This weekend Kathimerini reported that a US proposal is on the table that could see a resolution to the Russian S-400 missile issue that has been a thorn in the side of US-Turkey relations over the last years. This could potentially result in the lifting of CAATSA sanctions and a path for Turkey to rejoin the F35 program. Lena Argiri, the Washington, DC correspondent for ERT - the Greek Public Broadcasting Company - and Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis with the latest scoop from Washington, DC.

Read Lena Argiri’s latest piece for Kathimerini: Talks on S-400 seen nearing a compromise

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

HALC makes ‘no weapons to Turkey’ petition to US Congress

Busy week of meetings for PM at the UN

Turkey’s recent role in mediating talks between Somalia and Ethiopia has put the spotlight on how Turkey’s influence in Africa has boomed over the past two decades. As the Financial Times reported in a recent in-depth piece, Turkey’s rapidly growing influence has been particularly prominent in the Sahel region, especially over the past few years. Turkey’s focus on Africa comes as a number of so-called “middle powers” are vying to gain a larger foothold on the continent. Ulf Laessing, the head of the Sahel program at the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Foundation, joins Thanos Davelis to look at Turkey’s growing footprint in the Sahel and Africa. 

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

Turkey’s expanding leverage in Africa

The middle-power competition in Africa

Von der Leyen, responding to Mitsotakis, outlines plan to lower energy prices

PM: Buying 4th frigate will not upend fiscal policy

Mario Draghi recently released a report on Europe’s competitiveness that has sparked debate across the continent. The report, which shows Europe lagging behind the US and China in a number of areas, has many asking if the continent’s leaders will heed his call to action. Jacob Kirkegaard, a nonresident senior fellow with the Peterson Institute for International Economics and senior fellow at Bruegel, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why this report has sparked a debate across the EU, and look at what steps Europe needs to take to meet the challenges before it.

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

Mario Draghi outlines his plan to make Europe more competitive

Draghi is trying to save Europe from itself

Draghi's competitiveness report: Can Europe heed the call to action?

Greece to buy US drones

Migration undermining EU’s cohesion

Earlier this month Prime Minister Mitsotakis announced a series of measures designed to alleviate Greece’s housing crisis. It came as no surprise that Airbnb and short term rentals were also targeted - especially in downtown Athens - as Greece announced it will ban new short-term rentals in the center for at least a year. Iliana Magra, a journalist with Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to look at these latest announcements, and provide a look into how Greeks living in neighborhoods of Athens that see a large number of tourists throughout the year are reacting to this news. 

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

Greece to ban new short-term lets in Athens for at least a year

Guarded optimism for Cyprus cable link

Greece clinches transport and tourism portfolio in new EU Commission

5 takeaways on Ursula von der Leyen’s new Commission

Earlier this month a Turkish-flagged vessel suspected of carrying weapons to Libya blocked the EU’s naval mission Irini from inspecting its cargo. This isn’t the first time this has happened. The timing of this shipment, however, which comes amid an escalating row over the leadership of the country’s Central Bank, is fueling speculation of renewed conflict in Libya. Amberin Zaman, Al-Monitor’s chief correspondent covering major stories on the Middle East and North Africa, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this unfolding crisis in Libya, and break down whether this should be a cause for concern in the Mediterranean.

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

Libyan Central Bank standoff fuels conflict fears as Turkey, Russia send weapons

From Turkey, exiled Libyan Central Bank governor decries 'coup d'etat'

Burning oil tanker is safely towed away from Yemen after rebel attacks

Greece to ban new short-term lets in Athens for at least a year

Over the summer we’ve read about issues of water scarcity on Greece’s islands, many of them struggling to find ways to meet demand during the summer - especially as tourists swarm to the islands. New warnings, however, indicate that Greece’s countryside and the city of Athens could face their own water crisis. Experts have warned that if droughts persist, Athens would run out of water in another four years. This has spurred the government into action, and it has announced a series of ambitious water projects. John Psaropoulos joins Thanos Davelis to look into the challenge that Greece is up against.

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

Read John Psaropoulos’ latest in Hellenica here: Greece fights climate emergency with huge waterworks as Athens risks going thirsty

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

Attica faces water shortages due to receding Lake Mornos

The tug of war with Berlin over migration

Salvagers launch new attempt to tow an oil tanker blown up by Yemen’s Houthi rebels

Earlier this year Europeans seemed to wrap up years of negotiations to pass a new migration pact. Now, Germany has decided to impose temporary controls on its land borders in an immigration crackdown. This is leading to a string of reactions across Europe, with frontline states like Greece increasingly concerned about the possibility of a “domino effect” that would see other member states take similar steps. Alexandra Voudouri, Kathimerini’s correspondent in Brussels, joins Thanos Davelis to look into whether the nightmare of closed borders could once again become a reality in Europe. 

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

Concern over a migration domino effect

'Unacceptable': Neighbours slam Germany for new border control measures

Unauthorized migration into the EU declined despite heated politics

Mitsotakis and Christodoulides to meet in Athens for linkup deal

‘Blue Homeland’ debuts at Turkish schools

All eyes have been on Thessaloniki these days as the Thessaloniki International Fair is putting a spotlight on Greece’s second city. Beyond the droves of politicians, diplomats and business leaders visiting the city, this was an opportunity to shine a light on the crucial role that Thessaloniki can play in an evolving region. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis to look at how Thessaloniki is positioning itself to play a key role in this new international setting.

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

Thessaloniki’s potential role in connecting initiatives

CYA Hellenic Executive Program

Rama celebrating his own goal

Cyprus and US sign bilateral defense cooperation roadmap

Turkey recently took delivery of its first German-built T-214 submarine with air-independent propulsion system, a submarine that falls in the same category as the Greek Papanikolis. The news sparked discussions in Athens about whether Greece is falling behind its neighbor and nominal ally at sea. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to look into this development, break down what the situation at sea looks like, and explore how Greece plans to position itself as a key player at sea in the coming years. 

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

Arms race with Turkey a Sisyphean trial

The great EU Commission puzzle: Who we think will get each portfolio

Difficult day after for headless SYRIZA

SYRIZA political drama in the spotlight

This weekend Prime Minister Mitsotakis delivered his keynote address at the Thessaloniki International Fair. While he made it clear he was not showing up with a bag of gifts, he did announce a number of programs with a 2027 horizon, and put the issue of tackling issues related to over-tourism on the table as well. At the same time in Athens, SYRIZA leader Stefanos Kasselakis lost a no-confidence motion, throwing the main opposition party into further turmoil. Nick Malkoutzis, the co-founder of Macropolis.gr, joins Thanos Davelis with the key takeaways from Mitsotakis’ speech in Thessaloniki and the turmoil in SYRIZA.

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

Tight, targeted spending, with a 2027 horizon

Greece cracks down on excessive tourism

SYRIZA leader Kasselakis falls in no-confidence motion

Greece, Saudi Arabia talks to salvage tanker

Tuesday is Cyprus' last chance to end its energy isolation