The Greek Current

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 UkraineGreek navy extends advisory to curb Russian oil ship-to-ship transfers, sources sayTurkish F-16 modernization program encounters roadblocksTurkey 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 θάλασσεςTraversing European CoastlinesIntegrating the ocean into the climate regime: the Ocean & Climate Platform’s challengeEnvironmental pollution caused by microplastics: the example of mermaid tearsGreece restricts outdoor work as temperatures soar againPM hints at electricity allowancesPower 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 ComplianceMitsotakis–Beleri: Albania must follow the European acquisTurkey 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 SanctionsTurkey, US in talks on nuclear plant projects, Turkish official saysMitsotakis on CNN: Europe cannot rely only on US for defenseAlbania’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 Thanos Davelis 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 AlexandriaGreek poet who inspired Forster, Hockney and Jackie Onassis emerges from the shadowsGreek PM reiterates warning to North MacedoniaCyprus-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 τουςGreeks priced out of vacationMitsotakis, Erdogan meet in WashingtonA Conversation With Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of GreeceHolguin gives Guterres her report on Cyprus problem and prospects to start talksDiplomatic 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 constraintsThe UK elections and the Parthenon SculpturesMitsotakis, Erdogan to meet in WashingtonChina 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 parliamentWhy the EU is outraged over Orbán’s trip to see PutinEU foreign policy chief issues fresh rebuke to Hungary's OrbanFrench election aftermath and NATO summit dominate the agendaHomegrown anti-drone system on Psara frigate proves its worth on Red SeaUN 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 relationsAlbanian integration and acceptance in GreeceBerlin-Ankara ‘Grey Wolves’ row rumbles on as Germany summons Turkish envoyGermany summons Turkish ambassador over ‘wolf’ goal celebrationTurkey's Demiral to be suspended for two games over wolf gestureGovernment 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 recordBuilding Urban Heat Resilience: The Athens Case StudyHellenic Air Force receives 20th upgraded F-16 ViperSyrians attack Turkish troops after anti-migrant riotsProtests and arrests as anti-Syrian riots rock TurkeyWith 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 predecessorsMitsotakis's predecessors launch caustic attacks against PM's leadership, government policiesItalian ship under Ankara’s watchful eyeFirefighters 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 ListNorth Macedonia’s PM calls Prespa Agreement a ‘reality’Four MPs enter PASOK’s leadership race in election countdownTwo 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 leadersTurkey tracks cable work in Cyprus EEZGreek 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 protestsSYRIZA on the brink of civil warVon der Leyen, Costa and Kallas bag EU top jobsEuropean 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 stagnatedAs Putin menaces and Trump hovers, NATO chooses Rutte as next leaderRutte says NATO ‘cornerstone of collective security’ as he is named chiefTech 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 HydraGreece to Cap Number of Cruise Ships at Its Most Popular IslandsBarcelona to ban apartment rentals to tourists in bid to cut housing costsGreek EU lawmaker to remain in Albanian prisonRama pushing it with Athens over BeleriDiplomatic 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 violationWill 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, MEPIn Greece, Another Tourist Found Dead Amid Scorching Heat WaveCity 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 systemSalvage firm confirms sinking of Greek-owned Tutor struck by HouthisHouthi 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 threatsHezbollah 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 threatsTurning Cyprus from a problem into a solutionThe small country in the middle of the world’s crisesUS, Cyprus embark on strategic dialogue that officials say demonstrates closest-ever tiesPM 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 CyprusHezbollah head threatens Cyprus in televised addressSummer wildfires plague Greece and Turkey. The worst ones have been containedHeightened 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-leftSome 83% of SYRIZA and PASOK voters in favour of left-wing coalition, poll findsPASOK must give voice to the party baseGreek island searches for missing tourists intensify amid hiking deathsUS tourist found dead on Greek island during heatwaveGreece 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 palaceCyprus and US announce launch of strategic dialogueElection aftershocks dominate the agenda, focus on the center-leftFormer 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 rescuersGreek PM Mitsotakis reshuffles Cabinet after election disappointmentGreece 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-HavenParty cadres challenge PASOK’s leaderPASOK MP: ‘We have to see what went wrong’ in EU electionsAnkara plans Aegean research in Turkish watersAnkara 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 Turkey4,000-year-old Greek hilltop site mystifies archaeologists. It could spell trouble for new airportGreece 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 StrasbourgSYRIZA members urge overture to center-left parties following election resultsPM rules out snap election, hints at reshuffleGreece