The Greek Current

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom published an in-depth report this week examining threats to religious properties in Turkey, including places of worship, religious institutions, and cemeteries. This research looks at various threats and attacks over the last two decades and documents whether assailants were brought to justice. It also investigates the role of Turkish authorities in the protection of religious sites and the impact of government action, indifference, and negligence. Dr. Tuğba Tanyeri-Erdemir, the author of this report, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the threats to religious sites in Turkey, and break down how they impact religious groups across the country.Dr. Tuğba Tanyeri-Erdemir is the coordinator of AntiDefamation League’s Task Force on Middle East Minorities. She is also a non-resident scholar at the Middle East Institute and the co-chair of International Religious Freedom Roundtable’s Middle East Working Group. Dr. Tanyeri Erdemir’s research focuses on minority rights in the Middle East, heritage management of sacred sites, converted and contested religious buildings, and re-utilization and museumification of religious heritage.The views expressed in this interview are the speaker’s own and do not reflect the views of USCIRF.Read Dr. Tugba Tanyeri Erdemir’s report for USCIRF: Examination of Threats to Religious Sites in TurkeyYou can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Thousands march to mark 50th anniversary of student uprisingPM says Athens Polytechnic uprising a ‘beacon’ for democracySakellaropoulou honors 50th anniversary of Athens Polytechnic uprisingGermany has ‘psychology of guilt’ when it comes to Holocaust, Israel, Erdoğan saysScholz addresses 'differences' with Erdogan on Israel

The Turkish parliament's foreign affairs commission delayed a vote on Sweden's NATO membership bid on Thursday in a further setback to the Nordic country's hopes of joining the Western alliance after 18 months of delays that have left NATO allies frustrated. The move comes as Turkey’s President Erdogan prepares to visit Germany, has openly aired his desire to be hosted by Biden in Washington, is looking to purchase US F-16s, and doubles down on his support for Hamas while slamming the US, Israel, and the West. Sinan Ciddi and Endy Zemenides join Thanos Davelis to break down how Turkey’s holding up of Sweden’s NATO bid, its continued support for Hamas, and its lambasting of the West is playing out in Washington.Endy Zemenides is the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council.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:Turkish parliamentary committee delays decision on Sweden’s NATO membership bidTurkey’s parliament to debate Sweden’s NATO bid as Erdogan eyes Biden inviteBerlin braces for Erdoğan’s anti-Israel vitriolGermany’s Scholz to Block Erdogan Plan to Buy Fighter JetsSenate unanimously adopts bill blocking US military aid to AzerbaijanUS Senate passes measure blocking US military aid to Azerbaijan

On Tuesday Prime Minister Mitsotakis highlighted to German Chanellor Olaf Scholz that Greece has the fastest rate of debt reduction in the world. From around 206% of GDP in 2020, Greek debt is expected to decline this year to around 160% of GDP, and this downward trajectory is expected to continue throughout the decade. Yannis Palaiologos, a journalist at large with Kathimerini and the author of the book The 13th Labour of Hercules: Inside the Greek Crisis, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how Greece has gone from the black sheep of Europe to becoming a leader in debt reduction, discuss how to keep this momentum going, and look at what broader lessons arise for both the EU and the US from Greece’s debt Odyssey.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Greece, a debt cut championWith Grexit Averted, Guess Whose Debt Outperforms?Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ statements at the joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in BerlinEU countries are haggling over how to tackle high debt and deficit. Here's why it mattersMoody’s warning on the massive U.S. debt burden has turned into a noneventAthens taking bigger role in Gaza aidGerapetritis to visit Ramallah for meeting with PA officialsTurkey's Erdogan labels Israel a 'terror state', slams its backers in WestTurkey’s parliament to debate Sweden’s NATO bid as Erdogan eyes Biden invite

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was just in Germany, where he met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Migration, Turkey, energy issues, and the Middle East dominated the discussion, while the economy, once the top issue dominating relations between Athens and Berlin, took a backseat, reflecting Greece’s significant progress from the dire financial crisis of the previous decade. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor who was just in Germany, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the changing dynamics in Greek-German relations, the key takeaways from the Mitsotakis-Scholz meeting, and more.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:PM, Scholz talk migration, Turkey, energyΕντός και Εκτός: Το μεταναστευτικό και οι ελληνογερμανικές σχέσειςGreece, a debt cut championCyprus to clamp down as investigation reveals oligarchs moved assets after Ukraine invasion

Following several weeks of tensions, a left-wing faction within SYRIZA, Greece’s main opposition, announced on Sunday that it was peeling off, accusing newly elected leader Stefanos Kasselakis of “Trumpian practices” and abandoning the party’s core left wing ideology for a sort of “right-wing populism.” Nektaria Stamouli, an Athens based journalist and Politico’s Eastern Mediterranean correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the current crisis within SYRIZA, look at the likelihood of a new party emerging on Greece’s left, and break down what SYRIZA’s implosion means for both New Democracy and PASOK, which is looking to overtake SYRIZA as Greece’s main opposition.Read Nektaria Stamouli's latest for Politico here: Syriza’s bad Sunday: Greece’s main opposition cracks upYou can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Mitsotakis-Scholz talks to focus on economy, migration, energy, Mideast crisisGreece starts process to sell 20% stake in National BankUSAID signs partnership with Greece to improve energy security in western Balkans

