The US Senate put the Turkey F-16 deal back in the spotlight this week, with Senator Rand Paul initiating a debate over why this sale to Ankara was proceeding. While some key Senators stressed that a “deal is a deal”, they also voiced their deep concerns about Turkey - from its human rights record to its aggression across the region. Endy Zemenides, the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what took place in the Senate, the message it...
Mar 02, 2024•13 min•Ep. 941
This past weekend SYRIZA held a 4 day convention that was filled with drama and chaos, with both its identity as well as its leadership being challenged. With a new leadership race narrowly avoided, the question remains if there is a leader in the fragmented center left that can unite the opposition. At the same time, recent polling shows an increase in support for parties to the right of New Democracy. Political scientist and expert Panos Koliastasis joins Thanos Davelis to look at this ongoing...
Mar 01, 2024•12 min•Ep. 940
The current crisis in the Middle East - from Gaza to the Red Sea - is threatening the stability of Egypt, one of the most important countries in the Arab world. Policymakers from Washington to Athens know that if Egypt falls the aftershocks would be felt across the region, as the ensuing social explosion would cause chaos, uncontrollable migrant flows to Europe and the creation of another trouble spot - beyond Libya - in the region. Alexis Papachelas, Kathimerini’s editor in chief, joins Thanos ...
Feb 29, 2024•9 min•Ep. 939
In late December a petition was launched titled “Nostos for Greek Adoptees,” asking the Greek state to recognize some 4,000 Greek-born adoptees - the so-called Lost Children of Greece. While there were many legal adoptions during the post-war era, many were not. Dr. Mary Cardaras, a Greek-born adoptee, author, journalist, and founder and director of The Demos Center at The American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to tell the story of these Lost Children of Greece, and look at what steps ...
Feb 27, 2024•15 min•Ep. 938
Last year was a record year for Greek tourism, with the latest statistics showing a remarkable comeback for the sector from the years of lockdowns during the pandemic. While these trends are welcome, there are also some worrying signs, as 2023 saw an increasing use of the term “over tourism”. Georgia Nakou, a features editor at MacroPolis - a specialist website focused on political and economic analysis of Greek affairs, joins Thanos Davelis to break down this record year for tourism, the causes...
Feb 26, 2024•11 min•Ep. 937
This past week protests and politics took center stage in Greece, as farmers - like many of their European counterparts - descended on Athens with their tractors to demand that the government do more to improve their working and living conditions. As the protests were wrapping up, Greece’s main opposition party SYRIZA kicked off a convention that has now raised the prospects of a fresh leadership race within the party months after Stefanos Kasselakis was elected. Iliana Magra, a journalist with ...
Feb 24, 2024•12 min•Ep. 936
On February 18th the floating storage regasification unit in Alexandroupoli received its first test shipment of U.S. liquefied natural gas. Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Geoffrey Pyatt described the successful opening of the Alexandroupolis FSRU as a ‘milestone” in “the longstanding transatlantic effort to diversify European energy routes and suppliers.” In other energy news, it looks like decision time has come for the hydrocarbon survey program off Crete by ExxonMobil and H...
Feb 23, 2024•12 min•Ep. 935
As Western leaders gathered in Munich this weekend for the Munich Security Conference, warnings about Russian President Putin’s possible next moves were mixed with Europe’s growing concerns that it could soon be abandoned by the United States as aid to Ukraine is stalled in Congress and former President Trump casts doubts on America’s commitment to NATO. Max Bergmann, the director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and the Stuart Center in Euro-Atlantic and Northern European Studies at t...
Feb 22, 2024•14 min•Ep. 934
Last week Turkey’s President Erdogan traveled to Egypt, where he met with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. While both leaders said they were turning a "new leaf" in their relations after over a decade of estrangement, differences remain, and it seems Cairo is still wary of Ankara. Expert 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 discuss Erdogan’...
Feb 21, 2024•12 min•Ep. 933
Greece’s Kathimerini newspaper just reported on the contents of the final draft of a letter from the State Department to Congress that implies that the F-16 and F-35 sales to Turkey and Greece come with conditions, refuting Ankara’s narrative that no such letter existed. This letter comes on the heels of a two week period in DC that put the spotlight on the US-Greece relationship, from the Strategic Dialogue to the 5th Southeast Europe and Eastern Mediterranean forum. Endy Zemenides, the Executi...
