Volume 11, Issue 1    

U.S., Turkey, and NATO: Strength in an Alliance

The Turkish Heritage Organization (THO) hosted a panel discussion titled, “U.S., Turkey and

NATO: Strength in Alliance” at the National Press Club, January 30, 2019. The speakers were: former U.S. Admiral and Supreme Allied Commander James Stavridis and former Turkish Rear Admiral Ali Deniz Kutluk. Lara Seligman, an award-winning journalist and Pentagon correspondent for Foreign Policy, moderated.

During Part One of the panel discussion, the speakers presented on themes that included the importance of U.S.-Turkey relations and the essence of its foundation and Turkey’s strategic value to the United States.

Part Two of the discussion centered on two broad topics: the challenges NATO is faces currently and the changes occurring between the United States and Turkey and what the future may hold.  Syria dominated the discussion.

The panel discussed a variety of topics during Part Three that included the impact of U.S. troop withdrawal from Syria upon the Kurds and the F-35s/S-400s scenario’s affect upon U.S.-Turkey relations.  Rear Admiral Kutluk believes Kurds have the right to exist and can stay for as long as they would like unless they are terrorists.  Rear Admiral Kutluk and Admiral Stavridis agreed to disagree on the impact of Turkey accepting delivery of the S-400s, but both stated NATO needs for cooperation to exist between the United States and Turkey.  Admiral Stavridis believes it is very important for Turkey to be inside NATO.

For a more comprehensive analysis, please visit: 

https://www.turkheritage.org/en/events/us-turkey-and-nato-strength-in-an-alliance--6194

EU Foreign Policy Defense Forum Features former Greek Defense Minister

The U.S. Institute of Peace hosted the event, “EU & Foreign Policy Defense Forum 2019,” June 6, 2019.  Global leaders representing a myriad of sectors, from politics, to defense, to think tank organizations, participated.  Greece’s then-Minister of Defense, Evangelos Apostolakis, participated. He discussed the innumerable ways in which Greece is contributing to NATO and the need for a common EU defense policy.  Admiral Apostolakis also spoke about Greece’s military cooperation with countries in the Balkans, the Cyprus problem, and how Turkey’s provocative actions are a threat to Greece.

To watch the event and for further details, please visit:

https://foreignpolicy.com/events/eu-foreign-policy-defense-forum-2019/

Major International Affairs Think Tank Holds Discussion on Greece

The Atlantic Council's Future Europe Initiative and the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the Athens Exchange Group, held a conversation titled, “Greece as Geostrategic Ally,” June 11, 2019.

The speakers included: U.S. Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt, then-Greek Alternate Finance Minister George Chouliarakis, and then- American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce President Simos Anastasopoulos. Katerina Sokou, Washington correspondent, Kathimerini and SKAI TV; and nonresident senior fellow for the Atlantic Council Future Europe Initiative, moderated.

Ambassador Pyatt discussed the deepening strategic partnership between the United States and Greece and how the relationship is now at its apex. He also emphasized how, according to polling, both the populaces of Greece and Cyprus view the United States as the ideal ally. Anastasopoulos and Dr. Chouliarakis discussed the matter of needed increased foreign direct investment in Greece, including by China.

To watch the event please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tMgSucB-_A#action=share