The Greek Current

With the speed at which developments in Syria are unfolding after the fall of the Assad regime, dynamics in the country and the region are in flux. One question many are asking, however, is whether a decade or so of backing elements of Syria’s armed opposition is now about to pay off for Turkey and President Erdogan. 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 dig into this question, look at Turkey’s role in Syria, and break down what’s at stake for Syria's Kurds, refugees, and for the United States.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:What Role Is Turkey Playing in Syria’s Civil War?Erdogan Gets His ‘Leader of the Muslim World’ MomentTurkey: will Erdoğan emerge as the big winner of the Syria crisis?Britain will provide intel to Cyprus to help fight Russia’s sanctions evasionCyprus and the US double down on a joint effort to combat financial crimes with more trainingTrump nominates Kimberly Guilfoyle to be the new US Ambassador to GreeceAmid Rumors of a Breakup, Kimberly Guilfoyle Is Appointed Ambassador to Greece

The news that Cyprus is eyeing a future in NATO has made headlines recently, with many arguing such a step could be transformative for Cyprus and the region. The story of Cyprus and NATO, however, is not new, but goes back to the creation of an independent Cyprus and a 1959 "gentleman's agreement". Evanthis Hatzivassiliou, a professor at the Department of History and Archaeology of the University of Athens, joins Thanos Davelis to look back at this history and break down what lessons we can take from it as Cyprus explores new ways to integrate with the transatlantic alliance. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Cyprus, NATO and the old mistakesCyprus power link tangled in Gordian knotEuropean countries put Syrian asylum bids on hold after Assad's fall

With the incoming Trump administration preparing to take office in over a month, countries like Greece and Turkey are trying to work out what this will mean for the region and their ties to Washington. Ryan Gingeras, a professor in the Department of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and an expert on Turkish, Balkan, and Middle East history, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the different reactions from Greece and Turkey to Donald Trump’s election, break down what we can expect to see when it comes to US relations with both countries, and what this could mean for the Aegean. The views expressed in this interview do not reflect the views of the US government. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Turkey, Greece, and TrumpWhat just happened in Syria?With Assad Gone, a Brutal Dictatorship Ends. But the New Risks Are Huge.Greece hails downfall of Assad regime, calls for democratic transition, refugees’ return homeWith Syria in Flux, Turkish Forces Attack U.S.-Backed Forces

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to visit Lebanon in the coming days, an important diplomatic move that underscores Greece’s commitment to fostering stability and security in the region. It would also make Mitsotakis the first EU leader - as Kathimerini notes - to visit Lebanon since a ceasefire was reached between Israel and Hezbollah. Steven Howard, the Director of Policy and Outreach at the American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL), joins Thanos Davelis ahead of this visit to look at the current situation on the ground in Lebanon, what to expect from the new US administration here, and how Greece and Cyprus can be helpful as we consider Lebanon’s future. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Mitsotakis’ Beirut visit signals intentPM Mitsotakis postpones Lebanon visit due to aircraft malfunctionTrump picks Massad Boulos to serve as adviser on Arab, Middle Eastern affairsExclusive: Blinken wants to give successor Rubio the 'strongest hand' possibleChristodoulides, Trump reaffirm commitment for strengthened Cyprus-US tiesNew SYRIZA leader aims for party overhaul

While Greece and Turkey’s foreign ministers are working to lay the groundwork for a key summit between Prime Minister Mitsotakis and President Erdogan early next year, there are growing concerns that progress in resolving differences in the Aegean Sea is proving all but impossible. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition, joins Thanos Davelis for a look at the ongoing Greek-Turkish dialogue, why achieving real progress in resolving differences remains elusive, and what to expect amid efforts to maintain the relative calm we’ve seen in the Aegean. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Greece-Turkey dialogue is alive, but barelyPrime ministerial intentions and Greek-Turkish tiesAthens, Ankara agree to disagree but keep talkingCyprus’ new air defense system launched, Greece to followMitsotakis holds first meeting with Androulakis as main opposition leaderPolitical consensus hidden in legislative nuances

Ex-German chancellor Angela Merkel’s memoir was recently released, and many are racing to see what she has chosen to reveal about key moments and players from Europe’s recent past - from the financial crisis to migration and the pandemic. Naturally, Greece is at the heart of a number of these developments. Xenia Kounalaki, a journalist, columnist, and foreign editor at Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis for a deep dive into Merkel’s revelations, including her handling of the Greek financial crisis and the migration crisis, her encounters with Greece’s leaders, and more.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Η Μέρκελ θυμάται: Η σιωπή του ΓΑΠ και το χαμόγελο του ΤσίπραFreedom by Angela Merkel review – her lips are sealedMerkel looks back on Greek crisis in new memoirsGreece bullish on Parthenon Marbles after Mitsotakis-Starmer meetingRebel offensive boosts Turkey’s influence in Syria

In a lightning offensive Syrian rebels seized Aleppo and are threatening other regime-held territories in the country. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s closest allies, Russia and Iran, pledged unconditional support to his government on Monday, while a number of other countries invested in Syria - including Turkey, Israel and the US - are watching developments closely. Steven Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and author of the recent book The End of Ambition: America’s Past, Present, and Future in the Middle East, joins Thanos Davelis to look at this new cycle of violence and instability and break down what it means for the region.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:What Syria’s Revived Civil War Means for the RegionSyria's rebel offensive is astonishing - but don't write off AssadGreek Current Cafe featuring Steven Cook, Michael Rubin, Jonathan Schanzer, and Endy ZemenidesForeign workers urgently neededTalks over return of Parthenon marbles to Athens are ‘well advanced’

Developments over the past few months in Greece have seen SYRIZA lose its position as the main opposition in parliament to PASOK in the wake of leadership elections in both parties, the creation of a new political party on the left, and the ouster of a former prime minister from New Democracy. At the same time, the ripple effects of the US election are also being felt in Greek politics - as in the rest of Europe. Nektaria Stamouli, the deputy editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition and Politico’s Eastern Mediterranean correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what to expect in this new political landscape.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Assessing Greece’s new political landscapeDominoes waiting for a pushGreece to train Ukrainian pilotsCyprus offers to assist with Lebanon ceasefireIsrael-Hezbollah ceasefire begins after year of conflict

The launch of a strategic dialogue between Cyprus and the US last month was quickly followed up by another historic development: President Christodoulides’ visit to the White House. With US-Cyprus ties deepening at a rapid pace, this was a chance for Christodoulides to present his strategic vision for Cyprus, including, as reports indicate, the potential future integration of Cyprus into NATO. Lena Argiri, the Washington, DC correspondent for ERT - the Greek Public Broadcasting Company - and Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this plan to institutionalize Cyprus’ relationship with NATO, a potentially transformative opportunity for both Cyprus and the whole region.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Nicosia keeping its eye on NATO prizeEU prolongs Turkey oil-related sanctions2025 budget to support incomes against inflation, PM says

Earlier this month we saw a mini crisis break out in the southern Aegean as Turkey deployed four frigates near the Greek islands of Kasos and Karpathos thinking that an Italian ship - which had been at the center of a 40-hour crisis last July - was in the area conducting research for the future deployment of underwater cables linking Greece and Cyprus. While this was ultimately a misunderstanding, it raises questions about relations between Greece and Turkey and the future of vital projects like the Great Sea Interconnector. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Turkey deploys warships over misunderstandingAnkara irked by European maritime mapΤο κόστος των καθυστερήσεων για τη διασύνδεση Ελλάδας – ΚύπρουFamellos elected SYRIZA leaderAncient meets modern as a new subway in Greece showcases archaeological treasures