From NATO to "Clash Report": Transatlantic tensions and Turkey's global media operation
President Donald Trump’s recent announcement that the US would pull five thousand troops from Germany took allies by surprise. The latest comments, which came in the wake of European criticism of the Iran war, were followed by a threat to impose a 25 percent tariff on automobiles and auto parts from Europe, as the US President claimed on social media that Europe was not living up to its end of a trade agreement struck last summer.
The two moves have experts and analysts wondering if this will further weaken the credibility of US deterrence in Europe, while at the same time bracing for the prospect of a renewed transatlantic trade war.
Keeping one eye on the simmering tensions between the White House and the EU, we’re also turning our attention this week to a report that has gone viral recently. For those following international politics on platforms like X - formerly Twitter - they’re sure to have come across a page called “Clash Report”, which was also quick to post about the latest developments in the transatlantic relationship. What most people don’t know, however, is that Clash Report is the English-language arm of a Turkish media operation with close ties to the Erdogan family. These connections were unmasked this past weekend.
Thanos Davelis dig into all of these developments with Max Bergmann, Maria Demertzis, and Eitan Fischberger as we break down what message the withdrawal of US troops from Europe sends, whether we should prepare for another US-EU trade war, and look at who is behind Clash Report and why it matters.
Moving to our I am HALC segment, we’re putting the spotlight on one of HALC’s earliest members, Stathis Theodoropoulos. Stathis is a successful entrepreneur and owner of Firefly Lighting, but beyond this entrepreneurial side, Stathis is also a dedicated advocate for his local community. Aside from his commitment to Hellenic causes, he serves as a councilman in Kearny, New Jersey, where he’s at the frontlines of making sure local government works for the communities it’s designed to serve.
A little more info on our guests:
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.
Maria Demertzis, a Professor of Economic Policy at the European University Institute.
Eitan Fischberger is a journalist and Open Source Intelligence Investigator.
You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.