The Greek Current

This week kicked off with Turkey announcing the deployment of a number of fighter jets to the occupied part of Cyprus, a move that not only represents a significant escalation in the militarization of the Eastern Mediterranean, where Cyprus has already been targeted by Iranian-made drones, but that may also violate US law. This isn’t the only thing putting Cyprus in the headlines this week. Axios and the Financial Times reported Cyprus could potentially mediate talks between Israel and Lebanon after violence broke out between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group. Turkey’s moves in the Eastern Mediterranean aren’t the only thing worrying analysts and observers. Developments on the domestic front are also keeping those watching the region on alert, as the trial of Ekrem Imamoglu, the imprisoned mayor of Istanbul, kicked off this week. Imamoglu’s trial is largely seen as politically motivated and an effort to prevent him from challenging President Erdogan. Sinan Ciddi, Elisa Ewers, Lisel Hintz, and Henri Barkey join Thanos Davelis this week as we take a closer look at Turkey’s decision to deploy fighter jets to the occupied part of Cyprus, Israel’s escalating offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the trial of Ekrem Imamoglu. Taking us to our “I am HALC” segment, we’re spotlighting Eleni Delimpaltadaki Janis, a founding member of HALC with a career that spans across government and the private sector. This includes serving as Vice President at the New York City Economic Development Corporation, and working to transform and solve some of the world’s most persistent socio-economic problems as a founder of Equivico. Stay tuned as we dig into her story. A little more info on our guests: Sinan Ciddi is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and director of its Turkey program. Elisa Ewers is a senior fellow for Middle East Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. Lisel Hintz is an Assistant Professor of International Relations at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Henri Barkey is an adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and the Bernard L. and Bertha F. Cohen chair in international relations at Lehigh University (Emeritus). You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.

Given the incredible feedback we’ve gotten for our "I am HALC" profiles, we will re-release each feature as an individual episode so that you can easily find them and share them. Today, we’re kicking off with our first “I am HALC” profile from January 15th, 2026, where we put the spotlight on Dr. George Chiampas, someone who is not just a national, but a global leader in emergency and sports medicine - whether it’s with US soccer, the Blackhawks, the Chicago Bears, the Chicago Marathon, and now the MLS - and is at the core of the work HALC does.

On the last day of February the United States and Israel launched a major assault on Iran, killing the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and sounding alarm bells across the region. Those sirens also went off in Cyprus, which saw Iranian-made drones target Britain’s Royal Air Force base at Akrotiri, prompting a response from Greece and other European partners who deployed ships, jets, and air defense systems to Cyprus. The strikes on Iran also caught European leaders unprepared, and there are many questions - which we will dig into - about whether Europe can play a constructive role here, or whether Washington has relegated it to the role of spectator. At the same time, in another major development this week, French President Emanuel Macron announced that France - one of only two nuclear powers in Europe - would boost its nuclear arsenal and extend deterrence to European allies - including Greece. Laurence Norman, Max Bergmann, Nektaria Stamouli, Vassilis Nedos, and Eleni Ekmektsioglou, join Thanos Davelis this week as we look at the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, what this crisis means for Europe, Greece and Cyprus, while breaking down the significance of President Macron’s historic update of France’s nuclear strategy, including how it will impact Greece. A little more info on our guests: Laurence Norman is a reporter for The Wall Street Journal who has covered Iran, Europe, and this ongoing crisis. Max Bergmann is the director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and the Stuart Center in Euro-Atlantic and Northern European Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Nektaria Stamouli is the deputy editor in chief of Kathimerini's English Edition and Politico's Eastern Mediterranean correspondent. Vassilis Nedos is Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor. Eleni Ekmektsioglou is a Policy fellow with the British American Security Information Council where she leads a project on emerging technologies and the future of anti-submarine warfare, is a non-resident fellow with ELIAMEP, and a member of the IFRI nuclear strategy network.

This week marked 4 years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the start of a war that served as a wakeup call for Europe and the West. Since then, we’ve seen Europe take drastic steps to cut its ties to Russian gas, redrawing the region’s energy map. Greece has played, and continues to play, a key role in this story. At the same time, questions remain about European security, the continued Russian threat, and whether the Trump administration can deliver a negotiated peace. Finally, the war in Ukraine also brought the world’s attention to a murkier side of the Kremlin’s playbook, and that’s the weaponization of the Orthodox Church and its campaign to undermine the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt, Charles Kupchan, Elena Lazarou, and Aristotle Papanikolaou join Thanos Davelis this week for a deep dive into how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine four years ago has changed Europe, reshaped the region’s energy map, and impacted the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Orthodoxy around the world. Taking us to our “I am HALC” segment, we’re putting the spotlight on Andreas Akaras, looking at his time on Capitol Hill and his work bringing Turkey to justice over the attack by Turkish President Erdogan’s bodyguards against US protesters in Washington, DC. A little more info on our guests: Charles Kupchan is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and professor of international affairs at Georgetown University in the Walsh School of Foreign Service and Department of Government. Elena Lazarou is the Director General of ELIAMEP and an expert specializing in EU foreign policy, global geopolitics, transatlantic relations, and security and defence issues. Amb. Geoffrey Pyatt is former US ambassador to Greece and Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources. Aristotle Papanikolaou is a Professor of Theology and the Archbishop Demetrios Chair in Orthodox Theology and Culture. He is Co-founding Director of the Orthodox Christian Studies Center at Fordham University. You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.

Over the past weeks we’ve seen some major developments in the region, with Greece stepping into the limelight. These include Greece’s announcement that it will send a special battalion to participate in the International Stabilization Force in Gaza, its decision to join the Board of Peace as an observer, and a key briefing hosted by the Eastern Mediterranean Knesset Caucus bringing together legislators and experts from Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and the US. At the same time, we’ve also seen Greece’s defense ties with Israel come under the spotlight as Athens looks to grow its own defense industrial base. Tom Ellis, John Psaropoulos, Gregg Roman, and Endy Zemenides join Thanos Davelis this week as we dig into Greece’s decision to be part of the Gaza Stabilization Force and the Board of Peace, deepening Greek-Israeli defense ties, and the challenges and opportunities for the 3+1 partnership between Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and the US. Taking us to our “I am HALC” segment, we’re taking a look at one of HALC’s emerging leaders and Leadership 2030 fellows, Alexis Nash, exploring how advocacy - on Hellenic issues and in her professional life - has become a key part of her story. A little more info on our guests: Tom Ellis is the editor in chief of Kathimerini's English Edition. John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist and Al Jazeera's correspondent in southeast Europe. He publishes Hellenica, a weekly deep dive into Greek current affairs and history that you can find on Substack.com. Gregg Roman is executive director of the Middle East Forum. Endy Zemenides is executive director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council. You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.

About a year into President Trump’s second term, it seems he is on a mission to rewrite the rules of trade, one deal at a time. His Liberation Day tariffs last year rattled markets, and his insistence on using them as a tool to pressure both adversaries and allies has left many - especially in Europe - in disbelief and wondering what’s next. Experts Edward Fishman, Maria Demertzis, Yiannis Mouzakis and Nick Malkoutzis join Thanos Davelis this week to take a closer look at this new age of economic warfare, and break down what it means for America’s global standing, how it’s spurring Europe into action, and what impact all of this could have on Greece. Taking us to our “I am HALC” segment, we’re putting the spotlight on HALC’s Bill Thanoukos, who is launching a campaign for alderman of Chicago’s 1st Ward, and looking to continue a long tradition of Hellenes committing themselves to public service. A little more info on our guests: Edward Fishman is a Senior Fellow and Director of the Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, and is the author of the New York Times bestseller Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare. Maria Demertzis is a Professor of Economic Policy at the European University Institute and leader of the Economy, Strategy, and Finance Center at the Conference Board Europe. Yiannis Mouzakis and Nick Malkoutzis are the founders of Macropolis.gr, a political and economic analysis site that focuses on Greece. You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.

Greece and Cyprus took center stage this week in Washington, DC, as HALC, the Delphi Economic Forum, and Kathimerini’s english edition once again brought top officials and leading experts together to highlight the important role both countries are playing in the Eastern Mediterranean, and the major opportunities - and challenges - ahead for Greece, Cyprus and the US. A few of the headline attendees included Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos and Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, who engaged with leading think tanks, members of Congress, and US officials. Lena Argiri, Nik Nanos, and Vassilis Nedos join Thanos Davelis this week as we give you an inside look at what took place in DC, break down what the Greek brand is today and how to strengthen it, and shift to the Aegean where we explore how the 30 year anniversary of the Imia crisis still impacts Greek-Turkish relations. Taking us to our “I am HALC” segment, we’re putting the spotlight on Dimitri Eliopoulos, the CEO of Curi Capital and a national leader in finance and wealth management. You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.

