The Greek Current

While celebrating the Gaza ceasefire agreement in Egypt, President Trump made a point to single out Turkey’s President, 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...

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

Gr...

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.

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

State spending to jump €5 bln next year

Gover...

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<...

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 sum...

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...

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 st...

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 B...

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 ar...

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...

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:

...

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 podc...

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 scramb...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 w...

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 re...

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 disc...

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:

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

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 atte...

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 disc...

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...

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 Brea...

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 t...

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' presiden...

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...

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 view...

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 jo...

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 P...

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 opp...

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...

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:

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:

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:

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:

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.