We have seen an exponential increase in activities in the Eastern Mediterranean that have caused upheaval in the region and in the international community. Erdogan’s aggression in the Mediterranean, the UAE and Israel signing an agreement, Iran’s precariousness, and it seems like at the center of it is energy.

John Defterios, CNN Business’ Emerging Markets Editor and Anchor, joined us to unpack the geopolitical dynamics of the Eastern Mediterranean as it relates to the energy sector and the discuss the economic ramifications of the pandemic on a global scale.

The US relationship towards the Eastern Med is changing. Most notably, in December 2019, President Trump signed the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019; a bipartisan bill authored by Senator Menendez of NJ and Senator Rubio of Florida.

The legislation is a comprehensive recalibration of American diplomatic, military, and economic policy towards the Eastern Mediterranean and a strong and prosperous alliance between the United States, Greece, Israel, and Cyprus.

Mr. Defterios helps answer questions like what are the political and economic implications of the changing oil prices and demand? How are Russia and Turkey affected by these changes and what does this mean for Greece, Cyprus, Israel and the United States? And what will the legacy of Covid-19 be?

For more insight into the future of the global energy sector, watch John Defterios’ CNN documentary series, “The Global Energy Challenge.”

Geopolitical Volatility & Stability in the Eastern Mediterranean

Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou, faculty member of Tufts University’s, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and Director of the Fletcher Initiative on Religion, Law and Diplomacy speaks on the 567th anniversary of the Fall of Constantinople. This auspicious day, as she puts it, brings to light the modern Neo-Ottoman imperialist plans that the Erdogan regime has been actively working on for many years.

As policy makers and scholars alike, increasingly refer to Turkey as a rogue state, it is time for the international community to address the “adventurist foreign policies” of the Erdogan government, which is threatening, not only Greek and Cypriot sovereignty, but stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as, NATO and global security.

Watch AHC’s interview in which Dr. Prodromou dissects Turkey’s actions, Erdogan’s ambitions to become a global hegemon and the possibility of a hot conflict this summer in Greek territory.

Read more about Dr. Prodromou’s professional experience and policy work here.

Mike Manatos, President of Manatos & Manatos, speaks to the AHC about the evolution of Hellenic advocacy in the United States. With three generations of Manatos’s serving in or working with the Federal government and over 85 years of accumulated knowledge, Mr. Manatos and his father, Andy Manatos, play an integral role in advocating for our issues.

Over the years advocating for Hellenism, the Manatos’s have worked with many Greek American advocacy groups, from the AHEPA and the American Hellenic Institute, to the newer Hellenic American Leadership Council, as well as, the American Hellenic Council. After decades of collaboration, he has concluded that,

“I think one of the secrets to the Greek American lobby – even though the line that many like to use is, “If we were more united, we could do so much more,” – is that we are united in cause. Each organization has their own specialty. If each organization sticks to that and focuses on that and we support each other doing those things that we are best at, this is how we can be most powerful.”

Family History: 85 years of advocacy

In this interview, Mr. Manatos discusses the Manatos family history and involvement in advocating for Greece and Cyprus in the U.S., including his namesake’s, Mike Manatos Sr., involvement in the prevention of the lesser known 1964 attempt at the invasion of Cyprus.

The Changing Perception of Greece and the Pivotal Moments that Brought us Here

He also discusses the changed political perception of Greece in the United States and the pivotal moments in the past 40 years that have led us to our current state of affairs.

The Eastern Mediterranean Agreement and the Making of a Philhellene, Senator Bob Menendez

While outlining the key elements of the Eastern Mediterranean Agreement, he emphasizes the integral role of Senator Bob Menendez and shares the Senator’s journey to becoming one of the Congress’s most prominent Philhellenes.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ State Visit

Most recently, Manatos & Manatos played an integral role in organizing Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ January state visit to the United States. He shares his insights following that state visit.

Honoring Greek Contribution to WWII and Celebrating Modern-Day OXI Courage

Finally, Mr. Manatos introduce the Washington OXI Day Foundation, which he and his father, Andy Manatos co-founded in 2010, a nonprofit, 501c3 organization dedicated to informing American policymakers and the public about the profound role Greece played in bringing about the outcome of World War II and celebrating modern day heroes who exhibit the same courage as the Greeks did in continuing to fight to preserve and promote freedom and democracy around the world. This modern expression is best captivated by the concept “OXI Courage,” an internal strength and defiance of odds that transcends borders and cultures and speaks to human perseverance.

Watch the entire interview:

American Hellenic Council Executive Director, Christianna Kontou, interviewed newly appointed Ambassador of Greece to the United States, Mrs. Alexandra Papadopoulou, introducing her to the members of the Greek American diaspora.

Ambassador Papadopoulou addresses Greece’s response to the Coronavirus and Turkey’s aggression in the northern borders near Evros and projections for the future of Greece – U.S. relations.

Finally, Ambassador Papadopoulou’s final remarks were a message of hope:

We have survived throughout the centuries, because we are resilient and because in times of crisis, we do what we have to do.

It was sad that we didn’t celebrate the 25^th of March, but we said next year, the 200^th anniversary, it will be double the celebration.

And, of course it is sad not to be able to celebrate Easter and go to the Church, to have our traditional celebration with friends and with family, as we know, but I think we have to stay hopeful. I think first of all, we have to stay safe and to stay healthy.

Hope is around the corner, this will not last forever. Life will continue and prayer is a personal thing, God is everywhere, it’s in our hearts… after all, Resurrection is a message of hope. So, this is the message, we will celebrate next year.

Watch the full interview: