The Greek Current

With Ukraine facing a resurgent Russia, NATO leaders have been clear that they do not and “will never recognize Russia’s illegal and illegitimate annexations, including Crimea.” While Western leaders speak clearly when it comes to Ukraine, their uncompromising positions are unfortunately undermined when NATO remains largely silent over the precedent for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: Turkey’s invasion and occupation of the northern part of Cyprus in 1974. Michael Rubin, the director of policy analysis at the Middle East Forum and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, joins Thanos Davelis to explain why NATO’s 50 year tolerance of Turkey’s occupation of Cyprus weakens its case on Ukraine. Read Michael Rubin’s latest here: NATO tolerance of Cyprus’ occupation weakens case on UkraineYou can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Extra rules for Golden VisaTurkish central bank stuns market by hiking interest rates to 50%Turkey raises interest rates to 50% as it seeks to cool runaway inflation

In a speech on Monday Turkey’s President Erdogan not only defended the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, but went even further, stating that if Turkish troops hadn’t stopped then all of Cyprus would be Turkish today. His comments come as a new UN special envoy is looking for ways to restart talks on Cyprus and amid efforts by Athens and Ankara to normalize ties. They also come on the heels of a recent trip that saw Greece and Cyprus deepen ties with Egypt. Constantinos Filis, the Director of the Institute of Global Affairs and an associate professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to break down Erdogan’s latest outbursts and their broader impact. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Erdogan’s comments on Cyprus a blatant distortion of the historical truth, say sourcesErdogan: All Cyprus could have been oursGreek PM and Egyptian President strengthen partnershipAs economy rebounds, Greece will wrap up bank sales this year, finance minister saysPM to visit Canada, finalize purchase of firefighting planes

As in the past, the upcoming municipal elections in Turkey are playing a key role in shaping the country's economic policies. While time and resources have been wasted due to Erdogan’s political priorities, soaring inflation - which surpassed 67% earlier this year - and the cost of living crisis has made daily life increasingly difficult for most citizens. Wolfango Piccoli, the co-founder of risk analysis company Teneo, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how the upcoming elections are impacting Turkey’s economic policies, and whether we should expect a shift in policy from Erdogan following elections.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Turkey inflation rises to 67%, keeping pressure on cenbankTurkey’s Simsek Dismisses Post-Election Lira Doom ScenarioErdogan: All Cyprus could have been oursErdogan’s comments on Cyprus a blatant distortion of the historical truth, say sourcesFood aid from Cyprus reaches starving people in northern Gaza, says charity

The rise of the far right nationalist party Greek Solution is attracting the interest of many who follow Greek politics, especially due to its approach to issues like Athens’ support for Ukraine. If Greek Solution’s growing appeal in the opinion polls continues ahead of European elections in June, it could even end up in third place. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English edition, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the rise of Greek Solution and what it could mean for Prime Minister Mitsotakis, New Democracy, and Greece’s broader political scene. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:The rise of Greek SolutionEU announces €7.4 bln package for Egypt as concerns over migration mountGreek PM and Egyptian President strengthen partnershipMaintaining calm relations in the ‘frozen’ Greek-Turkish disputeUS Ambassador to Greece wants more US-Greece flights

In 2019 the municipal elections in Turkey garnered widespread attention both inside and outside the country, especially with Turkish President Erdogan’s handpicked AKP candidates losing Istanbul and Ankara. Erdogan is now intent on winning both back. Ayla Jean Yackley, an Istanbul-based journalist covering Turkey with stories in The Financial Times, Politico, and other major outlets, joins Thanos Davelis to look at why we should be paying attention to Turkey’s upcoming elections, which could be critical for the country’s politics - from the ruling party to the opposition.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Local Elections Will Soon Decide Turkey’s FutureErdogan Tightens Grip on Media and Internet Ahead of ElectionsThe complex landscape facing Turkey ahead of local electionsAid supply ship from Cyprus reaches Gaza coast but weather slows deliveryHumanitarian aid ship reaches GazaGreece will keep supplying Ukraine

