The Greek Current

US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum - and chair of the influential White House National Energy Dominance Council - will be the first cabinet-level official to travel to Greece this presidential term, highlighting Greece’s role as a key US partner on energy. At the same time, it looks like new developments on Capitol Hill could soon pave the way for US ambassador–nominee to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle to finally take up her post in Athens. Lena Argiri, the DC correspondent for ERT - the Greek Public Broadcasting Company - and Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to break all of this down.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Greece deemed critical to US energy planSenate GOP advances Guilfoyle’s nomination for AthensAthens wary of domino effect of instabilityChevron entry elevates Greece geopolitically

The latest chapter in a nearly year-long crackdown on the main opposition is unfolding in Turkey, where it seems Turkish President Erdogan is using the courts to effectively neuter the opposition. As Erdogan moves Turkey closer to a Russia-style autocracy, what does this mean for the opposition and ultimately for the West? Thanos Davelis breaks these questions down today with Wolfango Piccoli, the co-founder of risk analysis company Teneo. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Turkey’s opposition head accuses Erdoğan of legal ‘coup’Turkey's 'tough guy' president says he's tackling corruption. Rivals say he's silencing oppositionGreece deemed critical to US energy planSenate GOP advances Guilfoyle’s nomination for Athens 

This weekend in Thessaloniki Prime Minister Mitsotakis laid out his vision for the coming year, announcing 1.6 billion euros in tax cuts - a package he called the boldest tax reform enforced in Greece in more than 50 years - and various measures to tackle the cost of living challenge facing many Greeks and the demographic crisis. John Psaropoulos joins Thanos Davelis as we break down these announcements and what they mean heading into the upcoming national elections in 2027.John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist and Al Jazeera's correspondent in southeast Europe. He also publishes Hellenica, a weekly deep dive into Greek current affairs and history that you can find on Substack.com.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Tax cuts nudge Greece towards prosperity, but will they save it?Greek premier rules out snap election, says tax cuts will help familiesGreece announces €1.6bn relief package to tackle population declineGreece’s population decline and its need for growthBenghazi won’t ratify Turkey dealTurkey opposition uses tables, chairs to block police besieging headquarters

In July Turkey hosted the 17th International Defense Industry Fair, and over 100 countries sent representatives to see what’s behind all the hype around Ankara’s defense industry. Despite the attention it’s gotten over the last years, a lot of Ankara’s new military technology remains in development and untested, posing the question: Can Turkey deliver on its defense ambitions? 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 as we try to answer this question.The views expressed by Professor Gingeras in this interview do not reflect the views of the US government.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Can Turkey Deliver on Its Armament Ambitions?Greece announces €1.6bn relief package to tackle population declineGreece, OpenAI agree deal to boost innovation in schools, small businesses

With the US focused on Ukraine, the Middle East, and President Trump’s trade deals, it seems the Western Balkans are flying under the radar in Washington. In fact, there are growing concerns in the region about a quiet US withdrawal and what this could mean as countries like Russia, China and Turkey vie for influence. Professor James Ker-Lindsay, who has worked extensively on the EU, the Balkans and Southeast Europe, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at these developments.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Risky jockeying for position in the BalkansSerb separatist Dodik defies Bosnian state in government reshuffleGreece toughens penalties for rejected asylum seekers, speeds up returnsPM to unveil tax breaks as popularity dips

The Economist just ran a story about the Shanghai Co-operation Organization summit that took place, calling it Xi Jinping’s anti-American party. This party also included world leaders like Turkish President Erdogan. 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 into Erdogan’s cozying up to China and what it means for the US.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Xi Jinping’s anti-American partyTurkey’s Erdogan holds hands with Iran’s Pezeshkian, sparks online buzzPutin, Modi and Erdoğan among leaders in China for talks with XiMitsotakis and Erdogan likely to meet this monthAthens sends message to Nicosia over power cable project

This weekend Prime Minister Mitsotakis is heading to Thessaloniki, where he’s going to deliver a sort of state of the union address, outlining his agenda and key priorities for the year ahead. Today Thanos Davelis brings on Nick Malkoutzis, the co-founder of Macropolis.gr, as we break down what issues are top of the list, and what moves Mitsotakis is planning for the year ahead. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:PM finalises relief measures in ambitious but risky move to sway votersTurkish court ousts main opposition's Istanbul head over congress irregularitiesEU foreign policy chief: Turkey-Libya maritime deal violates rights of third countries

Constantine Cavafy, the Greek poet whose work not only charted a new path for Greek poetry, but also inspired countless readers around the world - including figures like David Hockney, Leonard Cohen, and Jackie Kennedy Onassis - is back in the spotlight thanks to the publication of his first biography in roughly 50 years. Professors Gregory Jusdanis and Peter Jeffreys, the authors of the book, join Thanos Davelis as we take a deeper dive into the life and work of Constantine Cavafy.For those who are interested, the book is available for purchase in the US and the UK, and is expected in early October in Greece as well.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Constantine Cavafy: A New BiographyAlexandrian Sphinx: The Hidden Life of Constantine Cavafy‘Constantine Cavafy’ Review: A Poet’s Odyssey WithinThe mysterious life of Constantine CavafyAnkara bristles at Athens’ energy movesGreece suspends 5% of schools as birth rate drops

Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, is joined by Michael Rubin, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, to break down reports that Israel is closing in on a security deal with Syria as a U.S. envoy meets with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and to analyze what this means for the region, from Turkey to broader U.S. strategy in the Middle East.You can read the article we discuss on our podcast here:Syria's Sharaa confirms 'advanced' talks with Israel on security deal; US envoy meets NetanyahuBirth rate decline a threat to universitiesGreece issues very high wildfire risk alert for Aegean islands and Crete

HALC Executive Director and host Endy D. Zemenides is joined by Mariam Wahba, Research Analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, to analyze the Egyptian government's efforts to control St. Catherine's monastery, the world’s oldest continuously inhabited Christian monastery.You can read the articles we discuss in the podcast here:Egypt’s War Against the World’s Oldest Christian MonasteryOn migration, Greece takes a Trumpian turn - The Washington PostEnergy minister dismisses report on possible Turkey-Libya maritime deal approval | eKathimerini.com