The Greek Current

On February 18th the floating storage regasification unit in Alexandroupoli received its first test shipment of U.S. liquefied natural gas. Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Geoffrey Pyatt described the successful opening of the Alexandroupolis FSRU as a ‘milestone” in “the longstanding transatlantic effort to diversify European energy routes and suppliers.” In other energy news, it looks like decision time has come for the hydrocarbon survey program off Crete by ExxonMobil and Helleniq Energy. Dr. Theodoros Tsakiris, an associate professor of geopolitics and energy policy at the University of Nicosia, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what these developments mean for Greece and the region.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:First gas load to Alexandroupoli FSRUAlexandroupolis LNG Terminal going live after test runsKey moment for blocks off CreteFresh SYRIZA leadership battle on the cardsAlbanian Parliament approves controversial deal to hold migrants for ItalyTop EU official lauds Italy-Albania migration deal but a court and a rights commissioner have doubts

As Western leaders gathered in Munich this weekend for the Munich Security Conference, warnings about Russian President Putin’s possible next moves were mixed with Europe’s growing concerns that it could soon be abandoned by the United States as aid to Ukraine is stalled in Congress and former President Trump casts doubts on America’s commitment to NATO. Max Bergmann, the director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and the Stuart Center in Euro-Atlantic and Northern European Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), joins Thanos Davelis to look at these concerns and explore whether European defense has now become a necessity.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Europe’s security elite braces for Trump, searches for backup plansAs Putin Threatens, Despair and Hedging in EuropeCan Europe defend itself without America?Greece to prioritize strengthening relations with India, says PMGreece is India’s gateway to Europe, PM saysGreek farmers join tractor protest in front of parliament for second day

Last week Turkey’s President Erdogan traveled to Egypt, where he met with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. While both leaders said they were turning a "new leaf" in their relations after over a decade of estrangement, differences remain, and it seems Cairo is still wary of Ankara. Expert 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 discuss Erdogan’s latest visit to Egypt, whether Cairo is really ready to mend fences, and what these developments mean for the broader region.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Αρθρο Κ. Φίλη στην «Κ»: Υποχρεωτική επανεκκίνηση με αστερίσκους για Αίγυπτο και ΤουρκίαErdogan says Turkey ready to cooperate with Egypt on GazaRelations between Turkey and Egypt turn 'new leaf' as Erdogan visits CairoThousands join rally in Athens as farmers step up protestMitsotakis stresses importance of strategic partnership during official visit to IndiaGreece’s gateway to Asia, India’s gateway to Europe

Greece’s Kathimerini newspaper just reported on the contents of the final draft of a letter from the State Department to Congress that implies that the F-16 and F-35 sales to Turkey and Greece come with conditions, refuting Ankara’s narrative that no such letter existed. This letter comes on the heels of a two week period in DC that put the spotlight on the US-Greece relationship, from the Strategic Dialogue to the 5th Southeast Europe and Eastern Mediterranean forum. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins Thanos Davelis to break down these important developments from Washington, DC, and look at what message they send about US-Greece ties.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Joint Statement on the U.S.-Greece 5th Strategic DialogueGreece’s role in shifting global dynamicsImportant strategic dialogue about what’s happening between Greece and USF-16s to Ankara, F-35s to Athens come with conditionsNational Security Memorandum on Safeguards and Accountability With Respect to Transferred Defense Articles and Defense ServicesPM says govt has ‘nothing more to offer’ to farmersFarmers’ descent on Athens to dominate the agendaEU mission to protect Red Sea ship launched under Greek commandEU launches Red Sea naval mission to protect shipping from Houthi attacks

On Thursday Greece finally approved a landmark marriage equality bill, becoming the first majority Orthodox Christian country to take such a step. This is a watershed moment for the country’s LGBTQ community, but, as Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis put it, is also a milestone for human rights. Nikos Efstathiou, an Athens based journalist and author who has reported extensively on this issue, joins Thanos Davelis to look at this historic moment for Greece, and the ripple effects it is having beyond the country’s borders.Read Nikos Efstathiou’s latest piece for Kathimerini here: Marriage equality bill has ripple effects outside GreeceYou can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Greece Becomes First Orthodox Country to Legalize Same-Sex MarriageMitsotakis calls for streamlining Europe’s defense industryJournalists in Turkey Welcome Ruling Restoring Online Access to Banned News Articles

