Thanos Davelis
@thanosdavelis.bsky.social
Director of Public Affairs at @HellenicLeaders | @GreekCurrent #podcast host | @LoyolaChicago alum
Reposted by Thanos Davelis
Cyclades & the dangers of overtourism - thanks to @thanosdavelis.bsky.social for a chance to talk about our work on the "Sustainable Cyclades" project with @telloglou2024.bsky.social:
thegreekcurrent.simplecast.com/episodes/are...
thegreekcurrent.simplecast.com/episodes/are...
Are the Cyclades at risk of "Disneyfication"? | The Greek Current
Are the Cyclades at risk of "Disneyfication" amid unchecked tourism and construction? Yannis Palaiologos, a journalist at large with Kathimerini and the co-editor of the Sustainable Cyclades project, ...
thegreekcurrent.simplecast.com
June 13, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Cyclades & the dangers of overtourism - thanks to @thanosdavelis.bsky.social for a chance to talk about our work on the "Sustainable Cyclades" project with @telloglou2024.bsky.social:
thegreekcurrent.simplecast.com/episodes/are...
thegreekcurrent.simplecast.com/episodes/are...
With #Turkey rocked by protests in the wake of Imamoglu's arrest, can the opposition keep this momentum - and the pressure on Erdogan - going?
@liselhintz.bsky.social shared some insights with me on The Greek Current as we looked into this question: thegreekcurrent.simplecast.com/episodes/kee...
@liselhintz.bsky.social shared some insights with me on The Greek Current as we looked into this question: thegreekcurrent.simplecast.com/episodes/kee...
April 25, 2025 at 12:07 PM
With #Turkey rocked by protests in the wake of Imamoglu's arrest, can the opposition keep this momentum - and the pressure on Erdogan - going?
@liselhintz.bsky.social shared some insights with me on The Greek Current as we looked into this question: thegreekcurrent.simplecast.com/episodes/kee...
@liselhintz.bsky.social shared some insights with me on The Greek Current as we looked into this question: thegreekcurrent.simplecast.com/episodes/kee...
Reposted by Thanos Davelis
I spoke with @thanosdavelis.bsky.social, @nicholasdanfort.bsky.social, Henri Barkey, and Endy Zemenides about the many steps used to try to take opposition contender İmamoğlu off the electoral playing field.
And how targeting him served as a catalyst for a groundswell of public opposition.
And how targeting him served as a catalyst for a groundswell of public opposition.
March 24, 2025 at 11:16 PM
I spoke with @thanosdavelis.bsky.social, @nicholasdanfort.bsky.social, Henri Barkey, and Endy Zemenides about the many steps used to try to take opposition contender İmamoğlu off the electoral playing field.
And how targeting him served as a catalyst for a groundswell of public opposition.
And how targeting him served as a catalyst for a groundswell of public opposition.
Reposted by Thanos Davelis
“The electoral playing field has increasingly been tilted in the ruling AKP's favor in terms of media coverage, judicial ruling, and other factors, but this takes the main competitor off that field.”
With my comments on İmamoğlu, Turkey's "turning point"
www.courthousenews.com/istanbul-may...
With my comments on İmamoğlu, Turkey's "turning point"
www.courthousenews.com/istanbul-may...
Istanbul mayor, Erdoğan’s chief political rival, arrested along with 105 others
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was arrested at his home on corruption and terrorism charges. He was growing in popularity and considered a powerful challenger to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey's authorit...
www.courthousenews.com
March 19, 2025 at 8:43 PM
“The electoral playing field has increasingly been tilted in the ruling AKP's favor in terms of media coverage, judicial ruling, and other factors, but this takes the main competitor off that field.”
With my comments on İmamoğlu, Turkey's "turning point"
www.courthousenews.com/istanbul-may...
With my comments on İmamoğlu, Turkey's "turning point"
www.courthousenews.com/istanbul-may...
Reposted by Thanos Davelis
Ekrem İmamoğlu was poised to win a presidential primary in Turkey in a few days. For once the opposition would be a step ahead of the ruling AKP.
But yesterday his univ degree was annulled, effectively barring his run.
Today, after the now-standard “terrorism+corruption” charges, he was detained
But yesterday his univ degree was annulled, effectively barring his run.
