, In Defense of Christians hosted an event focusing on the national security concerns and human rights violations in Turkey that need to be addressed by the United States. This event was especially timely as human rights in Turkey are back in the spotlight — both with the alleged human rights reforms that Erdogan is proposing and the crackdown on opposition lawmakers and parties. Since this recording was made, Turkey also withdrew from the Istanbul Convention, an international agreement aimed at preventing violence against women.
Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou and HALC’s Executive Director Endy Zemenides, who were both featured panelists, join The Greek Current to talk about this event and more.
Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou is an internationally recognized leader on issues of religion and human rights, and a previous Vice Chair and Commissioner on the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. Dr. Prodromou is also a faculty member at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, where she directs the Initiative on Religion, Law, and Diplomacy.
Watch the IDC briefing here: The U.S. Must Address National Security Concerns & Human Rights Violations in Turkey
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey's lira plunges after Erdogan fires central bank head
Turkish lira falls 15% after bank governor sacked
‘People are just shocked’: Turkey’s lira plunges after Erdogan sacks third central bank chief in two years
Borrell report warns Turkey of ‘political and economic consequences’
Dendias welcomes Borrell’s report, points out omissions
EU sanctions remain on the table, Germany warns Turkey ahead of EU summit
This week a federal appeals court reinstated guilty verdicts on Bijan Rafiekian, the business partner of former Trump administration National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, over the pair’s lobbying for Turkish interests in the midst of the 2016 presidential campaign. During the Turkey-related work, Flynn was a top adviser to Trump's presidential campaign. After the 2016 election, Rafiekian became an adviser to Trump's transition team. Adam Klasfeld joins us to discuss this ruling, and give us a look ahead at the upcoming Halkbank trial set to begin in May.
Adam Klasfeld is the senior investigative reporter and editor for Law and Crime, the host of the podcast Objections, and was previously a reporter with Court House News.
Read Adam Klasfeld’s report on the court’s ruling here: Michael Flynn Associate’s Convictions Reinstated by Appeals Court Over Undisclosed Influence Operation for Turkey
Watch his comments on the upcoming Halkbank trial on a panel set up by The Foundation for Defense of Democracies: Turkish Banks Under Fire at Home and Under Scrutiny in U.S. Courts
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece to reopen ancient sites despite COVID-19 surge
Greece lifts some Covid-19 restrictions to relieve lockdown fatigue
Erdogan, EU chiefs discuss Turkey-EU ties, East Med ahead of EU summit
EU press release on the call with Turkish President Erdogan
EU press release doesn’t include reference to rule of law
During an interview with CNN on Wednesday, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that Greece would be prepared for tourism this summer amid the COVID-19 pandemic. His statement coincided with an announcement from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who officially unveiled the EU’s plan for a vaccine certificate. Meanwhile, Greece issued its first 30-year government bond sale since before the financial crisis on Wednesday, prompting Prime Minister Mitsotakis to say this is proof “Greece is back.”
Tom Ellis, the editor-in-chief of Kathimerini English edition, joins us today to talk about Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ interview with CNN, the EU vaccine certificate, Greek tourism, Greek-Turkish relations, and more.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Kyriakos Mitsotakis on CNN: Greece Will Be Ready for Tourism
Greece concludes second early repayment of IMF loans
Greek, Turkish foreign ministers to meet on April 14
EU halts sanctions on Turkey oil executives as ties improve
US slams Turkey's plan to ban pro-Kurdish party
EU slams Turkish moves against Kurdish party, legislator
5 years on, stalled EU Turkey migrant deal remains a model
Turkey migration deal a 'stain on EU rights record'
In the latest crackdown on Turkey’s pro-Kurdish opposition party, the HDP, Turkish authorities on Wednesday stripped Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu, a prominent HDP legislator and human rights advocate, of his parliamentary seat. Meanwhile, a prosecutor filed a case with Turkey’s highest court, seeking the HDP’s disbandment. The HDP has come under intensified pressure recently, with the far-right nationalist allies of President Erdogan’s party calling for it to be banned. The moves against Gergerlioglu and the HDP come weeks after Erdogan pledged a series of human rights reforms.
Merve Tahiroglu, the Turkey Program Coordinator at the Project on Middle East Democracy, joins The Greek Current with a breaking analysis.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Top Turkish prosecutor files case to close pro-Kurdish HDP
Turkey expels pro-Kurdish legislator, seeks to disband party
Call me? US-Turkey reset faces long list of hurdles
Greece Declares It’s Back in Bond Markets After Near-Record Sale
Greece sees high demand for 30-year bond, to ease debt costs
Covid: EU unveils 'digital green certificate' to allow citizens to travel
EU plans rollout of travel certificate before summer
Greece and Turkey began another round of exploratory talks in Athens on Tuesday, seeking common ground on a long-standing maritime boundaries dispute. Leading up to today’s talks, Turkey slammed Greece, Cyprus, and Israel over the Euro-Asia interconnector, and has also been attempting to undermine Greece’s relations with Egypt and Israel. The exploratory talks in Athens also took place as EU leaders are preparing to meet later this month to evaluate the bloc’s relationship with Turkey.
John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist based in Greece and Al Jazeera’s southeast Europe correspondent, joins us today with the key takeaways from the 62nd round of exploratory talks between Greece and Turkey.
Read John Psaropoulos's piece on the resumption of exploratory talks here: Greece and Turkey restart historic exploratory talks
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece, Turkey complete preliminary talks on maritime dispute
Is Turkey-Egypt maritime agreement dead in the water?
AstraZeneca vaccine: EU regulator 'firmly convinced' benefits outweigh risks
EU regulator ‘convinced’ AstraZeneca benefit outweighs risk
Greece announces issue of a 30-year bond
Greece to issue new 30-year bond
On Sunday the AP ran a story highlighting the continued silent treatment the Biden administration is giving to Turkey’s President Erdogan. This story rounds out what has been a tough week for Turkey in Washington, where it got a lot of pushback from both Congress and the administration. This included a Senate push for the administration to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide, the State Department and the Justice Department saying that Turkey is liable for the attack on protesters in DC in 2017, and Secretary Blinken’s testimony in the House on issues related to the Aegean and the East Med. Pushback against Turkey wasn’t limited to Washington. Most recently, Egypt also shut down Ankara’s narrative of a diplomatic reconciliation between Ankara and Cairo.
Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins The Greek Current podcast today to break down the latest news from Washington, DC and the region. We’ll also look at his latest op-ed in Kathimerini titled “Revisiting The Social Contract”.
Read Endy Zemenides op-ed in Kathimerini here: Revisiting The Social Contract
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Call me? US-Turkey reset faces long list of hurdles
Turkey operationalizes its top ministers in Egypt ploy - analysis
Major European nations suspend use of AstraZeneca vaccine
Continue using AstraZeneca vaccine, says WHO
Vaccinations with AstraZeneca jab to continue in Greece pending EMA decision
Turkey slams Mediterranean undersea cable deal
Greeks fly kites for Clean Monday holiday despite pandemic
Cyprus pulls back on wider easing of COVID-19 restrictions
Govt meets extension of restrictions with new support measures
In what has been described as a move that signals a shift in US-Turkish relations, the Justice Department and the State Department sent a strongly worded amicus brief asking a federal appeals court to uphold a ruling that Turkey can be held liable for assaulting protesters in Washington, DC on the day Turkish President Erdogan met with former President Trump nearly four years ago. The brief follows a letter to Secretary of State Blinken from leaders in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee urging the State Department to support the protesters.
Andreas Akaras, an attorney from the firm Bregman, Berbert, Schwartz & Gilday, LLC who also represents the anti-Erdogan protesters, joins us to break down why this latest move by the Biden administration is so significant.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Biden Admin Tells Court Turkey’s Not Immune for Assaults During Trump White House Visit
Time for Turkey to pay up for Sheridan Circle attack
Boris Johnson rules out return of Parthenon marbles to Greece
Britain is legitimate owner of Parthenon marbles, UK's Johnson tells Greece
Greek culture minister challenges British PM’s claims on Parthenon sculptures
Is Turkey-Egypt maritime agreement dead in the water?
Michael Rubin makes the case that it’s time to reconsider the decades-long diplomatic approach to solving the Cyprus problem, especially given Turkey’s recent maximalist calls for a two-state solution on the island. Rubin argues that rather than empowering Turkish President Erdogan and Turkey’s puppet government in the occupied northern part of the island, the US, the EU, and moderate Arab allies should instead sanction Turkey until it gives up its occupation.
Michael Rubin is a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and a former Pentagon official.
Read Michael Rubin’s piece in The National Interest here: Why Is Cyprus Still Divided?
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey irked by Blinken comments, says US should remain neutral
Blinken: US has called out Turkey for actions against Greece
Greece extends pandemic support in "titanic effort" to shield economy
Greece outlines new coronavirus relief package
Aram Hamparian and Steve Oshana join the Greek Current to talk about a range of issues, from Senator Menendez’s latest push to pressure President Biden to finally officially recognize the Armenian Genocide, to Pope Francis’s recent trip to Iraq and the plight of the regions Christians and minorities. We also analyze what steps the Biden Administration should take to safeguard human rights and protect vulnerable minorities in the Middle East and in Nagorno Karabakh, and talk about how to best pursue recognition of the Greek Genocide.
Aram Hamparian is the Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America.
Steve Oshana is the Executive Director of A Demand For Action.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Sen. Menendez Collecting Signatures for Letter Asking Biden to Recognize Genocide
The Middle East’s religious minorities are facing extinction. The world must act.
Israel, Cyprus agree framework for settling offshore gas dispute
Putin says Akkuyu nuclear plant in Turkey to start working in 2023
Erdogan, Putin remotely start nuclear reactor construction
This week Israel, Cyprus, and Greece agreed to speed up technical work on the Euro-Asia interconnector, the world’s longest and deepest underwater power cable that will traverse the Mediterranean. This $900 million project has been described as a “cornerstone” of the countries’ efforts to transition to a green economy, while at the same time enhancing energy security and allowing the three countries to be potential energy exporters.
Julie Fishman Rayman, the American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) Director of Political Outreach, and HALC Executive Director Endy Zemenides join The Greek Current to discuss the significance of the Euro-Asia interconnector, and provide a look into what policies AJC and HALC will pursue in this Congress that could make a difference when it comes to energy diplomacy in the region.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
EastMed pipeline could be ready in five years
Cyprus, Israel, Greece sign deal on electric cable link
Israel, Cyprus and Greece agree to link power grids via subsea cable
Greece to welcome vaccinated and COVID-negative tourists from May
Greece hopes to open to tourists from 14 May
Youths protesting police violence attack Athens precinct
Street battles in Greece after march against police violence
According to a recent Kathimerini report, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias raised the issue of Turkey’s nuclear ambitions during a call last month with Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Dendias highlighted a nuclear energy plant Turkey is building on its southern coast, the potential risks it poses to other countries in the region, Ankara’s unwillingness to share details about the project, and the role that Russia is playing in the process.
Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor and the co-author of this report, joins The Greek Current to look at what exactly is causing so much concern in Athens, and Turkey’s broader nuclear ambitions.
Read Vassilis Nedos and Yiannis Souliotis article for Kathimerini here: Το πυρηνικό εργοστάσιο της Τουρκίας – Απειλή για την ασφάλεια;
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Cyprus, Israel, Greece sign deal on electric cable link
Israel, Cyprus and Greece agree to link power grids via subsea cable
Two sides restate divergent views amid flurry of pre-talks activity
Anastasiades says determined to participate creatively in Cyprus conference
The list of divergences between Ankara and European capitals at the moment is long, from human rights to the Eastern Mediterranean. It's against this background that EU leaders will meet to examine the bloc’s relations with Turkey at a summit on March 25-26. Ambassador Marc Pierini - the author of the recent piece “The Price of a Positive EU-Turkey Agenda” - joins The Greek Current to look at where EU-Turkey relations are as we approach this summit, and to discuss what concrete actions the EU should expect from Ankara if there is to be a positive agenda.
Ambassador Marc Pierini is a visiting scholar at Carnegie Europe, where his research focuses on developments in the Middle East and Turkey from a European perspective. Pierini was a career EU diplomat from 1976 to 2012, and served as EU ambassador and head of delegation to Turkey from 2006 to 2011.
Read Ambassador Marc Pierini’s latest piece here: The Price of a Positive EU-Turkey Agenda
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Borrell: EU will never accept a two-state Cyprus solution
Merkel calls for broad-mindedness, compromise in Cyprob talks
Cyprus: EU stands ready to help restart dormant peace talks
Start work on vaccination certificates, von der Leyen tells EU
Earlier this week, 170 members of the House of Representatives, signed a bipartisan letter urging President Biden to address “troubling” human rights issues as it creates its Turkey policy. The letter is the latest step Congress has taken to ensure the administration confronts Turkey’s President Erdogan over Ankara’s democratic backsliding and hostile behavior. In the meantime, it appears that Turkey is receiving the cold shoulder from the administration, with its Defense Minister Hulusi Akar’s letters to the Pentagon going unanswered.
Lena Argiri, the DC Correspondent for ERT - the Greek Public Broadcasting Company, joins The Greek Current to discuss these latest developments in Washington, DC.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
170 U.S. lawmakers urge Biden administration to push Turkey on rights
House Joins Senate’s Call for Tougher Action Against Erdogan
Biden Gives Turkey the Silent Treatment
Borrell: Cyprob solution must come from Cypriots
Court rejects Koufodinas appeal for commuted sentence
Protests and Vandalism Follow Hit Man’s Hunger Strike
An informal summit on Cyprus hosted by the UN Secretary General is scheduled to take place in Geneva in late April, with the officially stated goal being “to determine whether common ground exists for the parties to negotiate a lasting solution to the Cyprus problem.” Leading up to these talks, Turkey has stated it will only discuss a two-state solution when it comes to Cyprus. This is a complete departure from the internationally supported position in favor of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation.
Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini English edition, joins The Greek Current to discuss what’s at stake in these talks, his recent op-ed in Kathimerini on Turkey’s maximalist position, and the role the EU and US can play as we approach this summit.
Read Tom Ellis’s op-ed in Kathimerini here: Two states in Cyprus? Why not, then, a unitary one?
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece: Thousands spend night outdoors after powerful quake
Powerful earthquake shakes central Greece
Turkey Widens War Tech Hunt by Tapping Pakistan’s China Ties
Turkey not necessarily seeking return to F-35 project: defence industry chief
This week the EU announced a proposal for a vaccine certificate called a Digital Green Pass that will let people who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus travel more freely. This has been a key priority for Greece, which relies on tourism for a fifth of its economic output and is keen to revive travel before the summer season. Alex Patelis, the chief economic adviser to the Prime Minister of Greece, joins The Greek Current to talk about the EU vaccine certificate and the outlook from Athens for this year’s tourism season. We also look at how the Greek government is working to attract digital nomads, Greeks who left during the financial crisis, and investors to Greece.
Alex Patelis is the chief economic adviser to the Prime Minister of Greece.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
EU to propose vaccine certificates in time for summer holidays
Spain may allow in Covid-vaccinated UK tourists if no EU pass agreed
EU vaccine passport: An ethical and legal minefield?
Erdogan Vows to Strengthen Rule of Law in Turkey to Appease EU
Coming period packed with Cyprus Problem diplomacy
Greece stands at the threshold of a strategic shift that could see it become Europe’s geopolitical gatekeeper of the emerging East Africa-to-Europe and Middle East-to-Europe commercial corridors. That’s the argument that Professor Michael Tanchum makes in his latest policy paper for ELIAMEP, the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy. Professor Tanchum joins The Greek Current to look at what it will take for Greece to achieve this, what role its partnerships with countries in the Eastern Mediterranean and Gulf region will play in the process, and how the EU can support Athens.
Michael Tanchum is Professor of International Relations at the University of Navarra in Spain, and is a senior fellow at the Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy.
Read Professor Michael Tanchum’s policy paper for ELIAMEP here: Greece’s Rise as a Trans-Mediterranean Power: Greece’s Eastern Mediterranean strategic shift to Europe-to-Africa and Europe-to-Middle East connectivity
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
170 U.S. lawmakers urge Biden administration to push Turkey on rights
Turkey: Violation of Osman Kavala’s Rights Intensifies
The E.U. will propose a vaccine passport system for Europe
EU to propose vaccine certificates in time for summer holidays
The Ecumenical Patriarchate is currently being squeezed by Turkey and Russia, both of which see the spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians as an extension of Western influence that threatens their respective political ambitions. Dr. Aykan Erdemir and John Lechner join the Greek Current to talk about Russia’s campaign of disinformation against Patriarch Bartholomew, why Turkey’s President Erdogan is joining this Russian campaign, and the threat it poses to the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s survival. We also look at what steps the West should take to counter Putin and Erdogan’s moves.
Dr. Aykan Erdemir is the senior director of the Turkey program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former Turkish lawmaker.
John Lechner is a former financial analyst and is now a graduate student at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. He writes on the politics and languages of the former Soviet Union, Turkey and Africa.
Read Dr. Aykan Erdemir and John Lechner’s article in Balkan Insight: Russia-Turkey Pincer Movement Threatens Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Survival
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Woman who set herself on fire in Lesbos refugee camp charged with arson
Refugee Who Set Herself on Fire in Greece Is Charged With Arson
‘Sun, taxes and tech”: Why digital nomads should come to Greece
Earlier this year Greek Olympic gold medalist Sofia Bekatorou came forward and testified that she was sexually assaulted as a 21-year-old in 1998 by a sports official. Since then, the #MeToo movement sweeping through Greece has seen a wave of victims come forward and tell their story. Meanwhile, recent allegations against the National Theatre director have also resulted in an unfolding political fight that is dominating Greek headlines. John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist and Al Jazeera’s southeast Europe correspondent, joins us from Athens to talk about his interview with Sofia Bekatorou, the #MeToo movement in Greece, and how it’s impacting the country’s politics.
Read John Psaropoulos’s interview with Sofia Bekatorou here: In Greece, an Olympian leads the ‘Me Too’ movement
Read his latest piece here: In Greece, ‘Me Too’ allegations rattle the cabinet
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece proposes law changes following #MeToo allegations
Greek PM vows legal overhaul in wake of #MeToo allegations
Anastasiades determined to get formal negotiations rolling again
Anastasiades welcomes UN date for talks, wants to find common ground
EU Told to Back Vaccine Passports or Google May Do It Anyway
EU leaders consider vaccine passports
The HDP, the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party, is facing renewed pressure in Turkey amid rising calls for its closure by nationalist politicians in Ankara. HDP members are being increasingly targeted after the deaths of 13 Turkish hostages in Iraqi Kurdistan earlier this month following a botched rescue operation. Merve Tahiroglu, the Turkey Program Coordinator at the Project on Middle East Democracy, discusses this latest crackdown on Turkey’s third largest political party, and explores what the implications are for Turkish democracy.
Read Merve Tahiroglu's article here: Erdoğan Uses Tragic Killings to Criminalize Kurdish Politics, Civil Society
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey’s pro-Kurdish party under pressure as calls increase for its closure
Erdoğan’s war on peace: The Gergerlioğlu case
EU mulls vaccination passports to resurrect tourism after COVID-19
As more governments mull vaccine passports, critics raise discrimination fears
Ninety percent of ICU beds in Attica are full
Lockdown extension likely, PM tells cabinet
Turkish President Erdogan has dominated Turkish politics for nearly two decades, consolidating power and seeking to become a second Ataturk. While Erdogan may see himself as larger than life, expert Michael Rubin draws on historical precedents to make the case in his piece “Where Will Erdoğan be Buried?” that the true measure of how Turks view him will become apparent only after his death.
Michael Rubin, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, joins The Greek Current to discuss his latest piece and look at Erdogan’s legacy.
Read Michael Rubin’s article in the National Interest here: Where Will Erdoğan be Buried?
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Lira slides as Erdogan defends former minister’s economic policies
Turkey’s pro-Kurdish party under pressure as calls increase for its closure
Greek doctors protest 'suffocating' conditions at COVID-19 clinics
Coronavirus: 2,147 new cases, 22 deaths
Turkey says Greek jets harass research vessel over Aegean Sea
Fresh rejection of Turkey’s ‘harassment’ claims
AKP spokesperson warns of exploratory talks destabilization
The Hellenic Navy is currently evaluating proposals for the supply of new frigates by France, the United States, the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Italy. This is part of Greece’s latest effort to upgrade and modernize its armed forces and its navy amid tensions with Turkey. Greece is also deepening its strategic and defense cooperation with Israel, while Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias recently said that Athens is eyeing the possibility of stationing a Patriot missile in Saudi Arabia.
Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s defense and diplomatic editor, joins The Greek Current to break down the latest developments.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Γαλλία και ΗΠΑ οδηγούν την «κούρσα»
Navy evaluating frigates proposals from six states
Greek FM to discuss military ties with Saudi Arabia
Ex-Artistic Director of Greece’s National Theater Held After Rape Arrest Warrant
Greek theatre director arrested on rape charges
Erdogan Vows Crackdown on Kurdish Party After Botched Raid
Erdoğan Uses Tragic Killings to Criminalize Kurdish Politics, Civil Society
Greece's Anna Diamantopoulou is one of four candidates left in the race to become the next head of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). If her candidacy is successful, then she would be the first woman to lead the OECD, one of the world’s most influential multilateral organizations.