sends aid to raging Cyprus wildfireHouses 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 HavocMacron bets the house in election to break far-right momentum in FranceND, SYRIZA and PASOK fall short in European Parliament electionGovernment rues ‘Pyrrhic victory’YouTube prankster voted in as Cyprus MEPMEPs: 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 2024Greeks do not trust each other, survey showsParties seeking to make their markTurkey moves closer to acquiring F-16 jetsKremlin 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 memberMitsotakis inspects Greek frigates in French shipyardMitsotakis 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 BritainBritish Museum seeks ‘new relationship’ with Greece amid Parthenon sculptures disputeECB to approve Greek banks' request to resume dividend payment after 16 years, sources sayCyprus 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 crownCelebrations in Greece as Olympiakos beats Fiorentina 1-0 for first European titleGreece's Super League must build on 'dream season', says league chiefThe chronology of deadly fan violence in GreeceMany undecided ahead of Euro electionSanctioned 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 hostageTurkey moves towards reopening Halki seminary, report saysTurkey signals a new military intervention in Syria if Kurdish groups hold local electionsGreece 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 AthensΘ. Σκυλακάκης: «Κλειδί» οι συνεργασίες στην Αν. Μεσόγειο για την ενεργειακή μετάβασηPolls find ND leading SYRIZA by over 15 points ahead of European electionsFar-right parties expected to surpass EPP in European Parliament, polls suggestGreece 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 debtAid for Gaza still leaving Cyprus by sea while landing pier fixed, Cypriot official saysDay 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 schoolsLibya maritime deal also in Turkish schoolsTurkey celebrates 1453 Constantinople fallOlympiakos triumphs in Conference League finalPanathinaikos wins its seventh European crownGreece 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 RolePM Mitsotakis meets with Chicago Council on Global Affairs delegationDefense minister meets with Chicago Council of Global AffairsNikola 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 propertiesAnkara ‘threatens’ own marine parksSkrekas: 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 landscapePolls provide little comfort for opposition parties ahead of EP electionsFighting cost-of-living crisis is government’s top priority, PM saysHas 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 MacedoniaPoland and Greece urge EU to create common air shield, says Polish PMVon der Leyen backs Polish, Greek calls for EU air defense shieldMitsotakis tells Zelenskyy Greece will continue to support KyivUkraine 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 turnaroundParty leaders are taking center stageParties targeting crucial undecided voteGreek 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 IndustryGreek PM warns ‘isolated’ Skopje over compliance with name dealAthens awaits next move by SkopjeCyprus LNG terminal talks go onCharges 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 elections15 EU states demand plan to send asylum seekers to third countriesGreek, Egyptian FMs affirm strategic relationshipPM: North Macedonia should use constitutional name everywhereMickoski 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 TurkeyErdogan defends Hamas, says members are being treated in Turkish hospitalsSecret papers reveal Hamas plan to set up base in TurkeyTurkey dials up Gaza diplomacy as cease-fire talks hit 'impasse'Gov’t to table F-35 letter of acceptance in ParliamentEU 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 violenceSarbanes and Bipartisan Group of 70+ Colleagues Urge State Department to Hold Turkey Accountable for 2017 Sheridan Circle AttackSkopje ups ante, widening rift with AthensAid 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 mediaWould third place spell trouble for PASOK?A leading power in a difficult neighborhoodGreece will not ratify memorandums until Skopje complies with Prespa dealOver 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” DAYGreece-Turkey: The modus operandi and the way aheadErdogan rebukes Greek PM for calling Hamas ‘terrorists,’ says 1,000+ members being treated in TurkeyHALC calls on USCIRF to reclassify the Republic of Turkey as a Country of Particular ConcernEU 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 ceremonyGreek PM slams Siljanovska-Davkova’s ‘Macedonia’ referenceNorth Macedonia President claims right to use ‘Macedonia’ despite international backlashVon der Leyen rebukes use of ‘Macedonia’ by country’s new PresidentMitsotakis says Turkey and Greece should increase cooperation and contactsTurkey’s Erdogan meets Greek PM, sees ‘no unsolvable problems’ in tiesDemarche 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 gainsJust How Dangerous Is Europe’s Rising Far Right?Giorgia Meloni and Ursula von der Leyen, the double act that is steering the EU ever rightwardsGreek PM seeks to build on better ties in AnkaraGreece 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 ConsequencesYou can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Vessel carrying aid to US-built pier off Gaza leaves CyprusTourism season starts with 80,000 job vacanciesOlympiakos beats Villa again to reach Conference League finalEl 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 mosqueUSCIRF 2024 Annual ReportNorth Macedonia elects first woman president, EU-leaning coalitionGreece extends naval advisory to deter Russian oil ship-to-ship transfers