Podcasts about Eastern Mediterranean

Lebanon is emerging as the newest flashpoint in the increasingly strained relations between Turkey and Israel, with the former's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issuing a stark warning that Turkish security begins in Beirut. Earlier this month, Erdogan addressed his parliamentary deputies with a forceful condemnation of Israel's strikes on Lebanon and Syria, warning that Turkey's security now stretches beyond its borders, reaching as far as Damascus and Beirut. Tensions between Israel and Turkey have been steadily escalating, with Erdogan vocally supporting Hamas and leading the chorus of condemnation against Israel's military campaigns in both Gaza and Lebanon. “Lebanon is a new area of competition or dispute between Israel and Turkey," says Gallia Lindenstrauss of Tel Aviv's Institute for National Security Studies think tank. “There was definitely concern in Israel after hearing Erdogan's speech. The fact that he speaks about Syria and Lebanon as part of Turkey's security is, of course, a problem for Israel….I think this adds complexity to already a very tense relationship between Israel and Turkey." Shifting influence  In recent years, Turkey has quietly but steadily expanded its soft-power presence in Lebanon, dispatching aid and broadening the reach of its humanitarian groups. This comes as Iran's influence in the region loosens, signalled by the collapse of the Tehran-backed Assad regime in Syria and growing pressure on Iranian proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon. “Turkey is concerned about Lebanon because it can create new venues of Israeli zone of influence, when the power of Iran is on the decline,” said international relations professor Ozlem Tur, of Ankara's Middle East Technical University. Tur notes that Turkey is eager to seize the opportunities created by these shifting dynamics: “Turkey feels a vacuum of power – and who is going to fill it? And all of this is part of a larger geo-strategic position that Turkey wants to put itself in." Turkey expands influence in Africa through military training Erdogan has frequently accused Israel of trying to assert dominance across the region, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean, which is believed to hold vast untapped energy reserves. Ankara suspects Israeli influence was behind Lebanon's November 2025 landmark maritime demarcation deal with Cyprus, paving the way for potential exploration of offshore gas fields and energy cooperation in the Mediterranean – a deal Turkey argues undermines its interests, as well as those of the Turkish Cypriot administration and Syria.  “Lebanon joining the competition there is of course worrying [for Ankara]”, Tur added. "This maritime dimension adds to an already competitive environment, and it makes Lebanon a partner in this competition." Trump card Meanwhile, Turkey-Israel rivalries continue to escalate.  “The Israelis, especially the hard-liners, have been really working hard to get the United States on board with their plans to take Turkey as their next target,” said international relations professor Serhat Guvenc of Istanbul's Kadir Has University.  However, Guvenc suggests that Erdogan retains a trump card. so to speak.  "The personal rapport between the two leaders, Trump and Erdogan, has been an impediment to the materialisation of such American backing to whatever plan Israelis might have in regard to Turkey." Trump's recent criticism of Israel's bombing of Beirut and Israel's ongoing attacks on Lebanon after a peace agreement with Iran, will likely further strengthen Erdogan's hand with Trump, at a time when Washington is increasingly viewing Ankara as key to its regional goals. Turkey steps up as Europe's indispensable and uncomfortable defence partner “For stability, for mediation, for assistance... in these aspects definitely the US is looking for Ankara and looking for the role Ankara can play in relaxing tensions in the region,” said Lindenstrauss. "But Ankara itself is raising tensions and, of course, Erdogan's inflammatory rhetoric to Israel is not stabilising anything.” Trump is set to visit Ankara for next month's NATO summit, where Turkey's regional role will likely dominate discussions between US and Turkish leaders – a meeting poised to deepen Israel's unease and growing sense of isolation.

The big news of the week is undoubtedly President Trump's deal with Iran to bring an end to the war that has seen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint, shut for months. This agreement, as experts have been keen to point out, is just a start, creating a process for opening the Strait of Hormuz in the short run, and laying out a sixty-day timetable to address many other outstanding issues. What will this mean for constraining Iran's nuclear ambitions? How will it impact Israel's war with Hezbollah in Lebanon? What will it mean for a rattled global economy that's seen global trade disrupted and energy prices shoot up? How will a deal impact Europe, Greece and Cyprus? These are just a few questions swirling around in the wake of this deal. Steven Cook, Vassilis Nedos, Ian Lesser, and Maria Demertzis join Thanos Davelis as we try to answer these questions, breaking down what this deal could mean for Washington, for the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean, for Europe, and for the global economy.  A little more info on our guests: Steven Cook is the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. Vassilis Nedos is Kathimerini's diplomatic and defense editor. Ian Lesser is the vice president and Brussels chief of the German Marshall Fund of the United States. Maria Demertzis is a Professor of Economic Policy at the European University Institute. You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.

This week was one full of developments for the Eastern Mediterranean. Top of the list was the announcement in Houston of a major milestone for the region, as the US, Greece, Cyprus and Israel inaugurated the East Med Energy Center, putting into action a major provision of the landmark 2019 EastMed Act, a key priority of HALC. Earlier in the week the East Med Gas Forum was also in the headlines, as ministers and senior representatives from Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Palestine, Italy, the US, and the World Bank sat at the same table in DC. The meeting highlighted both Washington's and Greece's increasingly important role in shaping the region's energy agenda. As we saw East Med countries expand their cooperation, Turkey's increasingly confrontational posture in the region was on full display this week as its fighter jets interfered with a military aircraft carrying European defense officials to an EU meeting in Cyprus. Turning our attention to Greece, we're shifting gears to look at an ongoing challenge facing the country, which is protecting its natural landscapes. With reports of small wildfires already popping up in local media, and given that last week was World Environment Day, we look into how groups like Ecogenia and the California Conservation Corps are partnering up in the field in this summer to protect Greece's most valuable natural landscapes. 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. Stay tuned as we're back with another “I am HALC” segment, this time turning our attention to Chicago's Eleni Apostolopoulos Katsoulis, an attorney working at the intersection of healthcare and law that's now also tackling the legal dimensions of AI. Recognized as a 40 under 40 attorney to watch in Illinois, Eleni is also a former president of the Hellenic Bar Association, a founding member of the Hellenic Legal Assistance Services pro bono clinic, a member of HALC's first flagship Leadership 2030 class, and a dedicated mom. A little more info on our guests: Lena Argiri is the Washington, DC Correspondent for Greek Public Broadcasting (ERT) and Kathimerini. Sinan Ciddi is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and director of its Turkey program. Lia Papazoglou is the co-founder of Ecogenia. Annie Schroeder is a Project Coordinator for the California Conservation Corps. You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.

Darrell Castle talks about a bill currently working its way through the U.S. Congress which would, if passed, literally integrate the U.S. and Israeli militaries and would put funding for the Israeli military on auto pilot. Will it pass and be signed by the President? Many people seem to think it will so he takes a look at it today. THE ISRAELIZATION OF THE U.S. MILITARY Hello, this is Darrell Castle with today's Castle Report. This is Friday the 12th of June in the year of our Lord 2026. I will be talking about a bill currently working its way through the United States Congress which would, if passed, literally integrate the U.S. and Israeli militaries and would put funding for the Israeli military on auto pilot. Will it pass and be signed by the President. Many people seem to think it will so we take a look at it today. Yes, unfortunately it seems that certain members of the House of Representatives and the Senate of the United States are now ready to complete the process of uniting the two countries militaries. The first bill introduced in the House would have literally combined the two. Many of the Israel first politicians are already dual citizens so why not complete the process and stop all the hypocrisy. Just go ahead and make the U.S. military the official enforcement arm of Israeli foreign policy. The most egregious provision of the original bill is that the benefits due to American veterans like me, such as medical and educational benefits would have also been available to all Israeli veterans. That would have been a supreme insult to every American veteran who has ever served. The last time I checked there were about 15 million living American veterans so why not just insult them all while they are still alive. Just tell them all that “your service to this nation meant nothing” but certainly no more to America than an Israeli veteran meant to America. Fortunately, that portion of the bill was pulled before it advanced but there are rumors that it is still out there in Congress or at least in some of their minds and it will be added back in. The bill being considered is the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which would fund the U.S. military for another year. According to members of the House whose opinions I have read, there is near certainty that Section 224 of that bill will pass through the House and become law with the President's signature. Congressman Ro Khanna, Democrat, and Thomas Massie, Republican tried to pass an amendment to delete Section 224 but the amendment failed. That section will set up a “United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative” that integrates US-Israeli military research and development co-production of weapons systems, licensing agreements, AI, directed energy. Data integration, and missile defense. It creates the framework for bilateral research and development, co-production of weapons, joint ventures, licensing agreements, and virtually every manner of U.S.-Israeli military cooperation. The Director of this “Initiative” who will be responsible for coordination of the work will reportedly be an Israeli. The funding will come 100% from the U.S, treasury through part of the $1.5 trillion defense budget requested by President Trump. The purpose as stated is to fully connect the functionality of the U.S. military with that of the Israeli military in what is being described as an equal partnership that will include the government of Israel and the Israeli Defense Forces as full partners. There will be intelligence sharing and in fact the bill includes a requirement that intelligence must be shared. Israeli forces will be included in the planning process of how U.S. weapons are developed and procured.  This serves to explain at least in part why Netanyahu has been indicating recently that Israel might be willing to forego some of the mandatory $3.8 billion the U.S. gives it every year. He obviously knows there is an even bigger slice of American Pie coming his way via Section 224. The intelligence sharing portion of the bill was introduced by Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas which he calls “US-Israel Intelligence Sharing Enhancement.” Interestingly, at the same time the New York Times recently carried an article entitled “Pentagon Sees Growing Espionage Threat from Israel.” The article is sourced to the Defense Intelligence Agency which says that the espionage threat from Israel is at the highest possible level and even says that Israel eavesdropped on negotiations between the United States and Iran conducted in Pakistan. The senators pushing this bill often refer to Israel as our best friend and most trusted ally but at the same time the DIA has that country listed as the highest possible espionage threat. Just to keep following this espionage threat let me tell you or remind you of a couple of things this best friend has done during its roughly 78 years as a political nation. In 1984 when a man named Yitzhak Shamir was prime minister and Ronald Reagan was the US president; Israel dispatched an American of dual citizenship named Jonathan Pollard to do some spying against the US. Pollard worked in the US defense establishment and had access to some of the most highly classified military secrets. He stole and delivered the entire 10 volume DIA manual of in person or human intelligence operatives all over the world. The manual contained the names and locations of US intelligence operatives working in the Soviet Union and Communist China both countries in a desperate cold war with the US. Pollard delivered the manual along with many other vital intelligence documents to his handlers in Israel. Can you guess what our best friend and most trusted ally did with the manual and other information. Yes, that's right, they gave it to the Soviet Union and Communist China in exchange for “favors”. Thousands of US personnel along with foreign operatives working with US Intelligence were arrested and many were killed so I guess as the saying goes with friends like that who needs enemies. Pollard did his work in 1984 and in 1987 he was sentenced to life in prison and he served exactly 30 years plus five years of probation. He was then allowed to move to Israel where he has hero status. The American Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, had him over to the US Embassy for a little get together recently. That Pollard incident illustrates the one-sided relationship the US has with Israel quite clearly but as bad as it was it was not the worst. No, the worst happened in 1967 when a man named Levi Eshkol was Prime Minister of Israel and Lyndon Johnson was US President. In fact, last Monday the 8th of June was the 59th anniversary of the Israeli attack on an American ship named USS Liberty. The Liberty was an intelligence gathering ship operating in International Waters in the Eastern Mediterranean when it was attacked by air forces of Israel. This attack was not an accident or improper identification or anything except a deliberate act of murder. The Liberty, an unarmed vessel, was relentless bombed and strafed by Israeli jets while clearly flying the American flag. The attack severed the radio mast and cut off the crew's ability to send a distress call but one crewman managed to climb on deck despite strafing fire, raise an antenna and get off a distress call. Out in the Med a US carrier heard the message and immediately launched jets for a rescue effort. I can tell you from a lot of personal experience that there is nothing that motivates US soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines like coming to the rescue of brothers in trouble. Unfortunately, the US Commander in Chief, Lyndon Johnson personally ordered the Carrier captain to withdraw his jets. They left Liberty to die on its own but the little ship and its crew refused to die. 34 men were killed and 171 wounded but the ship would not sink and made it back to port. The pilots of our most trusted friend and ally even machine-gunned wounded sailors in the water something honorable men do not do even when their nations are at war. No real investigation by government investigators with subpoena power has ever been conducted to my knowledge. Oh, there was a cursory inquiry as there always is but according to reporter Donald Jeffries who did a yeoman's job of private investigation and who has written extensively about the matter President Johnson ordered the board of inquiry to rule it an accident. Why did the Israelis attack the USS Liberty. Without going into a lot of what amounts to guesswork, it was probably because Israel was fighting what came to be known as the six-day-war against a coalition of enemy nations one of which was Egypt. The Liberty was to be sunk and the incident blamed on the Egyptians which would have given the US an excuse to enter the war against Egypt as retaliation. In both the Liberty attack and the Pollard incident not a single thing regarding US policy toward Israel changed. Not one dollar was cut from the very generous support.  Compare this to the reaction upon news this week that an Apache Attack Helicopter had been shot down in the Persian Gulf near Hormuz. The President said he would retaliate with a massive bombing attack and would “take over” Iran's petroleum industry. I don't believe the story which makes no sense but not much in this war makes sense. An Apache is an attack helicopter with a mission of finding and destroying enemy armor but it can be used for armed reconnaissance as well. Perhaps that was its mission over the Gulf. It landed in the water with no injuries to crew so no I don't believe it and it was probably done by Israel if it was done at all. I don't think it was more than an excuse to resume the war. Finally, folks, the US has reportedly given Israel more than $300 billion since its founding in 1948 but it is on the brink of an even more egregious relationship whereby it combines its military with that of Israel. Something causes Washington politicians to shower our money that we work for on Israel and to support it while it robs the US at home and commits mass murder abroad. Why is the question. If all our politicians are blackmailed prostitutes shouldn't we have some knowledge of our worth, How much do they get from the pimps who own them. At least that's the way I seen it. Until next time folks, This is Darrell Castle, Thanks for listening.