Anna Diamantopoulou joins The Greek Current to discuss the importance of the OECD and the key issues she is focusing on in her candidacy to lead the multilateral organization - from tackling climate change to confronting the challenges posed by China.
Four candidates vie to lead the OECD
OECD Candidate Diamantopoulou: "It's the Climate Change, Stupid!"
HALC expresses concern over reports DFC might close Belgrade office
Turkey hires Washington lobbyists in bid for return to F-35 program
Turkey hires U.S. lobbying firm to return to F-35 jet programme
A recent New York Times article titled “In Turkey’s Safe Zone in Syria, Security and Misery Go Hand in Hand” has been called out by a number of experts who say it whitewashes Turkey’s occupation of Afrin in Syria and the removal of Syrian Kurds from the area. Expert David Phillips joins The Greek Current to explain why this report is so problematic, and to give us a picture of the situation on the ground in Afrin and in Turkish controlled parts of Syria. We also look at David Phillips’ latest article on the international community’s failure to protect civilians in Nagorno Karabakh from human rights abuses.
David Phillips is the Director of the Program on Human Rights and Peace-building at Columbia University. Phillips is also a former senior adviser to the UN Secretariat and US State Department, and the author of the books The Great Betrayal: How America Abandoned the Kurds and Lost the Middle East, and An Uncertain Ally: Turkey Under Erdogan's Dictatorship.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
In Turkey’s Safe Zone in Syria, Security and Misery Go Hand in Hand
NYT accused of whitewashing Turkey’s Afrin occupation
The Failure To Protect Civilians In Artsakh
Greece protests to Turkey over research vessel
Athens protests new Turkish Navtex for hydrographic survey
Attica’s ICUs approaching full capacity
Experts seen leaning towards extension of Attica’s hard lockdown
Greece's Minister of Development and Investment, Adonis Georgiadis, discusses investments in Greece's infrastructure, and looks at the important role that the US is playing through the International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). We look at key investments in Greece’s ports and shipyards like Alexandroupoli and Elefsis, in the energy sector, and also explore key investments from US companies like Pfizer, Microsoft, Cisco, and Deloitte in Athens and Thessaloniki.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Big powers vie for Greece’s ports
Ambassador Pyatt’s Remarks at Athens Energy Dialogues
Biden wants to deepen Greek-US relations, says US envoy
Nadal blows 2-set lead against Tsitsipas in Australia
Stefanos Tsitsipas beats Rafael Nadal to set up Daniil Medvedev semi-final
Snowstorms hit East Med, army called out in Greece
Cancelled vaccination appointments to be rescheduled next week
US-Turkey tensions flared following the death of 13 Turkish soldiers, police, and civilians who perished during a Turkish offensive against PKK Kurdish militants in Iraqi Kurdistan. Turkish President Erdogan slammed the US State Department’s initial condemnation of the deaths before Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered a swift clarification during his call with Foreign Minister Cavusoglu on Monday. The death toll, and the manner in which the men were killed, has also impacted Turkish domestic politics. Meanwhile, Erdogan vowed to expand cross-border operations against Kurdish militants in northern Iraq.
Dr. Aykan Erdemir, the Director of the Turkey Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former Turkish lawmaker, joins us to analyze these developments.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Secretary Blinken’s Call with Turkish Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu
Blinken walks back State Department ambiguity over Turkish hostages killed in Iraq
Deaths of Soldiers and Policemen Held by Kurdish Guerrillas Roil Turkish Politics
Kurdish opposition swept up in Turkish arrests after Iraq killings
Turkey vows to expand anti-PKK operations in northern Iraq
In Athens, rare snow blankets Acropolis, halts vaccinations
PM urges public to avoid unnecessary outings
Cyprus and Israel agree on green passports
Post-Covid tourism hopes buoyed by deal between Greece, Cyprus and Israel
On Monday Greece’s Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held their first official call - which comes as relations between the two countries are at their highest level in recent memory - and looked at how to further enhance the strategic cooperation between Greece and the United States. They also covered the latest developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Western Balkans, exploratory talks between Greece and Turkey, and more.
Ambassador Alexandra Papadopoulou, Greece’s ambassador to the United States, joins us on the Greek current to discuss the call between Foreign Minister Dendias and Secretary of Blinken and Greece-US relations.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Secretary Blinken’s Call with Greek Foreign Minister Dendias
Secretary Blinken’s Call with Turkish Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu
Greece Tells EU Chief to Prevent Further Vaccine Delays
Greek PM Mitsotakis on Tourism, Europe Vaccine Distribution
Greece blanketed by heaviest snowfall in 12 years
Cold weather front hits Greece, with snow in Athens
Earlier this week China’s president chaired a long-delayed 17+1 summit with Central and Eastern European countries, including Greece, amid division in the region over how to view Beijing's growing influence. A number of countries are increasingly sensitive to tensions between the US and China, and to concerns that the 17+1 is being used to divide European Union policy on China. Journalist Reid Standish joins The Greek Current to break down this week’s summit, explore EU-China relations, and look at what role Europe will play in broader US-China tensions.
Reid Standish is a correspondent for RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty focused on China in Eurasia. He previously worked for Foreign Policy magazine in Washington and Moscow and has reported across Europe and Central Asia for The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and Politico Europe.
Read Reid Standish's report on the summit here: Chinese Summit Gets Chilly Reception From Central, Eastern European Countries
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Western Balkans goes east for coronavirus vaccines
Christodoulides, Dendias hold talks in Athens
Cyprus, Greece, Egypt FMs call for federal Cyprob solution
Athens expands regional alliance with ‘Philia’ (Friendship) Forum
Turkey says it will only join Cyprus talks with two-state proposal
Greek lawmakers approve campus police in contentious education reform
Greek students at the barricades in dispute over education bill
Mitsotakis, Tsipras clash over education bill
President Biden's pledge to put democracy and human rights at the center of American foreign policy is facing an early test from an increasingly authoritarian Turkey. In a recent op-ed, expert Merve Tahiroglu, makes the case that the Biden administration has an immediate opportunity to make good on this pledge, not only to advance American interests and human rights, but also to protect U.S. citizens from unjust treatment at the hands of autocrats like President Erdogan.
Merve Tahiroglu is the Turkey Program Coordinator at POMED, the Project on Middle East Democracy.
Read Merve Tahiroglu’s op-ed here: Biden can't let Turkey's Erdoğan get away with his threats to Americans any longer
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey rejects US call to free jailed philanthropist Osman Kavala
Greece seeks Gulf allies to counter tension with Turkey
Ankara irked by Athens meeting of Cyprus, Egypt, Gulf officials
Turkey says it will not turn back from Russian S-400s
U.S. Urges Turkey to Jettison Russian S-400 Missile System
This week Turkey signaled that it could give ground on the S-400 missiles it purchased from Russia, with Defense Minister Hulusi Akar suggesting Turkey could adopt the so-called “Crete Model'' - which was used to solve a dispute between Greece, Cyprus, and Turkey in the 1990s over S-300s Nicosia had purchased - to deal with this issue. Expert Aaron Stein, joins our podcast to discuss why this latest proposal by Turkey has little technical value for the US, and that a true resolution to the S-400 issue will take far more than what Turkey has put on the table.
Aaron Stein is the Director of Research at the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI), and an expert on Turkey, arms control and nonproliferation.
Read Aaron Stein’s latest article here: The Crete Mirage: Why Rapprochement with Turkey May be a Long Way Off
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey says 2-state solution only option for divided Cyprus
Turkey's Erdogan says two-state solution only option for Cyprus
US State Department statement on Erdogan’s Cyprus comments
FM to host counterparts at Athens friendship forum
Foreign Ministers' Thursday forum to discuss pandemic, economy, energy, tourism
Expert Daniel Vajdich joins us on the Greek Current today to explore the work that the US International Development Finance Corporation - or the DFC - is doing in Greece and the Western Balkans to promote development and advance strategic US foreign policy priorities through its financing tools. We also look at how the DFC is an important economic tool that can counter efforts by China and Russia to make inroads into this region.
Daniel Vajdich is a former senior staff member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, a non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, and is now president of the DC-based strategic advisory firm Yorktown Solutions.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Big powers vie for Greece’s ports
Attica to enter two-week hard lockdown amid rise in hospitalizations
Turkey Signals to U.S. It’s Ready to Compromise on S-400s
There’s been a flurry of diplomatic activity in the Eastern Mediterranean over the last month and a half, with exploratory talks between Athens and Ankara kicking off, the UN Secretary General calling for the resumption of talks on the Cyprus problem, and Greece signing key strategic agreements with countries like France and Israel. In view of these, developments, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited Cyprus and Israel in rapid succession on Monday.
Vasilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins us to discuss Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ visit to Cyprus and Israel, the upcoming UN initiative to kick off Cyprus talks, and more.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Διπλωματικό πόκερ στην Ανατ. Μεσόγειο
Greece, Cyprus coordinate tactics
Greece says Turkey’s 2-state model for Cyprus a non-starter
Cyprus crucial to East Med developments
Greece, Israel sign agreement on tourism during PM's visit
First F-16 Viper on its way to Texas
Erdogan seizes on student protests to further polarize Turkey
University student arrested after allegedly creating Whatsapp group on Boğaziçi protests
William Antholis joins The Greek Current podcast to discuss a broad range of topics from his latest interview with Kathimerini, including the “post-populist” moment the US is going through and the lessons it can learn from Greece’s experience with populism, the US-China relationship and China’s foothold in the Mediterranean with its investment in the port of Piraeus, and the Biden administration’s foreign policy architecture.
William Antholis serves as Director and CEO of the Miller Center, a nonpartisan affiliate of the University of Virginia that specializes in presidential scholarship, public policy, and political history. He served as managing director at The Brookings Institution from 2004 to 2014, and as director of international economic affairs for the National Security Council in the Clinton Administration.
Read William Antholis’s interview with Kathimerini here: US should cooperate with Greece on Turkey
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Canadian miner Eldorado signs revised contract with Greece for Kassandra Mines
Turkey’s Erdogan vows ‘no mercy’ to violent protesters
Turkish court refuses to free philanthropist, merges cases
Erdogan Blames Jailed Philanthropist’s Wife for Stirring Protest
Harry Mark Petrakis, one of the Greek-American community’s greatest and most beloved authors, passed away at the age of 97 on February 2nd. Petrakis was a major figure in 20th century Chicago literature, and was at the forefront of a movement in which America claimed its identity through its ethnic writers. His focus on the experiences of Greek immigrants in Chicago established him as the premiere chronicler of the city’s Greek Town, and gave a unique voice to the community. Petrakis authored 24 books, mainly fiction, and a number of short stories.
Dan Mihalopoulos, an award winning journalist and investigative reporter for WBEZ - who also profiled Harry Mark Petrakis and emceed his induction into the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame in 2014, joins us to talk about the legacy Petrakis leaves behind.
The Islamic State terror group was largely defeated through a coordinated international effort almost two years ago. A recent unclassified report by the US Treasury Department, however, points out that its networks appear to still have access to an estimated $100 million in cash reserves, adding that the Islamic State’s remnants in Syria continue to receive streams of cash from “logistical hubs” in neighboring Turkey.
Dr. Aykan Erdemir, the Director of the Turkey Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former Turkish lawmaker, joins The Greek Current to analyze this Treasury Department report.
Read Aykan Erdemir’s latest brief here: Treasury Report Highlights Turkey as Islamic State’s Logistical Hub
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece to repay €3.1 bln to the IMF early
Erdogan says will not let Turkish university protests swell
Turkey’s Erdogan describes student protesters as terrorists
Eleftheria Kourtali, a journalist with Kathimerini, joins us to discuss the significance of the European Central Bank’s emergency bond-buying program (PEPP) - which has been one of the main buffers for the Greek economy during this crisis - and looks at what life will be like for Greece after the emergency bond-buying program comes to an end. Eleftheria Kourtali also breaks down how Greece’s strong market performance so far is also a result of Athens setting itself up for success.
Read Eleftheria Kourtali's latest articles here:
Greek economy’s vaccines: QE and cash buffer
What will life be like for Greece after PEPP?
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Anastasiades takes the stand in passports probe
Controversial Cyprus passport scheme will not be replaced, says president
Turkey, U.S. security advisers hold first talks since Biden inauguration
White House statement on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s call with Ibrahim Kalin
Manfred Weber, the leader of the European People's Party group in the European Parliament and a Member of the European Parliament since 2004, joins The Greek Current to discuss the EU-Turkey relationship and where it is heading, his view on the talks between Greece and Turkey and the need for Ankara to take concrete steps to show it is serious about conflict resolution, and more.
We need actions more than words from Turkey
EU and AstraZeneca in 'step forward' on vaccines
EU toughens rules on entry for non-EU visitors
AstraZeneca to deliver 9M more coronavirus vaccine doses to EU
Turkey's Erdogan says may begin working on new constitution
Erdogan says Turkey needs new constitution
In a recent policy paper, titled “A Mediterranean Duel: Erdogan, Sisi and the Fate of Egyptian-Turkish Relations”, expert Nicholas Danforth lays out Turkey and Egypt’s history, explores the causes of tensions between Cairo and Ankara today, and makes the case that despite Turkey’s attempts to mend relations, this effort is unlikely to overcome disagreements between the two countries. We also look at Erdogan’s new pick to serve as ambassador in Washington, and whether he is taking on a mission impossible.
Nicholas Danforth is a Non-Resident Senior Research Fellow at the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy, ELIAMEP, and author of the forthcoming book The Remaking of Republican Turkey.
Read Nicholas Danforth’s latest policy paper for ELIAMEP here: “A Mediterranean Duel: Erdogan, Sisi and the Fate of Egyptian-Turkish Relations”
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Erdogan's man takes on mission impossible in Washington
Cyprus unveils anti-corruption steps to quell public angst
Cyprus unveils plan to tackle corruption
US calls for withdrawal of Russian, Turkish forces from Libya
US calls on Russia, Turkey, UAE to halt Libya intervention
Thousands of students and teachers held peaceful demonstrations in Greece’s two biggest cities - Athens and Thessaloniki - on Thursday against proposed education reforms, even defying a weeklong ban on protests imposed as part of measures to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. Students in Greece say the education reforms will harm freedom of expression on campus, while the government argues the bill will improve the quality of higher education and deal with lawlessness on campuses.
John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist based in Greece and Al Jazeera’s southeast Europe correspondent, joins The Greek Current to break down why this is causing so much controversy.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
‘We’re afraid’: Greek plan to police universities panics students
Erdogan's man takes on mission impossible in Washington
EU brandishes export ban to claim dibs on vaccines
EU could block millions of Covid vaccine doses from entering UK
Greek students, teachers defy weeklong ban on protests
On Monday, neighbors Greece and Turkey began the 61st round of exploratory talks - after a five year hiatus - that aim to settle maritime disputes. The resumption of talks follows a year of tensions in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean that brought Greece and Turkey to the verge of military confrontation last summer. On Monday, Greece also signed an important agreement with France for the purchase of 18 Rafale jets, and French defense minister Florency Parly noted the mutual interest in a strategic partnership.
Vice Admiral Alexandros Diakopoulos, who previously served as national security adviser to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Tom Ellis, the editor-in-chief of Kathimerini English edition, join The Greek Current to discuss the exploratory talks and the France-Greece relationship.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Next Greek-Turkish meeting expected in March
Exploratory talks, support and objections
Ex-PM Samaras tells Kathimerini deterrence is key to dealing with Turkey
France unwavering regarding respect of international law, Parly tells Kathimerini
HRW calls for transparency over lead contamination at Lesvos migrant camp
Lesbos refugee site is contaminated with lead, says Human Rights Watch
Informal summit likely in first week of March, FM says
Cyprus solution an EU priority foreign minister says
For almost a decade Turkey has used both its soft and hard power to expand its influence in Africa as part of a broader broader strategy of becoming a leader of the Islamic and non-Western world. This policy is most visible in Somalia, where Turkey has built its largest military base abroad. Professor Henri Barkey joins The Greek Current to discuss Turkey’s strategy to build influence in Africa, and looks at how this policy is causing friction with regional powers.
Henri Barkey is the Cohen Professor of International Relations at Lehigh University and an adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Read Professor Henri Barkey’s latest op-ed here: Turkey’s strategy to build influence focuses on Africa
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Enraged at AstraZeneca over shortfall, EU calls for vaccine export controls
Vaccine supply fears grow amid EU export threat
European Union Warns AstraZeneca Over Reduction In Vaccine Shipments
Informal 5+1 meeting would be held at Greentree says Mavroyiannis
Informal Cyprob summit to take place in New York's Greentree
Michael Rubin, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and regional expert, joins The Greek Current to discuss his latest op-ed in Kathimerini, titled “US and Turkey on course for diplomatic, economic collision”, where he makes the case that the test President Biden will most likely have to confront early in his term is not China or Iran, but the growing challenge Turkey poses in the Eastern Mediterranean. We also discuss the steps the Biden administration can take in the Eastern Mediterranean to take America’s strategic partnerships with Greece and Cyprus to the next level.
Read Michael Rubin’s latest op-ed in Kathimerini: US and Turkey on course for diplomatic, economic collision
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece, Turkey launch Mediterranean crisis talks after 5 years
Turkey and Greece resume talks on maritime disputes after five years
US welcomes Greece-Turkey’s commitment to exploratory talks
Greece, France sign $2.8 billion fighter jet deal
France to put in frigate offers as Greece beefs up military
Students and lecturers at a top Turkish university have been protesting since early January against a state-appointed rector, fearing that President Erdogan’s growing reach on school campuses will crush what’s left of academic freedom. Meanwhile, an abrupt decision at the end of last year to cancel Islamic prayers at Chora museum has cast doubt on Turkey’s plans to reconvert the monument. Ayla Jean Yackley, an Istanbul based journalist covering Turkey, joins the Greek Current to discuss her latest reporting on these two stories.
Read Ayla Jean Yackley's reports here:
Turkish university protests continue over Erdoğan-appointed rector
Has Turkey halted plans to turn Chora museum into a mosque?
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Greece lifts more lockdown curbs, to open highschools on Feb. 1
Greece to reopen high schools but stay in lockdown
Turkey says Cyprus talks to be held with U.N., EU by early March
NATO chief welcomes resumption of exploratory talks between Greece, Turkey
Journalist Amberin Zaman analyzes Turkey's latest attempts at a diplomatic “reset” with the United States, and discusses what is in store for the US-Turkey relationship as the new Biden administration takes over. We also take a look at Syria, and whether the appointment of Brett McGurk to the National Security Council will cause more friction in US-Turkish relations. Finally, we break down recent reports that point to a rift in the governing coalition in Turkey, and examine if that means early elections may be on the horizon.
Amberin Zaman is a roving staff correspondent for Al-Monitor covering the Middle East, with a particular focus on Syria, Iraq, and Turkey. Prior to Al-Monitor, Amberin Zaman served as The Economist's Turkey correspondent between 1999 and 2016.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Turkey's nationalists threaten AKP alliance with calls to ban pro-Kurdish party
Turkey's scapegoating of McGurk rooted in revisionism
Can Syria be stitched back together again?
Turkey launches charm offensive to ease tensions with EU
EU, Turkey cautiously eye improved ties after tough 2020
Athens eyes even stronger ties with US
Alexis Papachelas and Tom Ellis - two people who know America as well as anyone in Greece today - join The Greek Current to discuss the new beginning that President Biden's inauguration signals for the US and the world. We look at the phenomenon of "Trumpism" both in the US and in Greece, social media and its outsized influence, and the Biden administration's approach to Turkey and Greece.
Alexis Papachelas is the Executive Editor of Kathimerini, and Tom Ellis is the editor in chief of Kathimerini Enlgish edition.
This episode also marks a new beginning on the Greek Current. Starting today, the Hellenic American Leadership Council and Kathimerini are partnering to bring you The Greek Current every weekday.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Watch: The inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris
Op-ed by Alexis Papachelas on Social Media: “The wick is still lit”
Op-ed by Tom Ellis on Greek-Turkish talks: “Exploratory talks: Reserved expectations”
Op-ed by Tom Ellis: “When Trump hosted Tsipras, Mitsotakis”
After vote, Greece to double reach of western coastal waters
Extension of territorial waters in Ionian Sea ratified
Olympic champion's abuse claim triggers debate in Greece
Olympic gold winner's sexual abuse case is a turning point for Greece
Today the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held its hearing for Antony Blinken, who is President elect Biden’s nominee for Secretary of State. Among the key concerns Senators expressed were how the incoming administration plans to deal with Iran, China, and Turkey. Jonathan Schanzer, the senior vice president of research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins us to break down the hearing and discuss the key takeaways as they relate to US policy in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East, and the broader region.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Antony Blinken, secretary of state nominee, testifies at confirmation hearing
U.S. secretary of state nominee Blinken says Turkey not acting like an ally
Ankara issues threats ahead of dialogue
Exploratory talks: Reserved expectations
Turkey slaps advertising ban on Twitter, Pinterest
Turkey slaps ad ban on Twitter under new social media law
In the third part of a series exploring Turkish President Erdogan’s geopolitical ambitions, the Financial Times looked into a string of extractions of Turkish citizens from countries in the Balkans. This is part of Turkey's global campaign of kidnappings and transnational repression which we covered in last week’s podcast episode with expert Nate Schenkkan. Today, journalist Valerie Hopkins joins us to take a closer look at these extractions by Turkey’s in the Balkans, which are raising alarms among its Western partners.
