The Greek Current

Germany’s recent election paved the way for the leader of the opposition conservative Christian Democrats, Friedrich Merz, to take over as chancellor once coalition talks wrap up. The election is also raising broader questions about German and European politics, with the far-right AfD making big gains, while the question remains whether Merz is up to the challenge given the new geopolitical landscape taking shape. Tom Nuttall, The Economist’s chief Germany correspondent and head of the Berlin bureau, joins Thanos Davelis to look into Germany’s recent election, and break down why it matters for Europe. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Merz wins a messy election then calls for independence from AmericaAsylum cases in Europe fell 11% last year. Here's a look at the numbersCyprus, US strengthen military alliance with special operations drill

Last week Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the PKK, called on the movement to lay down its arms and dissolve. Ocalan’s historic announcement has many hoping that it will bring an end to nearly 4 decades of conflict between Ankara and the country’s Kurds. On Friday, Thanos Davelis spoke to Giran Ozcan, the Executive Director of the Kurdish Peace Institute and a former representative of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) in the US, to break down this historic call from Ocalan, and look at what we should keep an eye on as this process unfolds. Since our discussion, the PKK has declared a ceasefire with Turkey.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:End of an era? PKK leader Ocalan orders militants to end war with Turkey, 'dissolve'Kurdish group PKK declares ceasefire with TurkeyRubio reaffirms US-Greek strategic importance in meeting with GerapetritisMitsotakis says government will work to make trains safePASOK push for no-confidence vote against government

On Wednesday President Trump said the EU was formed to “screw the United States,” then announced he would hit the EU with 25% tariffs. This has prompted a reaction from European officials and capitals, who point out that the EU has had the opposite effect, fostering closer business ties and trade links with the US. Maria Demertzis, the chief economist for Europe at the Conference Board in Brussels, joins Thanos Davelis to look into the European reaction to these statements, and break down what this could mean for the economies of the US and EU, including Greece.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Trump says 25% tariffs on EU will be announced soonTrump’s threatened 25% tariffs on EU imports could trigger ‘economic turmoil’EU to Trump on tariffs: Go ahead, make our day.Hundreds of thousands protest across Greece over deadly train crashAs anger mounts over rail disaster in Greece, thousands join protestsJailed Kurdish leader issues call to lay down armsEnd of an era? PKK leader Ocalan orders militants to end war with Turkey, ‘dissolve’

President Donald Trump’s return to office has been described as an “electroshock” in Europe, with leading politicians like Germany’s Friedrich Merz openly pledging “independence from the US.” Aside from his antagonistic approach toward Europe - from security to tariffs - Trump is also sending a clear signal that he wants to leave European affairs to Europeans while the US pivots toward China. Andrew Novo, a professor of strategic studies at the National Defense University in Washington, DC, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what’s at stake for Europe as the US turns its attention elsewhere, and how countries like Greece and Cyprus can react to this new reality.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:US to Europe — Get Used to a New WorldWe need to start thinking transactionallyTrump says 25% tariffs on EU will be announced soonIndifference or Hostility? Trump’s View of European Allies Raises AlarmJailed Kurdish militant leader's message to be shared on ThursdayPKK leader Ocalan set to make historic peace call between Turkey and the Kurds

Greece is bracing for demonstrations that will bring the country to a halt this Friday, as it marks the two-year anniversary of the Tempe rail crash - the country’s worst ever rail disaster in which 57 people died. The public outcry is testing the political system, from the government to the opposition, with Prime Minister Mitsotakis acknowledging public demands for truth and justice while condemning efforts to politicize the tragedy. Wolfango Piccoli, the co-founder of risk analysis company Teneo, joins Thanos Davelis to look into the broader ramifications of Tempe for Greece’s political system, while exploring how the current uncertainty in Europe and the US factor into the challenges facing Greece.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Public outcry tests the political systemMitsotakis: Justice, not political gamesThe week that will bring the country to a haltGerapetritis to meet Rubio for key talksGreek destination is increasingly popular in Australia, US

Monday, February 24, marked three years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As President Trump looks to bring a swift end to the war, his and his officials’ statements on Ukraine, President Zelensky, and European security, along with the decision to bypass allies and engage in talks with Russia’s Putin, have left many in the West with a deep sense of unease. Thomas Graham, a distinguished fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and author of the book Getting Russia Right, joins Thanos Davelis to look into what’s at stake three years into this war, and what to make of President Trump’s moves on Ukraine.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:The Art of a Ukraine DealMedia Briefing: Trump, Russia, and the Future of UkraineCountdown begins for contested sea surveysTrump dismisses reports that US is shutting down military base in Greece

While Turkey may have expected that a second Trump term would mean improved ties with the White House, the first month of the Trump administration has shown us that Washington still views Turkey as an unreliable partner. In fact, Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent engagements with the Middle East point to a regional strategy that seems to marginalize Ankara. 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 whether Erdogan’s Turkey is finding itself on the outside of the Trump administration’s regional strategy.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Turkey Marginalized? How Trump’s Middle East Strategy is Rewriting AlliancesGermany's conservatives celebrate, but far right enjoy record resultMerz wins a messy election then calls for independence from AmericaGov’t braces for Tempe anniversary protestsGov’t braces for Tempe anniversary protests

Earlier this week Cypriot President Christodoulides was in Egypt where the two countries signed two energy agreements that he described as “pivotal”. The deals would enable the export of gas from Cyprus’s offshore fields to Egypt for liquefaction and re-export to Europe, and, as President Christodoulides posted on X, “are game changers for the region and beyond”. Dr. Theodoros Tsakiris, a professor of geopolitics and energy policy at the University of Nicosia in Cyprus, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why these two deals are important for Cyprus, Egypt, and the region.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Egypt, Cyprus sign gas export deals, boosting Eastern Mediterranean energy cooperationPM calls on EU to ‘move from words to action’ in defenseErdogan's fight with Turkish business stirs economic concern

Earlier this week we saw Turkish police detain 282 people accused of ties to the PKK. This included journalists, politicians, and academics. These arrests are taking place as Ankara continues to remove elected pro-Kurdish mayors from their posts. At the same time, they coincide with reports that a deal could be at hand over the country’s Kurdish question. Piotr Zalewski, The Economist's Turkey correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into this new crackdown in Turkey and its broader implications. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:A new crackdown is gathering strength in TurkeyTurkey detains 282 suspects in a dayslong operation against Kurdish insurgentsMeeting Again in Paris, European Leaders Try to Recalibrate After Trump Sides With RussiaMacron holds new emergency talks on UkraineWest’s ‘crisis’ coalition grows as Trump rails against ZelenskyyAthens resists as investors swoop on the city’s ‘neighbourhood of the gods’

It’s safe to say that Steve Bannon, a one-time close adviser to Donald Trump and the voice of the MAGA movement, has a unique role in both the Republican camp and in driving the conversation in Washington, DC in the Trump 2.0 era. Kathimerini’s Iliana Magra, who met with Steve Bannon last week in Washington, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss her in-depth interview with Bannon, which touched on his views on Greece, Turkey and the region, and the broader outlook for the Trump 2.0 era and the MAGA movement.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Steve Bannon: Greece would be finished in 10 years if Trump hadn’t returned to powerTurkey detains nearly 300 people in raids on PKK suspects, including opposition figuresTurkey detains 282 suspects in a dayslong operation against Kurdish insurgents'We are back' Greek shipyards say after decades of pain