The Greek Current

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 ca...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 Daveli...

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 lo...

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...

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...

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.

You can read the ar...

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 t...

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...

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...

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.

Y...

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 ar...

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 vie...

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:

Euro...

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...

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...

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.

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 th...

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...

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.

Y...

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 an...

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.

You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:

Greece...

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.

You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:

Greece plans €2...

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.

You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:

Turkey’s Ambiva...

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 mine...

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 in...

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...

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 Tr...

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 w...

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 discus...

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 Ka...

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 m...

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 Turk...

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 discu...

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.

You can read the articles we discuss on ou...

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.

You can read th...

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...