The Greek Current

The timeless appeal of The Odyssey, the Iran crisis, lessons from SYRIZA's rise and fall, and the Turkey-Egypt rapprochement 18.07.2026 1h 3m

Daniel Mendelsohn, Elisa Catalano Ewers, Nikos Konstantaras, and Vassilis Nedos join Thanos Davelis as we look into the timeless appeal of The Odyssey, the collapse of the ceasefire with Iran and its wider ramifications, the lessons from SYRIZA’s rise and fall, and the rapprochement between Turkey and Egypt.

The Trump-Erdogan bromance, the F-35s, and the NATO summit 11.07.2026 54m

Endy Zemenides, Steven Erlanger, Steven Cook, and Tyler Stapleton join Thanos Davelis this week as we explore the main takeaways from the NATO summit in Ankara, break down President Trump’s comments on selling F-35s to Turkey, discuss Western hypocrisy when it comes to human rights in Turkey, and look at the latest reports that a deal could be in play over Turkey's S400s.

Trump's arms sale to Turkey, Erdogan and the NATO summit, and 10 years since Brexit 04.07.2026 50m

Aaron Stein, Ino Afentouli, Elizabeth Prodromou, and Simon Nixon join Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at the stakes ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara, President Trump’s move to sell fighter jet engines to Turkey, reports that Halki seminary could reopen, and the lessons from Greece ten years after Brexit.

Andreas Papandreou's legacy: 30 years since his death 26.06.2026 59m

Harris Mylonas, Kostis Kornetis, Alan Makovsky, and Lambrini Rori join Thanos Davelis as we dig into Andreas Papandreou’s legacy, exploring what brought him to power, how he reshaped Greece’s political culture after the collapse of the dictatorship, his controversial approach to diplomacy and how this impacted US-Greece relations, and his lasting legacy in Greek politics today.

What does Trump's Iran deal mean for Greece, the region, and the global economy? 19.06.2026 51m

Steven Cook, Vassilis Nedos, Ian Lesser, and Maria Demertzis join Thanos Davelis as we break down what President Trump's Iran deal could mean for Washington, for the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean, for Europe, and for the global economy.

The landmark East Med Energy Center, Turkey's provocations in Cyprus, and protecting Greece’s natural landscapes 13.06.2026 55m

Lena Argiri, Sinan Ciddi, Lia Papazoglou, and Annie Schroeder join Thanos Davelis this week as we look into the significance of the new East Med Energy Center, Turkey’s harassment of aircraft carrying European defense ministers to Cyprus, and the ongoing efforts to mobilize Greece’s youth around climate action. We also highlight Eleni Apostolopoulos Katsoulis in our latest "I am HALC" feature.

Middle East conflict, Cypriot elections, and a controversial tourism project in Albania 06.06.2026 1h

Aaron David Miller, Nektaria Stamouli, and Yannis Papadopoulos join Thanos Davelis to explore the wider ramifications of the ongoing war with Iran and the fragile ceasefire in Lebanon, look at the latest parliamentary elections in Cyprus, and turn our attention to an evolving story in Albania, where a planned billion dollar tourist project is at the heart of controversy and protests that has had a spillover effect into Greek-Albanian relations. Taking us to our “I am HALC” segment, we highlighting one of HALC’s earliest members and a member of its first flagship Leadership 2030 team in Chicago, Peter Kourkouvis.

Erdogan tightens his grip on Turkey 30.05.2026 59m

Ayla Jean Yackley, Henri Barkey, Ambassador Marc Pierini, and Aya Burweila join Thanos Davelis this week as we break down the latest crackdown on Turkey’s opposition and its wider ramifications for Turkish democracy and the West, while looking into what Turkey is up to in Libya, where it's looking to expand its influence.

Greek politics is shaking up as the country inches toward elections 23.05.2026 1h 3m

Tom Ellis, Nick Malkoutzis, Yiannis Mouzakis, and John Psaropoulos join Thanos Davelis as we break down everything you need to know with Greece inching toward elections, including the new parties being formed, the challenges facing the the government, and key issues set to dominate the political debate like inflation and foreign policy concerns.

Turkey raises tensions with "Blue Homeland" legislation 16.05.2026 58m

Kostas Ifantis, Ryan Gingeras, Endy Zemenides, Sinan Ciddi, and Vassilis Nedos join Thanos Davelis this week as we explore what’s at stake in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean should Turkey move forward with its provocative “Blue Homeland” legislation, and what the discovery of a Ukrainian naval drone in Greek waters means for Greece and the region.

From NATO to "Clash Report": Transatlantic tensions and Turkey's global media operation 09.05.2026 1h 1m

Max Bergmann, Maria Demertzis, and Eitan Fischberger join Thanos Davelis as we break down what message President Trump's announcement that the US is withdrawing troops from Europe sends, whether we should prepare for another US-EU trade war, and look at who is behind Clash Report - which was unmasked as a Turkish media operation with connections to President Erdogan's inner circle - and why it matters.

Cyprus and the future of Europe 02.05.2026 1h 3m

Konstantinos Letymbiotis, Ian Lesser, and Alexis Papachelas join Thanos Davelis this week as we break down the key takeaways from the EU leaders summit in Cyprus, including the debate around Article 42.7. In addition, we discuss French President Emanuel Macron’s visit to Cyprus and Greece, a visit that raised important questions about Europe’s future and its geopolitical role.

Turkey–Israel tensions, Tom Barrack's Middle East agenda, and what it means for Greece 26.04.2026 1h 6m

Sinan Ciddi, Henri Barkey, and Vassilis Nedos join Thanos Davelis as we look into this escalating war of words in the Eastern Mediterranean between Turkey and Israel, break down how US Ambassador Tom Barrack is effectively pursuing his own Middle East policy that’s undermining US interests, and discuss the wider impact of these developments for Greece. We wrap up with a focus on Bill Matsikoudis in our "I am HALC" segment.

A turning point for Europe? Hungary's election and the end of the Orban era 17.04.2026 54m

Steven Erlanger, Simon Nixon, Jennifer McCoy, and Nick Malkoutzis join Thanos Davelis as we look at Hungary’s landmark election, breaking down what it means for Europe and for the war in Ukraine, the message it sends to those concerned about democratic backsliding in the West, and what takeaways there are for Greece as the country inches toward national elections next year.

Is NATO's future in doubt, and what does this mean for Greece? 10.04.2026 1h

James Lindsay and Ino Afentouli join Thanos Davelis as we break down whether NATO's future is in doubt after President Trump's comments slamming the alliance, why matters in a world of increasing great power rivalry, what’s at stake for the US, and why it’s critical for Greece. We also look at the 200 year anniversary of the heroic exodus of the Greeks from the city of Messolonghi during the Greek War of Independence with Professor Alexander Kitroeff. Finally, we're

Is the future of Christians in the Middle East in doubt? 03.04.2026 1h

Vicky Hartzler, Nadine Maenza, Vassilis Nedos, and Alexia Kalaitzi join Thanos Davelis as we look into USCIRF’s 2026 report and Turkey’s problematic record on religious freedom, the plight of Christians in Syria in the wake of another attack on this vulnerable community, and how Greece is working to ensure that the protection of Christian populations in the Middle East remains on the agenda.

Greece braces for the economic fallout from the Iran crisis 27.03.2026 58m

Nikos Vettas, John Psaropoulos, and Yiannis Tsakalos join Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at how the ongoing crisis in the Middle East is impacting Greece’s overall economic outlook, what steps the government is taking in response to this crisis, and what this could mean for Greece’s tourism sector as tourists factor wider global uncertainty into their travel plans. In our "I am HALC" segment, we're putting the spotlight on Jonathan Vasdekas, an original member of HALC's Leadership 2030 class and a leader in the renewable energy space.

Iran, the global energy crisis, and the case for permanently waiving the Cyprus arms embargo 20.03.2026 1h 9m

Ian Lesser, Zissis Marmarelis, Damian Murphy, and Endy Zemenides join Thanos Davelis this week as we look into Trump’s calls for Europe to join the US in the Straits of Hormuz, the unfolding global energy crisis and what it means for Greece, and why now is the time to end the Cyprus arms embargo.

Storm clouds in the East Med? Turkey's escalation in Cyprus, Israel's offensive against Hezbollah, and Imamoglu's trial 13.03.2026 1h 7m

Sinan Ciddi, Elisa Ewers, Lisel Hintz, and Henri Barkey join Thanos Davelis this week as we take a closer look at Turkey’s decision to deploy fighter jets to the occupied part of Cyprus, Israel’s escalating offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the trial of Ekrem Imamoglu.

I am HALC: Dr. George Chiampas 06.03.2026 15m

Tune in to our first "I am HALC" profile featuring Dr. George Chiampas.