Valerie Hopkins is the south-east Europe correspondent for the Financial Times and a co-author of the recent piece “Erdogan’s Great Game: Turkish Intrigue in the Balkans”. She has covered the Balkans for a decade.
Read Valerie Hopkins’ piece in the Financial Times here: Erdogan’s great game: Turkish intrigue in the Balkans
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Olympic medalist's decision to speak out over alleged 1998 sexual assault sparks public outcry
Greek sailing official quits after Olympic champion's sex abuse claim
Greek president praises Sofia Bekatorou for reporting alleged sexual assault
First upgraded F-16 completes successful test run
Μετά τα «Ραφάλ», η σειρά του Ναυτικού
New defense priority is €5 billion Navy upgrade program
Earlier this month President-elect Biden reached out to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, stating that he looks forward to working with the Patriarch, and adding “we need your leadership” in a handwritten letter.
Georgia Logothetis, HALC’s Managing Director, joins us to discuss the significance of this letter and of the relationship between President-elect Biden and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. We also take this opportunity to focus on how the incoming administration can make a difference on religious freedom issues facing the Patriarchate, with a focus on Halki Seminary - which Turkey closed in 1971 - and Ankara’s decades of broken promises to reopen it.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Biden to Patriarch Bartholomew: Stay Well, We Need Your Leadership
Turkey’s False Promises on Halki
Amazon Web Services opens first office in Greece
Ushering in a new era of innovation in Greece – AWS office launch in Athens
Greece: Lockdown extended indefinitely but stores to reopen
PM back-pedals on 500-euro fines for restriction violations
Today’s Financial Times piece titled “Turkish intrigue in the Balkans” has brought renewed attention to Ankara’s transnational and illegal campaign of extractions and kidnappings of Turkish nationals in other countries. Nate Schenkkan, the Director for Research Strategy at Freedom House, joins us to discuss this campaign by Turkey which he has been monitoring since 2016, and the broader ramifications of global transnational repression.
Read the Financial Times article we cover along with Nate Schenkkan’s publications on the issue:
Erdogan’s great game: Turkish intrigue in the Balkans
Global Purge: Understanding and Responding to Transnational Repression
Nate Schenkkan’s twitter thread on Turkey’s global purge
The Remarkable Scale of Turkey’s “Global Purge”
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Greek police clash with protesters over campus police plan
New higher education bill targets lawlessness, standards
Turkey says turning back on S-400s 'problematic', seeks U.S. dialogue
Turkey Calls on Biden to Look Beyond Russian Missile Standoff
Kelly Bjorklund joins The Greek Current to discuss her latest piece in Foreign Policy on the trial against Turkey’s Halkbank for helping Iran evade US sanctions and President Trump's repeated attempts to shield Halkbank and Turkey’s President Erdogan from paying any penalty. We also look at her in-depth interview with former Secretary of State Tillerson on his former boss, the state of the world, and the challenges facing the Biden administration.
Kelly Bjorklund is a writer for \Foreign Policy Magazine. You can read her piece on Halkbank and her interview with former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson here:
Trump’s Inexplicable Crusade to Help Iran Evade Sanctions
‘We’re in a Worse Place Today Than We Were Before He Came In’
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Ankara seeking to impose talks agenda
House Impeaches Trump A 2nd Time, Citing Insurrection At U.S. Capitol
House impeaches Trump for 'incitement of insurrection'
Trump impeached after Capitol riot; historic second charge
Yannis Palaiologos, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, is back on the Greek Current to break down the latest developments in Europe when it comes to tackling the coronavirus pandemic and its vaccine rollout. This includes Brussels’ fight to maintain solidarity over its pan-EU vaccine plan after evidence emerged of member states breaking away to strike their own side deals with suppliers, and a Greek proposal for "vaccine passports" that the EU is set to consider at the next European Council.
Read Yannis Palaiologos’ interview with EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakidis, and his report in Sunday’s edition of Kathimerini on vaccine rollouts across the EU here:
EU goal of full vaccine coverage by end-2021 within reach, says health commissioner
Το παρασκήνιο στην Ε.Ε. για τα εμβόλια
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Brussels appeals for vaccine solidarity across member states
As Greece touts EU vaccine passports, privacy champions warn of risks
Countdown begins for Greek-Turkish dialogue on January 25
State Department welcomes resumption of exploratory contacts
Turkey says its ready to repair frayed ties with Europe
Turkish president accuses Greece of raising tension
Cyprus, UAE sign first military cooperation agreement
This weekend Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias discussed a range of issues Greece is looking to tackle in 2021 in an all-inclusive interview with Kathimerini, including the upcoming exploratory talks with Turkey, strengthening ties with neighboring countries in the Western Balkans, extending Greece’s territorial sea on its west coast, and steps to improve US-Greek relations.
Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, is with us to discuss the key takeaways from his interview with Foreign Minister Dendias, the announcement that exploratory talks with Turkey will kick off on January 25, and more.
Read the interview with Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias. Full interview in Greek:
Turkey not the same as in 2000 or 2016, Dendias tells Kathimerini
Νίκος Δένδιας: Η Τουρκία του 2021 δεν είναι η Τουρκία του 2016
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Athens to ratify Rafales, sea zones deal before Jan 20
Turkey, Greece to resume talks on disputes on Jan 25
Five-party meeting within eyeshot
President Anastasiades to hold meeting with UNSG envoy today
Greece launches online vaccination registration
Greek gov’t sets vaccination target of 70% by summer
Brussels appeals for vaccine solidarity across member states
Washington, DC journalist Petros Kasfikis joins our podcast to give us his first hand account of the troubling attack on the US Capitol this past Wednesday. We also look at the other key news and developments coming out of the nation’s capital this week, including President elect Biden’s announcement to appoint Amanda Sloat as Director for Europe at the National Security Council and Victoria Nuland as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Biden to Tap More Former Obama Officials for Top National Security Jobs
President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris Announce Additional Members of the National Security Council
Greece extends international travel restrictions to Jan. 21, toughens quarantine
Cyprus set for second coronavirus lockdown
SMS system returns as Cyprus enters three-week lockdown
Albanian PM in Athens with maritime zones on agenda
Foreign Minister Dendias tweet on meeting with Albanian Prime Minister
Bill extending territorial waters is tabled
A pro-Donald Trump rally on Wednesday devolved into unrest and insurrection as rioters overwhelmed the Capitol Police and stormed Congress, temporarily shutting down a vote to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s win. The scenes of chaos have left the nation and the world shaken. Wednesday also saw the Democrats take control of the Senate after results in Georgia’s election confirmed the victory of both Democratic candidates.
Georgia Logothetis, HALC’s managing director, joins us to help make sense of what happened yesterday in Washington, DC, and break down what a Democratic controlled Senate will mean for Hellenic issues.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Halc Condemns The Attacks On American Democracy
Congress certifies Biden’s win after day of chaos and violence
Congress Certifies Biden Victory; Trump Pledges 'Orderly Transition' On Jan. 20
Turkey awash with schadenfreude over Capitol takeover
Turkey Empowers Police to Use Military Weaponry to Crush Protests
Turkey: Dozens arrested as students protest Erdogan university pick
WHO urges tougher measures to curb 'alarming' variant
Europe at tipping point with Covid running rampant, says WHO
A town in northeast Syria is increasingly becoming a battleground between Turkish-backed groups and US-backed forces amid fears of a new large-scale Turkish offensive. We look at the situation in Syria with Dr. Aykan Erdemir, and also break down President elect Joe Biden's announcement to appoint Brett McGurk to a senior role at the NSC managing the Middle East and North Africa.
Dr. Aykan Erdemir, the Director of the Turkey Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former Turkish lawmaker, discusses the situation on the ground in Syria along with Turkey and Russia's role, and analyzes the impact Brett McGurk’s appointment will have on the region.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Fighting Continues Over Flashpoint Town in Northern Syria
Biden to Tap More Former Obama Officials for Top National Security Jobs
Biden to pick Brett McGurk for top White House Middle East role
Democrats Take Control Of Senate With Twin Georgia Victories
Meet the senators who will be in charge if Dems win the Senate
Capitol Secured After Pro-Trump Mob Breaches Building
EU Commission approves Moderna coronavirus vaccine
EU approves Moderna jab amid tensions over slow rollout of vaccines
After a rift that fractured the Arab world and the Middle East for more than three years, Gulf Arab leaders signed an agreement on "solidarity and stability" at a summit on Tuesday aimed at ending an embargo against Qatar. Today’s agreement follows Saudi Arabia’s decision to reopen its borders and airspace to Qatar for the first time since the blockade began. Retired Ambassador Patrick Theros joins us to explain what this latest development means for the region.
Ambassador Patrick Theros served in the State Department as a foreign service officer from 1963 to 1998, where he held a number of key positions including that of US Ambassador to Qatar from 1995 to 1998. Ambassador Theros has also served as President of the Washington, DC based US-Qatar Business Council, and is currently an adviser to the Gulf International Forum - a think tank covering the Persian Gulf.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Gulf States Agree to Ease Isolation of Qatar
Saudi Arabia and allies restore diplomatic ties with emirate
Greek Orthodox church to defy lockdown by opening for Epiphany
Church must ‘take responsibility,’ PM tells archbishop
Ieronymos calls for strict observance of health safety restrictions
Greece okays $1.68 billion defense deal with Israel
Israel hails defense deal with Greece as ‘long-term partnership’
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced a cabinet reshuffle a few days into the new year and almost two years into his four-year term. Most of the top ministers in key posts remain in place, indicating a policy continuity for the economy and foreign affairs, but there were a few notable additions. One of those is Nicolas Yatromanolakis, who’s appointment as deputy culture minister made him the first ever openly gay Cabinet member in Greece’s history.
Nikos Efstathiou, a journalist with the Greek daily Kathimerini, joins us to analyze this latest move by Prime Minister Mitsotakis, the significance of some of these new appointments, and give an update on the vaccine rollout in Greece.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Cabinet reshuffle sees few changes in top posts, new deputies
Greek PM keeps key ministers, seeks fresher image in cabinet makeover
Clerics defy government over closure of churches
Cyprus, US officials mark 'watershed' moment in bilateral relations
Acting Secretary Wolf Participates in Ceremonial Groundbreaking of CYCLOPS in Cyprus
Athens eyeing restart of exploratory talks with Ankara
Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins The Greek Current to break down the latest developments in Greek-Turkish relations, discuss Berlin’s mediating role when it comes to exploratory talks, and explore whether there is room for these talks to take place in the new year. We also look at Greece and Israel’s partnership, specifically the creation of a new €1.4 billion Air Force Academy in southern Greece, and more.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Turkish Navtex seen as a nod to exploratory talks
Greece, Israel agree on flight training center at Kalamata
Greek, Turkish FMs in Twitter exchange
Europe’s top human rights court orders Turkey to release jailed Kurdish politician
European Court of Human Rights says Turkey must free Demirtas
Brexit talks risk dragging beyond Christmas
Von der Leyen takes control of Brexit talks in attempt to strike deal
Expert Nicholas Danforth joins The Greek Current to discuss why letting Turkey go may be the best way to repair US-Turkish ties in the long run. In the piece in Foreign Policy Magazine “It Is Time To Let Turkey Go” he also makes the case that the US cannot single-handedly rescue the US-Turkish alliance, nor will Erdogan ever offer any real or lasting reset—no matter how many times he appears to do so.
Nicholas Danforth is a Non-Resident Senior Research Fellow at the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy, ELIAMEP, and author of the forthcoming book The Remaking of Republican Turkey.
Read Nicholas Danforth’s op-ed in Foreign Policy here: It Is Time To Let Turkey Go
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Covid: Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine approved for EU states
Concerns About Coronavirus Variant Cut Off U.K. From Europe
Travel From U.K. Shut Down As Nations Assess Threat Of New Coronavirus Strain
7 things to know about Europe’s coronavirus travel ban on UK
Massive operation planned for transfer of vaccines
Vaccination against covid-19 to start in mid-January
It’s time to take a firmer approach when it comes to Turkey. That’s the argument Boris Zilberman, the Director of Public Policy and Strategy at Christians United for Israel Action Fund, makes in his latest op-ed. Boris is with us today on The Greek Current to explain why continuing on the current path in the US-Turkish relationship is a mistake, and discuss what definitive action the US Congress and the incoming Biden administration should take to hold Turkey accountable.
Read Boris Zilberman’s latest op-ed here: America Needs to Take a Firm Approach to Turkey
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
EU to start vaccinations on December 27
EU countries may go their own way on coronavirus vaccinations
Greece to receive first batch of Covid vaccine on Dec 26, PM says
Turkish rights activist Osman Kavala to remain in prison
Turkish court extends detention of philanthropist Osman Kavala
Turkish philanthropist Osman Kavala denies charges in new trial
Diliman Abdulkader, the Co-Founder and Director of American Friends of Kurdistan, joins The Greek Current to discuss recent reports of inter-Kurdish conflict in northern Iraq and in Syria, Ankara’s role in these conflicts and its latest moves to crack down on Kurdish rights both within Turkey and in the broader region, and what Kurds expect from the US and the incoming Biden administration on key issues.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Erdogan ally calls for Turkey's pro-Kurdish party to be banned
Washington on the spot as its Syrian Kurd allies are drawn into PKK-KDP fight
Fighting intensifies in northern Iraq
Leaders of Turkey, Iraq Drift Closer Over Kurdish Concerns
Turkish defense industry risks big damage from US sanctions
MEPs demand post-Brexit trade deal by Sunday
Brexit trade talks: 'Big differences remain'
EU policy ‘worsening’ mental health for refugees on Greek islands
Thousands of refugees in mental health crisis after years on Greek islands
"From a new drug research hub to island incubators, Greece is starting to position itself for the Fourth Industrial Revolution." That’s the lead sentence in a piece by journalist John Psaropoulos, who outlines the key steps Greece is taking to transform its economy and capitalize on its young talent.
John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist based in Greece and Al Jazeera’s southeast Europe correspondent, joins The Greek Current to analyze this article, look at Greece's new budget, and more.
Read John Psaropoulos's piece here: Despite COVID-19, Greece makes strides on high tech ambitions
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Erdogan says U.S. sanctions an attack on ally Turkey's rights
Erdogan: US aims to stymie growing Turkish defense industry
US ambassador briefs Dendias on sanctions against Turkey
Cavusoglu tells UN envoy federation no longer possible
‘Federation project no longer sustainable,’ Turkish FM tells Lute
There are a number of recent reports that Turkey is trying to open diplomatic channels with Israel in a bid to mend relations. This includes an announcement that Turkey will once again send an ambassador to Israel, and references to “secret contacts between Turkey and Israel.” Seth Frantzman joins our podcast to discuss why these moves by Turkey are disingenuous and an effort to sabotage Israel’s growing friendship with Greece, Cyprus, and the UAE.
Seth Frantzman is a Middle East analyst and the oped editor at The Jerusalem Post, and is a contributor to Defense News and The National Interest.
Read Seth Frantzman's piece in The Jerusalem Post here: Turkey’s regime seeks to isolate Israel using phony ‘reconciliation’
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
From Greece To India, via Israel: A New Middle East Alliance Is Expanding
Ankara tries to open Jerusalem channel
Greece to boost military, get French Rafale jets in 2021
PM: Greece, France to sign deal on purchase of Rafale fighter jets within days
Europe on course for Christmas coronavirus vaccine approval
EU regulator brings forward Covid vaccine ruling after German pressure
European nations tighten restrictions ahead of Christmas
On Monday the United States announced it is imposing sanctions on Turkey for its purchase and acquisition of Russian S-400 missile defense systems. This is the first time the US has targeted a NATO ally through the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act.
Dr. Aykan Erdemir, the Director of the Turkey Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former Turkish lawmaker, and HALC’s Executive Director Endy Zemenides join The Greek Current to analyze this breaking development.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
U.S. sanctions Turkey over purchase of Russian S-400 missile system
US State Department statement: The United States Sanctions Turkey Under CAATSA 231
ANCA, HALC, IDC WELCOME INITIAL US SANCTIONS ON TURKEY
UK and EU restart trade talks after leaders' call
EU sees ‘narrow path’ to Brexit deal in coming days
Brexit trade deal possible within days after Johnson concession, says EU
‘Obvious’ decrease in new hospital admissions, says health expert
People won’t get to choose what Covid vaccine they get
EU leaders agreed on Thursday to target more individuals involved in Ankara’s illegal energy exploration activities in the eastern Mediterranean. European leaders also reached a deal on climate measures and resolved a dispute over the EU’s historic €1.8 trillion budget and coronavirus recovery package. Yiannis Palaiologos, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, joins our podcast to give us an inside look at this week’s EU summit and discuss the decisions taken.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
EU leaders move toward sanctioning Turkey
Climate change: EU leaders set 55% target for CO2 emissions cut
Senate passes defense bill, setting up veto showdown with Trump
Senate Sends Military Bill to Trump’s Desk, Spurning His Veto Threat
Greeks face lockdown Christmas, but with books and tidy hair
Int’l travelers to Greece to quarantine for 3 days instead of 10
Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December — the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. HALC’s Managing Director Georgia Logothetis joins me today to discuss Turkey’s human rights record both at home and abroad.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Turkey’s Government Wants Silicon Valley to Do Its Dirty Work
Human rights groups detail 'war crimes' in Nagorno-Karabakh
USCIRF Commissioner on human rights violations in Turkish controlled Syria
EU leaders back deal to end budget blockade by Hungary and Poland
EU Leaders Approve $2.2 Trillion Stimulus Backed by Joint Debt
Exclusive-U.S. set to sanction Turkey over Russian defense system
PM says EU credibility is at stake over tensions with Turkey
David Patrikarakos, the author of “Borderland: Europe’s Eastern Faultline”, joins The Greek Current to discuss his piece and give us a look at the ongoing tensions between Greece and Turkey from the frontlines. David travelled to the small island of Kastellorizo at the heart of tensions over maritime rights in the Eastern Mediterranean and to Greece’s northern border at Evros, which was at the epicenter of the migration crisis in February and March.
David Patrikarakos is a writer and journalist. He is an expert on the use of social Media in conflict, disinformation and Middle East Geopolitics. He is the author of War In 140 Characters - How Social Media Is Reshaping Conflict In The Twenty-first Century and Nuclear Iran - The Birth Of An Atomic State.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Borderland: Europe’s Eastern faultline
Exclusive-EU to toughen sanctions on Turkish drilling - draft statement
EU leaders to line up new sanctions on Turkey at summit
U.S. Takes Tougher Tone With Turkey as Trump Exits
Turkey’s Erdogan brushes off EU sanctions threat
This weekend The New York Times ran a story on the Greek Orthodox Church and the criticism it is facing for the way it has handled the Covid-19 pandemic as the virus hits its ranks. Expert George Demacopoulos, the co-director of the Orthodox Christian Studies Center at Fordham University, discusses the Church’s response to the pandemic both in Greece and the US, defiance by hard-liners to government measures, and the key debates over the sacrament of holy communion.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Greek Orthodox Church Faces Criticism as Virus Hits Its Ranks
Consultations on EU stance towards Turkey intensify
Greece wants arms embargo on Turkey
Cyprus, Greece and Jordan to step up cooperation
Twitter thread by Greece’s Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias
On Sunday night former United States Senator Paul Sarbanes - the son of Greek immigrants and the first Greek-American US senator - passed away at the age of 87. Senator Sarbanes served in the Senate for 30 years, leaving his mark at key moments in recent US history. William Antholis and HALC’s Executive Director Endy Zemenides join The Greek Current to discuss his legacy and his tremendous contributions to the Hellenic community.
William Antholis serves as Director and CEO of the Miller Center, a nonpartisan affiliate of the University of Virginia that specializes in presidential scholarship, public policy, and political history.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Paul Sarbanes, Former Maryland Senator, Dies at 87
Former Sen. Paul Sarbanes of Maryland dies
Turkey's actions worsen gas dispute ahead of summit, EU says
Greece wants arms embargo on Turkey
In Greece, political spat over lockdown turns personal
Holiday visitors to enter 10-day quarantine on arrival
Congress is ready to pass this year’s National Defense Authorization Act - the annual defense policy bill - with provisions that mandate the President of the United States to sanction Turkey for its acquisition of Russian S-400s within 30 days of passage of the bill. The legislation could get floor votes in the House and Senate as soon as next week. Alan Makovsky joins us to break down what this latest move by Congress means for US-Turkish relations.
Alan Makovsky is a senior fellow for National Security and International Policy at the Center for American Progress, and has worked on Turkey and the Middle East in several capacities, including as a senior staff member on the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the House of Representatives and at the State Department.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Sanctioning Turkey over the S-400 would be mandatory in new defense bill
U.S. Lawmakers Target Russia and Turkey in Annual Defense Policy Bill
Greek FM: Turkey's moves to ease tensions 'unconvincing'
Dendias: Turkey’s decision to de-escalate not convincing
Post-Brexit trade talks paused amid 'significant divergences'
Brexit: Johnson and Von der Leyen to take over with direct talks
Congressman Gregory Meeks was elected as the first African American chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday, winning a caucus wide vote against Congressman Joaquin Castro. The contest at times had the feel of a battle between Democratic leadership and the more progressive wing of the party over what its foreign-policy platform should be.
