The Greek Current

Earlier this month we saw Turkey issue a NAVTEX, or a navigational text message warning, for research in the Aegean Sea, a provocative move called out by Greece. This has once again put Turkey’s disregard for international law and contempt for Greece’s sovereignty in the spotlight. Elizabeth Samson, an international lawyer and Writing Fellow at the Middle East Forum whose work has appeared in major outlets like the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into why it’s important to call out Turkey’s spurious claims over the Aegean.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Europe and United States Must Deny Turkey’s Spurious Claims Over the AegeanGaza reconstruction: Cyprus has a planSenate Foreign Relations Committee extends lifting of Cyprus arms embargo from annual renewal period to 5 year periodBipartisan US push to extend Cyprus defense access

Turkish Cypriots went to the polls in the occupied northern part of Cyprus this weekend, electing a reportedly moderate candidate in Tufan Erhurman. His landslide victory, unseating hard-line incumbent Ersin Tatar, has led to cautious optimism that talks on the reunification of Cyprus could resume. Nektaria Stamouli, the deputy editor in chief of Kathimerini's English Edition and Politico's Eastern Mediterranean correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down the key takeaways from this election.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Turkish Cypriots elect moderate leader in crucial policy switchNicosia weighs Turkish-Cypriot leader changeTurkey pressing for Western fighter jets to claw back regional edgeDozens arrested in OPEKEPE subsidy fraud bust across Greece

An issue that’s been top of mind in Greece for some time now is the demographic crisis. This isn’t unique to Greece, however, as it’s a problem most of Europe is also looking for answers to. Jacob Funk Kirkegaard, a Senior Fellow at Bruegel and a non-resident Senior Fellow with the Peterson Institute for International Economics, joins Thanos Davelis as we look at how an aging population is challenging Europe, and why migration remains an important part of the equation. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:The macroeconomic impact of ageing, EU immigration policy and pension expendituresMitsotakis calls for united European defense, energy strategy at MED9 summitErdogan heads to Gulf as Turkey looks to ease energy dependence on Russia

A few big headlines have come out of Brussels recently, including the presentation of the EU’s new "Pact for the Mediterranean", its executive body approving a 5-year defense road map that features plans for a “drone wall”, and  the debate about Turkey’s participation in the SAFE program. Alexandra Voudouri, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into these developments and what they mean for Greece and Cyprus.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:EU presents new pact to reshape relations with Mediterranean countriesEU scramble for anti-Russia ‘drone wall’ hits political, technical hurdlesEuropean Commission Unveils 'Drone Wall' Plans As Part Of 5-Year Defense Road MapWadephul: Turkey ‘must solve its problems in the region’Newfound optimism for resumption of Cyprus talksFM Gerapetritis hopeful for an agreement on Mt Sinai monastery

While celebrating the Gaza ceasefire agreement in Egypt, President Trump made a point to single out Turkey’s President Erdogan, thanking him for his role in bringing about this deal. Erdogan is now eager to leverage this praise in order to become a key player in shaping Gaza's future. Can he achieve this? Sinan Ciddi, a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and an expert on Turkish politics, joins Thanos Davelis as we look to answer this question, breaking down Turkey’s role in this ceasefire, Erdogan’s ambitions in Gaza, and what the Trump administration should be looking out for when dealing with Turkey here.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Erdogan's Turkey Wants to Be a Key Player in Post-war Gaza. It's a FantasyTrump signals new trust in Erdogan, raising concerns over Turkey’s ambitions in Gaza and beyondGreece revives Eastern Med forum planControversial labor bill passed by Parliament with government majority

A recent report in the Financial Times has outlined how a state fund in Turkey has become one of the country’s largest business holdings, controlling over 1,000 companies. This comes in the wake of an anti-corruption drive that moved hundreds of private companies into government hands, raising the question: Is this asset grab politically-motivated? Wolfango Piccoli, the co-founder of risk analysis company Teneo, joins Thanos Davelis today as we dig into this story.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Crackdown or capital grab? Turkey state fund controls 1,000 businessesGreece reaffirms stance on Turkey’s participation in EU SAFE programAthens faces two drone fronts

Greece’s government recently tabled its budget for 2026, a budget that foresees a jump in spending, growth for the economy, and a drop in Greece’s debt. Yiannis Mouzakis, the co-founder of Macropolis.gr, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into Greece’s budget, looking at some of the positive trends like increased revenue from electronic payments and Greece’s declining debt, while breaking down some of the potential challenges Greece still needs to pay attention to.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:State spending to jump €5 bln next yearGovernment budgeting on a late RRF sprintLawmakers in fervent clash over 13-hour workdayIn EU first, Greece set to introduce 13-hour workdayPKK leader Ocalan appeals to Iraqi Kurdistan president for help in Turkey peace talks

It’s safe to say President Macron has shown he is one of Europe’s most important leaders, but domestic challenges seem to be undercutting him on the global stage. Steven Erlanger, the chief diplomatic correspondent for The New York Times covering Europe, joins Thanos Davelis as we look to answer what this means for Macron and France, but also for Europe, especially as the continent looks to meet challenges ranging from defense spending to Ukraine.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:France’s Domestic Instability Has Weakened Its Diplomatic Clout'Now the rebuilding begins,' says Trump as he signs Gaza peace planMitsotakis meets Trump ahead of Gaza summitTrump, Christodoulides discuss Cyprus issue at Gaza summit

World leaders - including Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and President Nikos Christodoulides - are meeting today in Egypt to cement a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and to help lay the foundations for broader regional stability. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English edition, joins Thanos Davelis as we look at why the Greek and Cypriot presence at this summit matters, and break down how Athens and Nicosia can play a stabilizing role here. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Greece to participate in Gaza peace summit in Egypt, Mitsotakis announcesTrump and el-Sisi to lead Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt; Greece and Cyprus among invited nationsEU wants Turkey to be part of SAFEEU begins gradual rollout of digital border system 

Last month Turkey's President Erdogan and his loyalists blasted Cyprus for its purchase of Israeli Barak MX air defense systems, claiming it was a threat to Turkey, all while Turkish media has announced Ankara plans to send more occupation troops to Cyprus. William Doran, the co-author of the recent piece in Kathimerini titled “Erdogan’s imagined ‘arms race’ in Cyprus”, joins Thanos Davelis as we look at Erdogan’s hypocritical outrage here, and break down why Cyprus’ decision to upgrade its air defense systems in fact strengthens Eastern Mediterranean security.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Erdogan’s imagined ‘arms race’ in CyprusGreece hails ‘historic agreement’ over GazaTurkey emerges as key player in Gaza ceasefire dealThird-country buyers grab Cyprus realtyCy