2024 will see billions of people head to the polls, with a number of key elections - including in the US - on the horizon. This comes as we’ve also seen illiberal values and politicians who embrace them gain ground across the board. The eyes of the world will justifiably be on the US presidential election in November, where it is increasingly looking like we are in for a repeat of the 2020 election. William Antholis, the director and CEO of UVA’s Miller Center of Public Affairs, joins Thanos Davelis to look at these upcoming elections, with a focus on the US, and break down what’s at stake for the US and democracies around the world, including Greece.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:2024 brings wave of elections with global democracy on the ballotTrump Will Abandon NatoWhy John Bolton Is Certain Trump Really Wants to Blow Up NATOTrump’s NATO Threat Reflects a Wider Shift on America’s Place in the WorldGreece Becomes First Orthodox Country to Legalize Same-Sex MarriageGreece becomes first Orthodox Christian country to legalize same-sex civil marriageEni drills second well at Cronos gas discovery off Cyprus

We just wrapped up the Southeastern Europe and Eastern Mediterranean conference here in Washington, DC, a forum Kathimerini English Edition, HALC, and the Delphi Economic Forum have organized now for 5 years running. During the conference we saw Greece, Greek-American relations, Cyprus, developments in the Balkans, and the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine take center stage. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English edition, joins Thanos Davelis in Washington to break down the main takeaways from the past few days in DC.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Greek-American relations on the agenda of Kathimerini’s 5th Southeast Europe and EastMed ForumMost Greeks view US stance positively, poll findsUS will be ‘closely monitoring’ TurkeyErdogan says Turkey ready to cooperate with Egypt on GazaTurkey’s Erdogan receives red-carpet reception in Egypt, calls Sisi 'brother'Cyprus could produce first natural gas as soon as 2026, minister says

For many, Cyprus has largely been defined by the Turkish occupation. This view is changing, however, as Cyprus positions itself as a frontline state for Western interests and an increasingly relevant strategic partner for the United States. Evangelos Savva, the Ambassador of Cyprus to the United States, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss how Cyprus has moved from being viewed solely as a problem to becoming part of the solution to key regional challenges, and look at whether Cyprus’s regional relevance can help solve the Cyprus problem.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:From “problem” to “solution”: Cyprus as a strategic partner, diplomatic linchpin, and occupied state”John Sarbanes presented with Leader awardGreek-American relations on the agenda of Kathimerini’s 5th Southeast Europe and EastMed ForumKathimerini Forum: Signs of optimism in the Western Balkans, but no closer to EU accessionFor rights campaigner in Greece, same-sex marriage recognition follows decades of struggleGreece on the brink of legalising same-sex marriage

On Friday Greece and the US held their fifth Strategic Dialogue, which, among other things, also saw Greece become the 35th country to sign up to the US Artemis space cooperation accords. Greece’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Ambassador Alexandra Papadopoulou, joins Thanos Davelis on the sidelines of the 5th Southeast Europe and Eastern Mediterranean conference in Washington, DC, to discuss the key takeaways from this latest Strategic Dialogue and highlight what it means for the bilateral relationship. We also look at Greece’s effort to obtain a seat as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, and ongoing talks with Turkey.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Joint Statement on the U.S.-Greece Strategic DialogueGreece signs up to US Artemis space cooperation accordsForeign minister to push for UN Security Council seatCyprus president wants the EU to discuss designating Syria safe zones for refugeesUS will be ‘closely monitoring’ Turkey

A few weeks ago Turkey finally approved Sweden’s NATO bid. In return, Ankara got a green light from the Biden administration for F-16s, something that’s been on President Erdogan’s wishlist. Now, despite Erdogan’s antics over Sweden and his playing host to Iran and Russia’s leaders, it looks like the Biden administration is employing a new approach of positive reinforcement with Ankara. Expert Sinan Ciddi joins Thanos Davelis to explain why now is not the time for Washington to reward Turkey’s Erdogan.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’s latest here: Don’t reward ErdoganYou can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:United States Welcomes Greece’s Signing of the Artemis AccordsGov’t mulls raising Golden Visa threshold to tackle housing crisis