Germany’s parliament blocked the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Turkey earlier this month. This decision follows the arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, and comes amid reports that Turkey is pressing the US to lift CAATSA sanctions and sell it F-35s. Sinan Ciddi, a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and an expert on Turkish politics, and Bradley Bowman, senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at FDD, join Thanos Davelis as we break down why Germany’s move is significant and whether it should serve as an example to the Trump administration.

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‘Attack on Democracy’: Germany Blocks Eurofighter Sale to Turkey for Imprisoning Opposition Leader

Time For a New Policy Toward Erdogan

FinMin sends message of recovery from IMF Spring Meetings

Greece announces 1 billion euros in financial benefits after posting 1.3% budget surplus

Earlier this month we saw Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan - Central Asian countries that are also members of the Organization of Turkic States - pledge their support for Cyprus’ sovereignty. The move followed a meeting with top EU officials in Samarkand, and saw Turkish media describe it as a blow for Turkey. Harris Georgiades, the Chairman of the Foreign and European Affairs Committee of Cyprus’ Parliament, Chairman of the “Clerides Institute” and a former Minister of Finance, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down why this is an important diplomatic win, effectively halting Ankara’s efforts to use those states as a vehicle for recognition of the occupied northern part of Cyprus.

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Central Asian states send envoys to Cyprus, accept UN resolutions on occupied north

Banks discovering Greek startups

Greek leaders mourn Pope Francis, praise his moral leadership

Pope Francis, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew shared deep bond

As Greece prepares for another hectic tourism season, it’s not just the popular island destinations that are bracing for the arrival of travelers from around the world. Over the past years, however, we’ve seen almost every region of Greece turn to tourism, a shift experts highlight is unique across the European Union. This trend of touristification - at the expense of other industries - raises concerns about the sustainability of Greece’s tourism model. Alexia Kalaitzi, an award-winning journalist and features reporter for Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into this touristification phenomenon taking shape across Greece. 

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Τουριστικοποίηση: Πρωταθλήτρια Ευρώπης η Ελλάδα

‘Attack on Democracy’: Germany Blocks Eurofighter Sale to Turkey for Imprisoning Opposition Leader

US lawmakers against Turkish plans to transfer S-400 to Syria

Since Turkish President Erdogan arrested Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, the country has been rocked by protests and political uncertainty. In the meantime, the main opposition is looking to keep up the pressure on Erdogan and translate anger over Imamoglu’s arrest into a cause that resonates broadly with voters. Dr. Lisel Hintz, Assistant Professor of International Relations at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies and an expert on Turkey, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how Imamoglu’s arrest continues to impact Turkish politics, and break down why Turkey’s democratic future matters beyond its own borders.

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How Turkey’s opposition plans to take on Erdoğan

Turkish court rejects appeal to release Imamoglu as protests persist

Why Turkey’s democratic future matters for the world

Greece declares EEZ in Ionian Sea after unveiling maritime spatial plan

''This isn’t about headscarves, it’s about who we are''

For five months Serbs have been taking to the streets, resulting in an unprecedented anti-corruption protest movement. The movement’s sustained momentum has put longtime Serbian President Alexandar Vucic under pressure, and has seen him step up efforts to quash the protests. Professor James Ker-Lindsay, who has worked extensively on the EU, the Balkans and Southeast Europe, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into why Serbs have taken to the streets over the past months, what this means for President Vucic, and the broader spillover effect these protests could have on the region.

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Serbia’s unfinished revolution

Serbia's president issues threats to silence student protests

EU confronts Vučić as protests rage in Serbia

ECB cuts rates on weak growth, markets bet on more easing

F-16 upgrade negotiations with the US continue as key differences persist

For over two decades Turkey’s President Erdogan has endured a number of challenges to his power - from court corruption investigations and close elections to a failed coup in 2016 - and has emerged more powerful. The decision to arrest Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and Turkey’s assertive presence in Syria are Erdogan’s latest gambles. Ryan Gingeras, a professor in the Department of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and an expert on Turkish, Balkan, and Middle East history, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down whether this could be Erdogan’s last great gamble. 

The views expressed in this interview do not reflect the views of the US government.

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Erdogan’s last great gamble

Gerapetritis highlights importance of maritime spatial plan

Greece finalizes marine spatial planning, releases official map

Frontex: Illegal crossings into Europe down one third in a year

From tariffs to Greenland, Ukraine and European security, it seems Europeans have been left guessing when it comes to what President Trump wants. This is spurring Europe into action, as EU states look to America-proof their defense and security in the face of Russia’s continued aggression in Ukraine. Shashank Joshi, defense editor at The Economist, joins Thanos Davelis as we explore what this lack of clarity from Washington means for Europe, and break down Europe’s response - particularly on the defense front.

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Europe cannot fathom what Trumpian America wants from it

Trump May Blow Up U.S. Defense Sales to Europe

Europe’s armsmakers have ramped up capacity

Europe should buy from Ukraine’s defence industry

How Turkey’s opposition plans to take on Erdoğan

President unveils ''Brain Gain'' campaign

In an exclusive with Reuters, Greek officials said the country plans to pay off loans granted under the first of three debt-crisis bailouts by 2031, ten years ahead of schedule. This marks yet another milestone in the country’s economic comeback, putting Greece on track to lose the label of the most indebted country in the EU. Yannis Palaiologos, a correspondent-at-large for Kathimerini and the author of “The Thirteenth Labour of Hercules”, a book on the Greek crisis, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into this latest story, and see how it fits into the broader picture of Greece’s economic comeback.

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Exclusive: Greece to repay first bailout loans by 2031, 10 years early

Trump Has Added Risk to the Surest Bet in Global Finance

Closer French-Greek defense ties seen

Central Asian states send envoys to Cyprus, accept UN resolutions on occupied north

Early this year American energy giant Chevron expressed interest in exploring for hydrocarbons in Greek waters off the coast of the Peloponnese. Just a few weeks ago, it expressed new interest in areas south of Crete. This vote of confidence is not only raising questions about what potential discoveries could mean for Greece and Europe, but are also delivering an important win for international law as they essentially “kill” the illegal Turkish-Libyan accord. John Psaropoulos joins Thanos Davelis as we look into why energy giants like Chevron and Exxon are looking at Greece, and break down why Chevron’s moves south of Crete are a victory for international law.

John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist and Al Jazeera's correspondent in southeast Europe. He also publishes Hellenica, a weekly deep dive into Greek current affairs and history that you can find on Substack.com.

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Gas interest off Crete kills Turkish-Libyan accord EU once denounced as “illegal"

Greece to repay first bailout loans by 2031, 10 years early

Erdogan's main rival in Turkey makes first court appearance since arrest

As countries in the Eastern Mediterranean - particularly Greece, Cyprus, and Israel - deepen their ties, they are also faced with the challenges posed by malign actors across the region. This includes countries like Russia, Iran, and Turkey, but also non-state actors like Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis in the Red Sea. Jonathan Spyer, director of research at the Middle East Forum and a contributor to the Jerusalem Post, the Wall Street Journal and The Australian, joins Thanos Davelis as we explore these security challenges and look at how East Med countries can work together to address them.

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No One Should Be Surprised About the Syrian Massacres

Turkey, Israel have begun talks to avoid clashes in Syria, sources say

High-stakes poker over energy link

PM: ‘A trade war only produces losers’