The Greek Current

Europe’s race to secure critical minerals and break its dependence on China has put the spotlight on Greece after the bloc announced a list of strategic projects that include a Greek aluminum plant that will soon extract gallium - a critical metal used in everything from advanced semiconductors to military radar systems. Alexandra Voudouri, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down how Greece can play a crucial role in this race for critical minerals.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Europe races to secure critical minerals as global supply tensions mountCommission selects 47 Strategic Projects to secure and diversify access to raw materials in the EUGreece and US officials discuss Chevron’s interest in offshore hydrocarbon exploration blocksErdogan brings Greece and Israel closer

As we entered 2025, there was a sense of cautious optimism about Syria. With Assad gone, many hoped the country could finally begin to turn a page. Instead, earlier this month over 1,000 civilians were killed in an outburst of sectarian violence prompting global concern. This concern is especially acute among Syria’s religious and ethnic minorities. With Syria standing at a pivotal moment, Nadine Maenza joins Thanos Davelis to highlight how lasting peace and stability can only be achieved through genuine inclusion and equal citizenship for all Syrians.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 at a Crossroad: After Mass Killings, Can They Build a Just and Inclusive Future?Great Sea Interconnector moves aheadSouthern Europe rebuffs von der Leyen’s debt-based defense plan

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio just hosted his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Washington this week, a move that came days after the arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and after reports that Turkish President Erdogan is pressing President Trump to lift CAATSA sanctions and sell Turkey F-35s. 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 Rubio’s meeting with Fidan and discuss his latest piece in The Hill breaking down why the White House should send a clear message to Erdogan that readmission to the F-35 program will come at a high cost.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Turkey’s readmission to the F-35 program must come with a costCyprus receives FBI report on measures to tackle financial crime and sanctions evasionGreece’s Metlen sees gallium production at 50 T in 2028, enough to cover EU needs

Greek independence day was once again celebrated in the White House this year, carrying on a tradition that goes back decades and spans multiple presidencies. This undoubtedly puts the Greek-American story in the spotlight, and that’s the story we want to dig into today. Professor Alexander Kitroeff joins Thanos Davelis as we look beyond this White House event to the Greek-American experience as a whole, from the early immigrants who arrived looking for opportunity to the new challenges the community faces today.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:President Trump hosts Greek Independence Day celebration: ‘The legacy of the Greeks is all around us’Turkey's opposition leader vows protests will continue 'in every city'Chevron interest bolsters Greek offshore push

The first couple months of the Trump administration have shocked Europe, with Washington’s moves on Ukraine, its statements on European defense, and tariffs taking center stage. As Europe recovers from the shock, it’s looking to adapt to this new reality. Where does this leave countries like Greece, and what can Greece bring to the table both when it comes to European defense and security, but also in the bilateral relationship with Washington? 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 look into this question.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Greece’s geopolitical advantagesTurkey-US: Rubio ‘appreciative’ but also critical of TurkeyMitsotakis’ Independence Day message focuses on unity and economic strength

The ongoing protests in Turkey following the arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu have led to not only arrests of demonstrators and journalists, but also a rout in Turkey’s currency and stock market. As Turkish President Erdogan tries to manage the fallout from Imamoglu’s arrest, many are asking whether this decision to move against his main political rival is looking like his biggest strategic mistake yet. Wolfango Piccoli, the co-founder of risk analysis company Teneo, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into the wider fallout from Imamoglu’s arrest.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Erdogan calls Turkey protests 'evil' as unrest continuesAs protests over Imamoglu arrest rock Turkey, what's next for Erdogan?Turkey scrambles to stop financial routPresident Trump hosts Greek Independence Day celebration- ‘The legacy of the Greeks is all around us’Cyprus gets credit rating boost: What it means for the economy

For over four years, Turkey was unable to get the Biden administration to lift CAATSA sanctions. Now, as we are seeing in various reports, this issue is back on the table following a call between President Trump and President Erdogan last week. Aside from the lifting of sanctions, the biggest prize Erdogan reportedly was after in his call with Trump was the sale of F-35 fighter jets. This comes despite the fact that Turkey’s purchase of Russian S-400 missiles remains an unresolved issue. Lena Argiri, the DC correspondent for ERT - the Greek Public Broadcasting Company - and Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest scoop from Washington, DC.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Potential upcoming developments regarding the lifting of CAATSAWill Trump betray MAGA for Turkey’s Erdoğan?Fierce protests in Turkey after Erdogan rival jailedGreece’s ‘nouvelle vague’ sinks the Scots in GlasgowScotland relegated in Nations League as Karetsas leads Greece demolition job

Moody’s recently upgraded Greece to investment grade, becoming the last major ratings agency to do so since Greece emerged from its financial crisis in the 2010s. The Greek government welcomed the news, with former Finance Minister Kostis Hatzidakis saying the upgrade marks the end of “a major cycle” for Greece, while Prime Minister Mitsotakis reiterated that Greece is “fully committed to reforms that attract investment, create jobs, and drive sustainable growth.” Yiannis Mouzakis, the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr, a political and economic analysis site that focuses on Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what this decision means for Greece’s economy.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Moody’s upgrades Greece to investment grade on strong fiscal recovery and stabilityMoody's upgrading Greece to investment grade puts an end to painful 15-year cycleEU leaders vow to continue backing Ukraine, but make no concrete pledge‘As real as it can get’: EU to loan €150bn for European defence from invasionGreece extends by a year visas for Turkish nationals to visit islands

On Wednesday Turkish authorities detained Ekrem Imamoglu, the popular mayor of Istanbul and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s strongest political rival, a move that follows a wider crackdown on opposition figures over the past months. Imamoglu, who was preparing to assume the presidency of the CHP, the main opposition party, has said he will not back down. 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 to look into Imamoglu’s arrest, a move many see as bringing Turkey closer to endless Erdogan rule.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Istanbul mayor arrested days before likely presidential nominationErdogan rival arrested days before becoming presidential candidateTurkey moves closer to endless Erdogan rule as biggest rival detainedTurkish Markets Sink Most in World as Erdogan Deepens PurgeAthens moving ahead with power linkGuterres announces new round of Cyprus talks in JulyProgress by avoiding setbacks as Geneva talks keep Cyprus dialogue alive

For months Turkey’s President Erdogan has avoided wading into the latest peace process with Turkey’s Kurds and the PKK. Last week he broke his silence, saying he was prepared to meet with members of the country’s pro-Kurdish DEM Party who have played a key role in talks with Abdullah Ocalan. Amberin Zaman, Al-Monitor’s chief correspondent based in Paris and covering major stories on Turkey, the Middle East and North Africa, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what Erdogan's willingness to engage with Kurdish leaders means for this process.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Turkey’s Erdogan says he's ready to meet with Kurds brokering peace with PKKTurkey's Erdogan discusses Russia-Ukraine war, Syria in first official call with TrumpErdoğan’s top rival detained, faces block to presidential candidacyTurkey detains Erdogan's main rival on array of chargesJake Sullivan: ‘We worked behind the scenes’