The Greek Current

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

With talks over a deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war moving along, the latest peace proposals have caught the attention of many, including Cyprus, where Turkey’s 51 year illegal occupation serves as a stark reminder of what happens when revisionist powers are not checked. Harris Georgiades, the Chairman of the Foreign and European Affairs Committee of the Cypriot Parliament, a former Minister of Finance, and the chairman of the Clerides Institute, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at these peace talks, the parallels between what Russia is doing in Ukraine and what Turkey has done for over 50 years in Cyprus, and more. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here: Rubio Says ‘Much Work to Do’ After Talks With Ukrainian Delegation EU tells Trump: You can’t pardon Putin for war crimes in Ukraine  Γράμμα από το Κίεβο Europe Fears It Can’t Catch Up in Great Power Competition Lebanon, Cyprus sign maritime deal, paving way for possible energy exploration Joint declaration signed in Pope’s historic first visit to Patriarchate

Two of America’s key Mediterranean partners, Greece and Israel, are deepening their defense and security ties, a trend that extends beyond arms sales to joint exercises. The move comes amid Turkish provocations and as US interests in the Mediterranean, particularly on energy security, are growing. The Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Ryan Brobst and Justin Leopold-Cohen join Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at Greece and Israel’s growing defense ties and the opportunities it presents for the region and the US. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here: Eyeing Turkey, Israel and Greece Work To Deepen Defense Ties Pope Leo XIV visits Turkey and Lebanon on first foreign trip Pope Leo to take peace message to Turkey, Lebanon on first overseas trip Greek households’ real incomes still below 2004 levels

Halki Theological Seminary, shut by Turkey in 1971, is back in the headlines ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Turkey. Journalists are reporting that there is a sense of optimism that Turkey will reopen the school. This attention on Halki follows a renewed focus on Orthodox Christianity that includes the Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit to the White House, references to the Russian Orthodox Church in Trump’s Ukraine peace plan, and questions about whether the Russians are running an influence operation in DC. Endy Zemenides, HALC's Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis as we break all of this down. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here: Optimism ahead of pope’s visit to Turkey for reopening of Istanbul’s Greek Orthodox seminary ‘We must strive for unity of the churches’ White House to meet clergy with ties to pro-war Russian Orthodox Church Are the Russians Running an Influence Operation in Congress? Greek secondary school teachers to be trained in using AI in classroom Turkish delegation meets Ocalan for first time to discuss PKK disarmament

Last week we got a look at the details of President Trump’s 28 point plan for an end to the war in Ukraine, with the President setting a Thursday deadline for  Ukraine - where many see the proposed plan as a capitulation - to agree to it. US and Ukrainian officials met on Sunday in Geneva, with the White House hailing talks as constructive. Paul Stares, the director of the Center for Preventive Action and coordinator for the "Special Initiative on Securing Ukraine's Future" at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into this plan and what it means for Ukraine, Europe, and NATO. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here: Trump Peace Plan Demands Major Concessions From Ukraine Ukraine and U.S. Cite Progress in Talks on Ending War With Russia Trump's growing impatience to end Ukraine war is a concern for Kyiv PM says new energy initiatives boost Greece’s geopolitical role Optimism ahead of pope’s visit to Turkey for reopening of Istanbul’s Greek Orthodox seminary

The New York Times just ran a piece about a wave of new converts to Orthodox Christianity in the US, especially among young conservative men, the so-called “Orthobros”. The trend is largely driven by hard-line influencers on YouTube and other social media platforms, and has put parishes in uncharted territory. George Demacopoulos, the co-director of the Orthodox Christian Studies Center at Fordham University, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into the “Orthobro” phenomenon and what it means for the church. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here: Orthodox Church Pews Are Overflowing With Converts An ‘exceptional’ brand looking for a new identity Mitsotakis: Greece aims for ‘win-win’ with US without undoing China deals