The Cypriot plan to supply Gaza with humanitarian aid, presented by President Nikos Christodoulides at the Paris Peace Forum this week, is gaining traction, particularly among EU member states. The planned sea corridor, in which Cyprus seeks a central role, was also the main issue discussed by Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos on his recent trip to Amman and Ramallah, while President Christodoulides also spoke about it with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Professor Gabriel Haritos joins Thanos Davelis to look into Cyprus’ diplomatic efforts to establish this humanitarian corridor to Gaza, look at the various political considerations, and break down the view from Israel.Professor Gabriel Haritos teaches history of Greek-Israeli-Cypriot political relations as an adjunct lecturer at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and as a visiting professor at Panteion University. He is a research fellow at the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), and the author of the book Israel and the Cyprus Question. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Humanitarian diplomacy and its risksEU throws weight behind Cypriot plan to ship aid to GazaSYRIZA on course for implosionGreece sets up first barrier to Albania

Egypt has been coming under “conflicting pressures” as the war in Gaza unfolds, both from Israel, the US, the EU, Hamas, and its public, all while looking at a potential economic crisis at home, leading to a difficult balancing act for Egypt. Despite these pressures, Egypt’s role in this conflict has become increasingly pivotal for the US. The recent visit by CIA Director William Burns to Egypt and Congress’s “exceptionally fast” confirmation of Washington’s new ambassador to Egypt underscore this importance. Sean Mathews joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the tightrope Egypt’s President Sisi is walking amid the war in Gaza, and look at the increasingly pivotal role Cairo is playing.Sean Mathews is a journalist for Middle East Eye based in Greece and the wider region writing about business, security and politics. His coverage spans from across the Middle East, North Africa and the Balkans. His reporting has also appeared in Al Jazeera, The Economist, and Al Monitor.Read Sean Mathews’ latest: Riled by Israel's Gaza plans, Egypt pushes backYou can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Israel-Gaza: Neighboring Egypt's tricky tightrope actEU throws weight behind Cypriot plan to ship aid to GazaCyprus outlines plan for maritime corridor to get aid to GazaAs price of olive oil soars, chainsaw-wielding thieves target Mediterranean’s century-old treesSharp decline in olive oil production projected

Since Stefanos Kasselakis was elected as the new leader of Syriza, the party has been riven with internal strife and tensions. Key party members have either announced their departure from the party or been pushed out, while members of the “Umbrella” faction, which represents the left-wing opposition within the party and include figures like former finance minister Euclid Tsakalotos, are reportedly ready to press the “split” button. Nick Malkoutzis, the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr, a political and economic analysis site that focuses on Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to look at whether Greece’s main opposition is on the brink of splitting, and break down what the internal issues in SYRIZA mean for the party and for Greece’s political scene.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Former minister Stathakis signals departure from SYRIZAUmbrella faction puts SYRIZA on course for splitEU Commission urges Turkey to refrain from unilateral actions that challenge EU interests, international lawEuropean Commission’s progress report on Albania highlights Beleri caseMaritime corridor, floating hospitals for Gaza in focus at Paris conference

Turkey’s main opposition party ousted its longtime leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu this weekend following his comprehensive loss in the presidential elections earlier this year. Members of the Republican People’s party (CHP) voted on Sunday to replace Kılıçdaroğlu with Özgür Özel, who has called for reform both in how the party is managed and how it approaches the upcoming elections, vowing to take an inclusive approach. Ayla Jean Yackley, a journalist covering Turkey with stories in The Financial Times, Politico, and other major outlets, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the new leader of Turkey’s opposition, and break down what we should expect as we approach local elections in March.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Turkey’s opposition ousts longtime leader after general election defeatPyatt looks forward to continuing partnership with Greece on energyPower distribution operator gets €150 mln EIB loan for smart meters

On Monday Scott Nathan, the CEO of the US International Development Finance Corporation, or the DFC,  signed a financing agreement for a $125 million loan to ONEX Elefsis Shipyards and Industries to rehabilitate and modernize the Elefsina shipyard near Athens. The investment will develop the Elefsina shipyard, which is strategically located near several key gas trade routes, into a maritime and energy supply hub, creating jobs while helping Greece and the region become less reliant on Russian energy. Since its founding in 2019, the DFC has been at the forefront of Washington’s efforts to invest in its partners and allies and ensure that key strategic assets stay out of the hands of malign actors. Naz El-Khatib, the DFC’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this key investment in Greece and highlight the DFC’s work in the region.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:DFC Commits $125 Million to Modernize Elefsina Shipyard in Greece, Establish Critical Energy Supply Hub in the MediterraneanChina Buys Friends With Ports and Roads. Now the U.S. Is Trying to Compete.Blinken leaves Middle East with no progress on hostages or humanitarian pausePresident charts humanitarian path for Gaza with US Secretary of StatePro-Palestinian crowds try to storm air base housing U.S. troops in TurkeyTurkey recalls ambassador to Israel ahead of Blinken’s visit