The Greek Current

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 meetUS envoy urges Syria's Sharaa to revise policy or risk fragmentationGreece unveils five-pillar plan to tackle growing water scarcityTurkey nears Eurofighter jet purchase after UK, German agreementsAthens not surprised by Turkey’s Eurofighter acquisition

While Libya - and the Turkish presence there - has long been on Greece’s radar, the war-torn country is now attracting Brussels’ attention as well amid concerns about migration and Russia’s expanding influence there. Jalel Harchaoui, a Libya specialist based in Paris, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into Europe’s concerns about migration and Russia’s expanding footprint in Libya, and look at Turkey’s charm offensive toward the government in the east.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:We must work with Libyans to stop Putin weaponizing migrants, top EU official saysTripoli asserts claims against AthensAJC and HALC urge Congress to block Turkey’s reentry into the F35 program and uphold CAATSA sanctionsGreek companies tour Europe to lure back skilled nationals

Greece is in the middle of a new heatwave that will see temperatures pass 40 degrees celsius - or 104 Fahrenheit - this week. While the government issues warnings to stay out of the sun and remain cool indoors, this is not an option for many Greeks living in buildings that are not designed to cope with these high temperatures. Today we're bringing on Alexia Kalaitzi, an award-winning journalist and features reporter for Kathimerini, who joins Thanos Davelis as we look into the question: How hot is too hot when you’re inside your own home?You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:How hot is too hot when you’re inside your home?Greece to create two national marine parks in Ionian and Aegean Seas, PM saysSea parks an assertion of sovereigntyTurkey Nears Preliminary Deal for Eurofighter Combat Jet Order, Sources Say

At the beginning of the year Lebanon found itself with a new president, a weakened Hezbollah, and the collapse of Assad in Syria, and many - including leaders in Athens - were asking if now was an opportunity to reimagine Lebanon's future. Today Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into Greece’s ties to Lebanon and its message of support as the country looks to rebuild.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Greece backs Lebanon’s efforts to restructure its armed forcesGreek PM calls for reunification of Cyprus on anniversary of 1974 invasionErdogan visits Turkish-occupied north Cyprus on 51st anniversary of 1974 invasionAthens hits back at Tripoli sea claims

Over the last decade we’ve gotten used to Congress driving policy on the East Med, yet since President Trump’s inauguration in January, all eyes have been on the executive. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis today to see how Congress - on the heels of passing Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” - is stepping back into the spotlight, introducing key bills on Greece and Cyprus.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Bill proposes 5-year extension of Cyprus arms embargo waiverMeng, Bilirakis, Titus, And Malliotakis Introduce Legislation To Support The US-Hellenic RelationshipKimberly Guilfoyle receives nod as US ambassador to GreeceTripoli asserts claims against AthensUS lawmakers launch bipartisan effort to block Turkey’s return to F-35 program 

Earlier this week it seems President Trump took a new stance on Ukraine, announcing a new plan to speed weapons to the war-torn country along with the threat of a new round of punishing sanctions. At the same time, he doubled down on tariffs this past weekend, threatening 30% tariffs on the EU. Ian Lesser, the vice president and Brussels chief of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, joins Thanos Davelis to look into what these shifts mean for Europe.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Trump’s Shift on Ukraine Is Good News for Europe, for NowTrump intensifies trade war with threat of 30% tariffs on EU, MexicoEurope's freedom faces greatest threat since WW2, Macron saysTurkish court sentences Erdoğan’s top rival to almost 2 years in prisonTourism receipts fall despite visitor surge

Recent statistics show that home ownership is declining in Greece, while the number of people living on rent is shooting up. At the same time, the supply of apartments for sale or rent in the center of Athens continues to drop, while prices are on the rise. This is all contributing to a deepening housing crisis for many Greeks. Nikos Roussanoglou, a journalist at Kathimerini covering the economy and the housing market, joins Thanos Davelis to break down these trends, and look at what they mean for Greeks. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Share of tenants is growingHouse supply keeps decliningTripoli evasive on maritime boundariesBill proposes 5-year extension of Cyprus arms embargo waiverMeng, Bilirakis, Titus, And Malliotakis Introduce Legislation To Support The US-Hellenic Relationship

Italy and Greece are sounding the alarm in Brussels over a spike in migrant flows from Libya which has seen at least 9,000 people arrive in Crete since the start of the year, most of them in recent weeks. Athens has responded with new tough migration rules, and the Greek navy is also present in the area. Angeliki Dimitriadi, an independent researcher and expert on migration, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into this latest migration challenge facing the region.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Italy and Greece sound the alarm over Libya. But allies aren’t rushing to help.Athens rethinks southern sea strategyEU trade ministers plan countermeasures to Trump’s ‘unacceptable’ 30% tariffsLibya files UN complaint over Greek maritime zones

There are few media outlets - let alone businesses or organizations - around the world that can boast 100 years of existence. As of this weekend, Apogevmatini, the Greek newspaper founded in 1925 in Istanbul, can do just that. Niko Efstathiou, an Athens based journalist and author, joins Thanos Davelis to look into the legacy of Apogevmatini, the paper of the Greeks of Istanbul, tracing its history over the last century and exploring the challenges it faces today - from a shrinking Greek community to media freedom in Turkey.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Apogevmatini marks centenary as voice of Istanbul’s Greek community«Απογευματινή»: η ελληνόφωνη εφημερίδα της Κωνσταντινούπολης που κοντεύει να κλείσει 100 χρόνια ζωήςNiko Efstathiou’s tweet on Apogevmatini’s 100 year anniversaryAthens rethinks southern sea strategyTurkish president hails the start of disarmament by militant Kurdish separatists

It seems Erdogan's main political opponents - primarily from the main opposition - are up against an unprecedented crackdown over the past months that has seen more than 500 people detained. Erdogan has said this government probe targets what he has called a network that is like "an octopus,” both within Turkey and abroad. Ayla Jean Yackley, an Istanbul-based journalist covering Turkey with stories in The Financial Times, Politico, and other major outlets, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at this story.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Turkey detains hundreds of Erdogan opponents in pursuit of 'octopus' of corruptionTurkey's Erdoğan makes high-stakes Kurdish gambleGreece PM defends halt to asylum processing for North African migrantsDemographic crisis spells end for 146-year-old village school