Jerusalem Morning Briefing — Thursday, June 11, 2026 | Zmanim, IMS Israel and MoreJerusalem, Israel | Weather With Enthusiasm — Kol Simcha Productions═══════════════════════════════════════════HEBREW DATE & PARSHA (ISRAEL CYCLE)═══════════════════════════════════════════Hebrew Date: 26 Sivan 5786Parsha (Israel cycle): Korach Israel is one parsha ahead of the diaspora this week. Israel reads Korach this Shabbos (June 13, 28 Sivan). Diaspora reads Sh'lach June 13.Shabbos Mevarchim Chodesh Tamuz: June 13, 2026 Molad Tamuz: Monday, 6:46 AM and 16 chalakimRosh Chodesh Tamuz: June 15–16, 2026Daf Yomi: Chullin 42═══════════════════════════════════════════TODAY'S ZMANIM — Jerusalem (31.769°N 35.216°E, elev. 786m)═══════════════════════════════════════════Alot HaShachar (16.1°): 4:05:56 AMMisheyakir (Lenient 11.5°): 4:33:44 AMMisheyakir (Machmir 10.2°): 4:41:18 AMHanetz HaChama (Sunrise): 5:33:06 AMSof Zman Shma (GRA): 9:05:59 AMSof Zman Tefila (GRA): 10:16:56 AMChatzos (Solar Noon): 12:38:51 PMMincha Gedola: 1:14:20 PMMincha Ketana: 4:47:12 PMPlag HaMincha: 6:15:54 PMShkiah (Sunset): 7:44:36 PMTzeit HaKochavim (42 min): 8:26:36 PM═══════════════════════════════════════════WEATHER SUMMARY — IMS ISRAEL═══════════════════════════════════════════Issued: Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 4:12 AM IDTSource: Israel Meteorological Service (ims.gov.il)Today — Jerusalem: Conditions: Partly cloudy to clear; early morning mountain obscuration clearing by 10 AM High: 28°C (82°F) | Low: 16°C (61°F) Wind: 3 km/h east (gusts to 10 km/h) Humidity: 83% (early morning, drops significantly by midday) UV Index: 11 — EXTREME (sun protection essential 10 AM–4 PM)Active IMS Warnings:

With tensions running high in the Middle East, President Trump on Friday said Iranian leaders had not yet reached a deal with the US to end the ongoing war. President Trump has insisted that he's in no rush to make a deal, and that he doesn't care about how the ongoing war could impact the midterms. At the same time, fighting between Israel and Hezbollah is showing little sign of slowing down, despite attempts by the Trump administration to broker a cease-fire between the two.  These conflicts have sounded the alarm in Europe, especially in countries like Cyprus, where dealing with the fallout from these crises has become a key part of the national debate. This was the climate that Cyprus recently held parliamentary elections in, elections that saw anti-establishment parties gain ground. These elections can be seen as a benchmark of trends ahead of the upcoming 2028 presidential election. Meanwhile, a major tourist development project in Albania, with links to Jared Kushner, has become the focus of protests and political controversy that is even pulling Greece into the story. Local residents, including many ethnic Greeks living in the area, have expressed concerns about the project, with issues ranging from transparency and environmental concerns to long running disputes over property rights. 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're highlighting one of HALC's earliest members and a member of its first flagship Leadership 2030 team in Chicago, Peter Kourkouvis. An attorney making a name for himself in real estate law, he's also playing an integral role in putting Greek culture - from the arts to music - in the spotlight in Chicago, setting up major tribute concerts dedicated to Rebetiko music, Mikis Theodorakis, and Manos Hatzidakis. A little more info on our guests: Aaron David Miller is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and expert on the Middle East. Nektaria Stamouli is the deputy editor in chief of Kathimerini's English Edition and Politico's Eastern Mediterranean correspondent. Yannis Papadopoulos is a journalist with Kathimerini. You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.

Welcome to Greek News Global for 4 June 2026, with legendary Greek-Australian journalist, John Mangos. In this bulletin; the EU and Israel weigh in on Turkey's Blue Homeland. Turkey dealt a blow on their Turkaegean campaign. Greek tensions with Albania escalate. And heavy metal causes an earthquake in AthensSend us Fan MailSupport the showEmail us at ouzotalk@outlook.comSubscribe to our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OuzoTalkFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OuzoTalkFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ouzo_talk/

Jerusalem Morning Briefing — Thursday, June 4, 2026Produced by Kol Simcha Productions | Weather With EnthusiasmHEBREW DATE & PARSHA (Israel cycle)19 Sivan 5786 | Parashat Sh'lachTODAY'S ZMANIM — Jerusalem, IsraelAlos HaShachar (Dawn): 4:07 AMMisheyakir (Earliest Talis & Tefillin): 4:35 AMNetz HaChama (Sunrise): 5:34 AMLatest Krias Shma: 9:05 AMLatest Tefila: 10:16 AMChatzos: 12:37 PMMincha Gedola (Earliest Mincha): 1:13 PMShkiah (Sunset): 7:41 PMSHABBOS TIMES — Parashat Sh'lachHadlakas Neiros (Candle Lighting, Friday): 7:01 PM (40 min before shkiah — minhag Yerushalayim)Havdalah (Saturday night): 8:32 PM (50 min after sunset)WEATHER SUMMARYClear and beautiful in Jerusalem. High of 30°C (86°F), lows near 20°C (68°F). Northwest winds at ~5 m/s (11 mph) — the classic Mediterranean sea breeze. Humidity 20%. Zero cloud cover. No active IMS warnings for Jerusalem. Heat stress warnings remain in effect for the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea area. No rain expected — deep into Jerusalem's dry season.IMS WEATHER DISCUSSION SUMMARYBroad high-pressure ridge dominates the Eastern Mediterranean — the classic summer pattern. The Azores High extends eastward, locking out precipitation from May through September. Jerusalem at ~750-800m elevation stays comfortable while the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea area below sea level experience intense heat amplification. 5-day outlook: Friday partly cloudy 29°C; Saturday–Sunday clear, 26–30°C; all dry.WEATHER HISTORY — June 4thOn June 4, 1984, heavy rains of up to 7 inches fell over western South Dakota, causing the Bad River to rise more than 23 feet in six hours at Fort Pierre. A dam 17 miles west of the city gave way, sending floodwaters surging across roads, bridges, and homes. (Source: NWS Aberdeen, SD)KIDS ACTIVITIES IN JERUSALEM TODAY1. City of David National Park — Walk through Hezekiah's 2,800-year-old tunnel carved through solid rock. Open all day. Admission required.2. Temple Institute (Jewish Quarter, Old City) — Tour vessels prepared for the Third Temple. English/Hebrew tours available. Admission required.3. Dig for a Day (Beit Guvrin, ~40 min south) — Excavate real Maccabean-era caves and sift for artifacts. Open mornings. Admission required.4. Biblical Zoo / Tisch Family Zoological Gardens (Malcha) — Torah and Tanach animals. Open all day. Admission required.5. Teddy Park Splash Fountains (near Old City walls) — Free outdoor fountain fun for young children on a warm afternoon. Free.TOMORROW'S ZMANIM — Jerusalem, Israel — Friday, June 5, 2026 (20 Sivan 5786)Alos HaShachar (Dawn): 4:07 AMMisheyakir (Earliest Talis & Tefillin): 4:35 AMNetz HaChama (Sunrise): 5:34 AMLatest Krias Shma: 9:06 AMLatest Tefila: 10:16 AMChatzos: 12:38 PMMincha Gedola (Earliest Mincha): 1:13 PMShkiah (Sunset): 7:42 PMBackground music: Glass Beads by Blue Dot Sessions (CC BY-NC 4.0)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weather-with-enthusiasm--4911017/support.Weather with Enthusiasm is produced by Kol Simcha Productions.New episodes drop daily (B'N)— a morning forecast at 7 AM and historical deep dives Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact: kolsimchaproductions@outlook.comHistorical content is thoroughly researched and factually verified. After it has been factually verified it often will say so in the description. Should you find any mistakes, please email kolsimchaproductions@outlook.com so we can look into it and correct it. Not affiliated with any government agency or academic institution. Presented for educational and entertainment purposes — with meaning.Support the show — exclusive bonus episodes available to subscribers for just $2/month at spreaker.com/organization/kol-simcha

Jerusalem Morning Briefing — Wednesday, June 3, 2026 Produced by Kol Simcha Productions | Weather With Enthusiasm HEBREW DATE & PARSHA 18 Sivan 5786 | Parashat Sh'lach TODAY'S ZMANIM — Jerusalem, Israel Alos HaShachar (Dawn): 4:07 AM Misheyakir (Earliest Talis & Tefillin): 4:35 AM Netz HaChama (Sunrise): 5:34 AM Latest Krias Shma: 9:05 AM Latest Tefila: 10:16 AM Chatzos: 12:37 PM Mincha Gedola (Earliest Mincha): 1:12 PM Shkiah (Sunset): 7:40 PM WEATHER SUMMARY A gorgeous late-spring day in Jerusalem. Clear skies with some high-level clouds drifting through this evening. High near 82°F (28°C). A northwest Mediterranean sea breeze picks up this afternoon, winds 10–14 mph with gusts near 25 mph. Humidity around 25–30%. Air quality listed as Poor due to dust and particulates — sensitive individuals should limit outdoor exposure. Tonight: mainly clear and mild, lows near 65°F (18°C). IMS WEATHER DISCUSSION SUMMARY Issued: Israel Meteorological Service, updated 5:56 PM IDT, Wednesday June 3, 2026. High pressure dominates the Eastern Mediterranean, extending the classic dry-season pattern over Israel. No precipitation is expected. The broad high-pressure ridge suppresses cloud formation and locks out rain systems for the foreseeable future — completely normal for early June. Active IMS Warnings (June 3): Yellow Heat Stress Warning from 1:00 PM–7:00 PM in the Bet Shean Valley, Kinarot Valley, Jordan Valley, South Judea Desert, Dead Sea area, and Arava. Looking ahead: Thursday brings clear skies and a high of 30°C (86°F) with an Orange Heat Stress Warning for the Jordan Valley. Friday through Sunday remain clear and dry, with temperatures ranging 26–30°C. WEATHER HISTORY — June 3rd On June 3, 1933, an estimated F2 tornado — with winds between 113 and 157 mph — carved a 15-mile path across the plains of South Dakota, beginning 6 miles southwest of Wilmot. A child was killed in a barn, and debris from rooftops, barns, and a church was scattered for miles. More than a dozen farms were heavily damaged, a reminder that violent tornadoes have struck communities across the full breadth of America throughout recorded history. KIDS ACTIVITIES IN JERUSALEM TODAY 1. Israel Museum (Ruppin Blvd) — All day. Shrine of the Book (Dead Sea Scrolls), Second Temple model, world-class exhibitions. Admission required. 2. National Library of Israel (Givat Ram) — Public tours available in Hebrew and English. New stunning building open to visitors. Free admission to general areas. 3. Ein Yael Living Museum — Morning hours. Hands-on journey to biblical-era Judea — pottery, weaving, ancient artisans. Admission required. 4. Biblical Zoo / Tisch Family Zoological Gardens (Malcha) — All day. Animals from the Torah and Tanach. Great for all ages. Admission required. 5. Jerusalem Ropes Course (Jerusalem Hills) — Zip lines, rope ladders, aerial challenges for school-age children and teens. Call ahead to confirm schedule. TOMORROW'S ZMANIM — Jerusalem, Israel — Thursday, June 4, 2026 Alos HaShachar (Dawn): 4:07 AM Misheyakir (Earliest Talis & Tefillin): 4:34 AM Netz HaChama (Sunrise): 5:33 AM Latest Krias Shma: 9:05 AM Latest Tefila: 10:16 AM Chatzos: 12:37 PM Mincha Gedola (Earliest Mincha): 1:12 PM Shkiah (Sunset): 7:41 PM CANDLE LIGHTING MINHAG — Jerusalem Hadlakas Neiros: 40 minutes before Shkiah (minhag Yerushalayim) Havdalah: 50 minutes after Shkiah (Saturday night) Background music: Glass Beads by Blue Dot Sessions (CC BY-NC 4.0)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weather-with-enthusiasm--4911017/support.Weather with Enthusiasm is produced by Kol Simcha Productions.New episodes drop daily (B'N)— a morning forecast at 7 AM and historical deep dives Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact: kolsimchaproductions@outlook.comHistorical content is thoroughly researched and factually verified. After it has been factually verified it often will say so in the description. Should you find any mistakes, please email kolsimchaproductions@outlook.com so we can look into it and correct it. Not affiliated with any government agency or academic institution. Presented for educational and entertainment purposes — with meaning.Support the show — exclusive bonus episodes available to subscribers for just $2/month at spreaker.com/organization/kol-simcha