Laura Kelly, a DC based journalist who covers foreign policy for The Hill, joins The Greek Current to discuss today’s vote and what it could mean for President-elect Biden’s efforts to implement his foreign policy vision.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Democrats elect Meeks as first Black Foreign Affairs chairman
Battle heats up for House Foreign Affairs gavel
Showdown in House Foreign Affairs Chair Race Reflects Rifts in Democratic Party
EU, Greece sign agreement for new migrant center on Lesvos
Intubations jump to 622 as daily death toll comes to 100
Greek city to use Christmas money for more ICU beds
The US and Turkey targeted each other on Tuesday during a NATO ministerial meeting, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accusing Ankara of stoking tensions with fellow allies in the Mediterranean and of giving a gift to the Kremlin by purchasing the Russian-made S-400 missile system. The sharp clash highlighted divisions and tensions within NATO, where Turkey is increasingly at odds with its allies.
Lena Argiri, the DC Correspondent for ERT - the Greek Public Broadcasting Company, breaks down this latest development.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
US and Turkey target each other in NATO meeting
Pompeo says Turkey ‘undermines’ NATO cohesion
U.K. Approves Pfizer Coronavirus Vaccine, a First in the West
EU criticises 'hasty' UK approval of COVID-19 vaccine
Covid vaccine: What does UK vaccine approval mean for US?
PM says nightlife will reopen after Covid-19 vaccines are available
New Covid-19 infections remain above 2,000, intubations rise
The Saint Andrew’s Freedom Forum hosted its annual Human Rights and Religious Freedom Forum together with the Hellenic American Leadership Council. The event featured a number of US Representatives, and a powerful address by Archbishop Elpidophoros on social justice and a more perfect union. Andreas Akaras, an attorney with a background in public and government affairs who is also the founder of the Saint Andrews Freedom Forum, joins us to talk about its important work and its commitment to fighting for religious freedom and human rights.
Watch the virtual event here: St. Andrew's Religious Freedom Forum: Honoring the late Congressman John Lewis
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US and Turkey target each other in NATO meeting
Pompeo says Turkey ‘undermines’ NATO cohesion
Turkish Cypriot leader wants new direction for Cyprus talks
Both leaders confirm willing to attend five-party summit
Today, Turkey’s seismic research vessel, the Oruc Reis, returned to port from an area within Greece's continental shelf. The move comes less than two weeks before an EU summit where European leaders will evaluate possible sanctions against Ankara. In the lead up to that summit, Greece has also made it clear that there can be no discussions with Turkey unless Ankara implements a moratorium on exploratory activities. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins The Greek Current to analyze the latest news.
Read Vassilis Nedos’s piece in Kathimerini in English and Greek here:
Exploration moratorium the only way
Μορατόριουμ ερευνών και συζητάμε
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Greece blasts Berlin for shunning plea for Turkey arms embargo
Turkish exploration vessel back in port ahead of EU summit
IMF: Greek debt sustainable despite pandemic-linked spike
Finance minister welcomes Eurogroup decision on easing public debt
Turkey tightens coronavirus curbs as death toll hits record high
Turkey toughens curfew measures amid coronavirus surge
85 Covid-19 deaths confirmed as new infections ease
On Wednesday President Trump granted a full pardon to his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn. Michael Flynn had twice pleaded guilty for lying to the F.B.I. about his conversations with a Russian diplomat, and had also admitted as part of his guilty plea that he provided false information to the Justice Department about work he did for Turkish interests while serving as a top adviser on the Trump campaign.
HALC’s Managing Director Georgia Logothetis and Petros Kasfikis, the Washington, DC correspondent for Mega TV in Greece and the Athens News Agency, join us today to discuss this breaking news.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Trump pardons former national security adviser Flynn
Trump Pardons Michael Flynn, Ending Case His Justice Dept. Sought to Shut Down
Trump Pardons Michael Flynn, Who Pleaded Guilty To Lying About Russia Contact
Greece to offer 50% income tax cut to lure remote workers during pandemic
Greece offers new incentives for relocation
EU’s top diplomat says Turkey’s actions in East Med, Cyprus’ Varosha ‘high’ on the EU agenda
Tatar will reopen ‘every square meter’ of Varosha
Today President-elect Joe Biden unveiled his nominations for a number of key national security positions that point to a distinct break from the Trump administration’s approach to foreign policy, including Secretary of State and national security adviser. Endy Zemenides, HALCs Executive Director, joins us as we look at what these nominations will mean for US foreign policy, and the Biden administration's approach to the Eastern Mediterranean.
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New US secretary of state has dealt with Greece, Turkey
‘America is back’: Biden pushes past Trump era with nominees
Greece reports 101 Covid-19 deaths, 562 intubations
Twenty-one MPs, doctors by training, volunteer for hospital duty
Turkey issues three Navtexes covering large parts of Aegean
Turkey leaving ‘no room for constructive dialogue,’ says Greek FM
Today, EU officials made it clear that they expect Turkey to act toward a de-escalation of tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean. This statement comes ahead of a crucial EU leaders’ summit in December that will focus on Turkey. It also follows a weekend that saw Turkey extend the activities of its research vessel the Oruc Reis in the Eastern Mediterranean, President Erdogan say that Turkey’s future is with the EU, Erdogan’s spokesman Ibrahim Kalin met with EU officials, and Turkish ships preventing an EU military mission from fully searching a Turkish cargo ship suspected of taking weapons to Libya.
Yiannis Palaiologos, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, is with us today to break down the latest developments.
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Turkey expected to act toward de-escalation, EU Commission says
Germany ‘concerned’ after Turkey orders halt to ship search off Libyan coast
Germany angers Turkey with attempt to police Libya arms embargo
Greece faces renewed lockdown as pressure on hospitals rises
Signs of lowering infections in urban centres, but situation remains critical, says health expert
Biden Chooses Antony Blinken, Defender of Global Alliances, as Secretary of State
Biden signals shift from Trump with national security picks
Hospitals in Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city and the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the country, are being pushed to a breaking point. Some are at capacity or near capacity, and ICU units are filling up at an alarming rate. Journalist Iliana Magra, who spoke to doctors and medical professionals on the frontlines in Thessaloniki, joins us to share their stories.
Iliana Magra is a journalist with the Greek daily Kathimerini whose work has also featured in The New York Times.
Read her report on the situation in Thessaloniki's hospitals (in Greek) here: «Τώρα νοσηλεύουμε και 40άρηδες»
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ICU units filling up at alarming rate
Daily Covid death toll hits new high at 108, as intubations also rise to 522
Turkey issues Navtex extending Oruc Reis activities through Nov. 29
Athens calls upon Turkey to revoke ‘illegal’ Navtex
Erdogan calls on EU for dialogue, says Turkey’s future in Europe
Coronavirus report shows Nicosia, Larnaca situation deteriorating
Restricted Christmas on the way, experts say
Coronavirus: testing to the limits
The second wave of the coronavirus pandemic is pushing the healthcare system of Greece to its limits, while cases and deaths are rising in the US as well, where at least 250,000 Americans have now died from the disease. Dr. George Chiampas joins us to help us make sense of what’s going on in Greece and the US, and to give us a view from the frontlines of this pandemic.
Dr. Chiampas is assistant professor and attending physician in the department of emergency medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago, he is the chief medical officer for US Soccer, team physician for the Chicago Blackhawks, and the Medical Director for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon & Shamrock Shuffle.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Health system teetering on the edge
Authorities concerned over persistently high viral load in northern Greece
Dr. Fauci Sees ‘Terribly Painful Months’ Ahead
United States COVID-19 Cases and Deaths by State
Don't Travel For Thanksgiving, CDC Warns
Turkey's behaviour "widening its separation" from EU, Borrell says
State Department on Varosha: Erdogan's visit a 'step in the wrong direction'
UN’s Lute has begun consultations to prepare new Cyprus meeting
Barely out of crisis, Greek economy hammered by new lockdown
Greece sees deeper recession this year, milder rebound in 2021
In a shocking move earlier this month, Berat Albayrak, Turkey’s Finance Minister and Erdogan’s son in law, announced his resignation after months of growing alarm over the value of the lira and the state of the economy. His abrupt departure has triggered a shake-up in the country’s economic management, and raises questions about Turkey’s political and economic future. Laura Pitel, the Turkey correspondent for the Financial Times based in Ankara, joins us to discuss her latest in-depth piece on this shocking development.
Read Laura Pitel’s in-depth piece for the Financial Times here: Erdogan’s family drama and the future of Turkey
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Fragile Confidence Returns to Turkey as Markets Cheer Rate Hike
Investors welcome change of tack as Turkey unveils big rate rise
Greece, UAE on same page about Turkey
Greece’s archbishop hospitalized with coronavirus symptoms
Thessaloniki continues to report highest number of new Covid cases
According to statistics released this week by the Institute of International Education, the number of US students studying in Greece is on the rise. The data shows that almost 6,000 US students chose to study in Greece in the 2018-2019 academic year, an increase of almost 12 per cent compared to the previous year. Greg Pappas, the publisher of The Pappas Post and Founder and President of the Greek America Foundation, and Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, join us to discuss this promising trend.
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Greece 12th Most Popular Destination for U.S. College Students
Open Doors 2020: More American Students are Choosing to Study in Greece
Greece: No police custody for migrant unaccompanied minors
Greece to build new camps, cut migrant reception stays on islands
Government to present plan for easing second lockdown next week
Plans to inoculate 2,117,440 people per month once Covid-19 jabs are available
Apostolos Zoupaniotis discusses Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to discuss religious freedom issues in the region and around the world. We also look at the latest visit by Turkish President Erdogan to the occupied side of Cyprus and the beachfront of Varosha, where he made it clear that he favored a two-state solution for Cyprus.
Apostolos Zoupaniotis is the publisher and editor of the weekly Greek-American newspaper Greek News and a regular commentator on Hellenic issues.
Ecumenical Patriarchate calls “historic” the visit of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the Fanar
Ankara focused on getting recognition of north Cyprus
Police fire tear gas to break up banned gatherings in Greece
Over 100 people detained in clashes during banned gatherings
Bulgaria blocks EU accession talks with North Macedonia
Bulgaria blocks EU membership talks for North Macedonia
According to a recent report in Sunday’s Kathimerini, Greece’s Defense Ministry is planning to seriously step up efforts to reinforce its air force in the next year, not only with French-made Rafale jets, but also with US F-35 fighter jets. Vassilis Nedos, the journalist behind this story, joins us to give us his insight and analysis on these latest moves by Greece.
Vassilis Nedos is the diplomatic and defense editor at the Greek daily newspaper Kathimerini.
Read his report here: Greece eyeing boost with F-35, Rafale aircraft
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Erdogan backs two-state Cyprus deal, puts talks in doubt
Maloney & Bilirakis Lead Colleagues in Urging State Dept. to Defend the Sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus, Hold Turkey Accountable for Illegal Actions in Varosha
Ankara focused on getting recognition of north Cyprus
EU in crisis over Hungary and Poland’s €1.8T hold-up
EU budget blocked by Hungary and Poland over rule of law issue
Today we discuss retiring diplomat and special envoy for Syria James Jeffrey’s latest bombshell interview in Defense One. In the interview, Ambassador Jeffrey praises President Trump’s approach to the Middle East, but also acknowledges that his team routinely misled senior leaders about troop levels in Syria. Jeffrey also touched on relations with Turkey, and recommends that President-elect Biden stick with Trump’s foreign policy in the Middle East.
Laura Kelly, a journalist in DC who covers foreign policy for The Hill, joins us to break down this interview and give us her insight.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Outgoing Syria Envoy Admits Hiding US Troop Numbers; Praises Trump’s Mideast Record
Katie Bo Williams twitter thread on her interview with Ambassador Jeffrey
Political upheaval offers Erdogan chance to heal party wounds
Scale of Turkey’s economic crisis triggered Erdogan family implosion
Coronavirus Found In Minks In Greece
Greece find COVID-19 among mink at two farms
Coronavirus: Denmark shaken by cull of millions of mink
This week Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi travelled to Athens to meet with Prime Minister Mitsotakis. The visit underscores the growing relationship between Athens and Cairo, but also new dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean. Both Greece and Egypt are at odds with Turkey for a number of varying reasons. Expert Steven Cook joins us for a deep dive into Cairo’s relations with Ankara.
Steven Cook is the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Greece, Egypt seek Biden role in East Mediterranean dispute
Cyprus, Israel, Greece agree to boost defense cooperation
Cyprus, Israel affirm excellent bilateral relations
Pressure mounts on Thessaloniki health system as ICU demand rises
Greece’s Covid-19 deaths, ICU patients and new cases reach all-time highs
Partial lockdowns on Limassol, Paphos, migrant camps
Coronavirus: €30 million to support those hit by stricter measures
Journalist Angelos Athanasopoulos joins The Greek Current to analyze Turkey’s latest provocative decision to send the Oruc Reis research vessel into a new area south of the Greek island of Kastellorizo and near the island of Rhodes. We’ll also discuss a recent State Department report on violations of Greek airspace, and the visit by Egypt’s president to Greece.
Angelos Athanasopoulos is the editor in chief of politics for the Greek newspaper To Vima.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Ελληνοτουρκικά : Το Oruc Reis συνεχίζει, οι ΗΠΑ αγνοούν τις υπερπτήσεις
Greece, Egypt seek Biden role in East Mediterranean dispute
Greek-Egyptian cooperation deepening
Pompeo Traveling to Turkey for Meeting with Patriarch; No Govt. Meetings on Agenda
Turkish Foreign Ministry irked by Pompeo’s Istanbul visit
Turkey offended by Pompeo's plan to discuss religious issues
Senators press Trump administration on Libya arms embargo
Greece to offer 50% tax break for returning professionals and 'digital migrants'
Armenia’s Prime Minister took to Facebook early on Tuesday to announce that he had signed an “extremely painful” Russia and Turkey-backed ceasefire to halt the fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh with Azerbaijan. Expert Michael Rubin, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and a former Pentagon official, joins The Greek Current to give us his latest analysis on this ceasefire agreement.
Read Michael Rubin’s latest piece here: The Problem with the Nagorno-Karabakh Ceasefire Agreement
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Russia deploys peacekeeping troops to region
Country bracing for pivotal fortnight
PM tells Covid-19 teleconference next 10 days crucial for Greece
Negative Bond Yields Point to Greece’s Economic Progress
‘Catch-up move’ by Moody’s
Dr. Aykan Erdemir - the co-author of the piece “Turkish Bank Rulings Should Be A Wakeup Call For Global Financial Institutions” - joins us to analyze two recent milestone court rulings in the Southern District of New York against Turkish banks Halkbank and Kuveyt Turk Bank, how these cases highlight Turkey’s terrorism and illicit finance problems, and more.
Read Dr. Aykan Erdermir’s latest piece here: Turkish bank rulings should be a wakeup call for global financial institutions
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Turkey’s Finance Minister Resigns Amid Pressures of Sliding Economy
Turkish lira rebounds after Erdogan’s son-in-law quits finance ministry
Authorities report a record-breaking 41 Covid-19 deaths
Armenia leader orders end to fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh
Armenia PM signs deal to end war with Azerbaijan and Russia
Azerbaijan admits shooting down Russian helicopter in Armenia
This week, Concept Schools Inc., a charter school chain based in the Chicago area with links to Turkey and Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, agreed on a multi-million dollar settlement to end a long-running federal corruption investigation. Dan Mihalopoulos joins us to break down this story, the links to Turkey, and how this charter school chain is connected to broader Turkish efforts to influence leading Illinois politicians.
Read Dan Mihalopoulos’s story in WBEZ here: Feds Hit An Illinois Charter School Chain With A Big Fine
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Friday prayers held in newly opened Athens mosque
Athens' first mosque in nearly 200 years opens for Friday prayers
Europe’s Hospital Crunch Grows More Dire, Surpassing Spring Peak
Coronavirus: France records more than 60,000 cases
Parts Of Northern Denmark On Lockdown Over Coronavirus Variant Outbreak In Minks
Three-week lockdown starts Saturday, with eye on ‘normality’ by December
The eyes of the world are on a couple of US states where election officials are still counting ballots. The outcome of those votes will determine who the next President of the US will be. As we wait for the official results, political scientist and expert Harris Mylonas joins to discuss his takeaways from this election, what he thinks the results we have so far tell us, and more.
Harris Mylonas is an associate professor of political science and international affairs at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs. He works on a wide range of topics, including nation and state-building, diaspora policies, and political development. He is also the author of the book The Politics of Nation-Building.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Biden notches more gains as vote counting grinds on
NPR: Live Updates: 2020 Election
Biden-Trump counting presses ahead 2 days after Election Day
Greece imposes lockdown to avoid worst at hospitals
Measures announced for relieving lockdown pressure on workers, households
EU Clears Key Hurdle for 1.8 Trillion-Euro Spending Package
Deal struck to enable EU to block budget payments to rogue members
‘Historic’ EU rule of law deal faces challenges
Today, Volkswagen and Greece announced the launch of an exciting pilot project on the Greek island of Astypalea, in the Aegean. Under the plan, the current transport system on the island will transition to electric vehicles and renewable power generation, and in the long run, Astypalea will become a model island for climate-neutral mobility. Ilias Bellos, Kathimerini’s business editor, joins us to explain the details behind this project, and what it means for Greek plans to step up investments in the Green economy, renewables, and innovation.
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VW Will Transform a Greek Island Into a Green Mobility Hub
Volkswagen adopts Astypalaia
Volkswagen Group and Greece to create model island for climate-neutral mobility
Twitter, Facebook Fined by Turkey for Breaching Law Aimed at Curbing Dissent
Turkey fines social media giants for breaching new internet law
Cyprus brings in new coronavirus measures, including curfew
Cyprus tightens restrictions, imposes 11pm curfew
Professor Henri Barkey discusses his latest piece, “How Erdogan Muscled Turkey to the Center of the World Stage”, and points out the ways Erdogan has refashioned Turkey as a revisionist power openly challenging not just its neighbors, but also fellow NATO allies like France and the US.
Henri Barkey is the Cohen Professor of International Relations at Lehigh University and an adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Read Professor Henri Barkey’s piece here: How Erdogan Muscled Turkey to the Center of the World Stage
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Pompeo criticizes Turkey’s unilateral actions in letter to Greek counterpart
Athens starts diplomatic offensive
Government hopes Tatar has political will to restart talks
Bar set low as Brussels, UN in low spirits for CyProb involvement
A deadly earthquake struck in the Aegean Sea between the Turkish coast and the Greek island of Samos. The quake was felt as far as Athens and Istanbul. Despite heightened tensions between the two countries, both Greek and Turkish leaders issued messages of solidarity, offering each other assistance in a move reminiscent of Greece and Turkey’s earthquake diplomacy in 1999. Journalist Alexia Tasouli joins us from Athens to give us an on the ground report and analysis of today’s events.
Alexia Tasouli is currently the diplomatic correspondent for OPEN TV in Greece, and previously worked as a journalist for 20 years at Greece’s MEGA news channel. She has covered all major political events in Athens throughout her career.
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Quake strikes Turkish coast and Greek island, killing 19
Earthquake hits Greece and Turkey, bringing deaths and floods
EU leaders link arms for long coronavirus fight
Merkel Says EU Should Have Acted Sooner as Virus Costs Mount
Anti-corruption measures on the way, Anastasiades says
Anastasiades: People are right to be outraged over corruption
Expert Michael Rubin, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and a former Pentagon official, joins us today to discuss his latest op-ed - “Brussels can stop Turkey’s aggression” - and explain what immediate actions he thinks European Union countries should take to check Erdogan’s aggressive behavior in the region.
Read Michael Rubin’s op-eds here:
Brussels can stop Turkey’s aggression
The worst danger of China's Uighur Muslim genocide is its terrible precedent
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PM to announce one-month 'action plan' for virus on Friday
New Covid-19 infections at 1,211; deaths and ICU intubations rise
France attack: Three killed in 'Islamist terrorist' stabbings
France will not give in to terror after Nice attack, Macron says
Macron decries Islamist terror attack after 3 killed in Nice
HALC’s Executive Director Endy Zemenides joins us today to talk about OXI Day - the day that Greece celebrates its entry into World War II on the side of the Allies and its rejection of fascism - and the parallels we see between October 28, 1940, and today.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
80th anniversary of OXI Day
Charlie Hebdo: Turkey vows legal action over Erdogan cartoon
France, Turkey And The Charlie Hebdo Cartoons: What's Behind The Dispute?
Turkey threatens legal action over Charlie Hebdo's caricature of president
Covid-19 infections break new record
Record 1,547 new COVID-19 cases announced
On Monday the US recorded 74,300 new coronavirus cases as the outlook across the country continues to worsen. At the same time, Greece has also seen a dramatic rise in cases that has prompted fresh measures and localized lockdowns. Dr. Perry Halkitis joins the Greek Current to discuss these troubling trends, the current response in the US and Greece, and what to expect in the next months.
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A Record-Breaking Week for U.S. Virus Cases
Coronavirus World Map: Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak
Greece imposes curfew as coronavirus cases soar
Expert calls for more aggressive measures against coronavirus
Turkish lira sinks amid Erdogan fury with allies
Turkey’s lira sinks to 8 against US dollar for first time
Vassilis Nedos, the diplomatic and defense editor at Kathimerini, joins The Greek Current to discuss the latest developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, Greece’s diplomatic push to press its EU partners for an arms embargo against Turkey, the assistance provided by Germany, Italy, and Spain to Turkey in equipment and technological know-how, and more.
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Athens insists on Turkish arms embargo
Greece, Turkey wrangle over military games in eastern Med
Russian FM calls for speedy reduction of East Med tension
Turkey's Erdogan says it's time for two-state solution in Cyprus
France condemns 'unacceptable' comments from Turkey's Erdogan and recalls ambassador
Tensions between EU and Turkey escalate over Erdogan insults
By sea and land, Turkey raises tensions with EU
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: US-brokered ceasefire frays soon after starting
Nagorno-Karabakh: U.S.-Brokered Cease-Fire Falters Soon After It Starts
Following recent report by the Center for American Progress that recommends that a future US administration needs to recalibrate its relations with Turkey, expert Alan Makovsky offers his thoughts on what recalibrating US relations with #Turkey could look like. Alan Makovsky discusses what the US needs to do to re-establish leverage over Turkey, and more.
Alan Makovsky is a senior fellow for National Security and International Policy at the Center for American Progress, and has worked on Turkey and the Middle East in several capacities, including as a senior staff member on the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the House of Representatives and at the State Department.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Center for American Progress Report: Recalibrating U.S. Global Relationships
Politics of Aggression: Turkey's Foreign Policy and Its Democratic Demise
Malarkey on Eastern Mediterranean Tensions
Erdogan confirms Russian S-400 tests despite US objections
Pentagon warns Turkey of ‘serious consequences’ after S-400 testing
US wades in cautiously to Armenia-Azerbaijan peace effort
Fighting Rages Ahead Of Armenia-Azerbaijan Talks In Washington
This week Greece stepped up diplomatic efforts to mobilize its European Union partners against Turkey, as Ankara continues its provocations in the Eastern Mediterranean near the Greek island of Kastellorizo. These diplomatic steps included a call for a halt on military exports to Turkey, a potential reevaluation of the EU’s customs union with Turkey, and an appeal for solidarity in line with the bloc’s mutual defense clause.
Yiannis Palaiologos, Kathimerini and SKAI TV’s EU correspondent in Brussels, joins us to analyze these latest moves by Athens and the mood among EU members when it comes to Turkey.
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Athens bracing for Ankara’s next move
Greece asks EU countries to halt military exports to Turkey
Weber supports Greek proposal for suspension of EU-Turkey customs union
Greece Puts Navy on Alert as Turkey Tensions Flare Again
Greek court imprisons far-right Golden Dawn party leadership
GD leadership heading to jail after court ruling
The women who brought down Greece's Golden Dawn
On Sunday, Ersin Tatar, a rightwing hardliner backed by Ankara, won a closely contested Turkish Cypriot leadership election beating incumbent Mustafa Akinci in a runoff. The election was marred by Turkey’s heavy-handed meddling in favor of Tatar.
Dr. Aykan Erdemir, the senior director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies' Turkey program and a former member of the Turkish Parliament, joins us to analyze the results of the election, and what the outcome means for reunification talks and Turkish President Erdogan’s policy of escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
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Aykan Erdemir’s report on Erdogan’s meddling in Turkish Cypriot elections
Anastasiades, Tatar to meet next week
Greece Seeks Arms Embargo, Halt to EU-Turkey Customs Union
Albania, Greece take maritime dispute to international court
US pitches Greece on a frigate co-production deal
Expert Nikolas Katsimpras discusses his latest op-ed in the Greek newspaper Kathimerini focusing on Turkey’s lobbying efforts in the US, what Greece needs to be aware of, and the broader discussion in the West on combatting foreign influence and disinformation campaigns.
Nikolas Katsimpras is a lecturer at Columbia University's Negotiation and Conflict Resolution program, an independent conflict analysis and strategy consultant, and a retired officer of the Hellenic Navy.
Read Nikolas Katsimpras's latest article (in Greek) here:
Η παρασκηνιακή δράση του τουρκικού λόμπι στις ΗΠΑ
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Hardliner wins Turkish Cypriot leadership election
Rightwing hardliner wins Turkish Cypriot leadership runoff
Anastasiades and Tatar to meet in Nicosia UN premises
Athens bracing for a protracted crisis
Greece in diplomatic flurry to curb Turkish aggression
Ayla Jean Yackley, an Istanbul based journalist covering Turkey, joins The Greek Current to discuss two important stories. We examine the troubling move by Turkey’s judiciary to bring new indictments against Turkish philanthropist Osman Kavala and US Professor Henri Barkey, and look at the militarization of Turkey’s foreign policy.
Ayla Jean Yackley’s work has featured in Al-Monitor, The Financial Times, The Economist, the New Yorker, and Politico.
Read Ayla Jean Yackley's latest articles here:
New Turkish indictment prolongs ‘torture’ for philanthropist Kavala’s family
How Turkey militarized its foreign policy
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Erdogan’s crackpot charges against a harmless activist show how low Turkey has sunk
Video shows missile fired where Turkey cleared way for S-400 test, prompting U.S. warning
Menendez Statement on Turkey’s Reported Test of S-400 Air Defense System
EU leaders hit out at Turkey’s ‘provocations’ in the Med
Greece, Cyprus Told to Wait for EU Action on 'Provocative' Turkey
Anastasiades satisfied after EC 'deplores' Turkey's actions
USCIRF held a briefing on religious freedom in Turkey on Thursday. The event highlighted recent and ongoing religious freedom concerns in Turkey, including the conversion of historic former churches such as Hagia Sophia and Chora into mosques; the targeting of religious minorities; and what these developments and practices mean for religious minorities throughout Turkey.
Tugba Tanyieri Erdemir, one of the expert panelists of the event, joins The Greek Current to discuss the main takeaways.
Tugba Taniyeri Erdemir is a Research Associate at the University of Pittsburg in the Department of Anthropology with an extensive background in cultural heritage preservation, and is the Coordinator of the Task Force on Middle East Minorities at the Anti-Defamation League.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Conversation with USCIRF: Religious Freedom in Turkey
USCIRF 2020 religious freedom report
How Turkey’s Military Adventures Decrease Freedom at Home
France and Germany tell Turkey to stop provocations
Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ statement on Turkey
Turkey clears way to test Russian S-400 defence system this week
Greece’s Ambassador to the United States, Alexandra Papadopoulou, joins us to discuss the reactions to Turkey’s latest acts of provocation in the Eastern Mediterranean, the response of the United States, and what steps Brussels plans to take over the next couple of days during an EU leaders' summit.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Turkey on course to diplomatic isolation
Turkey says Greece failed to fulfill promises, vows response
Carrot-and-stick approach to Turkey failing, EU envoys say
Neo-Nazi leaders of Greece's Golden Dawn sentenced to 13 years
Greek Extreme-right party leadership sentenced to 13 years
Masks mandatory in all indoor spaces as Covid flares
Mandatory wearing of masks, list of instructions
Laura Kelly, a journalist in DC who covers Turkey and foreign policy for The Hill, joins The Greek Current to break down the latest statement by the State Department slamming Turkey’s decision to send the Oruc Reis back into an area that falls within Greece’s continental shelf, her coverage of the administration’s handling of the crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh - or Artsakh - and the reaction of Armenian-Americans.
Read Laura Kelly’s latest articles here:
Trump silence on Nagorno-Karabakh weighs on Armenian-American voters
US rebukes Turkey for 'calculated provocation' in eastern Mediterranean
Pompeo calls for Azerbaijan, Armenia to implement cease-fire
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
U.S. Response to Turkey’s Renewed Survey Activity in the Eastern Mediterranean
Cyprus to suspend 'EU golden passports' scheme
Cyprus to scrap current passport investment scheme
House speaker offers public apology
Germany decries Turkey's actions in eastern Mediterranean
Talks with Turkey not possible, Mitsotakis tells German foreign minister
German FM says up to Turkey to create conditions for talks, criticises Ankara over Oruc Reis
On Sunday, Turkey announced it was redeploying the research vessel Oruc Reis to an area within Greece’s continental shelf very close to the Greek island of Kastellorizo. Greece condemned the move, calling it a “severe escalation" that undermines efforts to ease tensions in the region. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins The Greek Current to analyze the situation.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Greece calls new Turkish survey mission a threat to region
Turkish ship resumes energy search in waters claimed by Greece
Navy passes test in summer standoff
Tatar challenges Akinci in runoff election
Leftist, hard-liner in Turkish Cypriot leadership runoff
Court rules Golden Dawn leadership not eligible for leniency
Far-right EU lawmaker in Greek court for Golden Dawn trial
This week, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarch announced it has suspended the current Charter of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, calling for a new Charter. It also decided to transfer the Metropolitan of New Jersey and suspend the Metropolitan of Boston. Professor Alexander Kitroeff joins us to discuss his take on these latest developments.
Alexander Kitroeff is a Professor of History at Haverford College and the author of a number of books, including The Greek Orthodox Church in America: A Modern History.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
TNH Exclusive: The Ecumenical Patriarchate Transfers Evangelos, Suspends Methodios
Ecumenical Patriarchate Communiqué
Professor Kitroeff’s tweet following the Patriarchal communique
Elpidophoros considers “blessing” the suspension by the Patriarchate of the Charter of the Archdiocese
Armenia and Azerbaijan agree on cease-fire
Armenia and Azerbaijan shaky ceasefire in force
Armenia and Azerbaijan accuse each other of violating Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire
UN calls for Turkish Cypriots to close beach in Varosha
John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist based in Greece and Al Jazeera’s southeast Europe correspondent, joins us today to discuss the latest developments in exploratory contacts and talks between Greece and Turkey, why expectations around the talks are low, the visit to Athens and Ankara this week by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and the reactions to Turkey’s decision to illegally reopen parts of Varosha in Cyprus.
Read John Psaropoulos’s latest articles here:
How much longer can Greece and Turkey avoid war?
Greece, Cyprus threaten EU sanctions against Turkey over Varosha
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Date sought for Greece-Turkey exploratory contacts
Senate Democrats Urge President Trump to Stop Erdogan from Violating UN Security Council Resolutions Regarding Varosha
Greece: Sentencing hearings for Golden Dawn to resume Monday
Convictions force sun to set on Golden Dawn
Senator Chris Van Hollen discusses his concerns over Turkey’s aggressive behavior in the Eastern Mediterranean, reports that Ankara activated its Russian S-400 system, bipartisan efforts in Congress to hold Turkey accountable, and Turkey’s decision to ratchet up tensions by opening up the ghost city of Varosha, Cyprus, in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Van Hollen, Lankford Make Bipartisan Push For Answers On Turkey’s Reported Use Of The S-400 Anti-aircraft System To Detect F-16s
Greece Joins the Turkey-Russia S-400 Saga, and Congress Wants Answers
Greece, Cyprus threaten EU sanctions against Turkey over Varosha
Cypriot beachfront reopened in resort abandoned since 1974 conflict
EU states accept plan as a basis to revamp asylum policy
EU looks at new migration pact amid divisions, aims for December deal
In a historic decision for justice and democracy, an Athens court ruled today that the leaders of Greece's neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party were guilty of running a criminal organization, bringing to an end a trial that lasted more than five years. Yiannis Papadopoulos, a reporter at Kathimerini who has covered Golden Dawn since 2010 and was a witness for the prosecution in the trial, reports on today's verdict from Athens.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Greek court rules Golden Dawn party criminal organization
Golden Dawn Found Guilty of Running Criminal Organization in Greece
Greece Golden Dawn: Neo-Nazi leaders guilty of running crime gang
Prime Minister Mitsotakis says GD verdict a victory for democracy
EU migration plan doomed to fail without solidarity, Greece says
Migration rubber hits political road
Senators push for Turkey sanctions after reports Ankara used Russian system to detect US-made jets
The Biden campaign issued a statement today on tensions between Greece and Turkey, with Vice President Biden stressing his support for talks, calling on President Trump's administration to put pressure on Turkey to halt its provocations against Greece, and urging Turkish President Erdogan to reverse his decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia into a mosque. Dr. Michael Carpenter breaks down the importance of this statement.
Dr. Michael Carpenter is a former foreign policy advisor to Vice President Joe Biden, and is currently the Managing Director of the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Biden calls for pressure on Turkey to stop provocations against Greece
Biden says Turkey must stay out of Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict
Full statement by the Biden Campaign on Greek-Turkish tensions
Erdogan-Tatar: Varosha to open to the public on Thursday
Turkey Ghost Town Plan Would Wreck Reunification Talks, Cyprus Warns
Turkey's EU membership bid evaporating, Commission says
Greek premier meets with NATO chief over tension with Turkey
Today, Microsoft announced its biggest investment in its 28 years of operations in Greece, in a move the Greek government says will boost entrepreneurship and encourage other investments. Ilias Bellos, the business editor of Kathimerini, joins us to discuss the importance of this announcement and what it means for Greece’s efforts to attract investment.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Microsoft plans $1 billion data center venture in Greece
Microsoft announces plans for first datacenter region in Greece as part of “GR for GRowth” digital transformation initiative
Gov't, Microsoft to announce big investment Monday
Pompeo’s visit prompted by Turkey’s S-400s
Nicosia welcomes departure of Yavuz
East Mediterranean dialogue prospects ‘at sea’
NATO chief hopes Greece, Turkey can negotiate differences
EU leaders met in Brussels on Thursday to discuss a number of pressing issues, with the focus being on Turkey. Discussions lasted into the early hours of Friday, with leaders reaching an agreement that assured Greece and Cyprus that the bloc would punish Turkey if it continues its provocations. This paved the way for the EU to also impose sanctions on Belarus.
Yiannis Palaiologos, Kathimerini and SKAI TV’s EU correspondent in Brussels, joins us from Brussels with his analysis.
Read Yannis Palaiologos’s recent op-ed in The Wall Street Journal: Europe Fails to Contain Turkey
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
At summit, EU leaders talk tough on Turkey
EU leaders break deadlock to impose sanctions on Belarus
Greek PM hails EU ‘message’ to Turkey
Turkey’s state-run Halkbank must face sanctions case
Turkey’s Halkbank must face U.S. indictment over Iran sanctions violations, judge rules
Lawmakers introduce resolution condemning Azerbaijan, Turkey for conflict with Armenia
Senate and House Leaders to Secretary of State Pompeo: Cut Military Aid to Azerbaijan; Sanction Turkey for Ongoing Attacks Against Armenia and Artsakh
Today marks 60 years since the Republic of Cyprus gained its independence from British rule. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins us with his analysis on what we have to celebrate in the last 60 years, the challenges facing Cyprus today, the important role it is playing in the Eastern Mediterranean and the region, and the outlook for the future.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
On 60th anniversary, Anastasiades says all Cypriots deserve to live in peace
HALC tweet calling out Carl Bildt
Europe Fails to Contain Turkey
EU prepares for standoff over Turkish sanctions
Live blog: European Council summit
Bid to break deadlock over summit conclusions
This week US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Thessaloniki and Crete, where he met with Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mistotakis. Angelos Athanasopoulos, the editor in chief of politics for the Greek newspaper To Vima, analyzes the significance of Secretary Pompeo’s visit to Greece, what lies ahead for US-Greek relations, and more.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Pompeo: No to unilateral actions
Pompeo leaves Greece hailing country’s role as ‘pillar of stability
Greece moves asylum-seekers to ease crowding at island camps
Greece moves hundreds of refugees from Lesbos to mainland
139 refugees head to Germany from Greece for resettlement
Orthodox church petitions UN over Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia
Aram Hamparian discusses Azerbaijan’s latest acts of aggression against Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh - or Artsakh - that began this Sunday, what Ankara’s role is in facilitating Baku’s aggression, and ANCA’s campaign calling on Congress to condemn Azerbaijan and Turkey and cut off military aid to both countries.
Aram Hamparian is the Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America.
You can take action and contact your Representatives to urge them to condemn Azerbaijani Aggression here:
www.anca.org/call
www.anca.org/alert
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Death toll rises in Nagorno-Karabakh
Armenia says its fighter jet 'shot down by Turkey
UN to hold emergency talks on third day of fighting
Pompeo voices support for talks between Greece, Turkey
Pompeo urges Greece, Turkey to pursue talks on maritime dispute
Out of isolation, Michel invites EU leaders to summit
Invitation letter by President Charles Michel to the members of the European Council
Professor Ryan Gingeras joins us today to discuss Turkey’s controversial Blue Homeland doctrine which was highlighted in the Washington Post this weekend, its author retired Admiral Cem Gurdeniz, and what Blue Homeland means for Turkey’s neighbors in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Ryan Gingeras is a professor in the Department of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and is an expert on Turkish, Balkan, and Middle East history. Professor Gingeras is also the author of the piece “Blue Homeland: The Heated Politics Behind Turkey’s New Maritime Strategy”.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Amid Mediterranean tensions, retired Turkish admiral grabs the spotlight touting supremacy at sea
Turkish presidency releases video promoting Blue Homeland doctrine
US, Greece call for peaceful solution in East Med during Pompeo visit
Pompeo pledges US support to ease Greece-Turkey dispute
U.S.-Greece Science and Technology Agreement Fact Sheet
Fighting Between Armenia And Azerbaijan Threatens To Spiral Into Full-Blown War
Turkey deploying Syrian fighters to help ally Azerbaijan
Turkish lira skids to new lows as Caucasus clashes weigh
Senator Bob Menendez, the ranking member on the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the author of the pivotal Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act, joins us today to discuss US relations with Greece and Cyprus, Congress’s role in upgrading those relations and in holding Turkey accountable, and his view on why a Biden administration will be better on Greece, Cyprus and the region.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Senator Menendez requests information on Trump-Erdogan calls
Pompeo visit to focus on defense, East Med
Armenia and Azerbaijan erupt into fighting over disputed Nagorno-Karabakh
Turkey criticises Armenia after clashes with Azerbaijan, supports Baku
Statement by Armenia’s Prime Minister on Twitter
Turkey issues navigational warning for live-fire exercise
Government stresses demilitarization of islands not on the table
The State Department announced the details of Secretary Pompeo’s trip to Greece next week, which comes amid heightened tensions in the region between Greece, Cyprus and Turkey. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s executive director, joins us with the latest news on Secretary Pompeo’s visit.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Secretary Pompeo’s Travel to Greece, Italy, the Holy See, and Croatia
Greeκ-US relationship at a historically high level, US official says
Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu hits out at House Speaker Pelosi on Twitter
Minister says Greece ‘still far from lockdown,’ though more restrictions likely in Athens
286 new virus infections bring total to 16,913
Turkey orders dozens of arrests including opposition mayor
Turkey orders 82 arrests, including Kurdish opposition members, over 2014 protests
This week the EU Commission unveiled its long-awaited plan to overhaul EU asylum procedures, aiming to unify European capitals behind a common migration policy after years of deadlock and acrimony. Yannis Palaiologos, Kathimerini and SKAI TV’s EU correspondent in Brussels, joins us to break down the details behind the proposed plan and what it means for frontline states like Greece.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Migration pact eyes ‘mandatory solidarity’ in EU
EU tries to sell migrant pact amid claims the hardliners won
Archbishop Elpidophoros meets with Pompeo in Washington
Cyprus says committed to peace talks, but not at gunpoint
Peace process not under conditions of intimidation and threats, President stresses
The EU did not act in united fashion, Cyprus President tells Le Figaro
Dr. Jake Sotiriadis, the co-author of a piece titled “Ideology, And Not Just Energy, Explains Turkey's Mediterranean Disruptions”, is with us today to explore how Turkey’s Pan-Islamist, Neo-Ottoman inspired ideology, if left unchecked, will enflame regional tensions well into the future.
Dr. Sotiriadis is a lieutenant colonel in the US Air Force and its Chief of Strategic Foresight and Futures Analytics. His scholarly research focuses on networked ideologies in 21st century great power competition, and his work as a thought leader has been featured internationally in: The Diplomat, Defense News, China-US Focus, Greece’s Kathimerini, and the Middle East Institute.
Read Dr. Sotiriadis’ piece here: Ideology, And Not Just Energy, Explains Turkey's Mediterranean Disruptions
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Europe migration: EU plans mandatory pact to 'rebuild trust'
5 things to know about Brussels’ new migration plan
EU proposes to ditch refugee quotas for member states
Greece: EU to ready Turkey sanctions despite crisis thaw
Expert Nikolas Katsimpras, who recently penned an op-ed in the Greek daily Kathimerini titled "Τα δέκα δώρα του Ερντογάν στην Ελλάδα" - or "The Ten Gifts Erdogan has given Greece", joins The Greek Current to break down what he believes were the main takeaways from the protracted standoff in the Eastern Mediterranean between the Greek and Turkish navies over the last two months.
Nikolas Katsimpras is a lecturer at Columbia University's Negotiation and Conflict Resolution program, an independent conflict analysis/strategy consultant, and a retired officer of the Hellenic Navy.