Today, after the now-standard “terrorism+corruption” charges, he was detained
In case the impact of gov control over universities on autocratization needs to be any clearer:
The university that issued Turkey's would-be opposition pres. candidate just annulled his diploma. Effectively barring his candidacy.
That university's rector was installed by the ruling AKP in 2023.
The university that issued Turkey's would-be opposition pres. candidate just annulled his diploma. Effectively barring his candidacy.
That university's rector was installed by the ruling AKP in 2023.
March 19, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Ekrem İmamoğlu was poised to win a presidential primary in Turkey in a few days. For once the opposition would be a step ahead of the ruling AKP.
But yesterday his univ degree was annulled, effectively barring his run.
Today, after the now-standard “terrorism+corruption” charges, he was detained
But yesterday his univ degree was annulled, effectively barring his run.
Today, after the now-standard “terrorism+corruption” charges, he was detained
Reposted by Thanos Davelis
Doesn’t use them lightly against dictators, that’s for sure.
'Sitting beside the French president, Mr Trump pointedly declined to call Vladimir Putin a dictator, saying “I don’t use those words lightly.”' www.economist.com/europe/2025/...
Has Emmanuel Macron managed to reason with Donald Trump?
Small but encouraging signs that America will not utterly abandon Ukraine
www.economist.com
February 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Doesn’t use them lightly against dictators, that’s for sure.
Reposted by Thanos Davelis
I'm sceptical of "80% of Germans voted against the AfD" cope.
- AfD doubled its tally and will be loudest opposition voice
- It lifted its vote by 22% in Saxony and 18% in Thuringia relative to Sept state elex
- it is completely dominant in the east. Hard to see firewall surviving in current form
- AfD doubled its tally and will be loudest opposition voice
- It lifted its vote by 22% in Saxony and 18% in Thuringia relative to Sept state elex
- it is completely dominant in the east. Hard to see firewall surviving in current form
February 24, 2025 at 7:54 AM
I'm sceptical of "80% of Germans voted against the AfD" cope.
- AfD doubled its tally and will be loudest opposition voice
- It lifted its vote by 22% in Saxony and 18% in Thuringia relative to Sept state elex
- it is completely dominant in the east. Hard to see firewall surviving in current form
- AfD doubled its tally and will be loudest opposition voice
- It lifted its vote by 22% in Saxony and 18% in Thuringia relative to Sept state elex
- it is completely dominant in the east. Hard to see firewall surviving in current form
Reposted by Thanos Davelis
"It is clear that the US can no longer be regarded as a reliable ally for Europeans... [who] need to start preparing fast for the day when the US security guarantee to Europe is definitively removed"
@gideonrachman.bsky.social's searing conclusion from a weekend in Munich
www.ft.com/content/11f1...
@gideonrachman.bsky.social's searing conclusion from a weekend in Munich
www.ft.com/content/11f1...
Vance’s real warning to Europe
Europeans need to reduce their dangerous dependence on an adversarial America
www.ft.com
February 17, 2025 at 1:00 PM
"It is clear that the US can no longer be regarded as a reliable ally for Europeans... [who] need to start preparing fast for the day when the US security guarantee to Europe is definitively removed"
@gideonrachman.bsky.social's searing conclusion from a weekend in Munich
www.ft.com/content/11f1...
@gideonrachman.bsky.social's searing conclusion from a weekend in Munich
www.ft.com/content/11f1...
What's Greece's AI strategy, and how is it already transforming its public and private sectors?
Had a great chat with Yannis Mastrogeorgiou about all of the steps #Greece is taking when it comes to AI.
Listen to our discussion on the The Greek Current here: www.ekathimerini.com/multimedia/p...
Had a great chat with Yannis Mastrogeorgiou about all of the steps #Greece is taking when it comes to AI.
Listen to our discussion on the The Greek Current here: www.ekathimerini.com/multimedia/p...
Greece’s AI strategy | eKathimerini.com
Yannis Mastrogeorgiou, the special secretary of foresight in the Presidency of the Greek government and the coordinator of the National Advisory Committee on Artificial Intelligence, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the AI Action Summit in Paris and look into Greece’s broader AI strategy.
www.ekathimerini.com
February 14, 2025 at 5:07 PM
What's Greece's AI strategy, and how is it already transforming its public and private sectors?