Feb 20, 2024•15 min•Ep. 932
On Thursday Greece finally approved a landmark marriage equality bill, becoming the first majority Orthodox Christian country to take such a step. This is a watershed moment for the country’s LGBTQ community, but, as Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis put it, is also a milestone for human rights. Nikos Efstathiou, an Athens based journalist and author who has reported extensively on this issue, joins Thanos Davelis to look at this historic moment for Greece, and the ripple effects it is having b...
Feb 16, 2024•13 min•Ep. 931
2024 will see billions of people head to the polls, with a number of key elections - including in the US - on the horizon. This comes as we’ve also seen illiberal values and politicians who embrace them gain ground across the board. The eyes of the world will justifiably be on the US presidential election in November, where it is increasingly looking like we are in for a repeat of the 2020 election. William Antholis, the director and CEO of UVA’s Miller Center of Public Affairs, joins Thanos Dav...
Feb 16, 2024•15 min•Ep. 930
We just wrapped up the Southeastern Europe and Eastern Mediterranean conference here in Washington, DC, a forum Kathimerini English Edition, HALC, and the Delphi Economic Forum have organized now for 5 years running. During the conference we saw Greece, Greek-American relations, Cyprus, developments in the Balkans, and the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine take center stage. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English edition, joins Thanos Davelis in Washington to break down the ma...
Feb 15, 2024•15 min•Ep. 929
For many, Cyprus has largely been defined by the Turkish occupation. This view is changing, however, as Cyprus positions itself as a frontline state for Western interests and an increasingly relevant strategic partner for the United States. Evangelos Savva, the Ambassador of Cyprus to the United States, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss how Cyprus has moved from being viewed solely as a problem to becoming part of the solution to key regional challenges, and look at whether Cyprus’s regional relev...
Feb 14, 2024•15 min•Ep. 928
On Friday Greece and the US held their fifth Strategic Dialogue, which, among other things, also saw Greece become the 35th country to sign up to the US Artemis space cooperation accords. Greece’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Ambassador Alexandra Papadopoulou, joins Thanos Davelis on the sidelines of the 5th Southeast Europe and Eastern Mediterranean conference in Washington, DC, to discuss the key takeaways from this latest Strategic Dialogue and highlight what it means for the bilateral relationsh...
Feb 13, 2024•12 min•Ep. 927
A few weeks ago Turkey finally approved Sweden’s NATO bid. In return, Ankara got a green light from the Biden administration for F-16s, something that’s been on President Erdogan’s wishlist. Now, despite Erdogan’s antics over Sweden and his playing host to Iran and Russia’s leaders, it looks like the Biden administration is employing a new approach of positive reinforcement with Ankara. Expert Sinan Ciddi joins Thanos Davelis to explain why now is not the time for Washington to reward Turkey’s E...
Feb 10, 2024•13 min•Ep. 926
Greek and US officials will hold the 5th Strategic Dialogue in Washington, DC on Friday, and Foreign Minister Gerapetritis will also meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The agenda ranges from regional developments to the sale of F-35 jets and the possibility of co-producing Constellation-class frigates. As the Strategic Dialogue kicks off, another set of discussions is taking place in the Eastern Mediterranean, where the UN chief’s new personal envoy for Cyprus is meeting with all stake...
Feb 09, 2024•14 min•Ep. 925
Over the past years Greece has seen a sharp increase in home prices and rents, with many talking about a housing crisis as Greeks are being priced out of the property market. This has put the spotlight on the Golden Visa scheme. Yiannis Mouzakis, the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr, a political and economic analysis site that focuses on Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to look into Greece’s housing crisis and the Golden Visa scheme. We also explore whether it's time, now that the Greek econom...
Feb 08, 2024•12 min•Ep. 924
One year ago southeastern Turkey was devastated by a series of powerful earthquakes that killed tens of thousands and left even more without homes. It also ushered in a period of calm in the Aegean, as Greece was quick to assist its Turkish neighbors. A year later, the magnitude of this disaster continues to not only defy massive recovery efforts, but also impact Turkey’s relations with Greece. Nektaria Stamouli, the deputy editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition and Politico’s Eastern ...
Feb 07, 2024•11 min•Ep. 923
While no major news on the Parthenon Sculptures has emerged since British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s infamous snub of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in late last year, the incident reinvigorated the debate around the return of the Sculptures to their home in Athens. Nikos Efstathiou, who was just in London reporting on the issue for Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the sentiment in London, and why the return of the Parthenon Sculptures seems all but inevitable. Read Nikos...
