The Greek Current

Greece’s government announced on Wednesday it will scrap all the fines imposed on the elderly who never got vaccinated against Covid-19, a move which has sparked heated debate in Greece. The decision comes amid a simultaneous outbreak of three respiratory infections, including Covid-19 and influenza. Nektaria Stamouli, the deputy editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition and Politico’s Eastern Mediterranean correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this latest move by the government, look at the reactions it has sparked, and break down how this new wave of infections is impacting the country.Read Nektaria Stamouli’s latest article in Kathimerini: From fines to ‘olive branch’, government scraps vaccine policyYou can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Poll confirms ND’s dominance, support for private universitiesGreek government’s plans to legalize same-sex marriage win key opposition backingCyprus sees significant impact on shipping from Houthis

Over a year ago there were concerns that Turkey’s provocations and threats in the Aegean could turn into conflict. Over the last year, Turkey’s President Erdogan has pulled a 180 degree shift in policy, de-escalating tensions. Ryan Gingeras, a professor in the Department of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and an expert on Turkish, Balkan, and Middle East history, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the prospects for Greek-Turkish relations in 2024, the role of Washington, and what to expect in US-Turkey ties as the year unfolds.Read Ryan Gingeras’ latest interview with Kathimerini here: Prospects for Greek-Turkish relations to emerge clearly by springYou can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Gov’t unveils new measures to combat soaring pricesUN's new special envoy heads to Cyprus in early February

As Europeans prepare to head to the polls in June to vote for the European Parliament, there is a growing concern as far-right parties are making gains across the continent. We have seen far right candidates win elections in the Netherlands, while France’s National Rally and the German Alternative for Germany are gaining in popularity amid concerns over migration and inflation. Alexandra Voudouri, Kathimerini's Brussels correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what’s at stake this year in Europe’s elections, and whether this growing support for the far-right could turn into a political tsunami by June.Read Alexandra Voudouri’s latest for Kathimerini: Κινδυνεύει η Ε.E. από ακροδεξιό «τσουνάμι»;You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Visualizing 2024: Trends to WatchMake or break for the EU? Europeans vote in June with far right on the riseEU elections could be major turning point for Europe's far-rightPM vows to accelerate reforms in meeting with cabinetPM champions Greece’s success in curbing irregular migrationEU Commissioner Johansson stresses need for migrants to address EU’s labor shortage

Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Greece this weekend, and he and Prime Minister Mitsotakis once again highlighted how Greece-US relations are at their best, with both countries standing together in the face of some of the most acute challenges in the region. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the key takeaways from Secretary Blinken’s latest visit to Greece, and explain why it is time to apply the Biden Administration’s domestic mantra - “Build back better” - to its foreign policy, particularly its ties with Greece.Read Endy Zemenides’ latest piece in Kathimerini here: Blinken should build back better when he meets MitsotakisYou can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:‘We are standing together,’ says Blinken during meeting with Greek PMCyprus replaces defense, health, justice, farm ministers in reshuffleGreek bonds coming highly recommended

2024 will see more than four billion people across three dozen countries head to the polls, in what the Washington Post has described as possibly “the greatest rolling spectacle of democracy in human history.” The stakes will be high in many countries, but all eyes, including in Greece, will be on the US elections as the latest polls suggest we may be in for a repeat of the 2020 election between President Biden and former President Trump. 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 look at the upcoming US elections, and break down what they could mean for Greece and the US-Greek relationship.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Να φοβάται η Αθήνα τις κάλπες στις ΗΠΑ;2024 brings wave of elections with global democracy on the ballotTen Elections to Watch in 2024PM champions restored Palace of Aigai for worldwide heritage, catalyst for growthLeaders embrace appointment of UN envoyCuellar announced as UN ‘personal envoy’ to Cyprus