Ramesses and Hattusili (Part 2). After the marriage to a Hittite princess in Year 34, Ramesses II had much to offer his northern family. A visit from the King of Hatti's son, seeking food supplies, may relate to repeated hunger crises in Syria and Hatti. Pharaoh's support brought the two kingdoms closer together, although we must wonder if the Bronze Age Collapse has now begun... Finally a text known as the Bentresh Stela offers a fairytale memory of Ramesses' relations with Hatti. Music: Keith Zizza. Music: Luke Chaos. == Select References - Hattusili and Ramesses Brand, P. J. (2023). Ramesses II: Egypt's Ultimate Pharaoh. Bryce, T. (2003). Letters of the Great Kings of the Ancient Near East: The Royal Correspondence of the Late Bronze Age. Bryce, T. (2005). The Kingdom of the Hittites (2nd ed.). Divon, S. A. (2008). A Survey of the Textual Evidence for “Food Shortage” from the Late Hittite Empire. In The City of Emar Among the Late Bronze Age Empires (pp. 101--109). Online. Drews, R. (1993). The End of the Bronze Age. Edel, E. (1994). Die ägyptisch-hethitische Korrespondenz aus Boghazköi in babylonischer und hethitischer Sprache I. Hoffner Jr., H. A. (2009). Letters from the Hittite Kingdom. Kaniewski, D., et al. (2020). Climate Change and Social Unrest: A 6,000‐Year Chronicle From the Eastern Mediterranean. Geophysical Research Letters, 47. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL087496 Klengel, H. (1974). “Hungerjahre” in Hatti. Altorientalische Forschungen, 1, 165—174. Kuslu, Y., & Sahin, U. (2009). Water Structures in Anatolia from Past to Present. Journal of Applied Sciences Research, 5, 2109--2116. Nougayrol, E., et al. (1968). Ugaritica V. Owen, D. I. (1981). An Akkadian Letter from Ugarit at Tel Aphek. Tel Aviv, 8, 1--17. Online. Singer, I. (2011). The Calm Before the Storm: Selected Writings of Itamar Singer on the Late Bronze Age in Anatolia and the Levant. Select References - The Bentresh Stela Erman, A. (1883). Die Bentreschstele. Zeitschrift Für Ägyptische Sprache Und Altertumskunde, 21, 54–60. Kitchen, K. A. (1975). Ramesside Inscriptions Historical and Biographical (Vol. 2). Kitchen, K. A. (1993a). Ramesside Inscriptions Translated and Annotated: Notes and Comments (Vol. 2). Kitchen, K. A. (1993b). Ramesside Inscriptions Translated and Annotated: Translations (Vol. 2). Posener, G. (1934). À propos de la stèle de Bentresh. Bulletin de l'Institut Français d'Archéologie Orientale, 34, 75--81. https://www.ifao.egnet.net/bifao/34/ Spalinger, A. (1977). On the Bentresh stela and related problems. Journal of the Society for the Study of Egyptian Antiquities, 8, 11--18. Online. Witthuhn, O., et al. (2015). Die Bentresch-Stele: Ein Quellen- und Lesebuch. Online. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Turkey is once again raising tensions in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, this time putting countries in the region on alert as it prepares a “Blue Homeland” piece of legislation that would essentially enshrine Ankara's maritime claims into domestic law. The move has Athens on alert, and the question everyone is wondering is whether Turkey is now turning its back on maintaining calm in the region - something that was agreed in Athens a few years ago. Beyond the Aegean and its maritime claims, Turkey is also looking to flex its muscles on the commercial side. This proposed bill comes as Ankara has been looking to send a message that it intends to have the final say on projects being developed in the region. We've seen this in Turkey's interference with projects like the Great Sea Interconnector, while Ankara is now positioning itself as a direct rival to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), a project backed by the US and the EU. While tensions simmer in the Aegean and the East Med, another story has been developing in the Ionian Sea, on the other side of Greece, where a suspected Ukrainian naval drone was discovered off the island of Lefkada. The news dominated headlines in Greece, and is raising concerns about the war in Ukraine spreading to the Mediterranean. 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. A little more info on our guests: Kostas Ifantis is a Professor of International Relations at Panteion University of Athens who has previously served as Director for Research at the Policy Planning Center of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ryan Gingeras is a professor in the Department of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and an expert on Turkish, Balkan, and Middle East history. Endy Zemenides is HALC's Executive Director. Sinan Ciddi is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and director of its Turkey program. Vassilis Nedos is Kathimerini's diplomatic and defense editor. You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.

Welcome to Greek News Global for 15 May 2026, with legendary Greek-Australian journalist, John Mangos. In this bulletin; Chinese President invokes Thucydides to Trump. Turkish media claiming half of Crete. Greece to repay debts earlier than expected… and Metallica goes Greek, with a metal version of Zorba.Send us Fan MailSupport the showEmail us at ouzotalk@outlook.comSubscribe to our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OuzoTalkFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OuzoTalkFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ouzo_talk/

Ankara has voiced alarm at Cyprus's announcement that France will deploy soldiers on the Mediterranean island. The move has fuelled Turkish fears of encirclement, as Cyprus and Greece continue to deepen defence ties with Turkey's rival Israel. Turkish officials have strongly criticised France's plan to send soldiers to Cyprus, warning it could escalate tensions. Cyprus has remained divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded following a coup backed by Greece. The north is governed by a Turkish Cypriot administration recognised only by Turkey. Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides stated that the French deployment is part of a Status of Forces Agreement to be signed in June. France increased its military support, sending forces to the area after Iranian missiles targeted the island. But Ankara sees the move as part of a growing rivalry with Paris. “Turkey and France are geopolitical rivals. They have been competing with each other in Africa and the eastern Mediterranean,” explains international relations professor Serhat Guvenc of Istanbul's Kadir Has University. “France is inclined to view Turkey as a potential revisionist power, pursuing hegemonic aspirations in the region,” he said, adding that Cyprus is a small island and a concentration of military power without unified command could lead to unwanted escalation. Cyprus's EU presidency: seeking resilience in a new world order Christodoulides downplayed Turkish concerns, stating that any French deployment would serve “humanitarian purposes". However, former Cypriot ambassador Euripides Evriviades argues that Turkey's military presence is the primary security threat in Cyprus. “These things are happening because we feel very insecure – it is 40,000 Turkish troops on the island in an aggressive posture,” said Evriviades. “The insecurity on the island stems directly from the continued occupation and violations of human rights that come with any occupation." French backing Macron's support for Cyprus echoes his strong backing of Greece. During a recent visit to Athens, he said there was “no room for doubt” about France's military support for Greece against any threats, a statement widely interpreted as being aimed at Turkey. France's increased support for Greece and Cyprus coincides with Athens and Nicosia strengthening security ties with Israel. Cyprus urges EU to agree plan for defence of member states ahead of summit “The Cyprus problem is no longer the Cyprus problem per se, but has become a part of the wider geopolitical rivalries in the region,” said Guvenc. Turkish-Israeli relations remain tense, with both sides viewing each other as a threat. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned that the alignment of Cyprus, Israel and Greece is an attempt to “encircle Turkey". Ankara fears that such a military alliance could be used to advance Greek and Cypriot claims over the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, where Turkey and Greece have multiple territorial disputes. “If they combine their military and naval capabilities, they may attempt to deny Turkey access to the Eastern Mediterranean. So this is a danger,” said Guvenc. Cycle of distrust The upcoming Washington summit involving Greece, Cyprus and Israel is likely to intensify Ankara's concerns about isolation. Ozgur Unluhisarcikli, head of the German Marshall Fund office in Ankara, warns that the region is caught in a growing cycle of distrust, and any new military deployment to Cyprus is likely to prompt a reciprocal response. “Turkey could make new deployments, drones, even fighter jets,” he said. Turkey steps up as Europe's indispensable and uncomfortable defence partner Unluhisarcikli also cautions that renewed tensions over Cyprus are a dangerous distraction from the ongoing Russian threat. “At a time when the transatlantic community at large is facing much larger external threats, NATO allies should not be posturing against each other, and that's what we are seeing. This is unacceptable." “The risk of a real confrontation is very limited, but it will lead both sides to double down on their current positions,” he added. Turkey, which has the second-largest army in NATO, is viewed by some in the European Union as a potential answer to concerns about the United States' commitment to Europe's defence amid the ongoing Russian threat. However, renewed tensions over Cyprus may undermine these expectations.

“During the recent conflict [in Iran], there was a pause, not a full stop or halt of the functions. Once the airspace opened up again, we reprioritized the delivery of those life-saving kits to the member states, and we came back on track… We still find hope in the communication between the different member states, between the different partners to secure some of these supplies, or keep supply chains alive.” Daniel Dadzie speaks to Hanan Balkhy, the World Health Organisation's Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, about navigating the challenges posed by recent conflicts in Sudan and Iran. It's one of six regional WHO offices around the world, covering a total population of nearly 745 million people from Morocco in the west to Pakistan in the east, and as far south as Sudan. The WHO works with governments and local authorities to improve access to basic healthcare and provide support during humanitarian emergencies. Global supply chains were severely disrupted when the conflict in Iran began just over two months ago. Although much of the focus of this disruption has been on oil and trade, crucial medical supplies have also been delayed in reaching where they're needed most. The Interview brings you conversations with people shaping our world, from all over the world. The best interviews from the BBC, including episodes with entrepreneur Isaac Larian, African politics professor Simukai Chikudu, and campaigner Baroness Arminka Helic. You can listen on the BBC World Service on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 0800 GMT. Or you can listen to The Interview as a podcast, out three times a week on BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts. Presenter: Daniel Dadzie Producers: Ben Cooper and Simon Mbai Editor: Damon Rose Get in touch with us on email TheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the hashtag #TheInterviewBBC on social media.(Image: Hanan Balkhy. Credit: Getty)

Last week Cyprus was at the heart of EU developments. For two days it hosted leaders from the EU, from the Middle East, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Topics ranged from critical security issues and the war in Iran, to Europe's engagement with the broader Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East. On the security front, Cyprus is keen to make the EU's Article 42.7, a mutual defense clause similar to NATO's Article 5, work in practice. There is a new sense of urgency around this issue after Cyprus was targeted by drones amid the fallout of the Iran war, and as a result of questions about Washington's commitments to NATO and European security. 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.  Taking us to our I am HALC segment, we're highlighting Judge Tom Sianis, a longtime member of HALC with a lifetime commitment to public service and justice. Elected to serve as a Cook County Circuit Court Judge in 2018, Judge Sianis is currently Presiding Judge of the First Municipal District. Throughout his career Tom has been a shining example of Hellenism in public service, from when his career took off at the Cook County State's Attorney's Office to his election to the bench. A little more info on our guests: Konstantinos Letymbiotis is the government spokesperson of the Republic of Cyprus. Ian Lesser is the vice president and Brussels chief of the German Marshall Fund of the United States. Alexis Papachelas is the Executive Editor of Kathimerini. You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.

Over the past weeks those watching the Eastern Mediterranean can't help but notice that tensions are heating up between Turkey and Israel as Erdogan's escalatory posture has some wondering what the wider risks are should this current war of words take on new dimensions. Questions range from what this will mean for US efforts to manage an already tense Middle East, to how this will impact Greece, which has developed close ties with Israel over the past decade and a half? Deciding that he needed to chime in, we heard some headscratching remarks from US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, where he dismissed these tensions as “rhetoric”, and added that “Turkey is not a country to be messed with.” These comments drew the criticism of many, including The Wall Street Journal, which accused Ambassador Barrack of undermining US policy and interests. 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.  This week we're also putting the spotlight on a founding member of HALC, Bill Matsikoudis, in our latest “I am HALC” segment. A successful attorney and founding partner of Matsikoudis & Fanciullo, Bill's career has also seen him work in the Administration of New Jersey Governor James E. McGreevey, for Jersey City where he made headlines suing Fortune 500 companies guilty of polluting, and on Governor Mikie Sherrill's transition team for housing. A little more info on our guests: Sinan Ciddi is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and director of its Turkey program. Henri Barkey is an adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and Emeritus Cohen chair in international relations at Lehigh University.  Vassilis Nedos is Kathimerini's diplomatic and defense editor. You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.