Had a great chat with Yannis Mastrogeorgiou about all of the steps #Greece is taking when it comes to AI.
Listen to our discussion on the The Greek Current here: www.ekathimerini.com/multimedia/p...
Had a great chat with Yannis Mastrogeorgiou about all of the steps #Greece is taking when it comes to AI.
Listen to our discussion on the The Greek Current here: www.ekathimerini.com/multimedia/p...
Reposted by Thanos Davelis
Greece’s population decline, its need for growth and the imperative of a balanced budget are taxing government ingenuity.
open.substack.com/pub/johntpsa...
open.substack.com/pub/johntpsa...
Can Greece thrive with a shrinking population?
Greece’s population decline, its need for growth and the imperative of a balanced budget are taxing government ingenuity
open.substack.com
February 12, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Greece’s population decline, its need for growth and the imperative of a balanced budget are taxing government ingenuity.
open.substack.com/pub/johntpsa...
open.substack.com/pub/johntpsa...
Does the EU need to prepare for a post-America Europe?
Looked into this question on The Greek Current this week with @maxbergmann.bsky.social.
Tune in to our full podcast episode here: open.spotify.com/episode/5m0r...
Looked into this question on The Greek Current this week with @maxbergmann.bsky.social.
Tune in to our full podcast episode here: open.spotify.com/episode/5m0r...
Does the EU need to prepare for a post-America Europe?
The Greek Current · Episode
open.spotify.com
February 7, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Does the EU need to prepare for a post-America Europe?
Looked into this question on The Greek Current this week with @maxbergmann.bsky.social.
Tune in to our full podcast episode here: open.spotify.com/episode/5m0r...
Looked into this question on The Greek Current this week with @maxbergmann.bsky.social.
Tune in to our full podcast episode here: open.spotify.com/episode/5m0r...
Reposted by Thanos Davelis
Trump purging CIA as well as FBI. “Aligned with Trump” appears to mean firing experienced professionals and replacing them with loyalists and lackeys. What are long term consequences for American human intelligence? www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
The CIA Is About to Get a Trump Makeover
The agency offered buyouts to its entire workforce in what officials said is a bid to bring it in line with Trump’s priorities, including targeting drug cartels.
www.wsj.com
February 5, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Trump purging CIA as well as FBI. “Aligned with Trump” appears to mean firing experienced professionals and replacing them with loyalists and lackeys. What are long term consequences for American human intelligence? www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
Reposted by Thanos Davelis
Decades ago, Christopher Hitchens argued that the British Museum should return the Parthenon marbles to Greece for the sake of art, not nationalism. Ralph Leonard on why he had it exactly right:
What Christopher Hitchens Understood About the Parthenon
The British Museum should return the ancient treasures to Greece for the sake of art, not nationalism.
www.theatlantic.com
February 4, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Decades ago, Christopher Hitchens argued that the British Museum should return the Parthenon marbles to Greece for the sake of art, not nationalism. Ralph Leonard on why he had it exactly right:
Reposted by Thanos Davelis
As EU leaders meet Monday to chat about defence, Trump has divided them into 4 camps: Gaullists, Atlanticists, denialists & Putinists
Gaullists—strategic autonomy first!
Atlanticists—Trump ain't so bad
Denialists—let's pretend there's no war
Putinists—go Vlad!
www.economist.com/europe/2025/...
Gaullists—strategic autonomy first!
Atlanticists—Trump ain't so bad
Denialists—let's pretend there's no war
Putinists—go Vlad!
www.economist.com/europe/2025/...
Meet Europe’s Gaullists, Atlanticists, denialists and Putinists
As Donald Trump returns, so do Europe’s old schisms over how to defend itself
www.economist.com
January 31, 2025 at 10:38 AM
As EU leaders meet Monday to chat about defence, Trump has divided them into 4 camps: Gaullists, Atlanticists, denialists & Putinists
Gaullists—strategic autonomy first!
Atlanticists—Trump ain't so bad
Denialists—let's pretend there's no war
Putinists—go Vlad!
www.economist.com/europe/2025/...
Gaullists—strategic autonomy first!
Atlanticists—Trump ain't so bad
Denialists—let's pretend there's no war
Putinists—go Vlad!
www.economist.com/europe/2025/...
Reposted by Thanos Davelis
This chart from the @economist.com on solar is just astonishing. We are terrible at predicting the energy future.
