The Greek Current

Despite pressure from the Trump administration for a peace deal or a ceasefire in Ukraine, Russia appears to be stepping up its attacks, launching almost 500 drones and missiles at Ukraine earlier this week. With President Trump keen on bringing this war to an end, or washing his hands of what he views as a European issue, Europe is debating how to build up their defense capabilities and support Ukraine. Professor Lawrence Freedman joins Thanos Davelis as we break down whether Europe is in a position to support Ukraine without Washington, and look into the broader lessons from the war in Ukraine.Lawrence Freedman is an emeritus professor of War Studies at King’s College London, the author of Command: The Politics of Military Operations From Korea to Ukraine, and a co-author of the Substack Comment Is Freed.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:As Trump Wavers, Europe Is More Optimistic About Defending UkraineRussia Launches Biggest Drone Assault of the War, Ukraine SaysThe Age of Forever Wars: Why Military Strategy No Longer Delivers VictoryGrowing Conflict and Uncertain Alliances: On the Future of European SecurityMitsotakis visits Odessa on WednesdayAmerican AI powerhouse eyes Cyprus

Kathimerini featured a story recently on the Cyclades, specifically sounding the alarm over what some are calling the “Disneyfication” of the islands amid unchecked tourism and construction. This is an issue that has been at the forefront of discussions over the past years when talking about striking a balance between sustainability and tourism in Greece, and the Sustainable Cyclades project has been a key part of this debate. Yannis Palaiologos, a journalist at large with Kathimerini and the co-editor of the Sustainable Cyclades project, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into this issue just as the tourism season kicks off in Greece. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:‘Disneyfication’ looms as nature on islands dwindlesΟι «Βιώσιμες Κυκλάδες» & το συντηρητικό ένστικτοMacron links ocean protection to national sovereignty, voices support for Greece, CyprusLooking for new approach towards Libya

At the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens last year, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that Greece would create two marine parks that would raise the extent of Greece’s marine protected areas to 30 percent. Last year’s announcement also led to objections from Turkey, adding a geopolitical angle to this discussion. Now, reports indicate Greece is about to pass legislation to make this a reality. John Psaropoulos joins Thanos Davelis as we break down what this could mean for Greece’s delicate marine areas, while looking at how Turkey’s objections are complicating this story.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Greece poised to make marine parks a realityPlans afoot for an Erdogan trip to the White House“The right time is coming and it will come soon,” vows Greek Foreign Minister regarding Crete-Cyprus power link

As Europe faces increasing pressure over access to fresh water, the problem has become particularly acute in Greece. Reports indicate that Athens and the Attica region will face a water crisis in the coming years under current climate conditions, while the spotlight is increasingly on how to preserve and manage water resources across the country. In addition, this challenge has taken on a European dimension, as the continent grapples with similar questions and the EU unveils a new water resilience strategy. Giorgos Lialios, a journalist at Kathimerini covering issues related to the environment, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into the looming water crisis facing Greece. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:EU warns Greece over lack of water strategySatellite images reveal significant decline in Lake Mornos water levelsThe EU's water crisis by the numbers5 mayors are suspended from duty as authorities expand the crackdown on Turkey’s oppositionEU conjures up surprise law to govern use of ocean resources

Reports that Eastern Libya's parliament is considering endorsing the 2019 maritime agreement between Turkey and the Tripoli-based government in Libya that attempted to split the eastern Mediterranean between the two - and at the expense of neighboring countries - is sounding the alarm in Greece and Egypt. Sean Mathews, a journalist for the Middle East Eye covering the Middle East, North Africa and the Balkans, joins Thanos Davelis as we look at why the Turkey-Libya deal is back in the headlines, and examine what a decision to endorse it in eastern Libya would mean for Greece, Egypt, and the East Med.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Exclusive: Greece to lobby Egypt against Haftar endorsing Turkey-Libya maritime dealEU warns Greece over lack of water strategyAthens, Cairo back at the table over ancient monastery status