Since its announcement, President Trump’s “Board of Peace” has made a number of headlines, and many in the region are asking if it can live up to its name, especially when it comes to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. As the President talks peace, he’s also raising the temperature with Iran, with a US aircraft carrier and warships approaching the region. More alarming however, is what seems to be an abandonment of Syria’s Kurds and the message it sends not just to America’s partners and allies, but to minorities in the region. Thanos Davelis is joined by experts Aaron David Miller, Nadine Maenza, Sinan Ciddi, and Michael Rubin as we try to make sense of what’s going on in a region of particular importance to Greece and Cyprus. Taking us to our “I am HALC” segment, this week we are dedicating it to the life and legacy of a giant in the Greek-American community, John Marks, who passed away this month. He was a man who not only poured himself into Greek causes, but helped build the community that we all cherish. You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as member here.

Defense, security, peace, and alliances are top of mind these days. This is clear in Greece, where we saw Athens take a major step - one that Prime Minister Mitsotakis called historic - toward upgrading its defense capabilities as it welcomed its latest top of the line frigate. The move, however, comes as we see issues over Greenland raise new questions about European security and America’s commitment to the transatlantic relationship. This week, Thanos Davelis digs into what this means for Greece with Kathimerini’s Tom Ellis, ELIAMEP’s Elena Lazarou, journalist John Psaropoulos, and HALC’s Endy Zemenides. As we wrap up, pour yourself a glass as we’ll be highlighting the rise of Greek wines and the important role one of HALC’s very own - Ted Diamantis - has played in this story.

The Greek Current is shifting from a daily show to a weekly program, allowing us to bring you deeper analysis and more cutting edge insights on Greece, Cyprus, our diaspora community, and the wider region. We’ll still bring you analysis from thought leaders on the breaking issues of the week, but will also introduce our very own “Meet the Press” roundtable featuring leading experts and journalists from around the world, and are introducing an “I am HALC” feature, where we put the spotlight on HALC members at the forefront of their fields. This week we’re kicking off the year with a look ahead at 2026, featuring interviews with Kathimerini’s Editor in Chief Alexis Papachelas and the Council on Foreign Relations’ Steven Cook, analysis from Lena Argiri, Nektaria Stamouli, and Loukas Kozonis in our “Meet the Press” segment, and taking a closer look at someone who is not just a national, but a global leader in emergency and sports medicine - whether it’s with US soccer, the Blackhawks, the Chicago Bears, or at the Chicago Marathon - and is at the core of the work HALC does: Dr. George Chiampas. An important note. As we move forward, access to our full episodes will be limited to paid HALC members and subscribers. If you’re not already a paid member of HALC, make sure to get your membership today so you don’t miss any of The Greek Current’s content. Also, please let us know what you think of the new format, and make sure to follow the Greek Current wherever you get your podcasts. Sign up for your HALC membership here: https://hellenicleaders.salsalabs.org/membership/index.html

Since it was introduced, President Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine has put many European leaders in a bind. With Turkey’s occupation of Cyprus in its 51st year, and amid open Turkish threats against Greece’s Aegean islands, Greece is also worried about the precedent this plan would set. John Psaropoulos joins Thanos Davelis as we break down these concerns, the latest comments by US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack about resolving Greek-Turkish differences, and Greece’s efforts to aggressively court US investments. John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist and Al Jazeera's correspondent in southeast Europe. He publishes Hellenica, a weekly deep dive into Greek current affairs and history. You can find it on Substack.com. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here: Why Trump’s plan for Ukraine alarms the Greeks Cyprus pitches plan to untangle Turkey tensions Farmers’ protests escalate into third week Protesting farmers present their demands

In a recent speech Turkish President Erdogan praised Syrians who were born and raised in Turkey, speak Turkish, and are now in Syria, saying, "Right next door to us… a brother nation that speaks our same language is rising anew from the ashes.” The quote has drawn the attention of experts like Ryan Gingeras, who joins Thanos Davelis as we look into what it tells us about Erdogan’s worldview, and why this is something to keep an eye on as we look at the shifting power dynamics in the Levant. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here: Erdogan praises Syrians born and raised in Turkey From Grexit to Eurogroup chief: Greece’s recovery story Pierrakakis elected Eurogroup chief European Commission firmly behind Greece-Cyprus power link

The Trump administration’s NSS - and its scathing critique of Europe - has drawn a lot of attention over the past days. Yet, this is only part of the big picture when we talk about the problems facing European leaders, which include everything from the war in Ukraine - where pressure is mounting - to a sluggish economy and the far right. Steven Erlanger, the chief diplomatic correspondent for The New York Times covering Europe, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the stakes Europe’s leaders face. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here: The Challenges to Europe’s Security Go Beyond Trump’s Lack of Support Tom Barrack: Turkey has to give up the S-400 to return to F-35 program Mounting pressure on farm policy Blockades deepen political strain PM holds talks with senior officials on farmer payments plan as protests escalate

