The Greek Current

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.

Greece - and much of southern Europe - has faced a series of wildfires over the past weeks, prompting evacuations and even resulting in deaths. As Greece grapples with another summer of wildfires, questions abound over how to combat this phenomenon and build resilience, and the role of the media, the government, and civil society. Niko Efstathiou, an Athens based journalist and author, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into these questions.

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

Wildfires: What we don’t know is what burns us

Ov...

Earlier this week we took a look at the stakes ahead of President Trump’s meeting with Russian President Putin in Alaska. Today, Professor Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, the president of the Yale Chief Executive Leadership Institute who has advised the White House, the State and Treasury Departments, and the Council of Economic Advisers on Russian economic sanctions and business retreats, joins Thanos Davelis as we explore how sanctions have crippled Russia’s economy, leaving Putin with very few cards. 

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

Trump Has the Upper Hand Going into...

Is Israel risking overplaying its hand in Gaza and the Middle East, and, as European countries like France and Britain move to recognize Palestine, what are the broader ramifications for the region? Steven Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Thanos Davelis as we look to answer these questions, and more.

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

Israel Risks Overplaying Its Hand in Gaza and the Middle East

Why Recognizing Palestine Is Meaningless or Even Ha...

Are Armenia and Azerbaijan on a path to peace, or is the latest deal signed at the White House a rushed agreement that lets Baku off the hook for its aggression - from the ethnic cleansing of Nagorno Karabakh to its unlawful detention of Armenian POWs? Thanos Davelis digs into this question with Aram Hamparian, the executive director of the Armenian National Committee of America, as we look at what this deal means for peace and stability in the region.

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

You can read the...

All eyes will be on Alaska this Friday as President Trump meets with President Putin to discuss Ukraine, a high stakes summit with risks for Europe, Ukraine, and President Trump. Will Ukraine’s fear of a deal struck between Trump and Putin - and excluding Kyiv - be realized? What about the political risks for President Trump both at home and with US allies? David Sanger, the White House and National Security Correspondent for the New York Times, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into all of these questions. 

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

Almost a month since Kimberly Guilfoyle received the nod from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, we are still waiting for her to take up the job of US ambassador in Athens. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis as we try to answer the question everyone’s thinking in Greece: “When is Kimberly arriving?”

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

Another hurdle delays Guilfoyle’s arrival

US Senate gridlock further delays Guilfoyle’s arrival to Greece

Congress is in August recess, but tensions lie ahead on spe...

Syria stands at a pivotal moment. As the violent persecution of Syria’s minorities intensifies, key voices are calling on the US and the international community to help steer the country away from authoritarianism and toward a future that ensures equal citizenship for all Syrians. Two of those voices  - Nadine Maenza and Aykan Erdemir - join Thanos Davelis as we break down why these steps are needed, before it’s too late.

Nadine Maenza is the chair of the Institute for Global Engagement, co-chair of the International Religious Freedom Roundtable, and former chair of the U.S. Comm...

Despite Cyprus being better prepared than ever ahead of the wildfire season, last month Cyprus was hit with its worst wildfire in decades. As Cypriots look for answers, countries in the region - including Greece - are also facing similar challenges as they struggle to build resilience and keep up with the impacts of climate change. Nektaria Stamouli, the deputy editor in chief of Kathimerini's English Edition and Politico's Eastern Mediterranean correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into this story.

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

Confused politics fans...

With the summer holiday season kicking into full gear, Greek politics doesn’t seem ready for a break just yet. Nick Malkoutzis, the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into what’s keeping Greek politicians busy in the summer heat - whether it’s the continued fallout over an EU farm subsidy scandal, speculation that former prime minister Antonis Samaras could form his own party, or new relief measures set to be announced after the summer.

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

Gov’t faces ba...

Over the past month we’ve seen a battle of maps in the Eastern Mediterranean, with the Tripoli-based government in Libya, backed by Turkey, raising the temperature with Greece. Thanos Davelis brings on Constantinos Filis, the director of the Institute of Global Affairs and a professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, as we dig into Greece’s Libya conundrum and break down whether it’s time for Athens - given Ankara’s role here - to rethink its Turkey strategy.

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

Greece’s...

Earlier this week we dug into the EU-US trade deal, a deal that many Europeans feel is a humiliation and a surrender. As the dust settles around the details of this agreement, Thanos Davelis brings on Yiannis Mouzakis, the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr - a political and economic analysis site that focuses on Greece, to take a closer look at what this deal could mean for Greece.

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

Greece digests EU-US trade deal amid mixed reaction

First foreign universities to be...

The past week has seen a number of developments on defense making headlines in Greece, whether it’s news that Athens will tap into Europe’s SAFE program, or plans that foresee self-sufficient military units on Greece’s islands. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why these moves matter, and look at what else he is paying attention to, including Turkey’s deal for Eurofighter jets and its expected response to Greece’s new maritime park in the Aegean.

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

...

