The Greek Current

With Ursula von der Leyen securing another term as European Commission President, EU members are now vying for the top positions in the new Commission. In what Politico called a show of his growing political strength, Prime Minister Mitsotakis stressed that Greece must get an important portfolio, one that reflects the country’s economic comeback and strategic position. President Christodoulides is also looking for a heavier post for Cyprus, eyeing the new role in the Commission on the Mediterranean. Nektaria Stamouli, the deputy editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition and Politico’s Eastern Mediterranean correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Greece must get an important role in the Commission, prime minister tells von der LeyenCyprus eyes chance to run EU Mediterranean policy Ankara eyes offshore hydrocarbon exploration in Libya, minister saysGreece warns Turkey against illegal activities in EEZ established by 2020 dealGreek lenders and EIB boost mid-caps funding

The Paris Olympics opening ceremony on Friday night will see more than 8,000 of the world’s top athletes - led by Greece - sail along the Seine River in a one of a kind spectacle. Aside from the excitement around the opening ceremony, where Greece and Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo will carry the Greek flag, there are also high expectations in Greece for all of its athletes. Nikos Efstathiou, an Athens based journalist and author of a best-selling biography on Olympic Champion Pyrros Dimas, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the buzz around the Olympics in Greece this summer, and break down whether Greek sport - which took a hit during the crisis - is bouncing back. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Paris prepares for Olympics opening ceremony spectacle along River SeineAntetokounmpo leads Greece to place in OlympicsGiannis as Greece’s flag-bearer at the Paris GamesLockheed Martin welcomes Greece to F-35 programDendias confirms Greece has signed LOA for F-35 acquisitionTurkey returns $5bn Saudi deposit in show of economic confidence

This week saw tensions between Greece and Turkey reach levels we have not seen since 2022 in the Aegean as Turkey sent its warships into an area south of the Greek islands of Kassos and Karpathos. The ratcheting up of tensions followed Turkish President Erdogan’s hardline statements on Cyprus this weekend and his calls for Prime Minister Mitsotakis to put Defense Minister Dendias “in his place.” 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 look into whether we are seeing a gradual return of tensions in the Aegean after more than a year of calm. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Greek, Turkish ships face off in the Aegean, but no hostile engagementItalian research vessel returning to Crete after completing operationGreece must get an important role in the Commission, prime minister tells von der LeyenExperts call for urgent conservation strategy as Crete faces water shortagesAfter Losing Crops to Drought, Sicily Fears Losing Tourism, Too

A few months ago, thousands of Armenians took to the streets in anti-government protests calling on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to resign. Protesters, led by Archbishop Galstanyan, have blasted Pashinyan for what they see as endless concessions being made to Azerbaijan and Turkey with nothing to show for it in return. Amberin Zaman, Al-Monitor’s chief correspondent covering major stories on the Middle East and North Africa who has covered conflicts in Iraq, Syria and the South Caucasus, joins me to look into these protests and break down what’s at stake in the region as Azerbaijan, backed by Turkey, continues to demand further concessions from Armenia.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Archbishop seeking Armenian PM’s ouster over concessions to Turkey, Azerbaijan down but not outDiplomatic efforts to decrease tensions as Turkey deploys warships near KasosTensions rise again in the AegeanPM: Progress, lost chances in past 50 yrs

The Athens Riviera - a 60 kilometer shoreline spanning from Piraeus to Sounio - is currently undergoing a major rejuvenation, attracting both local and foreign investors. This transformation includes mega-projects like the Ellinikon at the former Athens airport which is touted as the largest real estate project in Europe and promises to be a “smart” city. Eleni Varvitsioti, the Financial Times correspondent for Greece and Cyprus, joins Thanos Davelis to look into the rise of the Athens Riviera and explore how major investments and projects along the Athenian coastline are poised to transform it, marking a new chapter for the Greek capital. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:The audacious rise of the Athens RivieraErdoğan dashes hopes for resumption of Cyprus talksErdogan criticizes Defense Minister Dendias, calls for Mitsotakis to ‘put him in his place’Ethnic Greek politician returns to prison in Albania after attending European Parliament opening

