The Greek Current

We’re turning our attention to Libya today, as a surge in the number of migrants traveling from the divided country to Greece’s shores is sounding alarms in Athens and in Brussels. As Greece and the European Union look to tackle this new challenge, Athens is also looking to engage diplomatically with the two rival factions in Libya’s east and west. Alexandra Voudouri, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Brussels gets blamed for Libya trip fiascoBenghazi expels EU migration envoysAthens adopts measured response to recent diplomatic incident with LibyaAthens steps up efforts to build links with Libya as EU steps in to assistPM unveils tough new migration measuresTrump’s pick for US ambassador completes senate hearing smoothly

Originally by today - July 9th - we were supposed to have 90 trade deals in 90 days, and new tariffs were supposed to go into effect. This week, the Trump administration extended the deadline to August 1st. President Trump is now insisting that there will not be another extension to this deadline. Maria Demertzis, the chief economist for Europe at the Conference Board in Brussels, joins Thanos Davelis as we look at what message this latest extension of the tariff deadline sends to America’s trading partners, particularly Europe.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:No TACO Tuesday: Trump insists Aug. 1 tariff deadline won’t be extendedTrump delays tariffs as the rest of the world plays hardballWhat Trump Trade Policy Has Achieved Since ‘Liberation Day’Greek PM to brief Parliament on migration surge from LibyaBenghazi expels EU migration envoysHouthi rebels release video of attack on Greek ship Magic SeasDeath toll from Red Sea attack on Greek-owned vessel rises to three

Speaking at an event organized by Kathimerini last week in Athens, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel reflected on her tenure, touching on a number of issues, from her relationship with leaders like former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to the Greek financial crisis. Iliana Magra, a journalist with Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down the main takeaways from this visit.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Τι είπε και τι είδε η Μέρκελ στην ΑθήναMerkel says Trump is an attention seeker and Greek debt crisis brought her to tearsMerkel: Tsipras’ call about 2015 referendum was ‘most surprising’ in her careerWithdrawing 2011 referendum idea was ‘best possible decision,’ says MerkelCyprus goes high-tech in search for people missing from past conflictUS transforms Souda base into fortress

Recent reports indicate that the White House is looking to find a way to move past Turkey’s purchase of Russian S-400 missiles, and pave the way for Ankara to return to the F-35 program. Sinan Ciddi and Bradley Bowman, the authors of the recent op-ed “S-400s or not, don’t give Turkey the F-35”, join Thanos Davelis to make the case that even if Turkey gives up the S-400s, F-35s should be off the table for both practical and moral reasons.Bradley Bowman is senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), and Sinan Ciddi is a senior fellow at FDD and director of its Turkey Program.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:S-400s or not, don’t give Turkey the F-35US expands military footprint in Greece as priorities evolveForeign minister in Benghazi Sunday for high-level talks

While everyone’s attention has been on the Middle East over the past weeks, I want to turn us to the Black Sea. The Black Sea is not just critical to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine, but it is a key part of the wider standoff between Moscow and the West, raising questions about European security and drawing in other powers as well like Turkey and the US. Dimitar Bechev, a senior fellow with Carnegie Europe, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at why the Black Sea is increasingly on the West and Europe’s radar.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:The Black Sea Has Become the Fulcrum of Europe’s SecurityUS sanctions on Turkey could be lifted, envoy saysS-400s or not, don’t give Turkey the F-35Rival leaders in Cyprus will meet informally with UN chief this month

A scandal involving EU funds and farm subsidies has rocked the Greek government and is the lead story coming out of Greece. Over the weekend we saw the resignation of a few ministers, including migration minister and former agriculture minister Makis Voridis, and we’ve seen Prime Minister Mitsotakis acknowledge the government’s failure while announcing steps to address the issue. Nektaria Stamouli, the deputy editor in chief of Kathimerini's English Edition and Politico's Eastern Mediterranean correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this story.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Greece names new ministers after high-level resignations over farm scandalGreek farm scandal triggers top-level government resignationsMitsotakis: Task force to trace illegal farmer subsidies‘We failed’: Mitsotakis addresses OPEKEPE scandal and party’s roleTurkey detains 120 opposition officials including former mayor

We’re turning to Turkey today, where Turkish markets rallied on Monday after a Turkish court adjourned a case that could force the removal of the main opposition party's leader. Despite this decision, there is still rising political uncertainty in the country as Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu remains imprisoned, and questions remain about the direction Turkey’s economy is heading. Wolfango Piccoli, the co-founder of risk analysis company Teneo, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into these developments.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Turkish Markets Rally After Key Opposition Case AdjournedTurkey’s economic woes catch up with Erdoğan Cyprus invites Erdogan to summit despite long rift over 1974 invasionInviting the invader?Trump Lifts Sanctions on Syria, Tightening His Embrace of Its New Leader

Since President Trump stepped back into the Oval Office, Greece has been on the lookout for the arrival of a new US ambassador. While nominee Kimberly Guilfoyle has yet to go through her Senate hearing, the US ambassador in Ankara, Tom Barrack, seems to be charting a new course for US-Turkey ties. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down why the US can not afford to be under-represented in Southeast Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:No US ambassador in AthensUS envoy signals restart in US–Turkey relations as F-35 thaw beginsSubsidy scandal shakes ruling party‘We failed’: Mitsotakis addresses OPEKEPE scandal and party’s roleGreece names new ministers after high-level resignations over farm scandalSevere heat wave hits southern Europe and raises wildfire risksFirefighters in Turkey battle to contain wildfires for second day

Today we’re turning to Greece’s south, and looking at developments in Libya which are increasingly moving onto Athens’ radar. Greece is closely monitoring recent energy agreements between Libya’s Tripoli-based government and Turkey, and is moving ships south of Crete amid a new surge in migrants crossing the Mediterranean from Libya and heading to Greece. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at Libya, and break down what recent developments there could mean for Athens.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Turkey to start exploring for gas off LibyaMitsotakis: EU must use ‘carrot and stick’ in approach to migrationErdogan says Trump would join Ukraine peace talks in Turkey if Putin attendsEU leaders seek a big boost in Ukraine military support but make little progress on Russia sanctions   

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited Turkey late last week for talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the first formal meeting of its kind and a move Yerevan described as a "historic" step. Despite previous efforts - and a slew of concessions by Pashinyan to both Azerbaijan and Turkey over the past years - there has been little tangible progress in normalizing relations. Dr. Laurence Broers, an associate fellow in the Russia and Eurasia Program at Chatham House and an expert on the South Caucasus region, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at this normalization effort.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Armenia's Pashinyan, Turkey's Erdogan to hold 'historic' talks amid Iran-Israel warArmenian PM Pashinyan meets Erdogan in Turkey on 'historic' visitArmenian prime minister discusses reconciliation with Erdogan in landmark Turkey visitPM touts defense spending at NATO summitLibya, Turkey sign MoU on offshore areas, Athens reiterates rejection