10 Σεπ 2020 Fires at Greek refugee camp highlight EU's migration failure Fires that broke out early Wednesday morning have destroyed Moria, an overcrowded migrant camp on the eastern Aegean island of Lesvos, leaving thousands of people without shelter and throwing a harsh light on the EU's migration policy failures. John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist based in Greece and Al Jazeera’s southeast Europe correspondent, joins us from Lesvos with an on the ground... 14 λεπτά
9 Σεπ 2020 Has the US gone missing in action in the Eastern Mediterranean? “Will the throne remain empty?” That’s the title of the latest piece by HALC’s Executive Director, Endy Zemenides, who argues that the United States has gone missing in action in the Eastern Mediterranean, leaving allies and partners like Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and Egypt to deal with the rogue state-like behavior of Turkey. Endy Zemenides is with us to talk about the dangers of the United... 14 λεπτά
5 Σεπ 2020 NATO: Greece and Turkey to start technical talks to reduce risk of conflict Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins us to analyze the recent announcements from NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on technical talks between Greece and Turkey which Athens refuted, the status of Berlin’s diplomatic initiative, and the current state of affairs in the Eastern Mediterranean. You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:NATO:... 14 λεπτά
4 Σεπ 2020 After Hagia Sophia, Turkey converts Chora Church into a mosque While the media’s attention has been focused on Turkish President Erdogan’s decision to convert Hagia Sophia in July, there hasn’t been much written about the reconversion of another significant UNESCO world heritage site into a mosque: Chora Church. Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou, joins us to explain this move by the Turkish government and the historical significance of Chora Church. Dr. Prodromou is... 13 λεπτά
3 Σεπ 2020 The latest updates on migration, coronavirus, Greece's bond sale, and Lebanon Our host, Thanos Davelis, analyzes the major stories and headlines of the day, including an update on the migrant crisis in Greece, the latest developments in Greece's response to Covid-19, Greece's successful 10-year bond sale, French President Macron's trip to Lebanon, and more. ou can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:Minister: Over 10,000 migrants stopped from entering... 6 λεπτά
2 Σεπ 2020 Lifting the US arms embargo on Cyprus Today the State Department announced it was lifting a 33 year arms embargo on Cyprus, waiving restrictions on the sale of non-lethal defense articles and services for the coming fiscal year. Apostolos Zoupaniotis, the publisher and editor of the weekly Greek-American newspaper Greek News and a regular commentator on Hellenic issues, joins us to analyze today’s headline story.You can read the... 11 λεπτά
1 Σεπ 2020 Setting the record straight on Greece at the New York Times The New York Times Editorial Board published an op-ed titled “There’s a New Game of Thrones in the Mediterranean,” that attempts to break down the tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean. Instead of calling Turkey out for its dangerous provocations, the authors attempt to lay equal blame at the feet of both Greece and Turkey. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, discusses why the piece is... 13 λεπτά
29 Αυγ 2020 Greece holds military exercises with allies amid East Med tensions This week we saw an uptick in military exercises in the Eastern Mediterranean amid Turkey’s continued provocations in Greece’s EEZ. Greece held military exercises with France, Italy, Cyprus the UAE, and the US. Retired General Taxiarchis Sardellis, HALC’s Nonresident Senior Fellow for Defense and Security Policy, is with us today to discuss these military exercises.You can read the articles we... 12 λεπτά
28 Αυγ 2020 The view from Athens: East Med tensions, diplomatic efforts, and EU sanctions Tensions remain at an all time high in the Eastern Mediterranean as Turkey continues its provocations, challenging Greece’s maritime rights in the region. In the meantime, Germany is attempting a diplomatic mediation, while EU ministers are meeting to discuss possible sanctions against Turkey. Dr. Aristotle Tziampiris, Professor of International Relations and the Chair of the Department of... 16 λεπτά
27 Αυγ 2020 Congress voices concerns to Secretary Pompeo over Turkish aggressions Today Prime Minister Mitsotakis and President Trump spoke on the phone about developments in the Eastern Mediterranean. Earlier this week leaders of the Hellenic Caucus in Congress voiced their concerns to Secretary of State Pompeo about Turkish aggressions, requesting an update on required reports of violations of Greek and Cypriot sovereignty. Petros Kasfikis, the Washington, DC correspondent... 12 λεπτά
