The Greek Current

HALC Executive Director and host Endy D. Zemenides is joined by Tyler Stapleton, Director of Government Relations at FDD Action, to analyze the State Department's response to a Congressional letter calling on holding Turkey accountable and the F-35 program. You can read the articles we discuss in the podcast here:State Department: The US position regarding Turkey’s acquisition of F-35s remains unchanged | eKathimerini.comA Gaza-bound ship that left Cyprus with 1,200 tons of food aid nears Israeli portGiannis leads way for Greece in Eurobasket exhibition game

HALC Executive Director and host Endy D. Zemenides is joined by Patrick Theros, former U.S. Ambassador to Qatar, member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and former Deputy Coordinator for Counterterrorism, to analyze the freezing of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem's bank accounts. You can read the articles we discuss in the podcast here:Jerusalem freezes Greek Orthodox Patriarchate's bank accounts over tax dispute | The Times of IsraelSerbia rocked by ongoing anti-government clashes – DW – 08/19/2025President of Syria Al-Shara met Patriarch of Antioch in Damascus | Orthodox Times (en)

HALC Executive Director and host Endy D. Zemenides is joined by Ilan Berman, Senior Vice President of the American Foreign Policy Council, Board Member at Radio Free Europe, and author of Implosion: The End of Russia and What It Means for America to analyze the aftermath and impact of President Trump's meeting with with President Zelensky and European Leaders.You can read the articles we discuss in the podcast here:Major Takeaways From Trump’s Meeting With Zelenskyy and European Leaders | Council on Foreign RelationsUN publishes Greek response rejecting Libya hydrocarbon claims | eKathimerini.comRhodes beach violations persist despite crackdown | eKathimerini.comConstruction on the islands getting worse every year | eKathimerini.com

Host Endy D. Zemenides, HALC Executive Director, welcomes Matthew Boyle, Washington, D.C. Bureau Chief for Breitbart News, for a deep dive into the implications of President Trump’s recent meeting with President Vladimir Putin, the latest developments in the war in Ukraine, and what all of this means for international relations.

Greece - and much of southern Europe - has faced a series of wildfires over the past weeks, prompting evacuations and even resulting in deaths. As Greece grapples with another summer of wildfires, questions abound over how to combat this phenomenon and build resilience, and the role of the media, the government, and civil society. Niko Efstathiou, an Athens based journalist and author, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into these questions.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Wildfires: What we don’t know is what burns usOverhead power lines under scrutiny after wildfiresRiyadh requests Greek mission renewalTurkey’s deepening ties with Italy, Spain

Earlier this week we took a look at the stakes ahead of President Trump’s meeting with Russian President Putin in Alaska. Today, Professor Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, the president of the Yale Chief Executive Leadership Institute who has advised the White House, the State and Treasury Departments, and the Council of Economic Advisers on Russian economic sanctions and business retreats, joins Thanos Davelis as we explore how sanctions have crippled Russia’s economy, leaving Putin with very few cards. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Trump Has the Upper Hand Going into His Meeting with PutinIn a Trump-Putin Summit, Ukraine Fears Losing Say Over Its FutureFirefighters contain most wildfires across Greece, but risk remainsGovernment makes relief measures top priorityAfter inking military pact, Turkey to provide Syria with weapons, trainingTurkey to help Syria with weapon systems, equipment under signed MoU, source says

Is Israel risking overplaying its hand in Gaza and the Middle East, and, as European countries like France and Britain move to recognize Palestine, what are the broader ramifications for the region? Steven Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Thanos Davelis as we look to answer these questions, and more.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Israel Risks Overplaying Its Hand in Gaza and the Middle EastWhy Recognizing Palestine Is Meaningless or Even HarmfulSenegalese diplomat set to lead UN mission in CyprusSouda, Larissa base upgrades on agenda

Are Armenia and Azerbaijan on a path to peace, or is the latest deal signed at the White House a rushed agreement that lets Baku off the hook for its aggression - from the ethnic cleansing of Nagorno Karabakh to its unlawful detention of Armenian POWs? Thanos Davelis digs into this question with Aram Hamparian, the executive director of the Armenian National Committee of America, as we look at what this deal means for peace and stability in the region.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan Sign Peace Pledge at White HouseIf Azerbaijan Breaks its Agreements, Are Armenians Prepared to Resist?Donald Trump brokers a peace plan in the CaucasusWildfires sweep Greece, trigger mass evacuationsBrussels wants to ditch Russian gas. Turkey could keep it flowing undetected.

All eyes will be on Alaska this Friday as President Trump meets with President Putin to discuss Ukraine, a high stakes summit with risks for Europe, Ukraine, and President Trump. Will Ukraine’s fear of a deal struck between Trump and Putin - and excluding Kyiv - be realized? What about the political risks for President Trump both at home and with US allies? David Sanger, the White House and National Security Correspondent for the New York Times, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into all of these questions. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:In a Trump-Putin Summit, Ukraine Fears Losing Say Over Its FutureAthens walks Middle East tightropeSeoul offers Athens major defense proposal

Almost a month since Kimberly Guilfoyle received the nod from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, we are still waiting for her to take up the job of US ambassador in Athens. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis as we try to answer the question everyone’s thinking in Greece: “When is Kimberly arriving?”You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Another hurdle delays Guilfoyle’s arrivalUS Senate gridlock further delays Guilfoyle’s arrival to GreeceCongress is in August recess, but tensions lie ahead on spending and Trump nominationsGreece, US discuss possible new military basesAnkara blocks research on cable routeGreece may extend North Africa asylum ban if migrant flow resurges