You can read his op-ed (in Greek) here: Άποψη: Τα δέκα δώρα του Ερντογάν στην Ελλάδα
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Turkey, Greece soon to resume talks on resolving disputes
Greece, Turkey agree to resume talks after four-year hiatus
Dendias hopes exploratory talks will offer opportunity for de-escalation
Turkey's Erdogan, France's Macron discuss Eastern Mediterranean tensions
EU summit postponed as Charles Michel goes into coronavirus quarantine
HALC's Managing Director Georgia Logothetis joins The Greek Current to discuss Senator Bob Menendez's letter asking White House National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien to provide all relevant documents on President Trump and President Erdogan’s relationship, and the recent expose by Courthouse News Service on a case that involves Turkey’s Halkbank and the largest sanctions evasion scheme in recent history.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Senator Menendez requests documents on President Trump’s relations with Turkey’s President Erdogan
‘The Government Is in on It’: An Insider’s Account of the Reza Zarrab Conspiracy
EU fails to agree on Belarus sanctions after Cyprus blocks plan
EU fails to agree Belarus sanctions despite opposition plea
Greece: Talks with Turkey on eastern Med could restart soon
Exploratory contacts in the pipeline
Professor Henri Barkey joins The Greek Current to break down his latest piece “France vs. Turkey: A Showdown in the Mediterranean Is Brewing”, and discuss whether France and President Macron’s decision to step up their presence in the Eastern Mediterranean in solidarity with Greece and Cyprus is having the desired effect.
Read Professor Henri Barkey’s piece here:
France vs. Turkey: A Showdown in the Mediterranean Is Brewing
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Cyclone batters Greek islands as it makes landfall
'Medicane,' a rare, hurricane-like storm in the Mediterranean, makes landfall in Greece
Dendias calls on EU peers to draft list of possible sanctions for Turkey
France: EU sanctions on Turkey an option over gas standoff
Michael Rubin, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and a former Pentagon official, discusses why a recent visit to Turkey by the President of the European Court of Human Rights to receive an award degrades the court, and argues that it’s time for the US to leave Incirlik airbase in Turkey.
Read Michael Rubin's latest op-ed's here:
European Court of Human Rights' president degrades court with Turkish award
Incirlik: Time for the U.S. Military to Leave
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
EU diplomacy on Turkey runs aground ahead of summit, envoys say
EU Belarus sanctions in doubt as Cyprus demands action against Turkey
Greek police move migrants to new camp after Moria fire
Greek police move refugees to Lesbos tent camp after fire
More than 1,150 migrants moved into new tent camp, says spokesman
While tensions remain high between Greece and Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean, diplomatic efforts are underway to bring Athens and Ankara to the negotiating table. Raman Ghavami, the author of a recent op-ed titled “Negotiating with Turkey Will Worsen the Eastern Mediterranean Crisis”, is with us to discuss why he believes Ankara’s recent call for dialogue should be treated with extreme caution.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Negotiating with Turkey will worsen the eastern Mediterranean crisis
'Europe's moment': EU chief calls for unity to confront crises
Von der Leyen challenges EU capitals to step up
Cyprus: EU sanctions an option to halt Turkey's gas search
Cyprus says ready for dialogue with Turkey but not under threats
Greek PM says concerned by extension of Turkish drill ship operations off Cyprus
France is making its presence felt across the Mediterranean - from the Middle East to Greece to Libya. Steven Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins us to explain what is behind France’s renewed interest in the region and its efforts to wield power to bring order and stability to the Mediterranean.
Read Steven Cook's latest articles on France, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the Middle East here:
Macron wants to be a Middle Eastern superpower
The end of hope in the Middle East
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Greece vows to empty Lesbos of all refugees by Easter after fire
Greece arrests five over Lesbos migrant camp blaze
Germany says it will take in refugees, easing burden on Greece
Greece wants the EU to help run its island migrant camps
Secretary Mike Pompeo travelled to Cyprus on Saturday, where he signed an important MoU for further cooperation on defense issues. In the meantime, Prime Minister Mitsotakis announced on Saturday that Greece will strengthen its armed forces by buying new weapons systems. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, breaks down these important headlines.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Pompeo says tensions help no one, US to establish training facility in Larnaca
Mitsotakis announces military spending to counter Turkish aggression
Greece looks to France for new arms amid spat with Turkey
Oruc Reis withdrawal seen as positive
Greece to build permanent migrant centre to replace Moria
Germany could take thousands from Greek refugee camp: Bild
Turkey Gets Unprecedented Downgrade, Crisis Warning From Moody’s
In Turkey, weak lira powers fresh gold rush
Lena Argiri, the DC Correspondent for ERT, the Greek Public Broadcasting Company, discusses Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's announcement that he will travel to Cyprus on Saturday amid heightened tensions in the region, the Med7 summit, Greece's decision to upgrade its military capabilities, and more.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Pompeo plans Saturday stopover in Cyprus
Greek PM expected to unveil defense program on Saturday
Greece goes arms shopping as Turkey tension rises
Southern EU leaders urge Turkey to end “unilateral” actions
Final statement from Med7 Summit
Washington ‘coordinating’ with Greek government, EU over Moria fire response
Greece seeks shelter for thousands after refugee camp fire
Local anger as Greece tries to shelter refugees after Lesbos fire
Moria migrants and Greek islanders protest over new camp
Diliman Abdulkader, the Co-Founder and Director of American Friends of Kurdistan, joins us today to discuss the current challenges the Kurds in Turkey and the broader region face. We’ll also break down a recent piece by expert Michael Rubin and explores whether Turkish President Erdogan's regional belligerence can lead to other countries changing the way they deal with the Kurds.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
One way the Kurdish insurgency could lead to the collapse of Turkey
Southern EU leaders urge Turkey to end “unilateral” actions
Final statement from Med7 Summit
Thousands of refugees sleep rough, without food, after Moria fire
EU official says asylum policy impasse 'part of the problem' at Moria
Moria migrants: Germany, France will take in 400 children from Greece’s refugee camp
Fires that broke out early Wednesday morning have destroyed Moria, an overcrowded migrant camp on the eastern Aegean island of Lesvos, leaving thousands of people without shelter and throwing a harsh light on the EU's migration policy failures. John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist based in Greece and Al Jazeera’s southeast Europe correspondent, joins us from Lesvos with an on the ground report.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Greek refugee camp blaze highlights EU’s migration failure
Europe scrambles to address fate of Greek camp residents
New fire breaks out in crowded refugee camp on Greek island
Turkey must stop its aggression or face EU sanctions, says Kyriakos Mitsotakis
Cyprus to raise Turkish provocations at Med7 summit
Cyprus problem, Varosha on MED7 summit agenda
Greek PM to hold talks with French president
Athens to submit proposals for de-escalation with Turkey to NATO
Concerns grow as Oruc Reis gets closer to Kastellorizo
“Will the throne remain empty?” That’s the title of the latest piece by HALC’s Executive Director, Endy Zemenides, who argues that the United States has gone missing in action in the Eastern Mediterranean, leaving allies and partners like Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and Egypt to deal with the rogue state-like behavior of Turkey. Endy Zemenides is with us to talk about the dangers of the United States’ retreat from the region.
Read his op-ed in Kathimerini here: Will the throne remain empty?
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Greece to bolster defence sector as eastern Mediterranean tensions rise
Flurry of tests as COVID hits Greece’s biggest migrant camp
35 migrants in Moria found positive for coronavirus
Russia ready to help ease Turkey-Greece tension
Lavrov says Russia ready to support peace
Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins us to analyze the recent announcements from NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on technical talks between Greece and Turkey which Athens refuted, the status of Berlin’s diplomatic initiative, and the current state of affairs in the Eastern Mediterranean.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
NATO: Turkey, Greece start talks to reduce risk of conflict
Greece delivers letter on Turkish activities to UN
Παρά την τουρκική προβοκάτσια, έγινε η συνάντηση Δένδια – Γκουτέρες στη Νέα Υόρκη
Cyprus to strip seven of citizenship granted through investment scheme
Steps underway to strip seven people of citizenship
EU to hone 'carrot and stick' line on Turkey, top official says
While the media’s attention has been focused on Turkish President Erdogan’s decision to convert Hagia Sophia in July, there hasn’t been much written about the reconversion of another significant UNESCO world heritage site into a mosque: Chora Church. Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou, joins us to explain this move by the Turkish government and the historical significance of Chora Church.
Dr. Prodromou is an internationally recognized leader on issues of religion and human rights, a previous Vice Chair and Commissioner on the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. Dr. Prodromou is also a faculty member at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, where she directs the Initiative on Religion, Law, and Diplomacy.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
After Hagia Sophia, Turkey's historic Chora church also switched to mosque
First Hagia Sophia, now Turkey's 'Sistine Chapel of Byzantium' will be turned back into mosque
NATO says Turkey, Greece agree to talks; Athens denies deal
Diplomatic sources refute reports of NATO-brokered talks between Greece, Turkey
New committee to probe entire length of Cyprus Investment Program
Cabinet appoints committee to look into passport scheme going back to 2008
Our host, Thanos Davelis, analyzes the major stories and headlines of the day, including an update on the migrant crisis in Greece, the latest developments in Greece's response to Covid-19, Greece's successful 10-year bond sale, French President Macron's trip to Lebanon, and more.
ou can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Minister: Over 10,000 migrants stopped from entering Greece
Greece reports first coronavirus case in Moria migrant camp on Lesbos
Greece sells 10-yr bond on record low yield, draws strong demand
Greek debt sale ‘bodes well’ for busy eurozone issuance
Greece holds bond sale ahead of defense spending boost
New Covid cases rise to 233, as deaths drop to two
Greece defends Covid safety as Johnson urged to review quarantine rules
England under pressure to impose Greece quarantine
Greek, French defense ministers discuss Turkish transgressions
In Lebanon, Macron Dangles Sanctions to Push for Change
French leader warns Lebanese politicians of ‘last chance’
Today the State Department announced it was lifting a 33 year arms embargo on Cyprus, waiving restrictions on the sale of non-lethal defense articles and services for the coming fiscal year. Apostolos Zoupaniotis, the publisher and editor of the weekly Greek-American newspaper Greek News and a regular commentator on Hellenic issues, joins us to analyze today’s headline story.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Οι ΗΠΑ ανακοίνωσαν μερική και προσωρινή άρση του εμπάργκο όπλων στην Κύπρο – Συνομιλία Πομπέο – Αναστασιάδη
US partially lifts arms embargo against Cyprus
Menendez lauds decision to lift outdated arms export restrictions to Cyprus
Turkey renews call for dialogue, sharing of resources in Med
Greece in talks with France over fighter jets, as East Med tensions rise
Cyprus sees glimmer of hope with Chevron
No further delays seen in drilling programmes
The New York Times Editorial Board published an op-ed titled “There’s a New Game of Thrones in the Mediterranean,” that attempts to break down the tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean. Instead of calling Turkey out for its dangerous provocations, the authors attempt to lay equal blame at the feet of both Greece and Turkey. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, discusses why the piece is problematic and HALC’s response.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Take Action: Set the record straight at the NYTimes
NYTimes op-ed: There’s a New Game of Thrones in the Mediterranean
Financial Times op-ed: Defusing tensions in the eastern Mediterranean
North Macedonia government wins confidence vote
North Macedonia parliament approves Zoran Zaev as PM
Turkey extends exploration work in disputed East Mediterranean area
Turkey issues new navtex for Oruc Reis in East Med
This week we saw an uptick in military exercises in the Eastern Mediterranean amid Turkey’s continued provocations in Greece’s EEZ. Greece held military exercises with France, Italy, Cyprus the UAE, and the US. Retired General Taxiarchis Sardellis, HALC’s Nonresident Senior Fellow for Defense and Security Policy, is with us today to discuss these military exercises.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Turkey prolonging East Med standoff
Greece starts more training exercises amid Turkey tension
Six Greek F-16s participated in joint drill off Cyprus
EU urges Turkey to stop drilling in Med, ponders sanctions
EU mulls sanctions on Turkey over Eastern Mediterranean tensions
France's Macron says he set red lines with Turkey in eastern Mediterranean
Tensions remain at an all time high in the Eastern Mediterranean as Turkey continues its provocations, challenging Greece’s maritime rights in the region. In the meantime, Germany is attempting a diplomatic mediation, while EU ministers are meeting to discuss possible sanctions against Turkey. Dr. Aristotle Tziampiris, Professor of International Relations and the Chair of the Department of International and European Studies at the University of Piraeus, provides us with his analysis.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Germany calls for end to east Mediterranean military drills
Greek Parliament ratifies deal with Egypt on maritime boundaries
New Navtex shows Turkey not truly interested in de-escalation, Athens says
EU reaches vaccine deal with AstraZeneca
Coronavirus: the Commission signs first contract with AstraZeneca
Statement by Ambassador Brownback on Chora
Today Prime Minister Mitsotakis and President Trump spoke on the phone about developments in the Eastern Mediterranean. Earlier this week leaders of the Hellenic Caucus in Congress voiced their concerns to Secretary of State Pompeo about Turkish aggressions, requesting an update on required reports of violations of Greek and Cypriot sovereignty. Petros Kasfikis, the Washington, DC correspondent for Mega TV in Greece and the Athens News Agency, is with us today with a report from DC.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Greek PM speaks with US president about East Med tension
Following Turkey’s Campaign of Aggression in the Eastern Mediterranean, Hellenic Caucus Leaders Request Update on Required Reports of Violations of Greek and Cypriot Sovereignty
Greece plans nautical boundary shift as Turkey tensions increase
Turkey, Greece stick to their guns in escalating Med dispute
France joins military exercises in east Mediterranean
EU weighs options to pull Greece and Turkey back from brink
This weekend Turkey’s President Erdogan hosted a large Hamas delegation in Istanbul. The State Department called out Turkey for meeting with members of Hamas, a designated terrorist organization by both the US and the EU. Jonathan Schanzer, the Senior Vice President at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins us to offer his analysis.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
State Department condemns Erdoğan meeting with Hamas
US shifts Turkey strategy as it condemns Erdogan-Hamas meeting
Previous analysis by Jonathan Schanzer on Turkey's support for Hamas agents: Lying Down With Dogs
Germany says Turkey, Greece ready for dialogue on East Med dispute
Borrell to present options for sanctions against Turkey at Gymnich
Athens seeking tougher EU sanctions against Turkey
Tensions remain high in the Eastern Mediterranean, where Turkey’s Oruc Reis research vessel, accompanied by Turkish ships, remains in Greece’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone. In the meantime, Greece’s navy and air force is preparing to conduct military exercises in the area beginning Tuesday, while Berlin is stepping up its diplomatic efforts for a resumption of talks between Greece and Turkey. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, is with us from Athens with the latest news.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Athens draws red line on sea surveys
German mediation to continue with Maas visit
Greece plans Mediterranean navy exercises; Turkey objects
Greece irked by Germany in standoff with Turkey
Cyprus denies unlawful citizenships but vows to examine Al Jazeera list
Al Jazeera ‘probe’ a smear campaign
New Covid-19 infections drop, with 170 cases reported
Greece tells Students to wear masks when schools reopen Sept. 7
Natural gas discoveries in the waters off Cyprus, Egypt, and Israel have contributed to heightened and deepened regional antagonisms, with Turkey raising tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean. At the same time, these discoveries offer hope for regional cooperation.
Henri Barkey, the Cohen Professor of international Relations at Lehigh University and an adjunct senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, discusses his latest essay on energy in the region.
Read Professor Barkey's latest essay here: The Prospects for Conflict or Cooperation: Will the Eastern Mediterranean natural gas discoveries lead to regional transformation?
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
EU, CureVac in advanced talks for 225 million COVID-19 vaccine doses
Coronavirus: Commission continues expanding future vaccines portfolio with new talks
Measures for Mykonos, Halkidiki effective Friday
Rates of violence against women are alarmingly high in Turkey, where femicide and efforts to roll back legislation designed to protect women are currently under the spotlight. Ayla Jean Yackley, an Istanbul based journalist covering Turkey, discusses this troubling trend.
Read Ayla Jean Yackley's latest piece in the Financial Times covering this issue: Murders of women in Turkey: ‘The state cannot shield us’
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Turkey considering quitting treaty on violence against women
PM calls on Turkey to ‘stop provocations’ to start dialogue
US warship arrives in Crete as Greece-Turkey standoff escalates
EU's Michel expresses solidarity with Greece, Cyprus over East Med tensions
European leaders mix condemnation and caution on Belarus
EU blasts Belarus elections, readies sanctions against Lukashenko government
A Biden interview in which he clearly calls Turkey’s President Erdogan an “autocrat” resurfaced this weekend, sparking a backlash in Turkey. Dr. Aykan Erdemir, the Director of the Turkey Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former Turkish lawmaker, analyzes the reaction to this video and discusses what a Biden presidency would mean for US-Turkey relations.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Biden video sparks backlash in Turkey
Joe Biden will be America’s most Pro-Kurdish President
Turkey is now threatening Joe Biden
Nicosia, Athens set tone for Turkey response
Cyprus says willing to engage on defining maritime zones
EU must step up response to Turkey’s ‘aggression’
Zoran Zaev to lead North Macedonia’s government again
North Macedonia's pro-Western parties reach coalition deal
Greek American Congressman John Sarbanes, a Democrat representing Maryland’s 3rd district, discusses the Democratic National Convention, former Vice President and Presidential candidate Joe Biden’s positions on Hellenic issues and Turkey, and more.
You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:
Democratic National Convention: What to watch for at Biden's nomination party
Turkey in a stir over Biden remarks
Turkish government slams Joe Biden for calling Erdogan an ‘autocrat’
As USPS pressure grows, Postmaster General to appear for House hearing next week
Pelosi calls back House over Postal Service upheaval
House Democrats will vote on giving Postal Service a $25 billion boost
Egypt parliament okays EEZ deal with Greece
US supports Cyprus, wants closer east Med gas cooperation
Cyprus: EU ‘appeasement’ of Turkey in exploration row will go nowhere
With the Turkish lira depreciating rapidly, just how long can Turkey hide the fact that it is spending far beyond its means? Chris Miller, the author of a recent piece in Foreign Policy Magazine titled “Erdogan has hidden an Economic Disaster Deep in Turkish Banks”, discusses the current economic situation in Turkey.
Chris Miller is assistant professor at the Fletcher School, the Eurasia director at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, and the author of Putinomics: Power and Money in Resurgent Russia.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
Erdogan has hidden an economic disaster deep in Turkish banks
Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting With Greek Foreign Minister Dendias
Dendias hopes to avoid conflict in eastern Mediterranean Sea
EU urges Turkey to ‘deescalate’ energy dispute with Greece
During EU teleconference, Greece and Germany disagree on Turkey stance
EU Foreign Policy Chief: Full solidarity with Greece and Cyprus
Video conference of Foreign Affairs Ministers: Main outcomes
New Covid-19 measures imposed as PM entreats young
Virus flareups in Europe lead to club closings, mask orders
A team of reporters at Defense News broke a story that key members of Congress have secretly blocked US arms sales to Turkey for nearly two years. Aaron Mehta, Deputy Editor and Senior Pentagon Correspondent for Defense News and one of the authors of the report, joins our podcast from DC to give us the inside scoop on this story.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
Congress has secretly blocked US arms sales to Turkey for nearly two years
France sends jets and ships to tense east Mediterranean
Greece welcomes French navy presence in Meditteranean
Dendias, Menendez discuss Turkey
Turkey's Erdogan threatens Greece over energy dispute in Mediterranean
Senators Menendez and Van Hollen call on Secretary Pompeo to ensure Turkey removes its naval vessels from Greece’s EEZ
CHIA co-chairs call on Secretary Pompeo to make it clear that Turkey must cease its provocations
Take Action: HALC calls on Secretary of State Pompeo to hold Turkey accountable
Tensions remain at dangerous levels in the Eastern Mediterranean, where Turkey’s research vessel, the Oruc Reis, is surveying for energy resources in Greece’s continental shelf south of the Greek island of Kastellorizo. Greece has demanded the ship’s withdrawal, and the Greek armed forces remain on high alert. We analyze the main reactions to these latest developments on our Daily Roundup today.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
Turkish ship starts energy search; Greece issues warnings
Statement from Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis
PM warns of possible 'accident' in East Med amid Greek-Turkish tensions
France to increase Mediterranean troop presence over Turkey gas explorations
Israel takes Greece’s side in maritime standoff with Turkey
EU foreign ministers to discuss Turkey, Belarus, Lebanon in emergency meeting
New daily record set with 262 new infections
Anxiety builds as coronavirus cases increase
Murders of women in Turkey: ‘The state cannot shield us’
Relief donations reach Beirut on vessel, chartered flight
Ikaria ferry reaches Beirut, collection of dry food continues in Cyprus
Michael Rubin, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and a former Pentagon official, breaks down why the State Department still has a soft spot for Turkey despite the list of ways that Ankara is undermining US interests in the region.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
The State Department has a Turkey problem
Turkey to issue Mediterranean exploration licences, raising tensions with Greece
Dendias says Greece will not accept a fait accompli in East Med
Greece wants emergency EU ministers' meeting on Turkey tensions
Oruc Reis moving eastward
Cyprus aid for Lebanon en route to Beirut
Beirut holds vigil to mourn blast victims
Greece is once again on high alert after Turkey sent ships to conduct energy research and exploration in an area within Greece's continental shelf, dangerously escalating tensions in the region. John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist based in Athens and Al Jazeera’s southeast Europe correspondent, reports on today’s breaking news.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
Oruc Reis within Greek continental shelf
Greece slams Turkish move on gas exploration in eastern Med
State Department ‘deeply concerned’ over Turkey’s ‘provocative’ actions in East Med
Coronavirus in Europe: France extends mask use as Greece says it is in second wave
Local lockdowns not ruled out as infections rise
Government calls off Thessaloniki International Fair due to Covid-19
New measures announced in Greece
Lebanese government resigns after Beirut blast, public anger
Lebanese government quits amid fury over Beirut blast
A scathing report was published today highlighting how Turkey exerts pressure on seemingly independent think tanks like the Atlantic Council. Georgia Logothetis, HALC’s managing director, breaks down how Turkish money influences the Atlantic Council's publications and programming.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
At the Atlantic Council, foreign money talks
Erdogan says Turkey restarted energy exploration in east Mediterranean
Athens ready for a dialogue with Ankara, without threats
Turkey issues Navtex for area between Rhodes and Kastellorizo
UN warns of Lebanon humanitarian crisis
Macron promises help, Beirut residents vent fury at leaders
Greece and Egypt agreed on a delimitation of their exclusive economic zones following a visit to Cairo by Greece’s Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias on Thursday. Angelos Athanasopoulos, the editor in chief of politics for the Greek newspaper To Vima, is with us today to analyze this breaking news.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
Ελλάδα και Αίγυπτος υπέγραψαν τη συμφωνία για τις θαλάσσιες ζώνες
H Τουρκία ακύρωσε τις διερευνητικές επαφές του Αυγούστου
Greece and Egypt sign agreement on exclusive economic zone
Greece signs maritime border deal with Egypt
Cyprus can help EU fill east Med ‘power void’
Cyprus-France defence cooperation comes into effect
Turkey’s Lira Hits Record Low as Interventions Fail to Stem Drop
Turkey to use 'all available' tools as currency plunges
'Hitting people in every sense': Turkish lira hits record low
Tom Ellis, the editor of Kathimerini English Edition, joins The Greek Current to discuss the current spike in coronavirus cases in Greece and how the government is working to maintain its positive record when it comes to dealing with this pandemic.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
Op-ed: Protecting our positive image
Covid infections spike again at 124 new cases
Greek PM rejigs cabinet, retains key ministers
Beirut explosion: Port officials under house arrest as rescue efforts continue
Beirut explosion live updates: Half of city affected by damage
Cyprus lends a hand to frantic Beirut search and rescue efforts
Greece sends search and rescue unit to Lebanon
Lebanon’s economy and its political structure is collapsing, and urgent reform is desperately needed. Jonathan Schanzer, the Senior Vice President at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, discusses the situation in Lebanon and the risks an economic and political collapse pose to neighboring countries and the Eastern Mediterranean region.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
Op-ed: Lebanon is collapsing and urgent reform is desperately needed
Beirut blast: Explosion rocks city with many injured
Deadly explosion rocks Beirut, causing widespread damage
Health expert returns to warn against complacency as infections jump to 121
Cyprus updates risk-based classification of countries
The national security adviser to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, former Vice Admiral Alexandros Diakopoulos, joins us to break down the latest in Greek-Turkish relations and what Greece would gain from dialogue with Turkey.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
What would Greece gain from dialogue with Turkey?
