The Greek Current

A few days ago the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus, Syria, was bombed in a terrorist attack that left dozens of people dead. The attack has left Syria’s Christians struggling to understand why their community was targeted, and wondering if they can rely on the government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa for safety. Nadine Maenza joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at what this deadly attack means for Syria’s Christians and minorities.Nadine Maenza is the President of the IRF Secretariat, an international organization focused on building infrastructure to support the religious freedom movement globally. She also serves as a Global Fellow at the Wilson Center, and previously served as chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Syria's Christians ask 'Why us?' after suicide bombing at Damascus churchAttack on Christians threatens Syria's postwar cohesionSyrian Christian leader chides president over deadly church bombingGreece to deploy frigates off Libya to curb increased migrant flows, PM saysWildfires wreak widespread destruction on ChiosAuthorities begin damage assessment in Chios, woman arrested for arson

We’re turning our attention to the Hague today, where NATO leaders are gathering this week for a two day summit. While European allies - keen to avoid clashing with President Trump - already agreed to Washington’s demands that they increase defense spending, key questions loom over Ukraine, the Middle East, and the future of the transatlantic alliance. Ian Lesser, the vice president and Brussels chief of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into what’s at stake at this summit.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Weathering the Storm: The Hague Summit and the Future of NATONATO members agree to increase defense spending to 5%How Europe would fill an America-shaped hole in NATOIranian spies target bases on Crete and CyprusLive Updates: Israel and Iran Agree to Cease-Fire Announced by TrumpIsrael accuses Iran of violating ceasefire, vows to 'respond forcefully'

Turkey’s latest move to submit a new so-called maritime spatial plan to UNESCO laying claim to half of the Aegean Sea is once again putting the spotlight on its revisionist Blue Homeland doctrine, and raising questions about its commitment to maintaining calm in 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 take a closer look at this development, breaking down what it means for Greece and the sense of calm that has prevailed over the past few years in the Aegean. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Turkey draws line of marine influence right down the Aegean SeaAthens navigates the day after the US inserted itself into the wars in IsraelMiddle East conflict’s intensity, duration to shape impact on Greek economy Shipping faces elevated risk, Strait of Hormuz closure loomsFM to visit Libya amid maritime tensions

Over the past decades we’ve heard a lot about the potential impacts of climate change, from rising temperatures to wildfires and droughts. Greece is on the frontline of many of these shifts. Today we’re taking a closer look at how climate change will impact Greece’s economy. Nikos Vettas, the General Director of the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research and a Professor of Economics at the Athens University of Economics and Business, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down the challenges and opportunities for Greece’s economy.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Climate change to cost up to 327,000 jobsCompetitiveness deficit shows no sign of easingGreek PM opens door to a shift on nuclear powerArmenia's Pashinyan, Turkey's Erdogan to hold 'historic' talks amid Iran-Israel war

Earlier this week Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis essentially launched his pre-election campaign, unveiling a roadmap to the 2027 elections. As Mitsotakis prepares for 2027, we’re also seeing former prime minister Alexis Tsipras take steps that are fueling speculation about a political comeback, while the far-right is back in the headlines. Lamprini Rori, an Assistant Professor in Political Analysis at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at these developments.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Mitsotakis outlines four key priorities ahead of 2027 electionsTsipras pitch for progressive opposition presents New Democracy with new adversaryGreek court strips three far-right MPs of seats over electoral fraudParliament votes to investigate former transport ministerPatriot missile systems being moved to Souda base

The G7 leaders just met in Canada where the focus quickly turned to geopolitics, primarily the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, which saw President Trump leave the summit early and return to Washington as conflict escalated between Israel and Iran. At the same time, trade remains a key concern among the G7 nations, as tariffs loom on the horizon. Matthew Goodman, the director of the Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into the latest G7 summit and the broader questions still at hand about the ongoing and evolving conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, trade, and tariffs. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Trump Renews Embrace of Putin Amid Rift With AlliesTrade, a sudden exit, Middle East conflict - five takeaways from G7G7 leaders urge 'de-escalation' but stop short of calling for Israel-Iran ceasefire‘Donald is right’ and China is the problem, EU chief saysTrump and Trade Loom Over Canada’s G7 SummitGreece aims to lead in tech and innovation, Mitsotakis tells Les ÉchosEU plans to squeeze out Russian gas with tough new rules