Turkey's foreign minister has warned it could be Israel's "next enemy" as the war with Iran appears headed for closure, and called for a Middle East security pact amid rising tensions between the two countries.  "After Iran, Israel cannot live without an enemy – it has to develop a rhetoric to shape public opinion," declared Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in a television interview on Monday. "We see that not only Netanyahu's administration, but also some figures in the opposition – though not all – are seeking to declare Turkey the new enemy." Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has become one of the region's most vocal critics of Israel's military campaigns in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran, fuelling a surge in bilateral tensions. In response, Israel accuses Erdogan of backing terrorist organisations, including Hamas, whom Erdogan has called “liberation fighters". Diplomatic ties have withered, leaving only a skeleton crew in each respective embassy. Iraq turns to Turkey for oil exports as Middle East war reshapes routes Turkish-Israeli relations have a history of highs and lows, but current tensions are unprecedented, argues Turkish security analyst Arda Mevlutoglu. "Turkey is considering Israel a security threat because of the unpredictability factor of the Israeli government,” he said, noting that Israel's unpredictability, combined with a breakdown in mutual understanding, is causing deep unease within Ankara's corridors of power. “Mutual understanding is especially critical when it comes to establishing at least a minimum amount of security environment, and the lack of such ability forces Turkey to take precautionary measures in both diplomatic, strategic and military domains as well,” he said. Baku's 'silent diplomacy' Fidan on Monday also called for the formation of a Middle East security pact – following follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent warning of an emerging radical Sunni alliance in the region, which he said is threatening Israel. Alarmed by the escalating tensions, Azerbaijan – one of the few countries with strong ties to both Turkey and Israel – has quietly entered the fray. “We are behind the scenes through the silent diplomacy, effectively contributing to de-conflict certain elements of the misunderstandings and also building a certain trust and channels of communication between the two parties,” said Hikmet Haciyev, assistant to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and head of the country's Department of Foreign Affairs. Turkey-Azerbaijan alliance strained by opposing stances on Israel With Turkey and Israel both having a military hold in Syria, the country is a potential flashpoint. The Baku talks saw the creation of a hotline between Turkish and Israeli militaries to avoid any accidental clashes between their air forces, which routinely fly over Syria. But with two Israeli ministers last year calling for the assassination of the Syrian President Ahmed al-Assad, a key ally of Erdogan, Syria remains a hotspot, and Fidan warned on Monday that Israel could target Syria after the Iran conflict. Washington's role Turkey expert Gallia Lindenstrauss of Tel Aviv's Institute for National Security Studies, while acknowledging Baku's role, says more needs to be done. “I would say tensions between Turkey and Israel are high enough that the United States also has to be involved. And I think there's a wider understanding in Washington that they should play this role." Asli Aydintasbas, head of the Turkey Project at the Washington-based Brookings Institution think tank, agrees. Turkey pushes for European missile defence deal amid Iran tensions "Washington certainly has to step in and do more in order to mediate between Turkey and Israel. This is a very, very dangerous rivalry and it has the hallmarks of emerging into a long-term enmity,” she warned. However, Aydintasbas questions Washington's readiness and ability. “Traditionally, it's been the US role, actually, to mediate between Turkey and Israel. The Trump administration, though, is not very focused on it. This is not the kind of stuff the Trump administration excels in – the painstaking, cumbersome work of diplomacy, of roadmaps, confidence-building measures and so on," she said. The formidable strength of both the Israeli and Turkish militaries serves as a strong deterrent against open conflict. Yet, as both nations vie for influence across overlapping arenas – from the Gulf States to the Horn of Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean – the risk of escalation and regional destabilisation continues to cast a long shadow.

Recently we marked 77 years since the NATO alliance was founded. Instead of celebrating this milestone, however, President Trump's comments slamming NATO over its reluctance to help the US secure the Straits of Hormuz, including calling the alliance a “paper tiger” and saying NATO allies were “tested” and they “failed”, have left allies wondering if the future of the alliance is in doubt. Given President Trump's statements, could a US withdrawal from NATO be in the cards, and what would it mean for the US and for allied countries like Greece?  James Lindsay and Ino Afentouli join Thanos Davelis as we break down why NATO matters in a world of increasing great power rivalry, what's at stake for the US, and why it's critical for Greece, Southeastern Europe, and the Eastern Mediterranean. This week we're also digging into Greek history as Greece recently commemorated the 200th anniversary of the heroic exodus of the Greeks from the besieged city of Messolonghi during the Greek Revolution. We break down this story with Professor Alexander Kitroeff who explains why it was a pivotal moment for the Greek Revolution, how it galvanized philhellenes around the world, and why this story still resonates today. Taking us to our “I am HALC” segment, we're highlighting one of HALC's earliest members, Harry Koulos. A distinguished attorney, Harry has been named one of Best Lawyers' Ones to Watch since 2024. He honed his skills as a clerk in Federal court and at one of the biggest law firms in the US, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, before taking his expertise to Kibler Fowler & Cave, where he currently practices. A distinguished leader, Harry's passion for the law is equal to his passion for his Hellenic identity and the community. A little more info on our guests: James Lindsay is the Mary and David Boies distinguished senior fellow in U.S. foreign policy at the Council on Foreign Relations. Ino Afentouli is the Senior Policy Advisor and Head of the Observatory of Geopolitics and Diplomacy at ELIAMEP. Alexander Kitroeff is a professor of history with an expertise in Greece and the diaspora. You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.

In today's episode, I am joined by Eric H. Cline, an archaeologist and ancient historian at George Washington University. He speaks about the time of innovation and change that comes as the Bronze Age collapses and the Iron Age emerges in his book After 1177BC: The Survival of Civilizations.At the end of the acclaimed history 1177 B.C., many of the Late Bronze Age civilizations of the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean lay in ruins, undone by invasion, revolt, natural disasters, famine, and the demise of international trade. An interconnected world that had boasted major empires and societies, relative peace, robust commerce, and monumental architecture was lost and the so-called First Dark Age had begun.Now, in After 1177 B.C., Eric Cline tells the compelling story ofwhat happened next, over four centuries, across the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean world. It is a story of resilience, transformation, and success, as well as failures, in an age of chaos and reconfiguration. After 1177 B.C. tells how the collapse of powerful Late Bronze Age civilizations created new circumstances to which people and societies had to adapt. Those that failed to adjust disappeared from the world stage, while others transformed themselves, resulting in a new world order that included Phoenicians, Philistines, Israelites, Neo-Hittites, Neo-Assyrians, and Neo-Babylonians. Taking the story up to the resurgence of Greece marked by the first Olympic Games in 776 B.C., the book also describes how world-changing innovations such as the use of iron and the alphabet emerged amid the chaos. Dr. Eric H. Cline is Professor of Classical and Ancient NearEastern Studies and Anthropology, the former Chair of the Department of Classical and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, and the current Director of the GWUCapitol Archaeological Institute. He is a National Geographic Explorer, a two-time Fulbright scholar, an NEH Public Scholar, a Getty Scholar, and an award-winning teacher andauthor. In May 2015, he was awarded an honorary doctoral degree (honoris causa) from Muhlenberg College.An archaeologist and ancient historian by training, Dr.Cline's primary fields of study are biblical archaeology, the military history of the Mediterranean world from antiquity to present, and the international connections between Greece, Egypt, and the Near East during the Late Bronze Age (1700-1100 BCE). He is an experienced and active field archaeologist, with more than 30 seasons of excavation and survey to his credit since 1980 in Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Cyprus, Greece, Crete, and the United States. He is perhaps best known for his work on collapse and resilience in the ancient world, specifically at the end of the second millennium BCE and the early first millennium BCE in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, epitomized by the best-selling 1177 BC: The Year Civilization Collapsed (Princeton 2014; revised edition 2021).

With the war in Iran dragging on, its ripple effects are being felt around the world. Beyond the clear questions around regional security, stretching from the Middle East to Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean, we are also in the midst of what could be an unprecedented and escalating global energy crisis as strikes on international shipping in the strait of Hormuz, which is critical to the oil and gas industry, have essentially shut this vital chokepoint. The war is also testing transatlantic unity, as President Trump warned in a recent interview with the Financial Times that “it will be very bad for the future of NATO” if European nations do not join the US in reopening the strait of Hormuz. So far, the message from European leaders is that this isn't Europe's war. Despite this message, developments in the Middle East impact Europe, and the case of Cyprus is not only raising questions in Brussels about the EU's ability to defend its own members, but in Washington as well, where the recent targeting of Cyprus is renewing efforts to permanently end the Cyprus arms embargo. 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. Taking us to our “I am HALC” segment, we're highlighting Lexy Prodromos, an emerging leader in the Greek-American community, where she is part of HALC's class of Leadership 2030 fellows, and a recognized leader when it comes to blockchain technology who is now making waves both in the US and internationally as COO at the Prodromos Stem Cell Institute. A little more info on our guests: Ian Lesser is the vice president and Brussels chief of the German Marshall Fund of the United States. Dr. Zissis Marmarelis is a Stavros Niarchos Foundation Academy Fellow at Chatham House with a focus on the geopolitics of energy. Damian Murphy is the senior vice president for National Security and International Policy at the Center for American Progress. Endy Zemenides is HALC's executive director. You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.

On the Edge: Endbands in the Bookbinding Traditions of the Eastern Mediterranean by Dr Giorgios Boudalis (Legacy Press, 2022). The term endbands designates the two bands worked with thread(s) at the head and tail edges of the spine of a book. The techniques with which they are worked and the ways with which they are connected to a bound codex vary greatly over time and geography. The purpose of this book is to identify, classify and describe several of these different techniques used in manuscript books bound within different cultures in the Eastern Mediterranean from Late Antiquity until the 20th century. The book is richly illustrated with full-colour photographs and technical drawings explaining how these endbands were made and how they can be replicated. The guest on the podcast was Dr Giorgios Boudalis. Dr Boudalis studied conservation of art in Florence and Athens, and Fine Arts in Thessaloniki, Greece, where he lives. In 2005 he completed his Ph.D. at the University of the Arts, London, on the evolution of Byzantine and post-Byzantine bookbinding, and he has since been researching and publishing on the topics of bookbinding history and manuscript conservation. Since 1997 he has been working in book conservation for public and private institutions and collections. His research focuses on the study of the manuscript book in the Eastern Mediterranean using physical, written and iconographical evidence, and he is especially interested in the making of the codex and its relation to other crafts and artefacts. Since 2006 he has been teaching courses on various aspects of Eastern Mediterranean bookbinding structures both on an historical and technical level. He is a co-editor of the Language of Bindings Thesaurus of the Ligatus Research Centre, and he was a visiting scholar and an adjunct professor at Bard Graduate Center in New York where in 2018 he curated the exhibition, The Codex and Crafts in Late Antiquity, and published a book with the same title. Lauren Fonto is a Master's student in the program Heritage and Cultural Sciences: Heritage Conservation at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. Her current research focuses on cleaning gilded wooden frames using gels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

On the Edge: Endbands in the Bookbinding Traditions of the Eastern Mediterranean by Dr Giorgios Boudalis (Legacy Press, 2022). The term endbands designates the two bands worked with thread(s) at the head and tail edges of the spine of a book. The techniques with which they are worked and the ways with which they are connected to a bound codex vary greatly over time and geography. The purpose of this book is to identify, classify and describe several of these different techniques used in manuscript books bound within different cultures in the Eastern Mediterranean from Late Antiquity until the 20th century. The book is richly illustrated with full-colour photographs and technical drawings explaining how these endbands were made and how they can be replicated. The guest on the podcast was Dr Giorgios Boudalis. Dr Boudalis studied conservation of art in Florence and Athens, and Fine Arts in Thessaloniki, Greece, where he lives. In 2005 he completed his Ph.D. at the University of the Arts, London, on the evolution of Byzantine and post-Byzantine bookbinding, and he has since been researching and publishing on the topics of bookbinding history and manuscript conservation. Since 1997 he has been working in book conservation for public and private institutions and collections. His research focuses on the study of the manuscript book in the Eastern Mediterranean using physical, written and iconographical evidence, and he is especially interested in the making of the codex and its relation to other crafts and artefacts. Since 2006 he has been teaching courses on various aspects of Eastern Mediterranean bookbinding structures both on an historical and technical level. He is a co-editor of the Language of Bindings Thesaurus of the Ligatus Research Centre, and he was a visiting scholar and an adjunct professor at Bard Graduate Center in New York where in 2018 he curated the exhibition, The Codex and Crafts in Late Antiquity, and published a book with the same title. Lauren Fonto is a Master's student in the program Heritage and Cultural Sciences: Heritage Conservation at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. Her current research focuses on cleaning gilded wooden frames using gels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/art

This week kicked off with Turkey announcing the deployment of a number of fighter jets to the occupied part of Cyprus, a move that not only represents a significant escalation in the militarization of the Eastern Mediterranean, where Cyprus has already been targeted by Iranian-made drones, but that may also violate US law. This isn't the only thing putting Cyprus in the headlines this week. Axios and the Financial Times reported Cyprus could potentially mediate talks between Israel and Lebanon after violence broke out between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group. Turkey's moves in the Eastern Mediterranean aren't the only thing worrying analysts and observers. Developments on the domestic front are also keeping those watching the region on alert, as the trial of Ekrem Imamoglu, the imprisoned mayor of Istanbul, kicked off this week. Imamoglu's trial is largely seen as politically motivated and an effort to prevent him from challenging President Erdogan. 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. Taking us to our “I am HALC” segment, we're spotlighting Eleni Delimpaltadaki Janis, a founding member of HALC with a career that spans across government and the private sector. This includes serving as Vice President at the New York City Economic Development Corporation, and working to transform and solve some of the world's most persistent socio-economic problems as a founder of Equivico. Stay tuned as we dig into her story. A little more info on our guests: Sinan Ciddi is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and director of its Turkey program. Elisa Ewers is a senior fellow for Middle East Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. Lisel Hintz is an Assistant Professor of International Relations at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Henri Barkey is an adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and the Bernard L. and Bertha F. Cohen chair in international relations at Lehigh University (Emeritus). You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.