Exploratory contacts with a deadline
'Parthenon of shipwrecks': Greece opens its first underwater museum
Greece’s First Underwater Museum Called ‘Parthenon of Shipwrecks’
Cyprus battles to keep spike under control
Coronavirus: Charges being considered against spreader from the US
Turkey’s parliament approved a bill this week that would effectively ban social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube unless those companies comply with government censorship. Andrew O’Donohue, the co-author of a recent report on Turkey’s changing media landscape, joins us to break down what this new law means.
Andrew O'Donohue is the Carl J. Friedrich Fellow and a PhD student in Harvard University’s Department of Government, as well as a nonresident research assistant at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
Turkey issued new rules for social media. That may mean that media censorship wasn’t working.
Turkey’s changing media landscape
Greece moves ahead with deployment of $38 billion EU windfall
Face masks compulsory in enclosed spaces in Greece
Cyprus back to square one
Mandatory use of face masks, children 6 and under exempt
One week after the conversion of Hagia Sophia, we now face prospect of the US State Department giving Turkey a memorandum of understanding for the protection of all cultural heritage in Turkey. Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou joins our podcast today to discuss this latest development.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
Turkey’s Cultural Heritage Cudgel
Hagia Sophia’s Muslim Prayers Evoke Ottoman Treatment of Armenians
PM tells health experts to 'sound alarm' if needed over measures to halt Covid-19
New peak in Covid-19 infections with 65 cases reported
Thirteen new cases raise alarm in Cyprus
Coronavirus: brace for new decree on masks after cases spike
Libya reveals how Turkey blackmailed country into energy, mercenary deals
Joining the conflict in Libya, Turkey sees economic gains
On Tuesday Turkey announced that it will halt research for oil and gas in the Eastern Mediterranean in an area located within the Greek continental shelf. Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor Vassilis Nedos discusses the diplomatic efforts that took place to deescalate tensions and the ongoing situation.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
Turkey’s halt of activities welcomed
Athens says only issues are continental shelf, sea zones
«Μορατόριουμ» με πολλά ερωτήματα
Turkey passes law extending sweeping powers over social media
Turkey's MPs vote to tighten grip on social media
Unficyp raft resolution adopted by UN Security Council with minor changes
UNFICYP renewal invokes reactions
John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist based in Athens and Al Jazeera’s southeast Europe correspondent, joins us to discuss Greece’s efforts to bring the Parthenon Marbles home from the British Museum and his behind the scenes report on the restoration work taking place at the Acropolis.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
Greece seeks return of Parthenon Marbles amid restoration project
Masks to be compulsory at more indoor public spaces in Greece
Turkey pauses energy-exploration research in east Mediterranean
Turkey to suspend research in waters disputed with Greece
Turkey issues new Navtex to send Barbaros in Cypriot EEZ
Donald Trump should lift the arms embargo on Cyprus now
Armenian National Committee of America Executive Director Aram Hamparian discusses the deadliest Azerbaijani attack on Armenians in years that has taken place this month, Turkey’s role in encouraging Azerbaijan, and the response to this aggression in the US from Armenian Americans and their partners - including HALC.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
Take Action: Condemn Azerbaijani Aggression against Armenia
Armenian school in San Francisco vandalized
Op-ed: U.S. Leaders Must Stand Against Turkey's Atrocities in Northern Syria
Greece says tension easing in East Med dispute with Turkey
Three-way, high-stakes push under way
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson officially become Greek citizens
Turkish President Erdogan joined worshipers on Friday for the first Muslim prayers in 86 years inside Hagia Sophia after Turkey changed its status from a museum into a mosque. Tugba Tanyeri Erdemir and Aykan Erdemir join us to discuss these developments and their implications for the Hagia Sophia and Turkey's minorities.
Tugba Tanyeri Erdemir is a Research Associate at the University of Pittsburg in the Department of Anthropology with an extensive background in cultural heritage preservation.
Aykan Erdemir is the Director of the Turkey Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former Turkish lawmaker.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
Turkish Government’s Hagia Sophia Rhetoric Adds Insult to Injury
Tugba Tanyeri Erdemir’s Twitter thread on the preservation of Hagia Sophia
Tugba Tanyeri Erdemir’s Twitter thread on today’s prayers at Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia opens as a mosque for Muslim prayers
Tension near Kastellorizo ‘heading towards de-escalation,’ says national security advisor
Firefighters battle blazes in Grammatiko and Kechries
Greece wildfires rage out of control
Congresswoman Dina Titus, a champion for all Hellenic issues, discusses Turkey’s move to change the status of Hagia Sophia from a museum into a mosque, her bipartisan amendment denouncing the action in the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, and the sentiment in Congress when it comes to Turkey.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
View Representative Dina Titus's testimony on her amendment on Hagia Sophia here
Read Representative Dina Titus’s amendment on Hagia Sophia (#45) here
Macron seeks EU sanctions over Turkish 'violations' in Greek waters
Anastasiades: France's initiatives exemplify active role sought from EU
US State Department urges Turkey to halt ‘provocative’ actions
US envoy: Kastellorizo has same continental shelf, EEZ rights as mainland
Turkey threatens to block social media sites in ‘draconian’ new law
Turkey proposes social media law, threatening press freedom
Greece remained on alert for a second day following Turkey’s announcement that it will conduct research for hydrocarbons south and east of Kastellorizo. Greg Pappas, the publisher of The Pappas Post and Founder and President of the Greek America Foundation, joins us from Greece to discuss the reaction to these developments on the ground and the US State Department's ambiguous response.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
State Department Sends Ambiguous Message on Turkish Drilling in Greek Waters
Statement by Senator Menendez
Armed Forces source: ‘Situation unchanged’ near Kastellorizo
Greek Foreign Ministry: Turkish Navtex demonstrates ‘complete contempt for international law’
Mitsotakis to brief party leaders Thursday
Airlines call for joint US-European testing scheme
Greece to set up task force for aid management
Today, Turkey announced plans to send oil-and-gas research vessels into waters that fall within Greece’s Exclusive Economic Zone. With tensions reaching new heights, Greece’s armed forces were placed on alert. Retired General Taxiarchis Sardellis, HALC’s Nonresident Senior Fellow for Defense and Security Policy, joins us from Greece to give us a breaking report.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
Armed forces on alert over Turkish exploration off Kastellorizo
Mitsotakis says EU sanctions ‘unavoidable’ for Turkey if tensions continue
East Med tension rises over Turkish drill-ship plan
US Air Force to buy Turkish F-35s
EU leaders reach recovery deal after marathon summit
Cyprus to draw over €2.7b from EU pandemic recovery fund
Greece Calls EU Recovery Fund Deal a 'National Success'
On this day, in 1974, 46 years ago, the Turkish army invaded Cyprus. The illegal invasion and occupation of part of the Republic of Cyprus continues to date, in violation of International Law and United Nations resolutions. HALC Executive Director Endy Zemenides and activist and community leader Tasos Zambas join to talk about this day and the ongoing efforts for justice for Cyprus.
Tasos Zambas is the Chairman of the Justice for Cyprus Committee for the Federation of Cypriot-American Associations, and a refugee from Morphou, Cyprus.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
Sirens mark 1974 Attila operation in Cyprus
HALC twitter thread on the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974
Hopes rise for EU recovery deal at marathon summit
EU leaders see path to budget-and-recovery deal
EU Proposes $858 Billion Stimulus With $446 Billion in Grants
Greece braces for rise in refugees as relations with Turkey worsen
Athens braces for tensions in East Med
Today, the leaders of the EU gathered in Brussels for a two day summit where they will to try and hammer out a deal on an EU budget and a crucial €750 billion coronavirus recovery fund. Viktoria Dendrinou, who has covered the EU extensively as a reporter for Bloomberg News in Brussels and is one of the authors of the book The Last Bluff, joins us with an on the ground report.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
EU's 'moment of truth' as leaders seek Covid funding deal
The EU’s budget fight — by the numbers
PM: ‘No reason’ why deal on recovery fund cannot be reached
Cyprus President calls for EU sanctions against Turkey
Greek PM calls on EU for ‘tough’ sanctions against Turkey
'Only going to get worse': After Hagia Sophia ruling, many fear what's next from Erdoğan
Converting Hagia Sophia into a mosque is an act of cultural cleansing
Greece’s Ambassador to the US, Alexandra Papadopoulou, joins us to discuss the importance of North Macedonia’s first parliamentary elections since ratifying the Prespa Agreement with Greece, and Greece’s call for crippling EU sanctions should Ankara proceed with plans to conduct hydrocarbon explorations in Greek waters.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
North Macedonia's Social Democrats grab slim election victory
Greece wants 'crippling' EU sanctions ready to use on Turkey
Hellenic Caucus Co-Chairs Maloney and Bilirakis Introduce House Resolution Calling on Turkey to Respect Religious Freedom of Ecumenical Patriarchate
Big choices for EU leaders on recovery billions
Europe's Top Court Strikes Down Key Rules Of U.S.-EU Data Transfer
EU court ruling strikes hammer blow to transatlantic data flows
Dr. George Chiampas joins our podcast with an update on the coronavirus pandemic, insight into how we can safely reopen our public spaces, schools, and sporting events, and highlights what Greece has done right in battling this pandemic.
Dr. Chiampas is assistant professor and attending physician in the department of emergency medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago, he is the chief medical officer for US Soccer, team physician for the Chicago Blackhawks, and the Medical Director for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon & Shamrock Shuffle.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
US Soccer coronavirus guidelines and pledge
Commission: Summer is for second wave prep — not vacation
PM calls for strict adherence to safety measures
Greece wants ‘crippling’ EU sanctions ready to use on Turkey
As Turkey’s provocations and unilateral actions in the Eastern Mediterranean escalate, so are tensions between not only Greece and Turkey, but also between Brussels and Ankara. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins us today to break down the latest developments.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
Greece’s red lines have been made known to all
As EU mulls sanctions, Turkey defiant
Cyprus, Greece say in perfect sync over Turkey
Masks, local lockdowns loom as Covid infections rise
Plan to lift flight bans, impose restrictions
North Macedonia: Ballot boxes carried to quarantined homes
North Macedonia holds first election since changing its name
Michael Rubin, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and a former Pentagon official, joins us to discuss how the EU and the US can hold the Erdogan regime accountable for its actions in the region by cutting out Turkish Airlines. Rubin also discusses his latest piece on developments in the civil case against Turkey for its attack on peaceful protesters at Sheridan Circle in 2017.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
Cut Turkish Airlines off from Europe rather than be complicit in theft
Turkey will see a green light for attacking American dissidents if DC court grants appeal
EU, Turkey clash over Hagia Sophia, Mediterranean drilling
EU calls on Turkey to end ‘unilateral actions’ in Eastern Mediterranean
Christodoulides, Dendias discuss Turkey with Borrell on sidelines of EU meeting
Cyprus and Greece to discuss Turkey’s East Med violations
Greek PM meeting with health officials amid spike in Covid-19 cases
Greece to tighten checks at border crossings as travel-related infections rise
Today Turkey's Council of State revoked Hagia Sophia’s status as a museum, paving the way for Turkey’s President Erdogan to convert the UNESCO World Heritage Site from a museum into a mosque. We highlight the main reactions to this breaking news on our Daily Roundup, and break down the main headlines.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
Turkey reconverts Hagia Sophia from museum to mosque
Hagia Sophia: Turkey turns iconic Istanbul museum into mosque
Menendez, Risch Statement on Turkey’s Hagia Sophia
USCIRF Decries Decision to Change Status of the Hagia Sophia
Changes to Istanbul's Hagia Sophia could trigger heritage review: UNESCO
Factbox: Reaction to Turkish ruling and Erdogan statement on Hagia Sophia
Greece passes law regulating demonstrations, thousands march in Athens
Violence erupts at rally in Greece against new protest law
Charles Michel’s small cuts set stage for big EU budget fight
Today we discuss the current situation in Iraqi Kurdistan, where civilians are bearing the brunt of Turkey’s aggression, along with Turkish crimes in the region with David Phillips.
David Phillips is the Director of the Program on Peace-Building and Rights at Columbia University, is a former senior adviser to the UN Secretariat and U.S. Department of State, and the author of “The Great Betrayal: How America Abandoned the Kurds and Lost the Middle East, and “An Uncertain Ally: Turkey Under Erdogan's Dictatorship”.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
Turkey must face a reckoning for its crimes in Iraqi Kurdistan
Greece accelerates green energy push despite pandemic downturn
Greek researchers say close to launching own, cheaper COVID-19 test
Today the State Department announced it will be offering International Military Education and Training to Cyprus for the first time ever, an important step in strengthening the bilateral relationship. In the meantime, public attention on Erdogan’s efforts to convert Hagia Sophia continues to grow. HALC’s Executive Director Endy Zemenides is on our Daily Roundup today to analyze the news.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
US to include Cyprus in army program
Op-Ed by the President of In Defense of Christians on Hagia Sophia
The Future of Hagia Sophia: A Discussion with Tuğba Tanyeri-Erdemir
Biden adviser criticized for sitting on the fence over Hagia Sophia
Merkel calls for swift deal on EU budget and recovery package
Spain and Italy link arms ahead of EU summit on recovery plan
Greece eases more coronavirus restrictions
US Senators Shaheen, Tillis, Van Hollen, and Lankford called on the administration today to expedite the removal of Turkey from the F-35 supply chain as is required under US law. Meanwhile, during a press briefing on monday, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany made a reference to the Armenian Genocide, which goes against the US government's official stance. Petros Kasfikis, the Washington, DC correspondent for Mega TV in Greece and the Athens News Agency, joins us to give us an on the ground report.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
US Senators push Esper on delay to remove Turkey from F-35 supply chain
The Trump White House finally — if unintentionally — invokes the Armenian genocide
Greek PM rides high in opinion polls after one year in office
Eurozone recession 'will be deeper than forecast'
EU foresees worse economic slide, warns of more lockdowns
Epidemiologist Natalia Linos, the Executive Director of the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard who is also running for office as a Democrat in Massachusetts' 4th district, discusses the current spike in coronavirus cases that we are seeing across the US, how we can tackle this pandemic with effective leadership, and her campaign.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
Case growth outpacing testing in coronavirus hotspots
Coronavirus Cases Are Peaking Again. Here’s How It’s Different This Time.
Greece bars Serbian visitors as Balkans cases rise
Majority of new Covid-19 cases traced at border crossing
Turkey warns of retaliation if EU imposes further sanctions
This week NPR published a piece that attempted to explain tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, but, the piece failed to provide an accurate reporting of the situation between Greece, Cyprus, and Turkey. HALC’s Managing Director Georgia Logothetis, who wrote a scathing response to NPR on Twitter, joins us to break down this problematic piece.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
Read Georgia Logothetis’s response to NPR’s piece here
Read the NPR piece we discussed on the podcast here
Hagia Sophia: Turkey delays decision on turning site into mosque
Merkel Urges ‘Massive’ EU Recovery Effort Amid Deep Divisions
Aegean tension fueling Berlin concern
Greek army chief warns of rising risk of ‘accident’ in Aegean
Today international airports and ports in Greece opened up to some foreign travellers. The move comes as the European Union reopens its external borders to a "safe travel" list of nations, which notably excludes the US. Greg Pappas, the publisher of The Pappas Post and Founder and President of the Greek America Foundation, joins us from Greece to give us an on the ground report.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
The Pappas Post: Updated official information about traveling to Greece
Greek America Foundation #ElladaSagapo Campaign
Greece to discard single-use plastic
France pulls out of NATO naval mission in the Mediterranean
Turkey determined to control social media platforms, Erdogan says
Today, members of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues hosted a live virtual discussion with a panel of experts on Turkey's destabilizing actions in the Eastern Mediterranean region. HALC's Executive Director Endy Zemenides, one of the panelists, gives us his insight on what was discussed.
You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:
Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues discussion: Is Turkey Becoming a Rogue State?
Europe Extends Block on U.S. Travelers Over Coronavirus Concerns
EU’s travel safe list emerges from battle for national interests
Macron accuses Turkey of ‘criminal responsibility’ in Libya
Anastasiades: Cyprus wants escalation of EU action against Turkey
Orthodox Patriarch says turning Istanbul's Hagia Sophia into mosque would be divisive
Late last week Greece’s Prime Minister Mitsotakis spoke with Turkey’s President Erdogan on the phone after six months of complete silence. Sources suggest that the discussion was an attempt to “break the ice” between the two sides in an effort to ease tensions that have built up. Tom Ellis, the editor of Kathimerini English Edition, joins the Greek current today to give us his insight on what was discussed.
You can read the articles we discuss on today's Daily Roundup here:
Mitsotakis, Erdogan reach out in phone call
Germany, US pivotal in ice-breaking call
‘We say what we do, and we do what we say,’ Turkish ambassador tells Kathimerini
EU to allow in visitors from 14 'safe' countries
Greece says pandemic to worsen long-term economic problems
MPs accept extra €150m in direct assistance for businesses
Tuğba Tanyeri-Erdemir, a research associate at the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Anthropology, joins The Greek Current to discuss the growing calls in Turkey to change the status of Hagia Sophia from a museum to a mosque, and looks at whether Turkish President Erdogan may finally be ready to change Hagia Sophia’s status.
You can read the articles we discuss on today's Daily Roundup here:
Erdogan and the Hagia Sophia: Will He – Or Won’t He?
EU Moves Toward Urging Travel Ban on U.S. and Entry to China
Pompeo says US, EU working to resume trans-Atlantic travel
Greece to tourists: ‘Enjoy your stay and stay safe’
Greek PM speaks with Turkish president
Lena Argiri – the DC Correspondent for ERT, the Greek Public Broadcasting Company – discusses her exclusive interview with Senator Bob Menendez, which focused on the US role in the Eastern Mediterranean, the State Department's weak response to Turkey's destabilizing role, and steps Congress may take in response to Turkey’s provocations.
You can read the articles we discuss on today's Daily Roundup here:
Lena Argiri’s interview with Senator Bob Menendez
Greek ministry sounds alarm with UNESCO of Turkish plans for Hagia Sophia
US envoy for religious freedom calls on Turkey to keep Hagia Sophia as museum
EU to help resolve Cyprus-Turkey maritime border wrangle
‘Cyprus’ concerns are the EU’s concerns’ Borrell says
President Trump and Turkish President Erdogan’s dealings are back in the spotlight after Bolton’s new book “The Room Where it Happened” was officially released. Jonathan Schanzer, the senior vice president at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former terrorism finance analyst at the U.S. Treasury, joins the Greek Current to discuss the latest revelations in the book, the case against Halkbank, and President Trump’s Turkey problem.