26 Αυγ 2020 Turkey's support of designated terror organization Hamas This weekend Turkey’s President Erdogan hosted a large Hamas delegation in Istanbul. The State Department called out Turkey for meeting with members of Hamas, a designated terrorist organization by both the US and the EU. Jonathan Schanzer, the Senior Vice President at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins us to offer his analysis.You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily... 11 λεπτά
25 Αυγ 2020 Berlin steps up diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions in the East Med Tensions remain high in the Eastern Mediterranean, where Turkey’s Oruc Reis research vessel, accompanied by Turkish ships, remains in Greece’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone. In the meantime, Greece’s navy and air force is preparing to conduct military exercises in the area beginning Tuesday, while Berlin is stepping up its diplomatic efforts for a resumption of talks between... 14 λεπτά
21 Αυγ 2020 Will natural gas discoveries lead to a regional transformation? Natural gas discoveries in the waters off Cyprus, Egypt, and Israel have contributed to heightened and deepened regional antagonisms, with Turkey raising tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean. At the same time, these discoveries offer hope for regional cooperation. Henri Barkey, the Cohen Professor of international Relations at Lehigh University and an adjunct senior fellow at the Council on... 14 λεπτά
20 Αυγ 2020 Under the spotlight: Femicide in Turkey Rates of violence against women are alarmingly high in Turkey, where femicide and efforts to roll back legislation designed to protect women are currently under the spotlight. Ayla Jean Yackley, an Istanbul based journalist covering Turkey, discusses this troubling trend. Read Ayla Jean Yackley's latest piece in the Financial Times covering this issue: Murders of women in Turkey: ‘The state... 12 λεπτά
19 Αυγ 2020 Biden calls Erdogan an "autocrat" sparking a backlash in Turkey A Biden interview in which he clearly calls Turkey’s President Erdogan an “autocrat” resurfaced this weekend, sparking a backlash in Turkey. Dr. Aykan Erdemir, the Director of the Turkey Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former Turkish lawmaker, analyzes the reaction to this video and discusses what a Biden presidency would mean for US-Turkey relations. You can read the... 13 λεπτά
18 Αυγ 2020 The Democratic National Convention, Biden's positions on Greece and Cyprus, and more Greek American Congressman John Sarbanes, a Democrat representing Maryland’s 3rd district, discusses the Democratic National Convention, former Vice President and Presidential candidate Joe Biden’s positions on Hellenic issues and Turkey, and more.You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:Democratic National Convention: What to watch for at Biden's nomination partyTurkey in... 13 λεπτά
14 Αυγ 2020 The economic disaster hidden in Turkey's banks With the Turkish lira depreciating rapidly, just how long can Turkey hide the fact that it is spending far beyond its means? Chris Miller, the author of a recent piece in Foreign Policy Magazine titled “Erdogan has hidden an Economic Disaster Deep in Turkish Banks”, discusses the current economic situation in Turkey.Chris Miller is assistant professor at the Fletcher School, the Eurasia... 11 λεπτά
14 Αυγ 2020 Congress has secretly blocked US arms sales to Turkey A team of reporters at Defense News broke a story that key members of Congress have secretly blocked US arms sales to Turkey for nearly two years. Aaron Mehta, Deputy Editor and Senior Pentagon Correspondent for Defense News and one of the authors of the report, joins our podcast from DC to give us the inside scoop on this story.You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup... 12 λεπτά
13 Αυγ 2020 Athens issues warnings as Turkish ship starts energy search off Greek island Tensions remain at dangerous levels in the Eastern Mediterranean, where Turkey’s research vessel, the Oruc Reis, is surveying for energy resources in Greece’s continental shelf south of the Greek island of Kastellorizo. Greece has demanded the ship’s withdrawal, and the Greek armed forces remain on high alert. We analyze the main reactions to these latest developments on our Daily Roundup... 6 λεπτά
11 Αυγ 2020 The State Department's Turkey problem Michael Rubin, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and a former Pentagon official, breaks down why the State Department still has a soft spot for Turkey despite the list of ways that Ankara is undermining US interests in the region.You can read the articles we discuss on the Daily Roundup here:The State Department has a Turkey problemTurkey to issue Mediterranean exploration... 14 λεπτά