A few big headlines have come out of Brussels recently, including the presentation of the EU’s new "Pact for the Mediterranean", its executive body approving a 5-year defense road map that features plans for a “drone wall”, and  the debate about Turkey’s participation in the SAFE program. Alexandra Voudouri, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into these developments and what they mean for Greece and Cyprus.

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

EU presents new pact to reshape relations with Mediterranean countries

EU scramble for anti-Russia ‘drone wall’ hits political, technical hurdles

European Commission Unveils 'Drone Wall' Plans As Part Of 5-Year Defense Road Map

Wadephul: Turkey ‘must solve its problems in the region’

Newfound optimism for resumption of Cyprus talks

FM Gerapetritis hopeful for an agreement on Mt Sinai monastery

While celebrating the Gaza ceasefire agreement in Egypt, President Trump made a point to single out Turkey’s President Erdogan, thanking him for his role in bringing about this deal. Erdogan is now eager to leverage this praise in order to become a key player in shaping Gaza's future. Can he achieve this? Sinan Ciddi, a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and an expert on Turkish politics, joins Thanos Davelis as we look to answer this question, breaking down Turkey’s role in this ceasefire, Erdogan’s ambitions in Gaza, and what the Trump administration should be looking out for when dealing with Turkey here.

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Erdogan's Turkey Wants to Be a Key Player in Post-war Gaza. It's a Fantasy

Trump signals new trust in Erdogan, raising concerns over Turkey’s ambitions in Gaza and beyond

Greece revives Eastern Med forum plan

Controversial labor bill passed by Parliament with government majority

A recent report in the Financial Times has outlined how a state fund in Turkey has become one of the country’s largest business holdings, controlling over 1,000 companies. This comes in the wake of an anti-corruption drive that moved hundreds of private companies into government hands, raising the question: Is this asset grab politically-motivated? Wolfango Piccoli, the co-founder of risk analysis company Teneo, joins Thanos Davelis today as we dig into this story.

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Crackdown or capital grab? Turkey state fund controls 1,000 businesses

Greece reaffirms stance on Turkey’s participation in EU SAFE program

Athens faces two drone fronts

Greece’s government recently tabled its budget for 2026, a budget that foresees a jump in spending, growth for the economy, and a drop in Greece’s debt. Yiannis Mouzakis, the co-founder of Macropolis.gr, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into Greece’s budget, looking at some of the positive trends like increased revenue from electronic payments and Greece’s declining debt, while breaking down some of the potential challenges Greece still needs to pay attention to.

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State spending to jump €5 bln next year

Government budgeting on a late RRF sprint

Lawmakers in fervent clash over 13-hour workday

In EU first, Greece set to introduce 13-hour workday

PKK leader Ocalan appeals to Iraqi Kurdistan president for help in Turkey peace talks

It’s safe to say President Macron has shown he is one of Europe’s most important leaders, but domestic challenges seem to be undercutting him on the global stage. Steven Erlanger, the chief diplomatic correspondent for The New York Times covering Europe, joins Thanos Davelis as we look to answer what this means for Macron and France, but also for Europe, especially as the continent looks to meet challenges ranging from defense spending to Ukraine.

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France’s Domestic Instability Has Weakened Its Diplomatic Clout

'Now the rebuilding begins,' says Trump as he signs Gaza peace plan

Mitsotakis meets Trump ahead of Gaza summit

Trump, Christodoulides discuss Cyprus issue at Gaza summit

World leaders - including Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and President Nikos Christodoulides - are meeting today in Egypt to cement a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and to help lay the foundations for broader regional stability. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English edition, joins Thanos Davelis as we look at why the Greek and Cypriot presence at this summit matters, and break down how Athens and Nicosia can play a stabilizing role here. 

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Greece to participate in Gaza peace summit in Egypt, Mitsotakis announces

Trump and el-Sisi to lead Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt; Greece and Cyprus among invited nations

EU wants Turkey to be part of SAFE

EU begins gradual rollout of digital border system

Last month Turkey's President Erdogan and his loyalists blasted Cyprus for its purchase of Israeli Barak MX air defense systems, claiming it was a threat to Turkey, all while Turkish media has announced Ankara plans to send more occupation troops to Cyprus. William Doran, the co-author of the recent piece in Kathimerini titled “Erdogan’s imagined ‘arms race’ in Cyprus”, joins Thanos Davelis as we look at Erdogan’s hypocritical outrage here, and break down why Cyprus’ decision to upgrade its air defense systems in fact strengthens Eastern Mediterranean security.

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Erdogan’s imagined ‘arms race’ in Cyprus

Greece hails ‘historic agreement’ over Gaza

Turkey emerges as key player in Gaza ceasefire deal

Third-country buyers grab Cyprus realtyCy

The latest European data shows that Greeks are working many more hours than their European counterparts, with one in five Greeks working more than 45 hours a week. This data comes amid wider discussions about productivity in Greece’s economy, developments in AI, and recent moves by the government to introduce a 6 day workweek and a 13-hour work day. Nikos Efstathiou, an Athens based journalist and author, joins Thanos Davelis as we dig into this story.

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Greeks work the longest in EU

General strike against 13-hour work day brings Greece to a halt

Greece's new 6-day workweek law takes effect, bucking a trend

Greece’s success ‘an example’ for Germany

Athens watching Turkey moves for signs of aggression

Two years ago, on October 7th, the Middle East was upended after Hamas’ deadly attack against Israel. This had a clear ripple effect across the Eastern Mediterranean as well, impacting Greece and Cyprus. Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis as we look at the monumental shifts ushered in two years ago on October 7, and where they leave Greece and Cyprus today. 

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PM: Greece ready to support diplomatic efforts for peace in Gaza

Déjà Vu or a Peace Breakthrough in Gaza?

Erdogan hopes for resolution on sanctions, F-35s, Halkbank after Trump talks

Turkey floated $100 million Halkbank settlement idea at White House last month, sources say

SYRIZA MPs ready to follow ex-leader

The headline political news coming out of Greece this week is former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ resignation as a SYRIZA MP, a move that has many wondering if it’s only a matter of time before Tsipras announces a new party. The news also comes as polls and surveys show a lack of confidence among voters in the political system. Nick Malkoutzis, the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr, joins Thanos Davelis as we look at whether Tsipras is angling for a comeback and what impact this could have on Greece’s political scene.

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Tsipras quits as MP; new party ahead?

Greeks crying out for political change but doubt it will happen, poll finds

Greece Forecasts Debt Ratio for 2025 to Reach Pre-Bailout Low