The Greek Current

Following Iran’s latest attack on Israel over the weekend Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said that Greece plans to develop a defense system similar to Israel’s Iron Dome aimed at safeguarding the country against airborne threats. Meanwhile, while Iran was also the focus of a summit in Brussels, EU leaders also highlighted relations with Turkey, linking them to progress on the Cyprus issue. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s defense and diplomatic editor, joins Thanos Davelis to explore this plan for a Greek Iron Dome, discuss the view from Athens following Iran’s attack on Israel, and look at the key takeaways from the EU summit on Cyprus.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Athens seeks air defense system like Iron DomeTurkish threats over marine parksPM highlights Middle East crisis, Euro-Turkish relations at European Council SummitCyprus President optimistic on EU-Turkey talksTurkey-EU relations fracture over Cyprus connectionMitsotakis to meet Erdogan on May 13 in AnkaraEU to tighten Iran sanctions after Israel attack

Back in February, the readout from the 5th US-Greece strategic dialogue saw the US and Greece stress the importance of integrating youth in climate change mitigation and resilience, including through a youth corps exchange program that links the California Conservation Corps with Ecogenia in Greece. Thanos Davelis caught up with Larry Notheis, the Chief Deputy Director at the California Conservation Corps, on the sidelines of the “Our Ocean” conference in Athens to look at how the California Conservation Corps model can be applied in Greece, and how these partnerships can make a difference in protecting the oceans, preventing and fighting wildfires, and more. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:The First Ecogenia Social Service Program Launched in LitochoroUS embassy to cooperate with local environmental protection organizationJoint Statement on the U.S.-Greece 5th Strategic DialogueUnions in Greece call widespread strikes, seeking a return to bargaining rights axed during bailoutsGreece planning air defense system inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome, says minister 

The memoirs of former German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble were recently released in Germany. As expected, Greece features heavily. All the key moments of the crisis and its main actors are sketched in his memoirs, from the times Grexit was genuinely on the table, to his dealings with prime ministers Papandreou, Samaras, and Tsipras, and finance ministers Papaconstantinou, Venizelos, and Varoufakis. Xenia Kounalaki, a journalist and weekly columnist at Kathimerini, which acquired exclusive rights of publishing excerpts from the book in Greek, joins Thanos Davelis for an inside look into the Greek financial crisis through the lens of one of its main protagonists. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:The Greek crisis through Schaeuble’s memoirsParis 2024 Olympics torch lit in ancient OlympiaGreece becomes first European country to ban bottom trawling in marine parks

Last week thought leaders, politicians, experts and the business community gathered in Delphi in Greece for the 9th Delphi Economic Forum. The Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC) had an important presence there as well, leading discussions on the role of the diaspora, the importance of Cyprus, the Middle East post October 7th, and the future direction of American foreign policy given US elections in November. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis to recap the main takeaways from last week’s Delphi Economic Forum in Greece.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Delphi Economic Forum IXGreece to spend €780 mln to protect marine biodiversity, PM saysGreece now on ‘right path,’ says Stournaras

Reports indicate that a new flotilla to Gaza is being prepared out of Turkey. 14 years ago we saw a similar move take place, when the attempt to send the Mavi Marmara flotilla to Gaza led to a diplomatic crisis. Rich Goldberg, a senior advisor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies with a deep expertise in sanctions policy who previously served on the White House National Security Council, joins Thanos Davelis to look at why we need to be paying attention to this new flotilla set to depart Turkey, which has the potential to spark another diplomatic crisis.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Turkish Organizations Ready Flotilla to Ignite Tensions With IsraelEU Commissioner Schinas hails bloc’s new migration lawsEU approves major overhaul of migration rulesGreece can serve as entry point for energy to the north, PM says‘Greece is redrawing energy map,’ says US ambassador

