The Greek Current

On Wednesday international headlines all focused on the Russian ballistic missile that struck a few hundred meters from where Greece’s Prime Minister Mitsotakis was meeting with Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy in Odesa. Ambassador Spiros Lambridis, Greece’s special envoy for Ukraine, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this incident and look at the broader significance of Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ visit to Ukraine. We’ll also explore Greece’s overall efforts to support Kyiv in this war, from military assistance to helping Ukraine rebuild.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Mitsotakis: Greece supports Ukraine’s fight for freedomPM’s Ukraine visit turns into thriller Russia Strikes Odesa With Missile During Visit by Zelensky and Greek LeaderMitsotakis after Odesa missile hit: ‘No one will intimidate us’Sweden officially joins NATO, prime minister declares it a 'safer country'Sweden is now a full NATO memberUS to build temporary port to deliver Gaza aidBiden Seeks to Boost Emergency Aid to Gaza With Offshore Pier

This week an Albanian court sentenced Fredi Beleri, the imprisoned mayor-elect of Himare, to 2 years in prison. Beleri slammed the trial and the court’s decision as a “sham”. This case is about much more than one individual, however, touching on deeper issues in Greek-Albanian relations. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this latest development in the Beleri case, and look at what this decision - which is widely seen as political - tells us about the direction Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama is taking the country, from the rule of law to its relations with Greece.Read Vassilis Nedos latest for Kathimerini here: Rama burns bridges with Beleri convictionYou can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Albania: Ethnic Greek mayor sentenced to two years for vote buyingRussian missile nearly hits Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Greek PM Kyriakos MitsotakisExplosion rocks Odesa near where Zelenskyy was meeting Greek PMPM’s Ukraine visit turns into thriller Gaza aid due to sail soon from Cyprus, source says

When China’s Belt and Road Initiative was formally launched in 2013, it was touted as a world-spanning push to replicate the economic and political impact of the Silk Road. As it made investments across the world - including in the port of Piraeus during the depths of the financial crisis - Western capitals sought to counter Beijing’s growing influence. While it appears that the BRI is in retreat today, there are still risks. Josh Birenbaum, the deputy director of the Center on Economic and Financial Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the BRI today, why Europe and Washington should still be concerned about China, and what tools are available to counter Beijing - from the DFC to the proposed IMEC corridor. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:China’s Belt and Road Initiative is bringing new risks to EuropeTightening the Belt or End of the Road? China’s BRI at 10Albania: Ethnic Greek mayor sentenced to two years for vote buyingBeleri: ‘It was a sham trial’Rama burns bridges with Beleri convictionVon der Leyen expected in Cyprus to discuss sea corridorUrsula von der Leyen in Cyprus for humanitarian corridor talks

In 2020 Turkey’s government changed the status of Hagia Sophia from a museum into a mosque. Now, Ankara is looking to repeat this with another important UNESCO World Heritage site, Chora Church. In response, HALC has launched a petition calling on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) to exert pressure on Turkey for the protection of its Christian minorities and Christian cultural heritage. Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou joins Thanos Davelis to look at why preserving Chora Church is important, and break down how USCIRF can take action - including visiting Turkey and the occupied territories of Cyprus.Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou is a professor in the International Studies Department at Boston College, an internationally recognized leader on issues of religion and human rights, and a previous Vice Chair and Commissioner on the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.Add you name to HALC’s petition to USCIRFYou can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Turkey revives plan to convert another iconic Byzantine site into a mosqueDendias: After Red Sea mission, Greece seeks key role in EU defenseTurkey spy chief Kalin to meet CIA’s Burns, discuss Syria on first US visit

The US Senate put the Turkey F-16 deal back in the spotlight this week, with Senator Rand Paul initiating a debate over why this sale to Ankara was proceeding. While some key Senators stressed that a “deal is a deal”, they also voiced their deep concerns about Turkey - from its human rights record to its aggression across the region. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what took place in the Senate, the message it sends about US-Turkey ties, and more.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Senators warily allow F-16 sale to Turkey as part of NATO expansion agreementForeign policy milestones: EU accession, Turkey, Cyprus, PrespesEU border agency to triple officers on Bulgaria-Turkey frontierUS plans first military airdrop of aid into GazaUS weighs Cyprus humanitarian corridor as famine looms in Gaza