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis set the tone for the new year this week, announcing a mini cabinet reshuffle aimed at boosting his government ahead of expected reforms. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English edition, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what we should expect following this reshuffle and look at Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ agenda for 2024, which includes passing key legislation  permitting non-state universities in Greece, allowing for postal voting, and legalizing same-sex marriage. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Greek PM sacks police minister in mini reshuffle, key posts unchangedGreek government says it stands by same-sex marriage pledge even after opposition from the ChurchMini cabinet reshuffle announced, key posts unchangedBlinken’s visit to Greece confirmedBlinken heads to the Mideast again as fears of regional conflict surge

On Wednesday the US and a host of international allies warned that Iran-backed Houthi militants will face “consequences” if they continue to “threaten lives” and disrupt trade in the Red Sea. Earlier this week, what’s become an increasingly volatile crisis gained a new dimension as Iran sent a warship to the region, escalating tensions. Bradley Bowman, the senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the big picture amid escalating tensions in the Red Sea, including what this could mean for the Eastern Mediterranean.Read Brad Bowman’s latest snapshot for FDD here: Iran Deploys Warship to Red Sea As Houthis Continue AttacksYou can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:US and allies warn Houthis of ‘consequences’ as Red Sea crisis intensifiesIranian warship enters Red Sea as tensions riseMaersk halts Red Sea shipping until further notice after Houthi militant attackMini cabinet reshuffle announced, key posts unchangedBlinken expected to visit Greece, sources say

It seemed Sweden was ready to cross the finish line last week, with the stage set for Turkey’s parliament to vote on Sweden’s NATO bid. At the 11th hour, however, Turkey introduced new demands over its request for F-16s. This has put Washington in a bind, as for months the issue of F-16s to Turkey seems to have been linked to the sale of F-35s to Greece. Lena Argiri, the DC correspondent for ERT - Greece’s public broadcaster - and a contributor to Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis from Washington with the latest analysis on Sweden, Turkey and the US, and breaks down why Washington may not be able to afford delaying the sale of F-35s to Greece much longer.Read Lena Argiri’s latest here in Kathimerini here: Το άγνωστο τελεσίγραφο Μπλίνκεν σε Φιντάν για τα F-16You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Screened in Cyprus, British and Cypriot aid heads to Gaza via EgyptTurkey says UK minehunters can’t be sent to UkraineTurkey to block minehunter ships intended for Ukraine

The US has put together an international armada to deter Iranian-backed Houthi militias from Yemen from attacking shipping in the Red Sea, and this week Greece announced that it will participate in this US led mission - dubbed Operation Prosperity Guardian. Nikolas Katsimpras, a lecturer in Columbia University’s Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Program, an international affairs consultant, a veteran officer of the Hellenic Navy, and a contributor to Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the Red Sea crisis, look at why it’s significant from Greece’s perspective, and break down why is it important that Greece plays an active role in this effort.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Greek frigate to join Prosperity GuardianHow Houthi rebels are threatening global trade nexus on Red SeaShips rerouted by Red Sea crisis face overwhelmed African portsShippers have already diverted over $80 billion in cargo from the Red Sea amid fears of attacksGreece plans to raise up to €10 bln from debt markets in 2024Turkey Puts Sweden’s NATO Bid Back on Agenda Next WeekTurkish commission to meet next week to discuss Swedish NATO bid

The European Union on Wednesday broke years of political deadlock, striking a landmark deal on migration as negotiators worked through the night to agree on the overhaul of the bloc’s asylum procedures. The breakthrough was hailed as “historic” by EU leaders. Angeliki Dimitriadi, the head of the migration program at ELIAMEP, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this new migration deal, and break down what it means for frontline states like Greece and Cyprus. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:EU strikes ‘historic’ migration dealMigration is derailing leaders from Biden to Macron. Who’s next?Migration pact meets key Greek demandsDendias: Greece will dispatch frigate to Red SeaIsrael, Cyprus discuss ‘fast track’ maritime lane for aid to Gaza