Years after its collapse in Iraq and Syria at the hands of a US-led coalition, it looks like ISIS is making a comeback. As reports indicate, ISIS has been expanding its presence in Syria, attacking regime soldiers, civilians, and the US-backed Kurdish-led SDF. An underreported element of this story is Turkey’s role in the revival of the Islamic State. Nadine Maenza joins Thanos Davelis to look at what a resurgent ISIS means for the region, particularly in the autonomous zone in north east Syria, and break down why we need to put the spotlight on Turkey’s role in this ISIS comeback.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:Worrying signs exist that IS growing stronger in SyriaSyrian Kurdish commander says resolve of US-led anti-ISIS coalition weakeningNadine Maenza on Turkey’s role in IS growing strongerGreece launches ‘free’ holidays for tourists who fled 2023 Rhodes wildfiresGreece’s F-35 deal moves forward

Greece’s government just announced the creation of two new marine parks – in the Ionian and Aegean seas. The move comes a week before Athens is set to host the 9th Our Ocean Conference on April 16 and 17, which will see key stakeholders not only put a spotlight on issues related to the protection of the seas, but also present a series of concrete proposals. Giorgos Lialios, a journalist at Kathimerini covering issues related to the environment, joins Thanos Davelis to talk about the new marine parks Greece is creating, look into the upcoming Our Oceans Conference, and more.Read Giorgos Lalios’ latest for Kathimerini: Greece commits to protection of its seasYou can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:The losing battle against Greece’s tumbling birthrateSakellaropoulou calls for ongoing support for UkraineZelensky warns of Russian aggression beyond Ukraine

Turkey announced it was restricting exports on a wide range of products to Israel on Tuesday, in Ankara's first significant measure against Israel after six months of war. The decision comes after Turkish President Erdogan’s party suffered a historic defeat in the municipal elections, a result which experts Sinan Ciddi and Steven Cook argued in Foreign Policy could provide a first glimpse into what a post-AKP Turkey might look like. Sinan Ciddi joins Thanos Davelis to look at why Erdogan is taking these measures against Israel now, and break down how it fits into the broader post-election narrative.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.Read Sinan Ciddi and Steven Cook’s latest in Foreign Policy here: Post-Erdogan Turkey Is Finally HereYou can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Turkey imposes export restrictions on Israel until Gaza ceasefireGreece accuses Turkey of ‘politicizing’ environment, affirms commitment to safeguarding sovereign rightsTurkey challenges Greek plans for new marine park in Aegean Sea, citing sovereignty disputeEU Red Sea navy mission commander hopes for more ships to repel Houthi attacks

The last decade Thucydides has moved to the center of the discussion, with concepts like the “Thucydides trap” debated in policy circles in Washington, DC when looking at how to navigate US relations with a rising China in what appears to be a new era of great power competition. So what can Thucydides tell us about our world today? This was the focus of a recent event in Athens at the Institute of International Relations featuring Professor Andrew Novo, a scholar of ancient and modern Mediterranean history and strategic studies. Andrew Novo joins Thanos Davelis to look at the lessons we should take away from Thucydides in a changing world.Andrew Novo is Professor of Strategic Studies at the National Defense University in Washington, DC. He also teaches as an adjunct at Georgetown’s Walsh School of Foreign Service, is a non-resident fellow with the Center for European Policy’s Transatlantic Defense and Security program, and is the author of numerous books, including “Restoring Thucydides: Testing Familiar Lessons and Deriving New Ones”. All views expressed in this interview are his own and don’t reflect the views of the US government.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:We have good allies: Allies and decisions for war and peace in ThucydidesCyprus president and Lebanese caretaker premier urge EU financial aid to curb migration from LebanonGreece Invests Over €2 Billion to Fight Climate Change Effects

Migration is top of the agenda this week in Cyprus, with President Nikos Christodoulides calling for the EU to step in to help Cyprus deal with a surge in arrivals on its shores. Cyprus is pressing Brussels to designate parts of Syria as safe for returns of migrants, and also to condition EU aid to Lebanon on its preventing migrants from departing. Nektaria Stamouli, the deputy editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition and Politico’s Eastern Mediterranean correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the migration crisis unfolding in Cyprus, and look at how it is impacting the agenda ahead of the European elections.Read Nektaria Stamouli’s latest for Politico here:Cyprus declares migration crisis, calls for EU to helpCyprus demands Lebanon control migrant flowsYou can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Biden lauds Greek ideals, independence at White House celebrationLion’s share of foreign investment in realty