This past weekend SYRIZA held a 4 day convention that was filled with drama and chaos, with both its identity as well as its leadership being challenged. With a new leadership race narrowly avoided, the question remains if there is a leader in the fragmented center left that can unite the opposition. At the same time, recent polling shows an increase in support for parties to the right of New Democracy. Political scientist and expert Panos Koliastasis joins Thanos Davelis to look at this ongoing crisis in SYRIZA and the broader center left, while breaking down the latest polls and the message they send ahead of European elections.Panos Koliastasis, an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Politics at the University of Peloponnese, contributor to Kathimerini, and the author of the book "Permanent campaigning in Greece in times of crisis: the Samaras, Tsipras and Mitsotakis premierships".You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:SYRIZA: The challenge of unity and reinventionGreek center-left: The long road to unityRuling New Democracy maintains dominanceGreece seeking to create ‘smarter’ armySenators warily allow F-16 sale to Turkey as part of NATO expansion agreement

The current crisis in the Middle East - from Gaza to the Red Sea - is threatening the stability of Egypt, one of the most important countries in the Arab world. Policymakers from Washington to Athens know that if Egypt falls the aftershocks would be felt across the region, as the ensuing social explosion would cause chaos, uncontrollable migrant flows to Europe and the creation of another trouble spot - beyond Libya - in the region. Alexis Papachelas, Kathimerini’s editor in chief, joins Thanos Davelis to look at why there is good reason to worry about Egypt in Washington, Brussels, and Athens.Read Alexis Papachelas’ latest in Kathimerini: There’s good reason to worry about EgyptYou can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Tens of thousands take to Greece’s streets demanding justice for deadly train crashGermany hosts peace talks between Armenia and AzerbaijanGermany hosts talks between Armenia and AzerbaijanArmenia, Azerbaijan inch toward shaky peace deal but key issues unaddressed

In late December a petition was launched titled “Nostos for Greek Adoptees,” asking the Greek state to recognize some 4,000 Greek-born adoptees - the so-called Lost Children of Greece. While there were many legal adoptions during the post-war era, many were not. Dr. Mary Cardaras, a Greek-born adoptee, author, journalist, and founder and director of The Demos Center at The American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to tell the story of these Lost Children of Greece, and look at what steps can be taken from Athens to bring them back to their roots.Dr. Mary Cardaras is also the author of “Ripped at the Root” and editor of “Voices of the Lost Children of Greece”.Read Mary Cardaras’ latest in Kathimerini on this subject here: Nostos for Greek adoptees: It’s long past timeOur stories and our records belong to usYou can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Greece says it’s hoping to nudge ally Armenia’s alliances westwardUS tourist numbers increasing rapidly

Last year was a record year for Greek tourism, with the latest statistics showing a remarkable comeback for the sector from the years of lockdowns during the pandemic. While these trends are welcome, there are also some worrying signs, as 2023 saw an increasing use of the term “over tourism”. Georgia Nakou, a features editor at MacroPolis - a specialist website focused on political and economic analysis of Greek affairs, joins Thanos Davelis to break down this record year for tourism, the causes for concern amid questions of sustainability, and the government’s response.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Record year for Greek tourism raises concerns about sustainabilityKasselakis vows to revamp SYRIZA ahead of European electionsSYRIZA decides against inner party electionsPresident Christodoulides prepares Cyprus for new sanctions unit

This past week protests and politics took center stage in Greece, as farmers - like many of their European counterparts - descended on Athens with their tractors to demand that the government do more to improve their working and living conditions. As the protests were wrapping up, Greece’s main opposition party SYRIZA kicked off a convention that has now raised the prospects of a fresh leadership race within the party months after Stefanos Kasselakis was elected. Iliana Magra, a journalist with Kathimerini who covered the farmers’ protests and the SYRIZA convention, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis from Athens.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Greek farmers drive tractors to parliament to demand financial helpThousands rally in Athens as Greek farmers step up protestsKasselakis throws gauntlet at party detractorsFresh SYRIZA leadership battle on the cardsGovernment plans to bring in 40,000 workers from six countriesTurkey Pursues and Seizes Critics Abroad: Human Rights Watch