It is also part of the reason I'm optimistic about Europe's economic future. It has the tools (batteries/renewable) to rapidly lower energy costs.
www.economist.com/interactive/...
It is also part of the reason I'm optimistic about Europe's economic future. It has the tools (batteries/renewable) to rapidly lower energy costs.
www.economist.com/interactive/...
January 31, 2025 at 2:32 PM
This chart from the @economist.com on solar is just astonishing. We are terrible at predicting the energy future.
It is also part of the reason I'm optimistic about Europe's economic future. It has the tools (batteries/renewable) to rapidly lower energy costs.
www.economist.com/interactive/...
It is also part of the reason I'm optimistic about Europe's economic future. It has the tools (batteries/renewable) to rapidly lower energy costs.
www.economist.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Thanos Davelis
My guess is that only the Greens would be opposed to the idea of getting Russian gas flowing again as part of a Ukraine peace deal. A good question for Merz and the other candidates in the looming debates.
on.ft.com/4hlAUXR
on.ft.com/4hlAUXR
EU debates return to Russian gas as part of Ukraine peace deal
Advocates say reopening pipelines could help settlement with Moscow and cut energy costs
on.ft.com
January 30, 2025 at 7:39 PM
My guess is that only the Greens would be opposed to the idea of getting Russian gas flowing again as part of a Ukraine peace deal. A good question for Merz and the other candidates in the looming debates.
on.ft.com/4hlAUXR
on.ft.com/4hlAUXR
Reposted by Thanos Davelis
Russian gas addicts want another hit. First, not going to happen. Second, how incredibly naive.
I know there are Germans/Hungarians that are desperate for this but the EU doesn’t have to indulge in nonsense. Does the EU enjoy looking idiotic?
on.ft.com/4hlAUXR
I know there are Germans/Hungarians that are desperate for this but the EU doesn’t have to indulge in nonsense. Does the EU enjoy looking idiotic?
on.ft.com/4hlAUXR
EU debates return to Russian gas as part of Ukraine peace deal
Advocates say reopening pipelines could help settlement with Moscow and cut energy costs
on.ft.com
January 30, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Russian gas addicts want another hit. First, not going to happen. Second, how incredibly naive.
I know there are Germans/Hungarians that are desperate for this but the EU doesn’t have to indulge in nonsense. Does the EU enjoy looking idiotic?
on.ft.com/4hlAUXR
I know there are Germans/Hungarians that are desperate for this but the EU doesn’t have to indulge in nonsense. Does the EU enjoy looking idiotic?
on.ft.com/4hlAUXR
With Trump calling for more drilling at his inauguration, #Greece’s announcement that US energy giant Chevron is looking to explore for oil and gas in its waters seems perfectly timed. We break this down on The Greek Current with
@johntpsaropoulos.bsky.social: www.ekathimerini.com/multimedia/p...
@johntpsaropoulos.bsky.social: www.ekathimerini.com/multimedia/p...
Trump, gas exploration, and Greece’s energy strategy | eKathimerini.com
As President Trump assumed office repeating his campaign slogan of “drill, baby, drill”, Greece announced that US energy giant Chevron is interested in exploring for oil and gas in Greek waters.
www.ekathimerini.com
January 29, 2025 at 12:35 AM
With Trump calling for more drilling at his inauguration, #Greece’s announcement that US energy giant Chevron is looking to explore for oil and gas in its waters seems perfectly timed. We break this down on The Greek Current with
@johntpsaropoulos.bsky.social: www.ekathimerini.com/multimedia/p...
@johntpsaropoulos.bsky.social: www.ekathimerini.com/multimedia/p...
Reposted by Thanos Davelis
One of the biggest rallies in recent years took place in Athens today with Greeks demanding justice for the #Tempi train crash
Rallies took place in more than 110 cities in Greece and all over the world
www.politico.eu/article/gree...
Rallies took place in more than 110 cities in Greece and all over the world
www.politico.eu/article/gree...
Thousands protest over deadly train crash in Greece
Clashes erupted at the end of the protests in Athens and Thessaloniki.
www.politico.eu
January 26, 2025 at 4:12 PM
One of the biggest rallies in recent years took place in Athens today with Greeks demanding justice for the #Tempi train crash
Rallies took place in more than 110 cities in Greece and all over the world
www.politico.eu/article/gree...
