The Greek Current

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is set to hold talks with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar in New York next week, the latest push to kickstart stalled talks for a solution to the Cyprus problem. The talks come as Tatar and Turkish President Erdogan have been doubling down on their calls for a two-state solution, with Erdogan even calling for recognition of the pseudo-state at the UN General Assembly. Konstantinos Letymbiotis, the Government Spokesperson of the Republic of Cyprus, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss these upcoming talks, Turkey’s intransigent positions, and how Cyprus’ growing role in the region impacts negotiations.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:UN chief to meet with Cypriot leaders in OctoberChristodoulides, Tatar informal dinner confirmedAnkara leveraging Halki bargaining chipCould Halki Seminary reopen soon?Greek Cypriot scientist Demis Hassabis wins Nobel Prize in chemistryNobel prize win for Greek Cypriot scientist

After a meeting at the UN between the leaders of Greece and Turkey, it appears talks to delimit the continental shelf and EEZ - the main issue on the table - could materialize. This was confirmed in a recent interview that Greece’s Foreign Minister Georgios Gerapetritis, who will meet with his Turkish counterpart next month in Athens, gave to Kathimerini. Expert 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 to break down what we should expect from these upcoming talks, and look into how this issue fits into the broader puzzle that is the Eastern Mediterranean.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:FM: ‘Only action can produce momentum’A group of 17 European countries call for a 'paradigm shift' to deport rejected asylum seekersSYRIZA’s fate hanging in the balance

Sunday’s election for PASOK’s leadership was a nail-biter up until the early hours of Monday, keeping analysts up well into the night. The race for second place, which saw Athens mayor Haris Doukas narrowly defeat former minister Pavlos Yeroulanos, has set the stage for a runoff against incumbent Nikos Androulakis. Lamprini Rori, an Assistant Professor in Political Analysis at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens who frequently comments on Greek politics, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the key takeaways from Sunday’s vote, and provide a look into the struggle for PASOK's future.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Inside the struggle for PASOK’s futureGreece in talks with US over LCS shipsFears grow about a new energy crisis

We’ve seen recent reports - most notably in Kathimerini - hinting that Turkey could be prepared to take steps to reopen the historic Halki Seminary, something Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has also voiced optimism about. Elizabeth Prodromou, a visiting Professor in the International Studies Program at Boston College, a non-resident senior fellow in the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, and an expert in international religious freedom issues, joins Thanos Davelis to look into these reports, and break down what is on the table when it comes to Halki.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Positive signals for Halki SeminaryPASOK leadership up for grabsPM urges for de-escalation amid rising Middle East tensionsGreek PM marks anniversary of Oct 7 Hamas attack

On the campaign trail, former President Trump constantly warns of a World War III.  In Greece and Cyprus, it already feels like such a war is playing out as Athens and Nicosia have to navigate flashpoints to the north in Ukraine and to the south in the Middle East. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss how these wide-ranging conflicts are affecting Greece and Cyprus – domestically, in their relations with regional actors, and in their bilateral relationships with the United States.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Greece on alert for migrant wave, terror concernsAdams indictment focuses on connections to Turkey‘A true friend of Turkey’: Eric Adams bribery indictment reveals years of flights and favorsGreeks, Cypriots evacuated from Lebanon land in ElefsinaCyprus chosen as base for Belgian military operation to rescue nationals from Lebanon

This Sunday is decision day for the leadership race in PASOK, a race that could determine not only the future of PASOK but the way forward for the broader center left. With six candidates vying to take over the party, the drama in PASOK is likely to continue beyond Sunday’s election as a runoff is expected between the two leading candidates. Nikos Efstathiou, an Athens based journalist and author, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what to expect from this election, and whether this is PASOK’s last chance at uniting Greece’s center left.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Candidates spar over party strategy and past allegiancesWhat do the ‘exes’ think about the center-left?New poll shows SYRIZA dropping to fifth placeΟλα είναι δρόμος (και καφενεία)Greece on alert for migrant wave, terror concernsCyprus on standby to assist evacuations from Middle East

Once on the verge of extinction, the Caretta caretta sea turtle is recording an amazing bounce-back as its nests are reaching record numbers. At the heart of this comeback is the Greek island of Zakynthos and the shore of Sekania, long described as the Mediterranean’s greatest “maternity ward” for this sea turtle, home to a state-funded marine park. Charikleia Minotou, who coordinates the WWF program in this protected area, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the conservation efforts behind this sea turtle's extraordinary resurgence, and explore what still needs to be done.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:‘It’s hugely moving’: sea turtle nests in Greece reach record numbersGreece to hold emergency meeting following Iran’s missile attack on IsraelGreece condemns Iran’s attack on Israel, urges de-escalationUN chief to meet with Cypriot leaders in October

Austria's far-right Freedom Party, a party rooted in Nazi ideology, just celebrated an unprecedented election victory on Sunday night, with its leader talking about a new era for the far right. This is seen as another worrying sign for Europe, as a surge by populist far-right forces shows no sign of slowing down. Georgios Samaras, an Assistant Professor of Public Policy at King’s College London whose research has centered on the far right in Greece and Europe, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what this election result means for Austria, and look into the far-right’s growing presence across the continent.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Far right in Austria 'opens new era' with election victoryAustria goes back to the future as voters embrace far-right party founded by NazisWhat a Trump victory would really mean for EuropeGreece, Turkey wade into maritime issuesWildfire continues in Corinthia for third dayWildfire burning through forest in southern Greece kills 2 people

With world leaders gathering in New York last week for the UN General Assembly, the focus was undoubtedly on diplomacy as Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ met with Turkish President Erdogan and world leaders sounded the alarm about the risks engulfing the world. As Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition - who joins Thanos Davelis on our show today - writes in The Greek Letter, tensions in Greece’s neighborhood and uncertainty around the world mean diplomacy has to go hand in hand with a strong defense policy, highlighting the decision for a Greek “Iron Dome”. Sign up for Kathimerini’s newsletter: The Greek LetterYou can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:A ‘powder keg that risks engulfing the world’EU ministers scramble to find a response to Middle East carnageEU to hold emergency talks on Lebanon escalationGreece begins sale of 10% National Bank stake

A proposal is reportedly on the table that could potentially see the US gain control of Turkey’s S-400s in return for Ankara re-joining the F-35 program. This has many asking why the Biden administration is in a rush to find a way to bring Turkey back into a program that it was ejected from as a result of Ankara’s embrace of Russia and behavior that is antithetical to NATO. Sinan Ciddi joins Thanos Davelis to look into this developing story, and make the case that Turkey should prove it is ready to embrace NATO before Washington begins to open the door to any arms deals like the F-35s. Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he contributes to FDD’s Turkey Program and Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP). He is also an Associate Professor of Security Studies at the Command and Staff College-Marine Corps University and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Turkey should prove it is ready to embrace NATOGreek PM sees ‘window of opportunity’ on demarcating maritime zones with TurkeyCyprus leader says he ready to resume peace talks ‘today’