For review:1. Turkey said on Monday that NATO air defenses shot down a second ballistic missile that was fired from Iran and had entered Turkish airspace, warning it will take any necessary steps against threats.2. Turkey deployed six F-16C fighter aircraft to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on Monday, defense officials here said.The warplanes were sent as part of a phased approach to enhancing security in light of recent developments in the region, the Ministry of Defense wrote in an announcement.3. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian spoke by phone with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday, after an incoming Iranian missile was intercepted in Turkey's airspace.4. The French Navy will send eight frigates and two amphibious assault ships to the Eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea, joining aircraft carrier FS Charles De Gaulle (R91).5. US President Donald Trump doubles down on his threat to strike Iran with unprecedented force if it stops the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.“If Iran does anything that stops the flow of oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far,” Trump writes on Truth Social.6. US President Donald Trump said Monday he was “not happy” with the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran's next supreme leader, and asserted he had a replacement in mind, without saying who that was.7. Iran's Revolutionary Guards pledge allegiance to the country's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, after he was appointed his father's successor by the Assembly of Experts.“The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps… is ready for complete obedience and self-sacrifice in carrying out the divine commands of the Guardian Jurist of the time, His Eminence Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei,” the Guards say in a statement.8. President Donald Trump described Iran War as “short term” Monday — suggesting the 10-day conflict could be nearing its end while also warning of intensifying strikes if a key oil route is restricted.9. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it will “determine the end of the war” in the Middle East after US President Donald Trump said the conflict would end “soon.”“It is we who will determine the end of the war,” the IRGC says in a statement.10. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urges Iraq's leadership to keep protecting the US embassy after violent protests over the US-Israeli war on neighboring Iran.In a call with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Rubio “reiterated the importance of the Iraqi government taking all possible measures to safeguard US diplomatic personnel and facilities.11. Another Iranian naval vessel has sought refuge in a neutral port following an expansion of the Iran conflict to the Indo-Pacific and U.S. efforts to target Tehran's naval forces.IRIS Lavan (514) docked at the Port of Kochi following engine troubles, government officials told Indian news outlet Wion.Alongside the now stricken frigate IRIS Dena (75) and currently interned oiler IRIS Bushehr (422), Lavan was a part of Tehran's diplomatic naval mission around the Indian Ocean region. 12. Talks to advance US President Donald Trump's plan to end the Gaza war have been on hold since last week when the US and Israel jointly attacked Iran.The pause threatens to stall implementation of Trump's flagship Middle East peace initiative.

On the last day of February the United States and Israel launched a major assault on Iran, killing the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and sounding alarm bells across the region. Those sirens also went off in Cyprus, which saw Iranian-made drones target Britain's Royal Air Force base at Akrotiri, prompting a response from Greece and other European partners who deployed ships, jets, and air defense systems to Cyprus. The strikes on Iran also caught European leaders unprepared, and there are many questions - which we will dig into - about whether Europe can play a constructive role here, or whether Washington has relegated it to the role of spectator. At the same time, in another major development this week, French President Emanuel Macron announced that France - one of only two nuclear powers in Europe - would boost its nuclear arsenal and extend deterrence to European allies - including Greece. Laurence Norman, Max Bergmann, Nektaria Stamouli, Vassilis Nedos, and Eleni Ekmektsioglou, join Thanos Davelis this week as we look at the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, what this crisis means for Europe, Greece and Cyprus, while breaking down the significance of President Macron's historic update of France's nuclear strategy, including how it will impact Greece. A little more info on our guests: Laurence Norman is a reporter for The Wall Street Journal who has covered Iran, Europe, and this ongoing crisis. Max Bergmann is the director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and the Stuart Center in Euro-Atlantic and Northern European Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Nektaria Stamouli is the deputy editor in chief of Kathimerini's English Edition and Politico's Eastern Mediterranean correspondent.  Vassilis Nedos is Kathimerini's diplomatic and defense editor. Eleni Ekmektsioglou is a Policy fellow with the British American Security Information Council where she leads a project on emerging technologies and the future of anti-submarine warfare, is a non-resident fellow with ELIAMEP, and a member of the IFRI nuclear strategy network.

The episode elucidates the ongoing river flood warnings across various regions of the Ohio Valley, as issued by the National Weather Service on March 4, 2026. It is imperative that individuals exercise caution by avoiding travel through inundated roadways to mitigate risks associated with minor to moderate flooding. Additionally, the episode highlights pertinent updates from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency regarding known exploited vulnerabilities, emphasizing the necessity for organizations to prioritize patch mitigation efforts as outlined in a federal update. Furthermore, recent travel advisory revisions from the U.S. State Department are discussed, particularly regarding embassy operations and security conditions in the Middle Eastern and Eastern Mediterranean regions, which may significantly impact mission planning and travel logistics. We conclude with a reminder of the importance of staying informed and prepared during such critical situations.Takeaways:* The National Weather Service has issued several flood warnings in the Ohio Valley, indicating potential minor to moderate flooding.* Recent updates from the CISA highlight the importance of patch mitigation for known vulnerabilities that remain operationally relevant.* The US State Department has provided travel advisories concerning security conditions in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean.* Emergency management professionals should remain cognizant of regional flood warnings impacting infrastructure and travel plans.* Indiana and Kentucky have issued flood warnings, with advisories for motorists to avoid flooded roadways and areas.* The discontinuation of boil water advisories indicates improvements in local water systems, particularly in Seminole County.SourcesCISA, CISA adds vulnerabilities to KEV catalog — federal remediation prioritization update (Mar 3, 2026)Travel advisoriesCyprus Travel Advisory — Level 3 / embassy operations & security context (Mar 3, 2026)Bahrain Travel Advisory — updated embassy operations context (Mar 2, 2026)Kuwait Travel Advisory — updated embassy operations context (Mar 2, 2026)Florida - Seminole County Utilities — precautionary boil water advisory discontinued (Mar 4, 2026)Indiana - NWS Indianapolis — warning text product (Flood Warnings; issued Mar 4, 2026)Kentucky - NWS Louisville — Flood Warning text product (issued Mar 4, 2026) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit emnetwork.substack.com/subscribe

In the wake of an attack on a British military base in Cyprus, the UK has said it will send an extra warship to the region. Does this make Britain militarily involved in America and Israel's war against Iran? Or was that already true after Prime Minister Keir Starmer allowed Donald Trump to use British bases? Venetia and Roland discuss Europe's growing involvement in the conflict and the countries that are resisting. Iranian-British journalist Nazenin Ansari talks about why she is pro-regime change but doesn't want this war, the brutality of the IRGC, and how Khamenei's son Mojtaba would be just more of the same if picked as his successor. Plus, senior foreign correspondent Sophia Yan sends a dispatch from the Turkish-Iranian border where she has been speaking to fleeing Iranians, and Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO's Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, explains how the UN's health body prepared for the conflict. Read Sophia Yan's analysis of why China is unfazed by the war: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/04/why-china-is-unfazed-by-donald-trump-epic-fury/Read Tom Cotterill on why this could be the Royal Navy's biggest humiliation: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/03/03/is-this-the-royal-navys-biggest-humiliation/Read our visual journalism deep dive on how Trump sank the Iranian navy: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/03/how-trump-sank-iranian-navy/Producer: Peter ShevlinExecutive Producer: Louisa Wells► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditorContact us with feedback or ideas:@venetiarainey@RolandOliphant Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1. Operation Epic Fury – Day 3 The U.S. and Israel continue coordinated strikes on Iranian military targets. Iranian missiles, drones, and aircraft have been intercepted across the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean. 2. Netanyahu Rejects Claims of Dragging U.S. Into War Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu states it’s “ridiculous” to claim Israel pushed the U.S. into war. Praises Trump as a strong leader acting independently based on American interests. Emphasizes Iran’s threat as “50 North Koreas” and committed to America’s destruction. 3. U.S. Intelligence: Imminent Threat Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Iranian attacks on U.S. assets were imminent. Intelligence indicated Iran planned retaliation if Israel struck its missile program. U.S. wants to prevent Iran from rebuilding missile or drone capabilities. 4. Saudi Arabia Involved Saudi Defense Ministry reports intercepting and destroying eight Iranian drones. Two drones struck the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia, causing a fire but no injuries. 5. Vice President JD Vance: “No Multi-Year War” Says Trump will not allow another Iraq/Afghanistan‑style conflict. Emphasizes a clear objective: Iran must not gain or rebuild nuclear capabilities. Claims this mission avoids the “mission creep” of past wars. 6. Netanyahu Describes Trump’s Longstanding Focus on Iran Says Trump identified Iran’s nuclear ambitions as a “clear and present danger.” Describes joint U.S.-Israeli operations (“Midnight Hammer” and “Rising Line”) targeting missile sites. States negotiations failed, leaving military action as the only option. 7. Pentagon Statement by Pete Hegseth Addresses U.S. service members directly in a highly motivational speech. Frames the conflict as a generational turning point since 1979. Emphasizes: “Peace through strength” Lethality and unity of purpose Confidence in the President’s leadership Promises no endless wars and praises America’s military capability. Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast and Verdict with Ted Cruz Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening X: https://x.com/benfergusonshowYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United States and China are pursuing sharply different strategies in a region that is no longer best understood as the "Middle East," but as part of a broader Asian-centered geopolitical system historically described as "West Asia." This vast region stretches from countries along the Western Pacific and the Indian Ocean, all the way to the Eastern Mediterranean. While the U.S. remains the undisputed military hegemon in this theater, China is steadily becoming the indispensable economic power, providing access to vast pools of capital, new technology, and expanding trade. Mohammed Soliman, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute and a director at the geopolitical advisory firm McLarty Associates, joins Eric from Washington, D.C., to discuss his new book that explores how the U.S., China, and other powers are adapting to this new expanded view of the Middle East known as "West Asia." Purchase the book: West Asia: A New American Grand Strategy in the Middle East by Mohammed Soliman

Welcome to Greek News Global for 12 February 2026, with legendary Greek-Australian journalist, John Mangos. In this bulletin; Prime Minister Mitsotakis calls on Turkey to remove threats, the island of Aegina declares a state of emergency, rents in Greece to be legally forced above the table, and nominations open for Greek Woman of the Year.Send a textSupport the showEmail us at ouzotalk@outlook.comSubscribe to our Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OuzoTalkFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OuzoTalkFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ouzo_talk/

Greece and Cyprus took center stage this week in Washington, DC, as HALC, the Delphi Economic Forum, and Kathimerini's english edition once again brought top officials and leading experts together to highlight the important role both countries are playing in the Eastern Mediterranean, and the major opportunities - and challenges - ahead for Greece, Cyprus and the US. A few of the headline attendees included Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos and Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, who engaged with leading think tanks, members of Congress, and US officials.Lena Argiri, Nik Nanos, and Vassilis Nedos join Thanos Davelis this week as we give you an inside look at what took place in DC, break down what the Greek brand is today and how to strengthen it, and shift to the Aegean where we explore how the 30 year anniversary of the Imia crisis still impacts Greek-Turkish relations.Taking us to our “I am HALC” segment, we're putting the spotlight on Dimitri Eliopoulos, the CEO of Curi Capital and a national leader in finance and wealth management.You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.

In this episode, Sean and James turn to the Eastern Mediterranean to examine the Ottoman Empire’s entry into the Great War and the tragic Allied attempt to seize the Dardanelles. We trace how Turkey joined the Central Powers, setting the stage for the Gallipoli Campaign—an ambitious plan to knock the Ottomans out of the war that instead ended in disaster and immense loss of life. The campaign’s failure reshaped Allied strategy, toppled political careers, and helped lay the foundations of modern Turkey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Energy Vista, Leslie Palti-Guzman sits down with Geoffrey Pyatt, former US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources and former Ambassador to Greece and Ukraine, for a candid conversation on the new energy geopolitics of the Eastern Mediterranean.Why is Greece emerging as a strategic energy gateway linking the Levant, the Middle East, North Africa, the Balkans, the Black Sea, and Ukraine? How does LNG, power interconnection, and infrastructure investment reshape Europe's security after Russia's invasion of Ukraine? And why does the future of the region hinge not only on gas molecules, but also on electrons, transmission lines, and diplomacy?We unpack the momentum behind East Med cooperation, from Israel–Egypt gas ties to undersea electricity interconnectors, and tackle the hard questions:Can energy cooperation really stabilize historically tense regions? Who could disrupt this fragile alignment? And how should Europe and the US think about Turkey, Qatar, and the shifting balance of power across the Eastern Mediterranean?A must-listen conversation at the intersection of energy, strategy, and transatlantic geopolitics.