Kathimerini just ran a piece highlighting the efforts of teachers and community schools in keeping Greek education alive in Turkey. These schools are central to the Greek community in Istanbul, a community that once had a significant presence but has dwindled to roughly 2,000 individuals over the last century as a result of government policies, persecution, and a pogrom in the 1950s. Dr. Ilay Romain Ors, a social anthropologist whose work has largely focused on the Greek Orthodox community of Istanbul, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at this historic community and the challenges it faces today.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Keeping the Greek education flame alive in TurkeyRemembering forced migrations: The 1964 expulsion of Greeks from IstanbulFormer Byzantine churches are being converted to mosques – this threatens Istanbul’s cosmopolitan identityMitsotakis outlines four key priorities ahead of 2027 electionsTurkey challenges Greek maritime zones with UNESCO map submission

Since arriving in Ankara, US ambassador Tom Barrack has been thrown into the spotlight. Aside from his active role in Syria, reports indicate he is laying the groundwork for an Erdogan visit to Washington. If we take a closer look, however, the argument could also be made that he is seemingly promoting a number of Turkish positions across the board - from selling Turkey F-35s to presenting Turkey as an indispensable actor for regional stability. Now Israel’s strike on Iran could throw many of these calculations up in the air. The FDD’s Sinan Ciddi and Tyler Stapleton join Thanos Davelis to break all of this down.Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and an expert on Turkish politics.Tyler Stapleton serves as director of congressional relations at FDD Action. He previously spent eight years working in Congress where he served as a senior advisor on national security, foreign policy, defense, and intelligence for two members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Israel and Iran Trade Attacks on 4th Day of ConflictPlans afoot for an Erdogan trip to the White HouseIran denies asking Cyprus to convey messages to IsraelCyprus on high alert as regional tensions escalateModi begins two-day visit to Cyprus, set to sign joint declaration on strategic cooperation

Last year Greece’s two biggest teams achieved big triumphs at the European level, with Panathinaikos winning the Euroleague in basketball, and Olympiakos winning the Conference League in soccer. While this year didn’t deliver any major silverware, we stll saw important runs for both teams. At the same time, the Greek national team in soccer has many fans excited for what lies ahead as it sets out to qualify for next year’s World Cup. Prof. Alex Kitroeff, a professor of history who also studies and writes extensively about Greek sports, joins Thanos Davelis as we look back at another Greek sports season to remember, from both major Greek teams making it to the final four of the Euroleague to the Greek national soccer team raising expectations ahead of the World Cup.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Reds wrest Greek basketball throne from Greens Olympiakos finishes third in EuroleagueFour Greek talents among world’s most experienced young soccer playersGreece’s ‘nouvelle vague’ sinks the Scots in GlasgowIsraeli Strikes Wipe Out Iran’s Top Military Chain of CommandGreece to hold emergency security meeting following Middle East escalationBipartisan bill aims to strengthen US-Cyprus security partnership

We’re almost at the halfway point of Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ second term. Despite a few political storms over the past years, New Democracy, the prime minister’s party, is riding out a wave of dissatisfaction among voters, holding steady at about 30 percent. At the same time, a rudderless and divided opposition can’t seem to translate this into votes. Nektaria Stamouli, the deputy editor in chief of Kathimerini's English Edition and Politico's Eastern Mediterranean correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a deeper dive into Greece’s current political landscape, from the ruling party to the fragmented opposition. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Greeks feel they have no one to vote forTsipras slams government, calls for progressive unityAthens agrees to send APCs to LebanonGreek court strips three far-right MPs of seats over electoral fraud