Last week a $7 billion energy deal involving the United States, Turkey and Qatar, was signed in Damascus, a move designed to revive Syria's crippled power sector. The move raises questions about Qatar and Turkey’s role in post-Assad Syria and about the Trump administration’s Syria policy. The move also comes as Turkey’s President Erdogan is continuing his crackdown on opposition voices. Henri Barkey, a Professor of International Relations at Lehigh University and an Adjunct Senior Fellow for Middle East Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into Washington’s green-lighting of Turkey and Qatar’s embrace of Syria, and look at how this could impact Erdogan at home.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Turkey's big Syria play: Rebuild, but only if Gulf can pay for itTurkey and Qatar Are Buying Into Syria. The US Should Be Wary of Their MotivesThe End of ErdoganFresh hope for Europe’s largest wooden building, a Greek Orthodox orphanageLibyan House reportedly looks to ratify Turkey maritime deal

From the “Vertical Gas Corridor” to projects in the Eastern Mediterranean, Greece is stepping up its efforts on the energy front. This is placing it at the heart of exciting new developments that will link the East Med with Central Europe and even Ukraine, while drawing the attention of US energy giants like Exxon Mobil and Chevron. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down some of the latest developments on the energy front, and look at what they mean for Greece and its partners in the region.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Greece on the regional energy mapGreece an ‘ideal connector’ in the IMEC corridorGas to flow from Greece to Slovakia, UkraineGreek delegation heads to Egypt amid controversy Ankara eyeing Aegean in new exercise

A recent court ruling in Egypt has sounded alarm bells in Athens and around the world as it seems to put the status of St. Catherine’s monastery in Sinai, a UNESCO world heritage site, at risk. This has prompted reactions at the highest levels, with Prime Minister Mitsotakis speaking with his Egyptian counterpart and emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the monastery’s status as a Greek Orthodox place of pilgrimage. Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou joins Thanos Davelis as we break down what’s at stake for St. Catherine’s monastery and why it matters as we look at the broader state of international religious freedom in the region.Dr. Prodromou is a former Vice Chair and Commissioner on the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, visiting professor in the International Studies Program at Boston College, and was a member of the US Secretary of State’s Religion & Foreign Policy Working Group.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Sisi reaffirms Egypt’s commitment to status of Sinai monastery in call with MitsotakisHistoric Sinai settlement never signedA bolt out of the blue on Mt SinaiTurkish authorities order detention of dozens of opposition officials in widening crackdownTurkey arrests dozens including opposition party membersGas to flow from Greece to Slovakia, Ukraine

The US and the EU seem to have agreed to speed up trade talks after President Trump issued and then postponed a 50 percent tariff threat. While many European leaders welcomed this move, it’s still unclear whether Washington and Brussels can bridge the divide between them. 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 explore whether a trade deal between the EU and the US is in the cards, and look into the deeper questions this looming trade war raises about the transatlantic relationship.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:A big, beautiful EU trade deal with Trump? Dream on!E.U. says it will fast-track tariff talks with U.S. after Trump threatTrump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs halted by Court of International TradeForeign Ministry reacts to Egyptian court decision on Sinai monasteryTurkish nationals appear in Greek court after shooting incident with police in Thessaloniki

This week Turkey’s President Erdogan said he was putting together a team to draft a new constitution, a move that comes in the wake of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s arrest. Many critics see this push for a new constitution as a power play designed to allow Erdogan to remain in power beyond 2028, when his current term ends. Sinan Ciddi, a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and an expert on Turkish politics, joins Thanos Davelis to look into what’s at stake for Turkish democracy and why it matters for the US and Europe.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:A Turkey With No Elections?Turkey’s Erdogan appoints legal team to draft new constitution, sparking fears of extended ruleIndia turns its gaze to Cyprus as gateway to Europe and the Middle EastGov’t drafts tougher law for rejected asylum seekers, Mitsotakis says