You can read the articles we discuss in the Daily Roundup here:
Op-ed in the Washington Post on Trump’s dealings with Turkey
The Biggest Sanctions-Evasion Scheme in Recent History
Trump's Turkey problem
Greece slams Turkey’s actions in Aegean, eastern Med
EU official vows to continue defending bloc’s ‘external border’
France calls on EU to discuss relationship with Turkey
First drive-through center for Covid tests in Xanthi
Yesterday, Italy, Germany and the United States pushed for a cease-fire and de-escalation of tensions in Libya following a warning by Egypt over the weekend that it would intervene militarily if Turkish-backed forces attacked the strategic city of Sirte. Steven Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins our podcast to break down the latest developments in war-torn Libya.
You can read the articles we discuss in the Daily Roundup here:
Italy, Germany, US seek Libya cease-fire after Egypt threat
Standing up against Turkish aggression: Sen. Menendez’s letter to Secretary of State Pompeo
E.U. May Bar American Travelers as It Reopens Borders, Citing Failures on Virus
Cyprus to host next trilateral meeting of Greek, Cyprus, Israel FMs
Apostolos Zoupaniotis, the publisher and editor of the weekly Greek-American newspaper Greek News and a regular commentator on Hellenic issues, joins us from New York City to discuss his exclusive interview with Archbishop Elpidophoros on the Archbishop’s first year in the US, the annual travel to Greece campaign on Greek News, and the New York primaries taking place tomorrow where a number of Greek Americans are running.
You can read the articles we discuss in the Daily Roundup here:
Archbishop Elpidophoros to the “Greek News” on the First Anniversary of his enthronement: I am proud for be the leader of such a faithful
Στις προκριματικές της Νέας Υόρκης, την Τρίτη 23 Ιουνίου ψηφίστε Ομογενείς υποψηφίους
'Product of theft': Greece urges UK to return Parthenon marbles
Italy, Germany, US seek Libya cease-fire after Egypt threat
Egypt threatens military action in Libya if Turkish-backed forces seize Sirte
France 'will not tolerate' Turkey's role in Libya, Macron says
Today, HALC joins the nation in commemorating Juneteenth - marking the end of slavery in the United States, which occurred on June 19, 1865. New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes joins us to discuss the significance of this day, the discrimination faced by Greek immigrants in the early 20th century, and how our Greek-American community can honor Juneteenth, reflect on its importance, get educated, and act for justice.
Read the articles we discuss here:
EU leaders disagree over rescue package
Merkel Serves Warning to EU Holdouts She’s Ready to Turn Up Heat
Turkey says will work with Italy for Libya peace, slams EU
Operation Irini: Turkey slams EU mission to contain arms to Libya
John Bolton, President Trump’s former National Security Adviser, announced that his book, “The Room Where It Happened” will be released next week. In the book, Bolton highlights President Trump's relationship with Turkey's President Erdogan, specifically as it relates to the case against Turkey's Halkbank - which was indicted for its role in the largest sanctions violations scheme in US history. Laura Kelly, a journalist in DC who among other things covers Turkey and foreign policy for The Hill, gives us her insight on today's Daily Roundup.
You can read more here:
In ‘The Room Where It Happened,’ John Bolton Dumps His Notes and Smites His Enemies
Bolton’s book appears to reinforce how Trump views justice as transactional
Top Democrat plans to ask Bolton for information on Turkey probe after Bolton claims
France calls out NATO over 'Turkey problem' as alliance meets
NATO to probe France-Turkey Med naval incident
Cyprus says common EU migration deal ‘imperative’
Today we’re heading to Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago, where HALC teamed up with the Metropolis and Chicago CRED to deliver roughly 4-6 tons of food donated by our local Hellenic community to the South and West sides of Chicago. HALC chairman and former Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, Greek-American sports anchor and one of the owners of Avli restaurants Lou Canellis, and his Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael are on the ground with us to share their insight.
You can read the articles discussed on the podcast here:
Turkey launches major attack on Kurdish militants in Iraq
Zero new cases for second consecutive day in Cyprus
Five new schemes for economic recovery worth €150m
Last week, the owner of the Panathinaikos basketball club, one of the most widely supported teams in Greece, said he is putting the basketball club up for sale. Following his announcement, Panathinaikos formally asked to withdraw from the EuroLeague. Professor Alexander Kitroeff, a Professor of History at Haverford College, a lifelong Panathinaikos fan, and the author of the book Ελλάς, Ευρώπη Παναθηναϊκός! 100 Χρόνια Ελληνική Ιστορία - Greece, Europe, Panathinaikos! 100 Years of Greek History joins us to offer his insight.
You can read about the stories we discuss here:
Panathinaikos asks to leave the Euroleague
PM, in Israel, wins tourism pledge and warns on Turkey
Transatlantic blues as Pompeo holds EU talks
Borell to visit Cyprus, says island rightly complains about Turkey's activities
Cyprus Defence Minister stresses need for EU naval presence in EastMed
Late last week, the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee unveiled its version of the annual National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, where another key milestone in the #NoJetsForTurkey campaign was reached. Boris Zilberman, the Director of Public Policy & Strategy at the Christians United for Israel Action fund, an alumni of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, and an expert on the Middle East and North Africa, Russia and sanctions, joins us to break down this latest news.
You can read the articles discussed during our podcast here:
Senate committee unveils $740 billion defense bill, targets China
US Air Force to keep six F-35 jets sold to Turkey
Turkish fighter jets attack PKK sites in northern Iraq
Turkey eyes Libya bases for lasting military foothold
Greece welcomes foreign visitors, restarts summer tourism
David Gardner, the International Affairs Editor at the Financial Times, joins us from Beirut to talk about his latest piece published in the Financial Times: "Seven Reasons why President Erdogan Looks Vulnerable".
You can read the articles here:
Seven Reasons why President Erdogan Looks Vulnerable
Twitter uncovers state-backed networks linked to China, Russia, Turkey
Analysis of June 2020 Twitter takedowns linked to China, Russia, and Turkey
Unemployment hits lowest point since 2010 in March
PM announces four new tax relief measures
Steven Howard, the National Outreach Director at In Defense of Christians, discusses the State Department's Report on International Religious Freedom highlighting the many challenges faced by religious minorities in Turkey, the status of Hagia Sophia, and the current challenges Christians and other minorities face in the broader Middle East.
Today Turkey rejected Egypt’s proposal for a ceasefire in Libya, while a Turkish ship suspected of carrying arms to Libya, violating a UN-imposed arms embargo, was spotted in the Mediterranean in an area monitored by EU vessels participating in Operation Irini. Angelos Athanasopoulos, the editor in chief of politics for the Greek newspaper To Vima, give us his insight into the current situation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Greece's Ambassador to the US, Alexandra Papadopoulou, joins The Greek Current to discuss today's "historic" maritime borders agreement signed by Greece and Italy that delimits the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) between both countries.
Read the stories we discussed here:
Greece and Italy sign 'historic' maritime borders accord
Cyprus resumes commercial flights after ending 11-week ban
Greece raises $3.4 billion in 10-year bond issue
Our lead story today is Kathimerini’s exclusive interview with the US Ambassador to Greece, Geoffrey Pyatt. Pyatt outlined plans for US investments in Greece, highlighted the US-Greek relationship and the 3+1 partnership in the Eastern Mediterranean between Greece, Cyprus, Israel and the US, and touched on Turkey’s actions in the Eastern Mediterranean.
You can read the interview here: US ready to invest in Greece, Pyatt tells Kathimerini
Here are the links from our other news items:
Cypriot President: "Aggressive" Turkey should be stripped of EU candidate Status
Covid-19 cases spike; 52 in single day
HALC, ANCA, IDC call on UNESCO to #SaveHagiaSophia. Take Action
Nikos Konstandaras is a columnist at the Greek newspaper Kathimerini and a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times.
Read his latest column on the migration crisis in Kathimerini here: "Internal borders"
Roderick Beaton is the Emeritus Koraes Professor of Modern Greek and Byzantine History, Language and Literature at King's College London. He is the author of multiple books, including, most recently, Greece: Biography of a Modern Nation, and Byron's War: Romantic Rebellion, Greek Revolution.
You can purchase his book here: Greece: Biography of a Modern Nation
Laura Kelly is a journalist covering foreign policy & cybersecurity for The Hill, and has spent extensive time reporting on the US-Turkey relationship.
Andreas Akaras is counsel at Bregman, Berbert, Schwartz & Gilday, and one of the lawyers fighting for justice for the victims of the Sheridan Circle assault in 2017. Andreas is the founder of the Saint Andrew’s Freedom Forum, and is also a former advisor for Congressman John Sarbanes.
Jonathan Schanzer is the senior vice president for research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, and a former US Treasury terror finance analyst.
You can read Laura Kelly's article on the civil suit against Turkey over the assault on protesters in Washington DC's Sheridan Circle here: DC Court: Turkey must face charges in Sheridan Circle assault on Kurdish protesters
Read the latest briefing on the Libya conflict in NEO Magazine by HALC's Executive Director Endy Zemenides: Turkey’s Libya Gamble
Read his article refuting genocide denialist Edward Erickson and setting the record straight: "The History that Happened: Setting the Record Straight on the Armenian Genocide"
Look up his books here:
Sorrowful Shores: Violence, Ethnicity, and the End of the Ottoman Empire 1912-1923
Eternal Dawn: Turkey in the Age of Atatürk
Steven Pressfield is the author of Gates of Fire, the bestselling novel on the Battle of Thermopylae, Tides of War, a novel on Alcibiades and the Peloponnesian War, and more works on Ancient Greece. Gates of Fire is one of the top 50 books on The Leader's Bookshelf, is on the Commandant’s Reading List for all ranks since 2002, is required reading for all officers in the US Marine Corps, and required reading at Annapolis and West Point.
Check out his website here for information on his latest work and to purchase his books: https://stevenpressfield.com/
Author Natalie Bakopoulos joins The Greek Current to discuss her book, The Green Shore, which examines the Greek military junta of 1967–1974, the resistance against it, and the 1973 Athens Polytechnic student uprising.
You can purchase the book here: The Green Shore
Read Natalie Bakopoulos's article on Greek poetry here: "Resist: A Letter From Greece"
Last week the US House of Representatives passed two historic votes. The first was an almost unanimous vote (405-11) to pass H. Res. 296 recognizing the Armenian, Greek, and Assyrian genocide. The second vote saw the House pass a bill (403-16) to impose sweeping sanctions on Turkey. The Armenian National Committee's Executive Director Aram Hamparian joinds The Greek Current to discuss these developments and more.
Journalists Eleni Varvitsioti and Viktoria Dendrinou discuss their latest book, The Last Bluff: How Greece Came Face to Face with Financial Catastrophe and the Secret Plan for its Euro Exit.
Eleni Varvitsioti is the EU correspondent for Greek daily Kathimerini and SKAI TV. In 2016 she was awarded for her reporting by the Botsis Foundation, Greece's most prestigious journalism prize.
Viktoria Dendrinou is a reporter for Bloomberg news in Brussels covering EU affairs and economic policy. She previously covered EU affairs for The Wall Street Journal, and prior to that spent two years reporting for Reuters.
You can purchase the book here: The Last Bluff: How Greece Came Face to Face with Financial Catastrophe and the Secret Plan for its Euro Exit
Mustapha Kemal’s army entered Smyrna on September 9th, 1922. By September 22nd, Smyrna was unrecognizable. The Great Fire — lit by Turkish forces — swept through the city and burned the Greek and Armenian quarters to the ground, marking the end of a Greek presence in Asia Minor that dates back to Homer. Giles Milton, a historian and the author of Paradise Lost: Smyrna 1922, joins us to discuss the city of Smyrna, the events that lead to the this catastrophe, and the heroic individuals who risked everything to save hundreds of thousands of refugees caught between the sea, the flames, and the Turkish forces.
You can purchase the book here: Paradise Lost: Smyrna 1922
What should you look for when choosing the college that's right for you? We examine college rankings, higher education in the US and in Greece, and more with expert Paul Glastris. Paul is the editor in chief of the Washington Monthly and the co-author of the book The Other College Guide. He is also a regular commentator on the BBC, and has been a guest commentator on CNN, MSNBC, NPR, the Colbert Report, and more.
Read his latest article here: When College Rankings Get Personal
Greek-American expert Harry Kazianis joins the Greek Current to share his insight on North Korea, US-China relations and the escalating “trade war” between the world’s two largest economies, and more. Mr. Kazianis is Senior Director of Korean Studies at the Center for the National Interest and a recognized expert on national security issues involving North & South Korea, China, the Asia-Pacific, and general U.S. foreign policy and national security challenges.
Read his article on US-North Korean relations here: What Happens When Kim Stands Trump Up at the Altar?
In early August, Washington seemed to be on “red alert” over Turkey’s threat to take unilateral military action in northern Syria. A deal was struck to avert the crisis after three days of intense talks, but is it possible that Turkish President Erdogan’s threats to invade were a negotiating tactic? Our guest Steven Cook, makes the argument that this is a possibility. We also discuss CAATSA sanctions, and the future of US-Turkish relations.
Steven Cook is the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), and is an expert on Arab and Turkish politics as well as US-Middle East policy.
Read Steven Cook's latest piece in Foreign Policy Magazine: “Erdogan Plays Washington Like a Fiddle”
Greece's elections in July saw a new government sweep into power led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Sharing her insight on these developments and the priorities of the new government Katerina Sokou, the Washington DC Correspondent for the Greek Daily Kathimerini & Skai TV and a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council. Steve Oshana, the executive director of A Demand for Action, also joins The Greek Current for an in depth look at deportations that are effecting members of the Assyrian Chaldean Christian community here in the US.
HALC Executive Director Endy Zemenides and American Jewish Committee (AJC) Director of Political Outreach Julie Rayman discuss the recent approval of the Eastern Mediterranean Energy and Security Act in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the importance of the bill, and the joint advocacy work of HALC and AJC.
Read HALC's press release on the East Med Act here.
"Whoever wins Istanbul, wins Turkey", said President Erdogan. On Sunday, June 23, President Erdogan's chosen candidate was defeated - again - in a rerun of Istanbul's mayoral election by Ekrem Imamoglu who won by a landslide. Aykan Erdemir, former member of Turkish Parliament and Senior Fellow at The Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins The Greek Current to discuss the seismic Istanbul result and what Ekrem Imamoglu's crushing victory means for Erdogan's future.
An interview with author Emily Wilson about her groundbreaking translation of The Odyssey. Read about Emily Wilson and her work here:
The First Woman to Translate the Odyssey Into English
Growing Up with the Odyssey
How Emily Wilson Translated The Odyssey
Emily Wilson on Porous Boundaries and the World of Homer
A discussion of the documentary Life with Smile with producer Steven Priovolos. The documentary highlights the incredible survival of the Jews of Zakynthos during the Holocaust.
Learn more
From the US Holocause Museum
https://www.ushmm.org/information/exhibitions/online-exhibitions/special-focus/holocaust-in-greece
From the documentary website
www.lifewillsmile.com
What is the legacy of Byzantium? Joining us to discuss Byzantium and its history is Lars Brownworth, a history teacher, the creator of the popular podcast "12 Byzantine Rulers", and the author of the book Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire That Rescued Western Civilization.
PODCAST: https://12byzantinerulers.com/
BOOK: Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire That Rescued Western Civilization
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307407950?ie=UTF8&tag=12byzantinerulers06-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0307407950
Earlier this month Archbishop of America Demetrios submitted his resignation to the Ecumenical Patriarch. The Holy Synod quickly announced his successor - Metropolitan Elpidophoros. Discussing the changes, what they mean, and the challenges that face the incoming Archbishop is Professor George Demacopoulos, the Fr. John Meyendorff & Patterson Family Chair of Orthodox Christian Studies and Co-Director of the Orthodox Christian Studies Center at Fordham University.
An interview with Jonathan Schanzer, senior vice president of research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former terrorism finance analyst at the US Department of the Treasury, on lifting the arms embargo on Cyprus, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Turkey and sanctions.
Read his latest piece here: "It's time to lift the arms embargo on Cyprus"
Interview with Georgios Lakkotrypis, Republic of Cyprus Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry on the sidelines of The Economist's summit on the Eastern Mediterranean in New York. Listen in to learn all about Cyprus's role in the region, energy diplomacy and exploration, and the importance of the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act.
In part two of our focus on the renaissance currently underway in Greek food and wine, we are joined by the founder of Diamond Wine Importers Ted Diamantis. Ted has spent the last 30 years tasting wines and traveling throughout Greece to find the best wineries and varieties, and he discusses everything that's new and exciting about Greek wines.
A culinary Renaissance is underway in Greece and in the US, breaking barriers and reintroducing Greek cuisine and wine to the world. In part one of our focus on Greek food and wine, we are joined by chef Louie Alexakis, a globe travelling expert on all things related to Greek cuisine and the owner of the recently opened Avli Taverna in Chicago's Lincoln Park.
Interest in the Eastern Mediterranean over the past years has exploded following significant findings of natural gas off the coasts of Israel, Cyprus, and Egypt. These findings have the potential to be game changers for the region, but also pose a new set of challenges. Charles Ellinas joins The Greek Current to share his insights. Mr. Ellinas is a senior fellow at the Global Energy Center of the Atlantic Council, chief executive officer (CEO) of Cyprus-based energy consultancy e-CNHC, and has over thirty-five years of experience in the oil and gas sector.
A roundtable discussion with Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC) Executive Director Endy Zemenides and Managing Director Georgia Logothetis on news and accomplishments from HALC for the first quarter of 2019.
Over the last couple years, Turkey has endured a failed coup attempt, a massive crackdown that has touched every corner of the country, and is experiencing a distinct turn toward authoritarianism that has eroded democratic institutions and taken a heavy toll on freedom of speech and the press. We interview Mark Lowen, the BBC correspondent for Turkey, for an in-depth look at the situation in Turkey and the challenges journalists face.
An interview with Dr. Michael Carpenter on the US relationship with Greece and Cyprus, Russia's attempts to meddle in the Balkans, and Turkey's shift away from the West.
Dr. Carpenter is the Senior Director of the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement, a nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, and previously served as foreign policy adviser to former Vice President Joe Biden as well as on the National Security Council as Director for Russia.
Leadership that defined the Greco-Roman world. An interview with military historian and author Professor Barry Strauss on his latest book Ten Caesars: Roman Emperors from Augustus to Constantine.
Ten Caesars: Roman Emperors From Augustus to Constantine is available for purchase here: https://www.amazon.com/Ten-Caesars-Emperors-Augustus-Constantine/dp/145166883X
Interview with Professor Frank Zerunyan on the life and legacy of Patriarch Mesrob II, the 84th Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople who recently passed away, Turkey's attempts to interfere in the selection of his successor, and the broader challenges Armenian, Greek, and other ethnic and religious minorities continue to face in Turkey.
Interview with David L. Phillips, Director of the Program on Peace-building & Rights at Columbia University, and author of The Great Betrayal: How America Abandoned the Kurds and Lost the Middle East and An Uncertain Ally: Turkey Under Erdogan's Dictatorship.
We discuss the ratification of the Prespes Agreement, Prime Minister Tsipras's visit to Turkey & more with Editor in Chief of Kathimerini English Edition, Tom Ellis. Read his latest op-eds:
Greece after Prespes: http://www.ekathimerini.com/237039/opinion/ekathimerini/comment/greece-after-prespes
The Greece-Turkey balancing act after the Tsipras-Erdogan meeting: http://www.ekathimerini.com/237419/opinion/ekathimerini/comment/the-greece-turkey-balancing-act-after-the-tsipras-erdogan-meeting
An interview with classicist Madeline Miller, author of the #1 NYT bestseller Circe, on Homer, Greek myths, and women in Greek mythology and literature
"Circe": https://www.amazon.com/CIRCE-New-York-Times-bestseller/dp/0316556343
"The Song of Achilles": https://www.amazon.com/Song-Achilles-Novel-Madeline-Miller/dp/0062060627
A conversation with Professor Barry Strauss, classicist and military and naval historian, on his book "The Trojan War: A New History", Achilles and Helen of Troy, and the lessons in leadership we find in the ancient world.
Listen to his podcast ANTIQUITAS: http://barrystrauss.com/podcast/
Trojan War: A New History link: http://barrystrauss.com/books/
Interview with Patrick Strickland, author of "When Prosecuting Far-Right Violence Fails," about Golden Dawn, fascism in Europe and the U.S. and more https://newrepublic.com/article/151947/prosecuting-far-right-violence-fails
Roundtable with Professor George Demacopoulos on recent developments in the Orthodox Church:
The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/10/ukraine-orthodox-church-independence-russia/571333/
NYTimes: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/15/world/europe/russia-orthodox-church.html?fbclid=IwAR2D1fGQnvVRzQ2c24oucDF8zwjes-kh1iIvHJBvdmHBfdw8J6l-FUHHaLo
Bloomberg: https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2018-10-13/putin-is-loser-as-ukraine-s-orthodox-church-seeks-independence?srnd=premium
Roundtable with Ambassador Patrick Theros focusing on religious freedom, the Orthodox Church and more
Interview with economics expert Professor Nicholas S. Economides about the current state of the Greek economy and the Greek memorandums
Analyzing the latest news about Turkey, HALC advocacy successes and more. Interview with former member of Turkish parliament Aykan Erdemir.
Join us as we discuss investment in Greece, climate change, the historical catastrophe of Smyrna and more
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