On this episode of Unsupervised Learning, Razib again talks to George Washington University archaeologist Eric Cline. The author of 1177 B.C. - The Year Civilization Collapsed and After 1177 B.C. - The Survival of Civilizations, Cline has a new book out, Love, War, and Diplomacy: The Discovery of the Amarna Letters and the Bronze Age World They Revealed. While 1177 B.C. closed with the end of the first global civilization, that of the Eastern Mediterranean at the end of the Bronze Age, and After 1177 B.C. tells the story of those who picked up the pieces, Love, War, and Diplomacy puts the spotlight on the Late Bronze Age at its peak. Razib and Cline discuss the two major threads in Love, War, and Diplomacy: the decipherment of cuneiform and the emergence of the field of Assyriology, and the diplomatic world of Bronze Age Great Powers. Cline addresses the reality that 19th-century archaeology was not an idealized enterprise, and scholars had to compete with treasure hunters, and negotiate difficult nationalist sensitivities. He also explains how they deciphered cuneiform decades after hieroglyphs, providing an alternative view of the earliest antiquity. The discussion then focuses on the intricate and tense relationship between Egypt, Assyria, the Hittites, and the Mitanni. Cline also highlights the reality that the Amarna Letters also shed light on the bickering between the petty states of the Levant and their relationship to their hegemon, Egypt.

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN ALLIANCE VS. TURKEY Colleague Edmund Fitton-Brown. Fitton-Brownexamines the cooperation between Greece, Cyprus, and Israel as a necessary pushback against Turkish President Erdogan's neo-Ottoman expansionism. He argues Erdogan's aggressive rhetoric regarding Jerusalem and maritime claims threatens regional stability, necessitating a unified defense from these democracies to counter Turkish overreach in the Mediterranean. NUMBER 2

Hello my curious archeaogastronomers!Who were the first beer makers? Why did they even made beer in the first place? Can we even find a Civilization to be the clear winner in this "race"? What's the word for beer in ancient Sumerian?What role the priests and kings plaid in this? Who even drunk beer in the ancient Mesopotamian world? All this and many more questions were buzzing through my mind.On today's episode I have as a guest the author of the book In The Land of Ninkasi: A History of Beer in Ancient Mesopotamia, Tate Paulette.Tate's book has recently won two awards:Felicia A. Holton Book Award, Archaeological Institute of AmericaThis award is given annually to a writer or writers who, through a major work of non-fiction, represents the importance and excitement of archaeology to the general public. The work should have broad public appeal and be written for an adult lay audience in a clear and engaging style. It should convey the excitement of archaeological discovery accurately and responsibly. It should be well-researched and provide new insight for the general public. https://www.archaeological.org/2026-aia-awards-spotlight-felicia-a-holton-book-award/And he also won the Nancy Lapp Popular Book Award, American Society of Overseas Research:This award is presented to the author/editor of a book published in the last two years that offers a new synthesis of archaeological or textual evidence from the Ancient Near East and Eastern Mediterranean intended to reach an audience of scholars as well as students and the broader public.https://www.asor.org/about-asor/honors-awards/previous-award-recipients/Alright! Time for my delightful and interesting I hope recommendations for this week are the following:Disco scallops:Here's a link:https://www.discoscallops.co.uk/A Spirit Never to Betray” before tequila and mescal there was another: David Lauer investigates the fate of a spiky ancient desert plant called sotol, and its alliance with generations of artisans who distil a fiery spirit from its heart.https://dark-mountain.net/a-spirit-never-to-betray/And finally the website https://www.ukrainer.netA community and organisation that has been researching Ukraine and the Ukrainian context since 2016, telling stories to Ukrainian audiences and broadcasting them to the world in dozens of languages.xEnjoy!Photo credits : Book Tate Paulette, Cuneiform Tablets Justin Kase Conder, Portrait Kathryn GrossmanThom & The Delicious LegacySupport the podcast on Ko-Fi and Patreon for ad-free episodes! https://ko-fi.com/thedeliciouslegacypodcasthttps://www.patreon.com/c/thedeliciouslegacySupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-delicious-legacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The trilateral meeting between the leaders of Israel, Greece and Cyprus is a message of aligning arenas of interests but should also be seen as a counterweight to Turkey and its expanding Islamic nationalism. This according to Dan Feferman, the co-editor of Middle East 24 and a strategic affairs analyst. He told reporter Arieh O’Sullivan that the strategic, cultural and geographic relationship of these three countries in the eastern Mediterranean should flourish. (photo: Miriam Alster/flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greece's "Achilles Shield" and Israel's Iron Beam Laser Defense: Colleagues Malcolm Hoenlein and Thaddeus McCotter report that Greece is undertaking a historic modernization of its armed forces, unveiling a new national defense strategy focused on long-range missiles and a modernized air defense system dubbed "Achilles Shield," allowing Greece to project power more flexibly in the Eastern Mediterranean and counter threats from Turkey; in Israel, a major defensive breakthrough is imminent with the deployment of the "Iron Beam," a laser defense system capable of intercepting threats at approximately $50 per shot, expected to rewrite the rules of air defense by effectively countering drone swarms and missiles. 1914 MT ZION

SHOW 12-8-2025 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR 1895 KHYBER PASS THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT THE FEDERAL RESERVE  BOARD OF GOVERNORS. FIRST HOUR 9-915 The DC Shooter, the Zero Units, and the Tragedy of the Afghan Withdrawal: Colleagues Husain Haqqani and Bill Roggio discuss recent violence in Washington, D.C. involving an Afghan immigrant that has drawn attention back to the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021; the shooter, Ramanula Lakanal, was a member of the elite "Zero Units" of the Afghan National Army, a force that demanded priority evacuation for their families in exchange for providing security at the Kabul airport during the U.S. retreat, and while these units were stalwart allies against enemies like al-Qaeda and ISIS, they fought a "dirty war" and were accused of human rights violations, highlighting the broader failure of the withdrawal which occurred because political will faded across multiple administrations. 915-930 The Vetting Failure and the Lack of an Exit Strategy in Afghanistan: Colleagues Husain Haqqani and Bill Roggioexplain that the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan was exacerbated by the lack of a methodical exit strategy, unlike the British who organized their departure and evacuation lists well in advance; critics argue that the U.S. imported significant security risks by rushing the evacuation, bringing in over 100,000 Afghans without adequate vetting, and while there was a moral obligation to help those who served, experts suggest that wholesale importation of citizens from a war-torn country was not the only solution and that better vetting or resettlement in third countries should have been considered. 930-945 Martial Law in South Korea and the Shadow of the North: Colleagues Morse Tan and Gordon Chang discuss South Korea facing severe political turmoil following President Yoon's declaration of martial law, a move his supporters argue was a constitutional response to obstructionist anti-state forces; the opposition, led by figures previously sympathetic to North Korea, has been accused of attempting to paralyze the government, while accusations of "insurrection" against President Yoon are dismissed as nonsensical, with the political infighting fracturing the conservative party and leaving South Korea vulnerable to the North Korean regime in a way not seen since the Korean War. 945-1000 Japan Stands Up for Taiwan While Canada Demurs: Colleagues Charles Burton and Gordon Chang report that Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi recently declared that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would be a "survival threatening situation" for Japan, authorizing the mobilization of self-defense forces; this statement has triggered a massive propaganda campaign from Beijing demanding a retraction, as a successful invasion of Taiwan would likely require violating Japanese sovereignty, while in contrast Canada remains reluctant to support Tokyo or criticize Beijing, hoping to secure trade benefits and diversify exports away from the U.S., leaving Japan isolated by its allies. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 The Survival of UNRWA and the Flow of Terror Finance: Colleagues Malcolm Hoenlein and Thaddeus McCotterreport that despite investigations revealing corruption and ties to terrorism, the UN has renewed the mandate for UNRWA for another three years; the organization's facilities have been used by Hamas and its schools have been implicated in radicalizing children, yet international efforts to replace it have stalled, while Hamas leadership refuses to disarm or accept international oversight, demanding a Palestinian state as a precondition for any change, with financial support for terror groups continuing to flow through networks in Europe and the Middle East. 1015-1030 Greece's "Achilles Shield" and Israel's Iron Beam Laser Defense: Colleagues Malcolm Hoenlein and Thaddeus McCotter report that Greece is undertaking a historic modernization of its armed forces, unveiling a new national defense strategy focused on long-range missiles and a modernized air defense system dubbed "Achilles Shield," allowing Greece to project power more flexibly in the Eastern Mediterranean and counter threats from Turkey; in Israel, a major defensive breakthrough is imminent with the deployment of the "Iron Beam," a laser defense system capable of intercepting threats at approximately $50 per shot, expected to rewrite the rules of air defense by effectively countering drone swarms and missiles. 1030-1045 Hezbollah's Quiet Regeneration Under Naim Qassem: Colleagues David Daoud and Bill Roggio report that since the ceasefire began, Hezbollah has received at least $2 billion from Iran and is actively rearming and regenerating its forces in Lebanon; the terror group is focusing on acquiring drone swarms and other asymmetrical weapons that are cheap to produce and difficult for Israel to counter, while Hezbollah's new leader Naim Qassem is leveraging his "bookish" and underestimated persona to lower the temperature and allow the group to rebuild without attracting the same level of scrutiny as his predecessor. 1045-1100 Fragmentation in Yemen: The Southern Transitional Council Advances: Colleagues Bridget Tumi and Bill Roggio report that the civil war in Yemen is fracturing further as the Southern Transitional Council, which advocates for southern secession, advances into eastern governorates to secure territory and combat smuggling; this move has heightened tensions within the anti-Houthi coalition, as the STC is backed by the UAE while other government factions are supported by Saudi Arabia, weakening the collective effort against the Houthis who control the capital Sanaa and maintain ambitions to conquer the entire country. THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 The Druze National Guard and Internal Strife in Southern Syria: Colleagues Ahmad Sharawi and Bill Roggio report that instability is growing in Syria's Druze-majority Suwayda province, where a newly formed "National Guard" militia has begun arresting and killing political opponents; the militia is spiritually guided by Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, who has consolidated power by sidelining other Druze leaders who were open to reconciliation with the Assad regime, with Turkey expressing support for the anti-Assad Druze factions against both the Syrian government and Kurdish forces, while recent violence suggests a hardening of anti-regime sentiment. 1115-1130 The "Variable Geometry" of the Muslim Brotherhood and Its Global Affiliates: Colleagues Edmund Fitton-Brown and Bill Roggio explain that the Muslim Brotherhood operates as a "mothership" for various Islamist movements, utilizing a strategy of "variable geometry" to adapt to local political environments while aiming for a global caliphate; Hamas functions as the Palestinian branch of the Brotherhood and despite being severely damaged by the war with Israel remains the dominant force in Gaza, with the Brotherhood finding state sponsorship primarily in Qatar, which provides funding and media support via Al Jazeera, and Turkey, where President Erdogan acts as a leader for the organization. 1130-1145 Ukraine Negotiations Hit a Cul-de-Sac Amidst Infiltration Tactics: Colleagues John Hardie and Bill Roggio report that peace talks regarding Ukraine are currently at a standstill, with the U.S. and Ukraine at odds over Russia's demands for territory in the Donbas versus Ukraine's need for meaningful security guarantees; while the U.S. has pressured Ukraine to concede territory, the security assurances offered are viewed skeptically by Kyiv, and Russia refuses to accept any Western military presence in Ukraine, while on the battlefield Russia employs infiltration tactics using small groups, sometimes single soldiers, to penetrate deep into Ukrainian positions. 1145-1200 The Trump Corollary: Reviving the Monroe Doctrine in Latin America: Colleague Ernesto Araújo discusses a new "Trump corollary" to the Monroe Doctrine reshaping U.S. policy in the Americas, signaling a more assertive stance against foreign influence and authoritarian regimes; this shift is evident in Venezuela, where President Maduro appears to be negotiating his exit in the face of U.S. pressure, while in Brazil the administration of Lula da Silva faces significant instability due to a massive banking scandal linking the government to money laundering and organized crime, with the new application of the Monroe Doctrine suggesting the U.S. will favor political figures aligned with its security strategy. FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 Devil's Advocates: Robert Stryk, Rudy Giuliani, and the Business of Influence: Colleague Kenneth P. Vogel discusses how in the power vacuum created by Donald Trump's arrival in Washington, unconventional lobbyists like Robert Stryk rose to prominence by marketing access to the new administration; Stryk, described as an "anti-hero" with a checkered business past, hosted a lavish event at the Hay-Adams Hotel to legitimize the regime of Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo, successfully delivering Rudy Giuliani as Trump's personal attorney, signaling a new informal channel for foreign diplomacy and highlighting how foreign regimes utilized large sums of money and unconventional intermediaries to seek favor. 1215-1230 The Accidental Diplomat: Robert Stryk and the New Zealand Connection: Colleague Kenneth P. Vogel explains that Robert Stryk's rise in the lobbying world was fueled by serendipity and bold bluffs, exemplified by a chance encounter with a New Zealand diplomat at a cafe; the diplomat revealed that New Zealand, having prepared for a Clinton victory, had no contacts within the incoming Trump team and could not arrange a congratulatory call between their Prime Minister and the President-elect, and Stryk, leveraging a connection to a former Trump campaign field director, provided a phone number that successfully connected the embassy to Trump's team, establishing his credibility and launching his career in high-stakes foreign lobbying. 1230-1245 Hunter Biden, Chinese Spies, and the Monetization of Political Connections: Colleague Kenneth P. Vogel reports that following his father's departure from the vice presidency, Hunter Biden faced financial pressure and sought lucrative foreign clients, leading to risky entanglements; one venture involved a corrupt Romanian real estate magnate who hired Hunter along with former FBI Director Louis Freeh and Rudy Giuliani to resolve his legal troubles, with the proposed solution involving selling land including the site of the U.S. Embassy in Romania to a Chinese state-linked fund, and Hunter Biden was aware of the nature of his associates, referring to one as the "spy chief of China." 1245-100 AM FARA: From Fighting Nazi Propaganda to Modern Transparency: Colleague Kenneth P. Vogel explains that the Foreign Agents Registration Act was originally enacted in 1938 to counter Nazi propaganda in the United States before World War II; at the time, the Third Reich was paying well-connected American consultants to whitewash Hitler's image and keep the U.S. out of the war, operating without public knowledge, and Congress passed FARA to create transparency, requiring those paid by foreign principals to influence the U.S. government or media to register their activities, with the law remaining today the primary vehicle for accountability in foreign lobbying