The Economist just highlighted Greece as an example for countries looking to digitalize, recognizing the efforts Athens made between 2018 and 2024 to transform its public services and embrace the digital transformation. Diomidis Spinellis, a former Greek official now with the Athens University of Economics, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at this story. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here: Greece is teaching Germany how to get government online The Greek economy’s drawbacks Elefsina port tender coming

This weekend we heard Hakan Fidan say he believes Ankara and Washington will find a way to remove CAATSA sanctions "very soon". His comments echo those of US Ambassador Tom Barrack, who was quoted saying that the “hurdle” blocking F-35 access for Turkey might be resolved within 4 to 6 months. 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 break down why Barrack and Fidan insist a “solution” is within reach despite Turkey refusing to get rid of its Russian S-400s. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here: Turkey Closer to Clearing Way for F-35s, Says Trump Ally Barrack Turkey, US will find way of removing CAATSA sanctions ‘very soon’, Turkish FM says Berlin-Athens migrant returns ‘understanding’ Iraklio airport resumes flights after farmers end protest Protesting Greek farmers swarm onto airport tarmac in Crete, forcing halt to flights

The Trump administration’s new National Security Strategy is causing a stir in Europe with its searing critique of America’s closest allies, including a warning that the continent is facing “civilizational decline”. Ian Lesser, the vice president and Brussels chief of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at what some are already calling the “mother of all wake-up calls” from Washington toward Europe. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here: Trump Administration Says Europe Faces ‘Civilizational Erasure’ Trump warns Europe faces ‘civilizational erasure’ in explosive new document U.S. Flips History by Casting Europe—Not Russia—as Villain in New Security Policy Farmers step up road blockades across Greece PM urges farmers to scale back protests, promises payments by year-end Turkey, US will find way of removing CAATSA sanctions ‘very soon’, Turkish FM says

Last week Cyprus and Lebanon signed a long-awaited maritime demarcation deal, an agreement that not only paves the way for potential exploration and energy cooperation, but also checks Turkey’s revisionist “Blue Homeland” doctrine in the Eastern Mediterranean. Constantinos Filis, the director of the Institute of Global Affairs and a professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into what’s being called a “historic” deal that also serves to bridge the EU with the Middle East. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here: Cyprus–Lebanon deal sets new legal line in the Eastern Med, and Ankara isn’t loving it Lebanon, Cyprus sign maritime deal, paving way for possible energy exploration Greece, Bulgaria and Romania sign agreement on Aegean-Black Sea corridor Cyprus pledges Ukraine will be ''front and center” during EU presidency

Greek farmers are making headlines amid an escalating confrontation with the government, as thousands of tractors continue to block traffic on highways and at border crossings. What began as a dispute over delayed EU-backed subsidy payments linked to a corruption scandal is quickly turning into a political test for the government. Nick Malkoutzis, the co-founder of Macropolis.gr, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the stakes as farmers take to the streets. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here: Farmers dig in as clashes and political tension escalate Farmers not going anywhere as protest action persists Christodoulides rolls into Kyiv for face-to-face talks with Zelensky US presses Athens on Ukraine fund

What’s Tom Barrack, the US Ambassador to Turkey, up to? That’s a question that’s emerged after a recent interview he gave to Kathimerini, where he talked about Washington’s aspiration for a “new regional ordinance” and made head-scratching comments about Greek-Turkish relations and Cyprus. Henri Barkey and Endy Zemenides join Thanos Davelis as we look to tackle this question. Henri Barkey is an adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and the Cohen chair in international relations at Lehigh University. Endy Zemenides is Executive Director of HALC. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here: The US ‘goal’ is to serve as a ‘bridge’ in Greek-Turkish ties PM urges farmers to avoid roadblocks, pledges faster subsidy payments Greece to repay €5.29 billion early under first memorandum loans

As countries around the world scramble to see who is going to win the AI race, Greece is also looking to secure its own AI future. Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ emphasis on AI, coupled by signature deals with OpenAI and Mistral AI, is putting a spotlight on Greece’s efforts to play a larger role on the AI frontier. Niko Efstathiou, an Athens based journalist and author, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into these developments and explore the ways Greece is betting on AI. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here: Mitsotakis meets Mistral AI CEO to discuss AI collaboration Watch: Συζήτηση Κυριάκου Μητσοτάκη με τον Arthur Mensch | GenAI Summit Greece joins EU defense program Farmers blockade highways over payments