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On Friday the Biden administration announced that the US would fully lift the arms embargo on Cyprus, a landmark decision that confirms the deepening of the strategic partnership between the two countries. This move follows the partial lifting of the embargo in 2020. It also comes after years of advocacy work on Capitol Hill, where Congressional leaders like Senators Menendez and Rubio, and...

15 λεπτά

On Tuesday Azerbaijan unleashed a colossal artillery barrage deep into Armenian territory, kicking off two days of heavy fighting before a ceasefire was agreed to. This unprovoked attack was widely condemned, especially on Capitol Hill, where members of Congress called for an end to US military aid to Azerbaijan. While the State Department also called for the immediate cessation of hostilities,...

18 λεπτά

This past weekend Prime Minister Mitsotakis gave what is the equivalent of the State of the Union address at the Thessaloniki International Fair, outlining the key priorities of his government, touching on the economy, domestic politics, and foreign policy. This included announcing a new 5.5 billion euro package of relief measures designed to support Greeks in anticipation of what will be a...

18 λεπτά

A Pennsylvania race for the US Senate is attracting more and more attention as Dr. Mehmet Oz’s ties to Turkey come under the radar. The Republican candidate and former TV personality has come under scrutiny not only for his financial ties to the Turkish government, but also his proximity to the Turkish Diyanet, lobbyists, businessmen, and politicians beholden to the Erdogan regime in Ankara....

14 λεπτά

Greece is the place to be this summer, and the number of tourists arriving to the country is expected to surpass the pre-pandemic records set in 2019, contributing to a celebratory mood across the country. All it takes is a visit to the Greek islands or a stroll through Athens to realize that a huge change is currently afoot as a result of this surge in tourism. Professor Stathis Kalyvas, the...

15 λεπτά

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is rapidly raising the strategic profile and potential of Alexandroupolis, a Greek port town in Thrace on the northern Aegean Sea. Alexandroupolis has become emblematic of Greece’s growth as an energy hub and U.S. security partner, and is ideally situated to help the US and its allies achieve shared transatlantic objectives on energy diversification, strengthening...

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A new report by an international group of scientists is sounding the alarm for the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, warning that this region and its inhabitants are especially at risk from the threats posed by a warming planet and changing climate. As this report points out, this region is warming almost twice as fast as the global average. The report aims to underscore the impact of...

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Liz Truss officially became Britain's fourth prime minister in six years this week, taking the reins from her predecessor, Boris Johnson, at a time when the UK faces serious economic and energy issues. But, what does her election mean for Greece’s relations with the UK? Is this an opportunity for renewed momentum for Greek-British ties? Ioannis Chountis, a political affairs adviser at the...

14 λεπτά

This weekend Turkey’s President Erdogan accused Greece of “occupying” islands in the Aegean Sea, and said Turkey was prepared to "do what is necessary" when the time comes. He has even threatened Turkey could “come down suddenly one night,” a phrase he’s previously used to hint at looming military operations into Syria and Iraq. These threats, which Erdogan doubled down on this Tuesday, come as...

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Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine Turkey has been sitting on the fence, pursuing a “balanced approach” to Moscow, Ukraine, and the West. In fact, Turkish President Erdogan has spared no effort in trying to play a go-between when it comes to Russia and Ukraine. What has become increasingly clear is that both Moscow and Ankara are benefiting from Turkey’s mediating role. Ambassador Marc...

11 λεπτά

With energy prices breaking record after record as a result of the war in Ukraine, the EU is now rushing to intervene in its energy market, drafting an emergency plan to tackle the issue amid pressure from member states. This marks a significant shift in approach from the EU, as countries that had originally pushed back on proposals by Greece and other southern European countries for a price...

12 λεπτά

With elections coming up in Turkey next year it looks like Turkey’s President Erdogan is in an increasingly difficult spot as the country’s economy has been in a freefall and voters are angry and many demand change. Erdogan also faces a united coalition of opposition parties whose stated goal is to restore Turkey as an institutional democracy which they blame Erdogan for undermining. Beyond...

15 λεπτά

Taking a page out of the Russian disinformation playbook, Turkey has stepped up its efforts to spin a new narrative in the Aegean, pushing fake news stories that attempt to portray Athens as the one provoking Ankara. Most recently we saw this with its unfounded allegations - which were denied by the top Greek officials - that the Greek S-300 missile system locked on to Turkish jets, or that...

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A new natural gas discovery off Cyprus’ southern coast that’s estimated to contain around 2.5 trillion cubic feet of the hydrocarbon has observers debating whether this can unlock additional potential for the East Med and provide further gas supplies to Europe as the continent grapples with an energy crisis. The discovery was made at the Cronos-1 well in the Cypriot EEZ by partners Eni of Italy...

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Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss a number of developments - from the East Med to the halls of Congress. We look at a story unfolding that indicates that Cyprus has reportedly secured a deal to procure Israel’s cutting-edge Iron Dome air defense system, the latest reaction from a bipartisan group of US lawmakers to reports that Turkey is moving forward...

15 λεπτά

Turkish drones have gained international recognition for their role in a number of regional conflicts - from Nagorno Karabakh to Ukraine. Now, Turkey is using its drones to add a new dimension to its provocations against Greece, increasingly using UAVs to violate Greek airspace and territory in the Aegean. Amidst these developments Athens is taking steps to bolster its UAV and other air defense...

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This weekend Greece marked the end of EU surveillance of Greek government spending, a restriction dating to its painful financial bailout years. Greece and its European partners hailed the exit as the end of a dark era that inflicted deep scars on the economy and society, while observers point out that the move sends "a message to investors and markets that Greece is out of the woods [and] a...

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In Foreign Affairs, Ivo Daalder, president of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs argues hte rules-based order created after World War II is at risk of collapse. He joined HALC Executive Director Endy Zemenides to discuss his piece and developments in Europe.

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As Turkey and Israel restore full diplomatic relations, HALC Executive Director Endy Zemenides and Dr. Aykan Erdemir, director of international affairs research at the Anti-Defamation League, discuss what prompted the move and the implications for the region.

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As the 100th anniversary of the Asia Minor Catastrophe approaches in September, HALC Executive Director Endy Zemenides is joined by Professor Ismini Lamb, Director of the Modern Greek Studies Program at Georgetown University, to discuss these horrific events, the genocide of Greek Orthodox Christians in Turkey, and present-day attempts at accountability.

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