The Greek Current

Since President Trump stepped back into office, and amid escalating competition with China, it looks like one project we’ve been hearing more and more about is the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor - or IMEC. This is reflected in comments from President Trump, in diplomatic moves we’re seeing in the wider region from Greece to India, and most recently in Congress, where a new legislative initiative is looking to establish the East Med as a strategic hub within the framework of IMEC. George Dikaios, who has been tracking developments related to IMEC, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into why this project is significant and what it could mean for Greece.George Dikaios is an adjunct lecturer and a researcher at the Department of Ports Management and Shipping at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and a Senior Research Fellow at the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP).You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Connecting Opportunities: Greece’s Strategic Role in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic CorridorKurdish group PKK says it is laying down arms and disbandingKurdish Insurgent Group Says It Is Ending Conflict With Turkish StateItaly commits €360 mln to Greek trains

From a recent decision in a German court that could pave the way for migrants to be deported back to Greece to a labor shortage ahead of the critical tourism season, migration issues look to be back on the table. This is also the case at the European level, where the EU has gotten tougher on deportations over the past months amid wider concerns about the populist far-right. Angeliki Dimitriadi, an independent researcher and expert on migration, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down how these developments impact Greece.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Greece says it won't accept refugee returns from GermanyGerman ruling opens door to Greece deportationsMigrant return rules get tougherGreece’s booming tourism sector in race to find workers as summer season loomsAlbania votes as PM Rama seeks fourth term, promising EU integrationAlbanian election result unclear after broadcasters withhold exit pollsMitsotakis and Meloni face key issues

Friedrich Merz officially became Chancellor of Germany this week, but only after two rounds of voting in the Bundestag - a first for a new chancellor in postwar German history. His initial failure to clinch the position raises concerns about his leadership, and has Europeans asking whether Germany under Merz can step back into its traditional European leadership role. Katja Hoyer, a historian, journalist and author of Beyond the Wall: A History of East Germany, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down whether Merz is emerging weakened out of the gate, and look into what this means for Europe.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:A Very Rough Start for Germany's New Chancellor MerzMerz is weakened from Day 1. Europe will pay the price.Friedrich Merz becomes Germany’s chancellor—after a painful defeatFrance and Germany to set up joint security councilUS lawmakers sound alarm over Turkey’s aggressive behavior, urge Trump to confront ErdoganEU sets out possible 95-billion-euro response to US tariffs

Since the pandemic we’ve seen the Greek government step in to tackle low wages, raising the minimum wage from €650 in 2019 to the latest announcement in early April bringing the gross wage up to €880. These steps come amid both a cost of living crisis and a labor shortage ahead of the summer in the tourism industry, but also other key sectors like agriculture and construction. Yannis Mouzakis, the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into the story of Greek wages, breaking down why this remains a big challenge for the government.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Minimum wage increase crashes against reality of Greeks' low purchasing powerGreece and Egypt sign strategic partnership agreement in AthensEuropean Parliament maintains block on restarting Turkey accession talks

On Tuesday President Trump said that the US would stop attacking the Houthis in Yemen because the group had "capitulated", adding that the Houthis had pledged to stop attacking ships in the Red Sea. This move comes after pressure from both regional players like Saudi Arabia - which President Trump is planning to visit - and from within the MAGA camp. Sean Mathews, a journalist for the Middle East Eye covering the Middle East, North Africa and the Balkans, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into this announcement and break down what it means for the wider region - including Greece. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Exclusive: Saudi Arabia pressed Trump to stop attacks on Yemen ahead of visitTrump says the US will stop bombing Yemen’s Houthis after rebels say they’ll stop targeting shipsGreece aims to boost domestic defense industry’s role, Dendias saysGreece leverages defense spending to underscore US alignmentMerz's messy path to power raises questions for future governmentMerz is weakened from Day 1. Europe will pay the price.

President Trump said that he had a "very good and productive" call with Turkish President Erdogan, adding that Erdogan had invited him to Turkey and that he would also be coming to Washington. The call comes in the wake of a new crackdown on dissent in Turkey following the arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, amid speculation that Turkey could send its Russian S-400 missiles to Syria, and as Israel and Turkey are increasingly at odds over Syria. Henri Barkey, an adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and the Cohen chair in international relations at Lehigh University, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into Trump and Erdogan’s call and the wider messages it sends.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Trump says he had a productive call with Turkey's Erdogan, visits plannedEU to set out plans to halt Russian gas imports by end-2027Greece’s booming tourism sector in race to find workers as summer season looms

While visiting the Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus this weekend, Turkish President Erdogan said that his country’s presence on the island will continue for centuries, adding that “whoever doesn’t know this must learn it.” Erdogan’s speech drew a swift response from Greece, and comes as the UN is looking to restart talks on the Cyprus issue. At the same time, Athens is looking to resume work on the Great Sea Interconnector that will link its electricity grid with Cyprus and eventually Israel. This could once again test Greek-Turkish relations as Ankara has tried to block this project in the past. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis from Athens.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Athens decries Erdogan’s remarks from Cyprus’ Turkish-occupied northErdogan: Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus will last ‘for centuries’Athens and Sofia seal deal over river accessCyprus and Israel reach agreement on IMEC electrical interconnection and natural gas development

A Congressional hearing organized by Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission this week titled “Human Rights in Azerbaijan since the COP 29 UN Climate Change Conference” put the spotlight on Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing of Nagorno Karabakh - or Artsakh - and issues such as securing the release of Armenian hostages illegally held by Baku. The hearing came days after the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. Aram Hamparian, the Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into this hearing, and break down what steps the US can take to hold Azerbaijan accountable.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Rep. Chris Smith Leads Capitol Hill Hearing Spotlighting Azerbaijan’s Genocide of Artsakh; Armenian PrisonersTrump goes mum on 'Armenian genocide' after Biden recognitionGreece and Cyprus among countries helping Israel battle major wildfireUS and Cyprus deepen defense ties through upcoming high-level talks

In January of 1996 Greece and Turkey came close to conflict when the Imia crisis erupted. The US played a critical role in preventing a military escalation through Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke, and the US ambassadors in Athens and Ankara. Thomas Niles, the US ambassador in Athens at the time who passed away this week, spoke openly about the crisis in the years that followed, noting that the US had made a “big mistake” in not taking a position on Greek sovereignty in the Aegean. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition, joins Thanos Davelis as we look back at the Imia crisis of 1996, the US role in preventing a military confrontation, and its lasting legacy today.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Thomas Niles, US envoy during Imia crisis, dies at 85Stournaras: Crisis may be Europe’s chanceU.S. Announces Deal to Share Ukraine’s Mineral WealthUS and Ukraine sign agreement creating investment fund after months of negotiations

The struggle of many Greeks who were sent abroad as children for adoption in the aftermath of the Greek Civil War and the decades that followed is finally coming to an end as the Greek government is now paving the way for them to regain their Greek citizenship. Professor Gonda van Steen, the Koraes Chair at the Centre for Hellenic Studies and Department of Classics at King’s College London and author of the book Adoption, Memory, and Cold War Greece: Kid pro quo?, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into the story of the Greek adoptees and their long and difficult homecoming.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:A long and difficult homecomingGreece requests EU exemption for 2026 defense spending boostGreek FM highlights Ukraine support, regional ties at Three Seas Summit