Earlier this month about 30 Kurdish PKK fighters put their assault rifles in a cauldron and set them on fire, a symbolic move after Abdullah Ocalan, the PKK’s imprisoned leader, issued a call for the PKK to lay down its arms. Thanos Davelis is joined by Piotr Zalewski, The Economist's Turkey correspondent, as we look into whether Kurds and Turks, after more than four decades of conflict, are closer than ever to peace. 

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

Kurds and Turks are closer than ever to peace

Pea...

Surrender, submission, humiliation. Those are the words floating around in Europe after the US and the EU reached a tariff deal this weekend that President Trump described as the “biggest deal” ever made. Thanos Davelis brings on Simon Nixon, an independent journalist, Kathimerini columnist, and the publisher of the Wealth of Nations newsletter, as we ask the question: big beautiful deal, humiliating surrender, or a little bit of both?

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

Europe's Surrender

Paying to Play: Europe’s Costly Concessions in Trump’s New Trade Wa...

With President Trump’s tariffs putting a sharp focus on China, most will likely be closely watching negotiations between the two as they look to avoid a full-blown trade war. In the meantime, the EU also has its eye on China, as Beijing’s wide trade surplus with the bloc and its backing of Moscow are key concerns. Brad Setser, the Whitney Shepardson senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations with an expertise in global trade, joins Thanos Davelis today as we take a closer look at how Europe is shifting when it comes to China.

You...

Seeing little progress in its effort to get back into the F-35 program, Turkey is now turning to the Eurofighter, with reports this week indicating a deal with both the UK and Germany for 40 jets. Tyler Stapleton and Sinan Ciddi, two experts tracking this issue closely, join Thanos Davelis today to look at what this deal means for Turkey and President Erdogan, and whether this could pose a risk for Europe in the long run.

Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and an expert on Turkish politics.

...

Syria has been rocked lately by sectarian violence, something that’s not only putting the country’s minorities on edge, but is also posing a challenge to ongoing US efforts led by Ambassador Tom Barrack to push for the Syrian Kurds’ full integration into the Syrian government. Amberin Zaman, Al-Monitor's chief correspondent covering major stories on the Middle East and North Africa, joins Thanos Davelis today as we dig into this story.

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

Suwayda violence boosts Kurds’ leverage as US Syria envoy, SDF chief meet

US...

While Libya - and the Turkish presence there - has long been on Greece’s radar, the war-torn country is now attracting Brussels’ attention as well amid concerns about migration and Russia’s expanding influence there. Jalel Harchaoui, a Libya specialist based in Paris, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into Europe’s concerns about migration and Russia’s expanding footprint in Libya, and look at Turkey’s charm offensive toward the government in the east.

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

We must work with Libyans to stop Putin weaponizing...

Greece is in the middle of a new heatwave that will see temperatures pass 40 degrees celsius - or 104 Fahrenheit - this week. While the government issues warnings to stay out of the sun and remain cool indoors, this is not an option for many Greeks living in buildings that are not designed to cope with these high temperatures. Today we're bringing on Alexia Kalaitzi, an award-winning journalist and features reporter for Kathimerini, who joins Thanos Davelis as we look into the question: How hot is too hot when you’re inside your own home?

You can read th...

At the beginning of the year Lebanon found itself with a new president, a weakened Hezbollah, and the collapse of Assad in Syria, and many - including leaders in Athens - were asking if now was an opportunity to reimagine Lebanon's future. Today Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into Greece’s ties to Lebanon and its message of support as the country looks to rebuild.

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

Greece backs Lebanon’s efforts to restructure its armed forces

G...

Over the last decade we’ve gotten used to Congress driving policy on the East Med, yet since President Trump’s inauguration in January, all eyes have been on the executive. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis today to see how Congress - on the heels of passing Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” - is stepping back into the spotlight, introducing key bills on Greece and Cyprus.

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

Bill proposes 5-year extension of Cyprus arms embargo waiver

Meng, Bilirakis, Titus, And Malliota...

Earlier this week it seems President Trump took a new stance on Ukraine, announcing a new plan to speed weapons to the war-torn country along with the threat of a new round of punishing sanctions. At the same time, he doubled down on tariffs this past weekend, threatening 30% tariffs on the EU. Ian Lesser, the vice president and Brussels chief of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, joins Thanos Davelis to look into what these shifts mean for Europe.

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

Trump’s Shift on...

Recent statistics show that home ownership is declining in Greece, while the number of people living on rent is shooting up. At the same time, the supply of apartments for sale or rent in the center of Athens continues to drop, while prices are on the rise. This is all contributing to a deepening housing crisis for many Greeks. Nikos Roussanoglou, a journalist at Kathimerini covering the economy and the housing market, joins Thanos Davelis to break down these trends, and look at what they mean for Greeks. 

You can read the articles we discuss on our p...

Italy and Greece are sounding the alarm in Brussels over a spike in migrant flows from Libya which has seen at least 9,000 people arrive in Crete since the start of the year, most of them in recent weeks. Athens has responded with new tough migration rules, and the Greek navy is also present in the area. Angeliki Dimitriadi, an independent researcher and expert on migration, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into this latest migration challenge facing the region.

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

Italy and Greece sound the...