Last week Cyprus and Lebanon signed a long-awaited maritime demarcation deal, an agreement that not only paves the way for potential exploration and energy cooperation, but also checks Turkey's revisionist “Blue Homeland” doctrine in the Eastern Mediterranean. Constantinos Filis, the director of the Institute of Global Affairs and a professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into what's being called a “historic” deal that also serves to bridge the EU with the Middle East.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Cyprus–Lebanon deal sets new legal line in the Eastern Med, and Ankara isn't loving itLebanon, Cyprus sign maritime deal, paving way for possible energy explorationGreece, Bulgaria and Romania sign agreement on Aegean-Black Sea corridorCyprus pledges Ukraine will be ''front and center” during EU presidency

The Assassins and the Templars. Two groups that are now part of popular legend–and not just because of Assassin's Creed, the massive video game franchise starring the former as its heroes, and the latter as its villains. Steve Tibble takes on both these groups in his new book Assassins and Templars: A Battle in Myth and Blood (Yale UP, 2025). Steve takes us to the time of Crusades: a more crowded and dangerous Eastern Mediterranean, where varied groups–not just the Crusaders–jostled for power and influence. And he joins today to share how these two groups rose and, eventually, fell. Steve Tibble is honorary research associate at Royal Holloway, University of London. He is the author of The Crusader Armies: 1099–1187 (Yale University Press: 2016), The Crusader Strategy: Defending the Holy Land (Yale University Press: 2020), Templars: The Knights Who Made Britain (Yale University Press: 2023), and Crusader Criminals: The Knights Who Went Rogue in the Holy Land (Yale University Press: 2024). You can find more reviews, excerpts, interviews, and essays at The Asian Review of Books, including its review of Assassins and Templars. Follow on Twitter at @BookReviewsAsia. Nicholas Gordon is an editor for a global magazine, and a reviewer for the Asian Review of Books. He can be found on Twitter at @nickrigordon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

The Assassins and the Templars. Two groups that are now part of popular legend–and not just because of Assassin's Creed, the massive video game franchise starring the former as its heroes, and the latter as its villains. Steve Tibble takes on both these groups in his new book Assassins and Templars: A Battle in Myth and Blood (Yale UP, 2025). Steve takes us to the time of Crusades: a more crowded and dangerous Eastern Mediterranean, where varied groups–not just the Crusaders–jostled for power and influence. And he joins today to share how these two groups rose and, eventually, fell. Steve Tibble is honorary research associate at Royal Holloway, University of London. He is the author of The Crusader Armies: 1099–1187 (Yale University Press: 2016), The Crusader Strategy: Defending the Holy Land (Yale University Press: 2020), Templars: The Knights Who Made Britain (Yale University Press: 2023), and Crusader Criminals: The Knights Who Went Rogue in the Holy Land (Yale University Press: 2024). You can find more reviews, excerpts, interviews, and essays at The Asian Review of Books, including its review of Assassins and Templars. Follow on Twitter at @BookReviewsAsia. Nicholas Gordon is an editor for a global magazine, and a reviewer for the Asian Review of Books. He can be found on Twitter at @nickrigordon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/military-history

The Assassins and the Templars. Two groups that are now part of popular legend–and not just because of Assassin's Creed, the massive video game franchise starring the former as its heroes, and the latter as its villains. Steve Tibble takes on both these groups in his new book Assassins and Templars: A Battle in Myth and Blood (Yale UP, 2025). Steve takes us to the time of Crusades: a more crowded and dangerous Eastern Mediterranean, where varied groups–not just the Crusaders–jostled for power and influence. And he joins today to share how these two groups rose and, eventually, fell. Steve Tibble is honorary research associate at Royal Holloway, University of London. He is the author of The Crusader Armies: 1099–1187 (Yale University Press: 2016), The Crusader Strategy: Defending the Holy Land (Yale University Press: 2020), Templars: The Knights Who Made Britain (Yale University Press: 2023), and Crusader Criminals: The Knights Who Went Rogue in the Holy Land (Yale University Press: 2024). You can find more reviews, excerpts, interviews, and essays at The Asian Review of Books, including its review of Assassins and Templars. Follow on Twitter at @BookReviewsAsia. Nicholas Gordon is an editor for a global magazine, and a reviewer for the Asian Review of Books. He can be found on Twitter at @nickrigordon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/islamic-studies

In this episode of Together We Win, President Steve Clark and VP Kerry Miller sit down with Mohamad El Zein, owner of Moona, an Eastern Mediterranean mezza restaurant in Cambridge. Mohamad shares how Moona has grown into a beloved neighborhood destination and why community remains at the center of his vision as he expands with a newCentral Square location opening next month. This powerful conversation is for all independent operators, offering honest insight into scaling with intention, navigating today's challenges, and building a culture-driven team that can growsustainably.

The Eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded the north after a military coup backed by Greece. Since then, the northern third has been run by a Turkish Cypriot government. This self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is recognised as an independent state only by Turkey, while the rest of the world sees it as part of Cyprus. The southern two-thirds of the island is run by an internationally recognised government led by Greek Cypriots. Whilst the physical division between the two is maintained by a United Nations peacekeeping force. Negotiations aimed at reunification have been attempted over the years and stalled. One of the biggest barriers has been the differences over what a future settlement would look like, with Turkey pushing for a two-state solution and the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The last formal attempt, supported by the United Nations, was in 2017 and took place in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. And even though informal talks have continued since then, there has been little progress. Key sticking points remain over issues including political equality and what it means between the two communities, issues of governance and security. But in October of this year, a new Turkish Cypriot leader, Tufan Erhürman, was elected. He supports federation and is in favour of the resumption of reunification talks.So, this week on The Inquiry we're asking, ‘Is Cyprus moving closer to reunification?'Contributors: Mete Hatay, Senior Research Consultant, PRIO Cyprus Centre, Oslo, Norway Lefteris Adilinis, Political Analyst, Cyprus Dr. Dorothée Schmid, Director, Middle East Programme, French Institute of International Relations, Paris, France Kathleen Doherty, Former United States Ambassador to Cyprus, USAPresenter: Charmaine Cozier Producer: Jill Collins Researcher: Maeve Schaffer Production Management Assistant: Liam Morrey Technical Producer: James Bradshaw Editor: Tom Bigwood(Photo: A United Nations worker rides bike through the UN Buffer Zone. Credit: Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

This week we talk about Venezuela, casus belli, and drug smuggling.We also discuss oil reserves, Maduro, and Machado.Recommended Book: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt DinnimanTranscriptVenezuela, which suffered all sorts of political and economic crises under former president Hugo Chávez, has suffered even more of the same, and on a more dramatic scale, under Chávez's successor, Nicolás Maduro.Both Chávez and Maduro have ruled over autocratic regimes, turning ostensibly democratic Venezuelan governments into governments ruled by a single person, and those they like and empower and reward, over time removing anyone from power who might challenge them, and collapsing all checks and balances within the structure of their government.They still hold elections, then, but like in Russia, the voting is just for show, the outcome predetermined, and anyone who gets too popular and who isn't favored by the existing regime is jailed or killed or otherwise neutralized; the votes are then adjusted when necessary to make it look like the regime is still popular, and anyone who challenges that seeming popularity is likewise taken care of.As a result of that state of affairs, an unpopular regime with absolute power running things into the ground over the course of two autocrats' administrations, Venezuela has suffered immense hyperinflation, high levels of crime and widespread disease, ever-increasing mortality rates, and even starvation, as fundamentals like food periodically become scarce. This has led to a swell of emigration out of the country, which has, during the past decade, become the largest ever recorded refugee crisis in the Americas, those who leave mostly flooding into neighboring countries like Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador.As of 2025, it's estimated that nearly 8 million people, more than 20% of Venezuela's entire population as of 2017, has fled the country to get away from the government, its policies, its collapsed economy, and the cultural homogeny that has led to so much crime, conflict, and oppression of those not favored by the people in charge.This has also led to some Venezuelans trying to get into the US, which was part of the justification for a proposed invasion of the country, by the US government, under the first Trump administration in 2017.The idea was that this is a corrupt, weak government that also happens to possess the largest proven oil reserves in the world. Its production of oil has collapsed along with everything else, in part because the government is so ineffectual, and in part because of outside forces, like longstanding sanctions by the US, which makes selling and profiting from said oil on the global market difficult.Apparently, though, Trump also just liked the idea of invading Venezuela through US ally Colombia, saying—according to Trump's National Security advisor at the time, John Bolton—that Venezuela is really part of the US, so it would be “cool” for the US to take it. Trump also later said, in 2023, that when he left office Venezuela was about to collapse, and that he would have taken it over if he had been reelected instead of losing to Joe Biden, and the US would have then kept all the country's oil.So there's long been a seeming desire by Trump to invade Venezuela, partly on vibe grounds, the state being weak and why shouldn't we own it, that kind of thing? But underlying that is the notion of the US being a country that can stomp into weaker countries, take their oil, and then nation-build, similar to what the government seemed to be trying to do when it invaded Iraq in the early 2000s, using 9/11 as a casus belli, an excuse to go to war, with an uninvolved nation that happened to own a bunch of oil resources the US government wanted for itself.What I'd like to talk about today is the seeming resurgence of that narrative, but this time with an, actual tangible reason to believe an invasion of Venezuela might occur sometime soon.—As I mentioned, though previously kind of a success story in South America, bringing people in from all over the continent and the world, Venezuela has substantially weakened under its two recent autocratic leaders, who have rebuilt everything in their image, and made corruption and self-serving the main driver behind their decisions for the direction of the country.A very popular candidate, María Corina Machado, was barred from participating in the country's 2024 election, the country's Supreme Court ruling that a 15-year ban on her holding public office because of her involvement with an alleged plot against Maduro with a previous candidate for office, Juan Guaido; Guiado is now in exile, run out of the country for winning an election against Maduro, which Maduro's government has claimed wasn't legit, but which dozens of governments recognize as having been legitimate, despite Maduro's clinging to power after losing.So Machado is accused of being corrupt by Maduro's corrupt government, and thus isn't allowed to run for office. Another candidate that she wanted to have run in her place was also declared ineligible by Maduro's people, so another sub was found, Edmundo González, and basically every outside election watchdog group says that he won in 2024, and handedly, over Maduro. But the government's official results say that's not the case, that Maduro won, and that has created even more conflict and chaos in the country as it's become clearer and clearer that there's no way to oust the autocrat in control of the government—not through the voting box, at least.This is part of what makes Venezuela an even more appealing target, for the Trump administration, right now, because not only is Maduro incredibly unpopular and running the country into the ground, there's also a very popular alternative, in the shape of María Corina Machado, who could conceivably take control of things should Maduro be toppled. So there's a nonzero chance that if someone, like the US military, were to step in and either kill Maduro or run him out of town, they could make a very sweet deal with the incoming Machado government, including a deal that grants access to all that currently underutilized oil wealth.This is theoretical right now, but recent moves by the US government and military suggest it might not remain theoretical for much longer.In mid-November, 2025, the US Navy moved the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Caribbean—the USS Gerald R Ford being an aircraft carrier, and the strike group being the array of ships and aircraft that accompany it—it was moved there from the Eastern Mediterranean, where it was moved following the attack on Israel that led to Israel's invasion of the Gaza Strip.This, by itself, doesn't necessarily mean anything; the shifting of aircraft carrier groups is often more symbolic than practical. But the US government has suggested it might us these vessels and aircraft to strike drug manufacturers across South and Central America, and specifically in Venezuela.This is being seen as an escalation of an already fraught moment in the region, because the US has launched a series of strikes against small boats in the area, beginning back in September of 2025.These boats, according to the US government, are drug smuggling vessels, bringing fentanyl, among other drugs, to US shores. So the idea is that the people aboard these boats are criminals who are killing folks in the US by bringing this drug, which is highly addictive and super potent, and thus more likely to kill its users than other opioids, into the country for illegal sale and distribution. So, the claim goes, this is a justified use of force.These strikes have thus far, over the past two months, killed at least 79 people, all alleged by the US government to be drug smugglers, despite some evidence to the contrary, in some cases. The US's allies have not been happy about these strikes, including allies the government usually relies on to help with drug-related detection and interdiction efforts, including regional governments that take action to keep drugs from shuffling around the region and eventually ending up in the US.Many US allies have also called the strikes illegal. The French foreign minister recently said they violate international law, and the EU's foreign policy chief said something similar, indicating that such use of force is only valid in cases of self-defense, and when there's a UN Security council resolution on the matter.Canadian and Dutch governments have been doing what they can to distance themselves from the strikes, without outright criticizing the at times vindictive US government, and some regional allies, like Colombia, have been signaling that they'll be less cooperative with the US when it comes to drug-related issues, saying that they would no longer share intelligence with the US until they stop the strikes, which they've called “extrajudicial executions.”An extrajudicial killing is one that is not lawful; it doesn't have the backing of a judicial proceeding, and thus lacks the authority typically granted by the proper facets of a government. Lacking such authority, killing is illegal. Given said authority, though, a killing can be made legal, at least according to the laws of the government doing the killing.The argument here is that while governments can usually get away with killing people, only authoritarian regimes typically and regularly to use that power to kill folks without going through the proper channels and thus getting the legal authority to do so.In this case, the facts seem to support the accusations of those who are saying these killings aren't legally legitimate: the Trump administration has launched these attacks on these vessels without going through the usual channels, and without declaring Congressionally approved war on anyone in particular. They've instead claimed that drug cartels are terrorists, and have said that anyone they suspect of smuggling drugs, or who they suspect in any way might be involved with the illegal drug making and smuggling industry, can be considered enemy, non-state combatants that they're allowed to kill at will.And as part of that declaration that the US government has the right to kill anyone they like who's involved in drug smuggling, in late-October 2025 it was reported that the US has identified targets on land, as well, some of these targets located within ports and airstrips across Venezuela, including those used by the Venezuelan government, which the Maduro regime allegedly also uses for drug smuggling purposes.This loops us back around to that original possibility that the Trump administration, looking for a casus belli, an excuse to go to war with Venezuela, may be using these strikes and the drug smuggling industry to get social and maybe legal backing for strikes that reach closer and closer to Maduro and the Venezuelan military.If the US were to strike some vital Venezuelan military ports, using drug smuggling as justification, but taking out Venezuelan military infrastructure and/or people in the process, would that be an act of war? Would that trigger a response from Maduro? Could that response then allow the US military to claim self-defense?These questions are up in the air right now, and that confusion could provide the opportunity to move fast and not have to suffer legal consequences until all is said and done, but it could also help shape the outcome of those decisions: ask for forgiveness, not permission, basically, but maybe not even forgiveness, if other aspects of the government come to support the Trump administration's decisions and rule in their favor, after the fact.Some analysts have said they suspect this drumbeat toward war with Venezuela is meant to solve several problems for the Trump administration. It could help them deal with plummeting approval numbers leading into a midterm election in 2026, and it could also give Trump himself cover from the escalating issue of the Epstein files, which, among other things, seem to connect Trump with someone who's become the world's most famous human trafficker and pedophile even more tightly than before.This sort of process may also serve to slowly bolster the perception that the presidency has more powers than it has traditionally wielded, like the ability to unilaterally declare war, even though such powers are supposed to rest with Congress; an extension of other efforts by this administration to reinforce the presidency at the expense of the checks and balances that are meant to keep the US government from becoming an autocracy, like the one in Venezuela.Show Noteshttps://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/01/27/venezuela-s-supreme-court-disqualifies-opposition-leader-from-running-for-president_6469941_4.htmlhttps://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/06/venezuela-election-maduro-analysishttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Venezuelan_presidential_electionhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrier_Strike_Group_12https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/15/politics/venezuela-trump-military-what-we-knowhttps://www.cnn.com/2025/11/12/americas/venezuela-us-aircraft-carrier-reaction-latam-intlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/us/politics/trump-pressure-venezuela.htmlhttps://www.npr.org/2025/11/15/nx-s1-5609888/aircraft-carrier-caribbean-venezuela-military-actionhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/nov/16/us-rogue-state-extrajudicial-killings-venezuelahttps://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/11/15/trump-maduro-venezuela-column-00652369https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/justice-department-drug-boat-strike-memo-83711582https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/world/americas/trump-drug-boat-strikes-colombian-fisherman.htmlhttps://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7810w37vwdohttps://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2025/11/13/colombia-to-suspend-intelligence-sharing-with-us-over-boat-strikes/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_United_States_military_strikes_on_alleged_drug_traffickershttps://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/2025/11/trump-boat-strikes-killings-venezuela/684921/https://www.wsj.com/world/americas/trump-boat-strikes-drug-9bbbeb90?mod=hp_lead_pos11https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extrajudicial_killinghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crisis_in_Venezuelahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venezuelan_refugee_crisishttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proposed_United_States_invasion_of_Venezuela This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Gregg Roman details Turkey and Qatar's strategy to establish regional hegemony across "five fronts" by replacing the Shia Crescent. Turkey, providing military manpower, and Qatar, providing the budget, are active in Gaza, southern Lebanon, Syria, and Djibouti. Their plan includes securing maritime supremacy in the Eastern Mediterranean via an agreement with Libya and extending air power over Syrian airspace. Erdoğan seeks plausible deniability by empowering Syrian jihadis to attack the Golan Heights and is building bases in Djibouti and Somalia. 1930

CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR 11-6-25 THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT VENEZUELA. FIRST HOUR 9-915 Anatol Lieven discusses the institutionalization of the Ukraine war, highlighted by children being trained to fly drones in classrooms. This blend of new technology and old societal militarization creates a "bloodless war" perception, potentially making conflict psychologically easier. He also addresses the argument that "stagnating states" are militarizing to maintain power, fueling conflicts and reasserting spheres of influence (a "new economic Monroe Doctrine"). The US is critically involved, enabling Ukrainian targeting capabilities. 915-930 Anatol Lieven discusses the institutionalization of the Ukraine war, highlighted by children being trained to fly drones in classrooms. This blend of new technology and old societal militarization creates a "bloodless war" perception, potentially making conflict psychologically easier. He also addresses the argument that "stagnating states" are militarizing to maintain power, fueling conflicts and reasserting spheres of influence (a "new economic Monroe Doctrine"). The US is critically involved, enabling Ukrainian targeting capabilities. 930-945 Chris Riegel discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics are transforming labor, citing modest IBM layoffs but predicting heavy impacts in large retail. Advanced robotics in Chinese auto manufacturing drives cost efficiency, and AI combined with robotics enhances manufacturing capability. While seeing demand, Riegel notes characteristics of a bubble, especially in wildly overvalued stock prices, fueled by vast investment in AI data centers. In QSRs and retail, AI adoption is driven by efficiency and, in places like California, high minimum wages. 945-1000 Mary Anastasia O'Grady discusses the strong US military presence near Venezuela, intended to pressure dictator Nicolás Maduro to leave. While the opposition (led by elected President González) is ready to govern, the Trump administration hesitates due to security concerns. The major risk is chaos: following Maduro's exit, drug cartels (like Cartel de los Soles) and other groups (like ELN and Tren de Aragua) might fight dissident generals, leading to instability rather than a smooth transition to democracy. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 Joel Finkelstein discusses how the New York election of socialist Zohran Mamdani was influenced by "subnationalism," where foreign nations subvert democracy. Organizations associated with Islamist Maoist ideals and CCP assets (like Neville Roy Singham, who bankrolled a campaign hub) were central to mobilizing votes. On social media, especially Instagram and TikTok, content favorable to Mamdani was given "engineered virality," with over 50% of viral engagement coming from non-American users, suggesting organized foreign intercession. 1015-1030 Ahmad Fouad Alkhatib discusses the high probability of renewed conflict in Gaza, arguing that the ceasefire is fragile due to Hamas's malign intentions. He estimates Hamas's combat-effective forces are significantly lower than reported (3,000 to 5,000, versus 15,000 to 30,000), noting Hamas pays fighters $20 to $25 a day. He also challenges polls showing widespread Gazan support for Hamas, arguing such results are manipulated and defy logic given the catastrophe following October 7. Disarmament is crucial for any future political process. 1030-1045 Ahmad Fouad Alkhatib argues that disarmament must precede any credible political process in Gaza, citing Hamas's use of medical facilities like Shifa and Nasser hospitals for interrogations and military activities. He criticizes Turkey and Qatar for using Hamas as a bargaining chip for regional leverage, suggesting they now posture Hamas as a potential security guarantor against ISIS. Alkhatib also suggests using Private Military Contractors (PMCs) as an enforcement force to actively fight Hamas and secure territory, given diminishing faith in an International Stabilization Force. 1045-1100 Gregg Roman details Turkey and Qatar's strategy to establish regional hegemony across "five fronts" by replacing the Shia Crescent. Turkey, providing military manpower, and Qatar, providing the budget, are active in Gaza, southern Lebanon, Syria, and Djibouti. Their plan includes securing maritime supremacy in the Eastern Mediterranean via an agreement with Libya and extending air power over Syrian airspace. Erdoğan seeks plausible deniability by empowering Syrian jihadis to attack the Golan Heights and is building bases in Djibouti and Somalia. THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 Professor Evan Ellis discusses Argentina's economic stabilization under President Milei, who resisted dollarization by bringing the peso to a stable, free-market rate through aggressive spending cuts and US/IMF support. This success under the new US "economic Monroe Doctrine" sends a strong signal to the Americas, aimed at countering China's rapid expansion. Ellis also reviews US military readiness near Venezuela and political shifts toward the center-right in Bolivia and potentially Chile, though these nations remain economically engaged with China. 1115-1130 Professor Evan Ellis discusses Argentina's economic stabilization under President Milei, who resisted dollarization by bringing the peso to a stable, free-market rate through aggressive spending cuts and US/IMF support. This success under the new US "economic Monroe Doctrine" sends a strong signal to the Americas, aimed at countering China's rapid expansion. Ellis also reviews US military readiness near Venezuela and political shifts toward the center-right in Bolivia and potentially Chile, though these nations remain economically engaged with China. 1130-1145 Professor Evan Ellis discusses Argentina's economic stabilization under President Milei, who resisted dollarization by bringing the peso to a stable, free-market rate through aggressive spending cuts and US/IMF support. This success under the new US "economic Monroe Doctrine" sends a strong signal to the Americas, aimed at countering China's rapid expansion. Ellis also reviews US military readiness near Venezuela and political shifts toward the center-right in Bolivia and potentially Chile, though these nations remain economically engaged with China. 1145-1200 Professor Evan Ellis discusses Argentina's economic stabilization under President Milei, who resisted dollarization by bringing the peso to a stable, free-market rate through aggressive spending cuts and US/IMF support. This success under the new US "economic Monroe Doctrine" sends a strong signal to the Americas, aimed at countering China's rapid expansion. Ellis also reviews US military readiness near Venezuela and political shifts toward the center-right in Bolivia and potentially Chile, though these nations remain economically engaged with China. FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 Veronique de Rugy critiques the administration's legal argument at the Supreme Court that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) authorizes the President to impose tariffs. She argues the term "emergency" is used too loosely, defining 50 years of trade deficits as an emergency, potentially granting the President immense, unchecked power to tax. Tariffs are taxes, which Congress should control. De Rugy notes tariffs are already causing damage by raising prices for consumers or forcing companies to cut profits and investment. 1215-1230 Alan Tonelson discusses the Supreme Court oral arguments concerning the President's authority to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The administration argues the President can invoke IEEPA due to emergencies like fentanyl and trade deficits. Tonelson finds arguments against including tariffs under IEEPA's regulatory language "jaw-dropping." He stresses that the President must have sole control over declaring foreign policy emergencies, necessary for rapid response. If rejected, the President has other longstanding tariffing powers. 1230-1245 Dr. AJ Kolhari discusses Russia's successful test of the nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile, which flew 14,000 km for 15 hours. The missile captures and compresses air, heating it over a nuclear reactor to create thrust. Kolhari emphasizes the danger because it flies low (50 to 100 m) and is hard to detect. He notes this nuclear propulsion technology, or similar ramjet designs, could revolutionize commercial travel and be applied to flight on Mars, using its CO₂ atmosphere for heating. 1245-100 AM Conrad Black discusses Canadian politics and trade, noting a misunderstanding between Prime Minister Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford regarding an anti-tariff ad that offended President Trump. Black reports that China's General Secretary Xi has been conciliatory toward both Canada and the US. Crucially, Canada needs pipelines built both east, west (Trans Mountain to Vancouver/Pacific), and south (Keystone XL) to move Alberta's oil. Carney's federal government tentatively agreed to approve a second pipeline to Northern British Columbia.

Energy has become a critical piece of the puzzle for the Trump administration as it looks to project strength abroad, and it seems Greece is on Washington's radar. Richard Goldberg, a senior advisor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and director of its newly established Energy and National Security Program, joins Thanos Davelis as we look at America's quest for energy dominance and the potential for deeper cooperation on this front with Greece and other countries in the Eastern Mediterranean. 

Turkish Cypriots went to the polls in the occupied northern part of Cyprus this weekend, electing a reportedly moderate candidate in Tufan Erhurman. His landslide victory, unseating hard-line incumbent Ersin Tatar, has led to cautious optimism that talks on the reunification of Cyprus could resume. Nektaria Stamouli, the deputy editor in chief of Kathimerini's English Edition and Politico's Eastern Mediterranean correspondent, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down the key takeaways from this election.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Turkish Cypriots elect moderate leader in crucial policy switchNicosia weighs Turkish-Cypriot leader changeTurkey pressing for Western fighter jets to claw back regional edgeDozens arrested in OPEKEPE subsidy fraud bust across Greece