Feb 06, 2024•11 min•Ep. 922
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his cabinet have been under pressure these past days, as farmers and students across the country have taken to the streets in protest. This comes as Mitsotakis also prepares to pass a key marriage equality bill this month, and as the latest polls show a slight drop in support for New Democracy and the government. Nick Malkoutzis, the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr, a political and economic analysis site that focuses on Greece, joins Thanos Davelis t...
Feb 03, 2024•16 min•Ep. 921
After a proposal by Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, Greece is set to serve as the headquarters of the EU naval operation in the Red Sea against Iranian-backed Houthi militants dubbed operation Aspides. At the same time, Greece has also proposed taking command of the mission. Revecca Pedi, an associate professor of international relations at the University of Macedonia in Thessaloniki, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this latest initiative from Athens, and break down the message it sends as...
Feb 02, 2024•10 min•Ep. 920
On Thursday European leaders will look to overcome growing resistance to further aid for Ukraine, with Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban vowing to defy EU pressure to approve a four-year €50 billion aid package to the war torn country. EU support is seen as crucial to Ukraine’s war effort. John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist based in Athens and Al Jazeera's Southeast Europe correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the stakes for Ukraine and why Orban is insisting on this stando...
Jan 31, 2024•14 min•Ep. 919
In a major escalation in the Middle East crisis, three US service members were killed and dozens more injured in a drone strike on the Syrian-Jordanian border by the Iranian-backed Islamic Resistance. This comes as attacks on US personnel in Iraq and Syria have surged since October, and as Washington has been debating a full withdrawal from Syria. Amberin Zaman, Al-Monitor’s chief correspondent covering major stories on the Middle East and North Africa, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this lates...
Jan 31, 2024•10 min•Ep. 918
In 2019 the Greek Orthodox Patriarchs of Constantinople and Alexandria recognised the independence of the newly formed Orthodox Church of Ukraine. Since then, Moscow has attempted to undermine not only the Ecumenical Patriarchate, but also the Patriarch of Alexandria, which claims exclusive jurisdiction over Africa and accuses the Russian church of meddling in the continent. Prof. George Demacopoulos joins Thanos Davelis to explore why Russia is trying to split the Orthodox Church in Africa, and...
Jan 30, 2024•11 min•Ep. 917
After over a year of delays, the Biden administration on Friday formally informed Congress of its intention to proceed with a deal to sell F-35 stealth fighter jets to Greece. At the same time, it also notified Congress of the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has described this move as an important milestone for Greece and for US-Greece relations. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis from...
Jan 27, 2024•13 min•Ep. 916
While the tourism boom in Greece over the last years can be felt across the country, its epicenter is a group of islands in the Aegean known as the Cyclades. The tourism boom is also fueling seemingly nonstop development on the islands, putting the focus on the sustainability of this development model. Yannis Palaiologos, a journalist at large with Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss how tourism and frantic development is impacting Greece’s most popular islands, and look into the effort...
Jan 26, 2024•12 min•Ep. 915
Turkey’s Parliament voted on Tuesday to approve Sweden’s membership into NATO, clearing one of the final hurdles for a major expansion of the military alliance. The move comes after nearly two years of Ankara setting roadblocks and delaying Sweden’s swift accession to the NATO alliance. Despite Tuesday’s vote Sweden’s accession is not yet guaranteed. Henri Barkey, the Cohen Professor of International Relations at Lehigh University and Adjunct Senior Fellow for Middle East Studies at the Council ...
Jan 25, 2024•12 min•Ep. 914
As Greece bounces back from a decade of economic crisis, earning praise in headlines and features across the board - from The Economist to the Wall Street Journal - it is also up against a series of challenges. One of those is the demographic challenge, which has been described as existential. Nikos Konstandaras, a columnist for Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to break down how Greece, given the position it finds itself in today, has a unique window of opportunity to push key reforms forward t...
Jan 24, 2024•13 min•Ep. 913
On Monday Greece introduced a bill that would allow for voting by mail, a long-standing request of diaspora Greeks and a measure that has been applied in almost all modern democracies. Interior Minister Niki Kerameus said the reform will make it easier to exercise the right to vote and will deepen democracy. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English edition, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this latest step by the Mitsotakis government, and break down what it could mean for Greek ...
Jan 23, 2024•12 min•Ep. 912
