We’ve seen recent reports - most notably in Kathimerini - hinting that Turkey could be prepared to take steps to reopen the historic Halki Seminary, something Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has also voiced optimism about. Elizabeth Prodromou, a visiting Professor in the International Studies Program at Boston College, a non-resident senior fellow in the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, and an expert in international religious freedom issues, joins Thanos Davelis to look into these reports, and break down what is on the table when it comes to Halki.

You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:

Positive signals for Halki Seminary

PASOK leadership up for grabs

PM urges for de-escalation amid rising Middle East tensions

Greek PM marks anniversary of Oct 7 Hamas attack

On the campaign trail, former President Trump constantly warns of a World War III.  In Greece and Cyprus, it already feels like such a war is playing out as Athens and Nicosia have to navigate flashpoints to the north in Ukraine and to the south in the Middle East. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss how these wide-ranging conflicts are affecting Greece and Cyprus – domestically, in their relations with regional actors, and in their bilateral relationships with the United States.

You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:

Greece on alert for migrant wave, terror concerns

Adams indictment focuses on connections to Turkey

‘A true friend of Turkey’: Eric Adams bribery indictment reveals years of flights and favors

Greeks, Cypriots evacuated from Lebanon land in Elefsina

Cyprus chosen as base for Belgian military operation to rescue nationals from Lebanon

This Sunday is decision day for the leadership race in PASOK, a race that could determine not only the future of PASOK but the way forward for the broader center left. With six candidates vying to take over the party, the drama in PASOK is likely to continue beyond Sunday’s election as a runoff is expected between the two leading candidates. Nikos Efstathiou, an Athens based journalist and author, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what to expect from this election, and whether this is PASOK’s last chance at uniting Greece’s center left.

You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:

Candidates spar over party strategy and past allegiances

What do the ‘exes’ think about the center-left?

New poll shows SYRIZA dropping to fifth place

Ολα είναι δρόμος (και καφενεία)

Greece on alert for migrant wave, terror concerns

Cyprus on standby to assist evacuations from Middle East

Once on the verge of extinction, the Caretta caretta sea turtle is recording an amazing bounce-back as its nests are reaching record numbers. At the heart of this comeback is the Greek island of Zakynthos and the shore of Sekania, long described as the Mediterranean’s greatest “maternity ward” for this sea turtle, home to a state-funded marine park. Charikleia Minotou, who coordinates the WWF program in this protected area, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the conservation efforts behind this sea turtle's extraordinary resurgence, and explore what still needs to be done.

You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:

‘It’s hugely moving’: sea turtle nests in Greece reach record numbers

Greece to hold emergency meeting following Iran’s missile attack on Israel

Greece condemns Iran’s attack on Israel, urges de-escalation

UN chief to meet with Cypriot leaders in October

Austria's far-right Freedom Party, a party rooted in Nazi ideology, just celebrated an unprecedented election victory on Sunday night, with its leader talking about a new era for the far right. This is seen as another worrying sign for Europe, as a surge by populist far-right forces shows no sign of slowing down. Georgios Samaras, an Assistant Professor of Public Policy at King’s College London whose research has centered on the far right in Greece and Europe, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what this election result means for Austria, and look into the far-right’s growing presence across the continent.

You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:

Far right in Austria 'opens new era' with election victory

Austria goes back to the future as voters embrace far-right party founded by Nazis

What a Trump victory would really mean for Europe

Greece, Turkey wade into maritime issues

Wildfire continues in Corinthia for third day

Wildfire burning through forest in southern Greece kills 2 people

With world leaders gathering in New York last week for the UN General Assembly, the focus was undoubtedly on diplomacy as Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ met with Turkish President Erdogan and world leaders sounded the alarm about the risks engulfing the world. As Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition - who joins Thanos Davelis on our show today - writes in The Greek Letter, tensions in Greece’s neighborhood and uncertainty around the world mean diplomacy has to go hand in hand with a strong defense policy, highlighting the decision for a Greek “Iron Dome”. 

Sign up for Kathimerini’s newsletter: The Greek Letter

You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:

A ‘powder keg that risks engulfing the world’

EU ministers scramble to find a response to Middle East carnage

EU to hold emergency talks on Lebanon escalation

Greece begins sale of 10% National Bank stake

A proposal is reportedly on the table that could potentially see the US gain control of Turkey’s S-400s in return for Ankara re-joining the F-35 program. This has many asking why the Biden administration is in a rush to find a way to bring Turkey back into a program that it was ejected from as a result of Ankara’s embrace of Russia and behavior that is antithetical to NATO. Sinan Ciddi joins Thanos Davelis to look into this developing story, and make the case that Turkey should prove it is ready to embrace NATO before Washington begins to open the door to any arms deals like the F-35s. 

Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he contributes to FDD’s Turkey Program and Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP). He is also an Associate Professor of Security Studies at the Command and Staff College-Marine Corps University and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.

You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:

Turkey should prove it is ready to embrace NATO

Greek PM sees ‘window of opportunity’ on demarcating maritime zones with Turkey

Cyprus leader says he ready to resume peace talks ‘today’

The issue of migration is back on the agenda in Greece, putting the spotlight on a phenomenon that has been ongoing in the country for at least 3 decades. This was the focus of recent studies by DiaNEOsis in Greece which looked at Greek perspectives on migration and dug into the policies designed to address this issue which has an impact across society - from the labor market to demographics. Aggelos Tramountanis, a researcher specializing on migration at Greece’s National Center for Social Research, joins Thanos Davelis for a deeper dive into this issue.

On Tuesday Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayipp Erdogan met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, making it the sixth time the two leaders have met since the NATO summit in Vilnius fourteen months ago. Reports indicate that beyond a commitment to maintain calm and a positive agenda, issues like migration and Cyprus also came up. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to break down what message this meeting sends about Greek-Turkish relations, and to look at what else to expect from the UNGA.

You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:

Mitsotakis, Erdogan agree on next steps

Greece Aims to Slash Debt to Lowest Since 2009 Within Four Years

UK moves 700 troops to Cyprus ready to evacuate Britons from Lebanon

Leave Lebanon now, Starmer tells Britons

While world leaders gather in New York, we’re going to turn our attention to Athens and the historic Panathenaic Stadium, where over 40,000 fans gathered for a basketball tournament this weekend. Kathimerini described this as a night that raised the bar for Greek basketball around the world. Alexander Kitroeff, a professor of history, a frequent commentator on Greek sport, and a lifelong Panathinaikos fan, joins Thanos Davelis on The Greek Current today as we look at a night that put Greek basketball in the world’s spotlight.

You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:

A historic night in Athens with a modern record of 42.000 fans

Partizan beats PAO in historic open-air game for “Pavlos Giannakopoulos” tournament

Μια βραδιά που γιγάντωσε την Ελλάδα στο παγκόσμιο μπάσκετ

CYA Hellenic Executive Program

Bar not high in Mitsotakis, Erdogan talks

Macron expresses interest in Crete-Cyprus interconnector

UAE’s TAQA looks to invest in Cyprus-Greece electricity project