50 years ago, Turkey launched its invasion of Cyprus. Since then, tens of thousands of Turkish troops have occupied over one third of the island. Unfortunately, the US still fails to use the word “occupation” to describe this ongoing violation of international law in Cyprus. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what this failure to speak the truth has meant for efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem, and whether the State Department is ready to right this 50 year wrong.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Greek PM calls for unified Cyprus on 50th anniversary of 1974 invasionCyprus’ “Oxi” DayErdogan leads a grand spectacle and provocation in occupied territoriesBig Turkish presence in occupied Cyprus to test detente with GreeceGreece issues high fire risk alert amid ongoing blazesTemperatures expected to remain high until MondayArchaeological site opening hours adjusted for weekend due to heatwave

On July 20th, 1974, Turkey launched its first invasion of Cyprus. 50 years later, tens of thousands of Turkish troops continue to illegally occupy the northern part of Cyprus, splitting the island in two. Alexis Papachelas, the editor in chief of Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this dark anniversary, the importance of revisiting this moment in history - whether in Athens, Nicosia, or even Washington, DC - with clear eyes, and explore whether there is still a window of opportunity for a solution.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:The time of hard and final decisionsLet’s not forget to whom we owe a debtTurkish parliament passes resolution calling for recognition of occupied northern CyprusUrsula von der Leyen wins second 5-year term as European Commission presidentIn fear of war and Trump, Europe takes no chances

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Greece has stood by Ukraine, a decision that angered Moscow. Athens and Kyiv are now negotiating a 10-year assistance agreement. John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist based in Athens and Al Jazeera’s Southeast Europe correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to look into the deal Athens is negotiating with Kyiv, break down how Greece has become a critical piece of the puzzle when looking at Western support for Ukraine, and look at why Russian anger over Greece’s decision to support Ukraine has not swayed Greek public opinion.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Russian anger builds as Greece prepares a military deal with UkraineGreek navy extends advisory to curb Russian oil ship-to-ship transfers, sources sayTurkish F-16 modernization program encounters roadblocksTurkey to Pare Back $23 Billion Deal for F-16 Jets With US

The Tara Ocean Foundation has come to be known worldwide as a leader when it comes to promoting the well-being of our oceans, and its ship, the Tara, is currently docked in Greece, wrapping up a scientific expedition to better understand the biodiversity and ecosystems along Europe’s coastlines. Thanos Davelis was able to tour the ship and see its work up close this week in Athens, and is joined on our podcast by Romain Troublé, the General Director of the Tara Ocean Foundation, to look at the Tara’s mission in Greece, and discuss the broader impact this research can have for our oceans and seas.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Η Ελλάδα, τελευταία στάση της πρώτης πανευρωπαϊκής αποστολής για τις ανθρώπινες επιπτώσεις στις θάλασσεςTraversing European CoastlinesIntegrating the ocean into the climate regime: the Ocean & Climate Platform’s challengeEnvironmental pollution caused by microplastics: the example of mermaid tearsGreece restricts outdoor work as temperatures soar againPM hints at electricity allowancesPower subsidies in August

Last week HALC sounded the alarm over North Macedonia’s adherence to the Prespa Agreement, launching a letter and petition to the State Department urging it to remind Skopje that international agreements are binding - not optional - and that there will be consequences. North Macedonia’s newly elected leaders have repeatedly referred to their country simply as “Macedonia” rather than the constitutional name “North Macedonia”. Given the renewed attention on this issue, we are re-sharing our discussion with Prof. James Ker-Lindsay from last month where we looked into the mixed signals Skopje is sending about the Prespa agreement, and discussed the broader risks this poses for the region. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:HALC Questions North Macedonia’s Prespa Agreement ComplianceMitsotakis–Beleri: Albania must follow the European acquisTurkey to soon wind down latest operation in northern Iraq, Erdogan says