18 Σεπ 2020 France's showdown with Turkey in the Mediterranean Professor Henri Barkey joins The Greek Current to break down his latest piece “France vs. Turkey: A Showdown in the Mediterranean Is Brewing”, and discuss whether France and President Macron’s decision to step up their presence in the Eastern Mediterranean in solidarity with Greece and Cyprus is having the desired effect.Read Professor Henri Barkey’s piece here: France vs. Turkey: A Showdown in... 13 λεπτά
17 Σεπ 2020 The European Court of Human Rights' Turkey problem, leaving Incirlik, and more Michael Rubin, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and a former Pentagon official, discusses why a recent visit to Turkey by the President of the European Court of Human Rights to receive an award degrades the court, and argues that it’s time for the US to leave Incirlik airbase in Turkey.Read Michael Rubin's latest op-ed's here:European Court of Human Rights' president... 16 λεπτά
17 Σεπ 2020 Will negotiating with Turkey worsen the East Med crisis? While tensions remain high between Greece and Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean, diplomatic efforts are underway to bring Athens and Ankara to the negotiating table. Raman Ghavami, the author of a recent op-ed titled “Negotiating with Turkey Will Worsen the Eastern Mediterranean Crisis”, is with us to discuss why he believes Ankara’s recent call for dialogue should be treated with extreme... 14 λεπτά
16 Σεπ 2020 Macron and France's renewed interest in the Mediterranean France is making its presence felt across the Mediterranean - from the Middle East to Greece to Libya. Steven Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins us to explain what is behind France’s renewed interest in the region and its efforts to wield power to bring order and stability to the Mediterranean. Read Steven... 14 λεπτά
15 Σεπ 2020 US Secretary of State travels to Cyprus, US establishes training facility in Larnaca Secretary Mike Pompeo travelled to Cyprus on Saturday, where he signed an important MoU for further cooperation on defense issues. In the meantime, Prime Minister Mitsotakis announced on Saturday that Greece will strengthen its armed forces by buying new weapons systems. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, breaks down these important headlines.You can read the articles we discuss on The... 14 λεπτά
12 Σεπ 2020 Pompeo to visit Cyprus, the Med7 summit, Greece decides to upgrade its military Lena Argiri, the DC Correspondent for ERT, the Greek Public Broadcasting Company, discusses Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's announcement that he will travel to Cyprus on Saturday amid heightened tensions in the region, the Med7 summit, Greece's decision to upgrade its military capabilities, and more. You can read the articles we discuss on The Daily Roundup here:Pompeo plans Saturday stopover... 13 λεπτά
11 Σεπ 2020 Will Erdogan's regional belligerence lead to a shift in how the world deals with the Kurds? Diliman Abdulkader, the Co-Founder and Director of American Friends of Kurdistan, joins us today to discuss the current challenges the Kurds in Turkey and the broader region face. We’ll also break down a recent piece by expert Michael Rubin and explores whether Turkish President Erdogan's regional belligerence can lead to other countries changing the way they deal with the Kurds.You can read... 15 λεπτά
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