How critical was the US role during the Greek debt crisis, and how does it fit into then President Barack Obama’s wider approach to US foreign policy, especially at a time when the US was looking to pivot to Asia? Katerina Sokou, who holds the research fellowship at ELIAMEP on “Greek-American Relations” and who covered the Greek crisis from Washington, DC as a correspondent for Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to break down how the Greek debt crisis provides a case study into the Obama foreign policy doctrine - the focus of her recent in-depth report for ELIAMEP - and underscores Europe’s continuing importance for Washington, DC. Read Katerina Sokou’s latest here: Obama’s Foreign Policy and the Greek Debt CrisisYou can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Second ship loaded with Gaza aid from Cyprus, says charityUS Army boats head out on a mission to build a floating pier off Gaza’s shore for food deliveriesPM: Beleri case clouds relations with AlbaniaRama appoints ethnic Greek as Vlora prefect

Egypt is set to receive a €7.4 billion aid package to not only shore up the country’s economy, but also curb migration. The move comes amid fears that the conflicts in Gaza and Sudan risk exacerbating financial troubles in the country while raising concerns of new waves of immigration to Europe. There are concerns that Crete, which is already seeing a spike in arrivals from north Africa, could come under pressure. Greek Migration Minister Dimitris Kairidis joins Thanos Davelis to break down why this deal is vital for Egypt, Europe, and Greece. We also look into the broader debate around migration, that also focuses on the urgent need for migrants for the Greek and European economies.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Brussels prepares €7.4bn aid package for EgyptMigrant flows putting pressure on CreteEgyptian headache in Athens and EUAsylum applications in EU at highest level since 2015/16 crisisPM heading to US in AprilPlan to prevent Thessaly desertification

The European Commission is set to recommend that the EU open accession talks with Bosnia and Herzegovina, despite lingering ethnic divisions in the Western Balkan country. This comes after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed that it’s “not enough to just wait for the Western Balkans to move closer” to the EU. At the same time, US Special Representative to the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar is also in the region to reaffirm America’s commitment to the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkans. Prof. James Ker-Lindsay, who has written extensively on the EU, the Balkans, and Southeast Europe, joins Thanos Davelis to break down these latest developments.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:European Union members should open talks with Bosnia on joining, the EU’s executive branch saysBrussels recommends opening EU membership talks with Bosnia and HerzegovinaSenior US Official Travels to Kosovo to Revive Kosovo-Serbia Talks After Tensions Over Currency Special Representative to the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar’s Travel to Belgium, Kosovo, Austria, and MontenegroIOBE calls for measures to stem demographic trendGaza war: First aid ship sets off from Cyprus‘Lifeline’ aid ship for Gaza finally sets sail from Cyprus

We’ve just seen consecutive visits to the US by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, with both officials discussing a series of issues - from the wars in Gaza and Ukraine to trade and investments - with the White House, the State Department and Congress. This has many wondering if we are seeing a “new momentum” in US-Turkey ties in the wake of the Sweden NATO saga. Expert Sinan Ciddi joins Thanos Davelis to discuss whether this is the case.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:New visits, full momentum: Can Turkey and US go beyond transactionalism?Joint Statement on the U.S.-Türkiye Strategic MechanismTurkey’s Fidan to meet Blinken in Washington as US ties strengthenTurkey: A Sanctuary for Terrorist Entities & Illicit FinanceS-300 missiles could be sent to UkraineGreece-Turkey political dialogue: Commitment to build on existing positive atmosphere

On Friday the US, EU, Cyprus, and other countries involved formally announced their backing for a sea aid corridor to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza, built around a proposal developed by Cyprus last year. The move follows President Biden’s announcement in the State of the Union of a plan for the US military to establish a temporary port on the coast of Gaza to significantly widen the flow of humanitarian aid into the Strip. Konstantinos Letymbiotis, the Government Spokesperson of the Republic of Cyprus, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this humanitarian corridor and Cyprus’ central role in it. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Cyprus’ top diplomat on the maritime corridorPentagon holds briefing after Biden announces plan to deliver aid to Gaza by seaSea Corridor for Gaza Tests U.S. Ability to Ease Humanitarian CrisisA ship with Gaza aid is preparing to inaugurate a sea route from Cyprus to the war-ravaged stripJoint statement by EU, Cyprus, UAE, US, and UK on aid effort to GazaPrivate universities bill adoptedGreek lawmakers approve ending state monopoly on university education, despite student protestsTurkey's Erdogan says March election will be his final, state media reportsTurkey’s Erdogan indicates he will step down at end of term after 2 decades in power