Rallies took place in more than 110 cities in Greece and all over the world
www.politico.eu/article/gree...
Reposted by Thanos Davelis
I had two EU officials this week tell me "Greenland is the perfect template of how you deal with Trump. Just ignore the crazy stuff, he moves on to something else and he will have forgotten all about it already".
Nope.
Nope.
The US president insisted he was serious in his determination to take over Greenland in a fiery telephone call with Denmark’s prime minister www.ft.com/content/ace0...
January 24, 2025 at 8:06 PM
I had two EU officials this week tell me "Greenland is the perfect template of how you deal with Trump. Just ignore the crazy stuff, he moves on to something else and he will have forgotten all about it already".
Nope.
Nope.
Reposted by Thanos Davelis
I joined @thanosdavelis.bsky.social on @kathimerini.gr & HALC's #TheGreekCurrent podcast to discuss the alarming findings of ADL's #Global100 survey & the lessons to be drawn from the 19 percentage points decline in the level of antisemitic sentiments in Greece.
www.ekathimerini.com/multimedia/p...
www.ekathimerini.com/multimedia/p...
Greece achieves global milestone | eKathimerini.com
Aykan Erdemir, the senior director for Global Research and Diplomatic Affairs at the ADL, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the key takeaways from the ADL’s Global 100 study, looking at the concernin...
www.ekathimerini.com
January 24, 2025 at 5:36 PM
I joined @thanosdavelis.bsky.social on @kathimerini.gr & HALC's #TheGreekCurrent podcast to discuss the alarming findings of ADL's #Global100 survey & the lessons to be drawn from the 19 percentage points decline in the level of antisemitic sentiments in Greece.
www.ekathimerini.com/multimedia/p...
www.ekathimerini.com/multimedia/p...
Is Erdogan really the "big winner" in #Syria?
As @stevenacook.bsky.social tells me on The Greek Current, it's still too early to declare an Erdogan victory here.
Tune in to our full chat here (or wherever you get your podcasts): thegreekcurrent.simplecast.com/episodes/is-...
As @stevenacook.bsky.social tells me on The Greek Current, it's still too early to declare an Erdogan victory here.
Tune in to our full chat here (or wherever you get your podcasts): thegreekcurrent.simplecast.com/episodes/is-...
January 21, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Is Erdogan really the "big winner" in #Syria?
As @stevenacook.bsky.social tells me on The Greek Current, it's still too early to declare an Erdogan victory here.
Tune in to our full chat here (or wherever you get your podcasts): thegreekcurrent.simplecast.com/episodes/is-...
As @stevenacook.bsky.social tells me on The Greek Current, it's still too early to declare an Erdogan victory here.
Tune in to our full chat here (or wherever you get your podcasts): thegreekcurrent.simplecast.com/episodes/is-...
Reposted by Thanos Davelis
EU leaders will debate soon the future of EU defence policy and the debate centres around "intergovernmental solutions" like using the ESM to finance increased defense spending.
This totally misses the mark in my view. We are beating around the bush. It's time for a real debate - and decisions:
This totally misses the mark in my view. We are beating around the bush. It's time for a real debate - and decisions:
January 20, 2025 at 11:48 AM
EU leaders will debate soon the future of EU defence policy and the debate centres around "intergovernmental solutions" like using the ESM to finance increased defense spending.
This totally misses the mark in my view. We are beating around the bush. It's time for a real debate - and decisions:
This totally misses the mark in my view. We are beating around the bush. It's time for a real debate - and decisions:
Reposted by Thanos Davelis
This is a great thread. What the EU defense discussion has missed is that Europe needs to focus on how to REPLACE the US military presence. Let’s hope that doesn’t come to pass but it’s now possible. This requires a radically different approach that goes beyond every state spending a bit more 1/
This would mean a common pot of money to be spent jointly. And here comes the real question: Are member states ready to take such decisions jointly and are they willing to create governance structures for it? In other words: Are we willing to go for a real defence union in any meaningful way?
January 21, 2025 at 3:19 PM
This is a great thread. What the EU defense discussion has missed is that Europe needs to focus on how to REPLACE the US military presence. Let’s hope that doesn’t come to pass but it’s now possible. This requires a radically different approach that goes beyond every state spending a bit more 1/