No. 1

WASHINGTON, DC - As 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the American Hellenic Institute’s founding, AHI is pleased to share the video trailer, “The American Hellenic Institute: 50 Years of Service.”

“We wish everyone a happy New Year, and it will be a special one for AHI,” AHI President Nick Larigakis said. “To commemorate the beginning of our 50th anniversary, we are pleased to share a short video that captures the essence of AHI’s history with our audience. The video is a teaser for a more in-depth one to be released later this year.”

The clip features highlights from AHI’s half century of advocating for the rule of law to the highest powers of U.S. government and the advocates with whom the Institute worked to effect change in Washington.

“Although we are extremely proud to reach our golden anniversary and what that means for all those, past and present, who gave selflessly to the Institute, we also realize the anniversary of our founding is a bittersweet one,” President Larigakis said. “And we will not stop advocating for the interests of the United States in Greece, Cyprus, Southeast Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean, and within the Greek-American community.”

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The American Hellenic Institute is an independent non-profit Greek American public policy center and think tank that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community.

For additional information, please contact us at (561) 529-0306 or [email protected]. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our website at http://www.ahiworld.org.

No. 107

WASHINGTON - The 2023 fall session of the American Hellenic Institute Internship Program has officially concluded. For four decades, over 200 students and recent graduates have completed the American Hellenic Institute Internship Program at AHI’s Hellenic House building, located just five blocks from the White House in Washington D.C. Our internship program enriches policy knowledge, supports career aspirations, and helps create strong relationships with professionals and academics, allowing for a first-hand experience of how foreign policy is created and executed in our nation’s capital.

Interns work directly with staff members on various activities, including performing research and analysis, drafting letters, facilitating events, and assisting with other project-oriented tasks. They also attend lectures held at think tanks, monitor legislation and congressional hearings on Capitol Hill, draft press releases, and perform administrative duties.

Anna Maria Papadopoulos and Clara Flanders took full advantage of their time as AHI interns. Previously, Anna Maria participated in the 15th annual AHIF Foreign Policy Trip to Greece and Cyprus.

“I would like to thank Anna Maria and Clara for their invaluable work and contributions to AHI on multiple fronts,” President Nick Larigakis said. “Educating students in the field of public policy and government is vital. They have a bright future, and we look forward to seeing their many accomplishments.”

Anna Maria Papadopoulos is a senior and a Dean’s List recipient at American University, where she is majoring in Legal Studies as part of a rigorous Politics, Policy, and Law Program and the Leadership Program within the School of Public Affairs. Anna Maria moved from Thessaloniki, Greece, two years ago with one goal; to become an advocate for her Greek American community by achieving a well-rounded academic background and gaining experience in the political arena. Her dedication to foreign affairs advanced through her internship on Capitol Hill. While interning on the Hill, she became familiar with foreign affairs policy by attending hearings, drafting memos, and assisting with legislative research on matters of diplomacy and national defense. On campus, Anna Maria is president of the American University Hellenic Student Association and a proud member of the AU Diplomats club, where she mentors newly admitted Greek and Cypriot students and provides a resource to facilitate their transition in the community. Moreover, this summer Anna Maria participated in the fifteenth annual AHIF Foreign Policy College Student Trip to Greece and Cyprus sponsored by the American Hellenic Institute Foundation.

Clara Flanders is a Senior and Dean’s List student at American University where she is majoring in an Interdisciplinary Studies degree of Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government. She is the recipient of the highly selective Presidential Scholarship and part of the rigorous three year Politics, Policy and Law Scholars Program at American University’s School of Public Affairs. Clara’s interest in foreign affairs was bolstered by her study abroad experience in Brussels, Belgium where she learned about the responsibilities of the EU and talked directly with representatives from Greece and Cyprus like European Parliament elected Member Anna-Michelle Asimakopoulou, concerning pressing geopolitical affairs. Clara also visited Greece and there was able to gain a deeper appreciation for the country and its culture and attain a more complex understanding of and interest in Greek foreign relations, specifically its diplomatic connections with the U.S.

The American Hellenic Institute offers internship positions throughout the year. The internship is an excellent opportunity for those interested in gaining experience in government affairs and foreign policy issues, specifically U.S. relations with Greece and Cyprus. It is designed for undergraduate students, graduate students, and recent graduates, and helps them explore new career avenues and jump-start professions in government, journalism, lobbying, or the nonprofit sector.

For more information about the American Hellenic Institute Internship Program, please visit our website:

https://www.ahiworld.org/internships

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The American Hellenic Institute is an independent non-profit Greek American public policy center and think tank that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community.

For additional information, please contact us at (561) 529-0306 or [email protected]. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our website at http://www.ahiworld.org.

No. 106

WASHINGTON, DC - The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) welcomes a December 8, 2023, blog published by The National Interest that recognizes the importance of NSA Souda Bay in Crete as U.S. military resources are redirected toward the Middle East in the aftermath of Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel.

“We believe it is important to share articles such as this one from The National Interest that are spot-on in their analyses regarding Greece’s contributions to U.S. security interest and military readiness in the region,” AHI President Nick Larigakis said. “AHI has made We encourage our audience to share it as a resource when discussing developments with policymakers and their staffs or with colleagues, family and friends in the community.”

“With the rise in jihadist violence in the Middle East and Africa, this base has served as a critical anchor for the United States and its NATO allies,” Author Ethan Shapiro writes, adding, “Some 2,200 U.S. Marines have also recently arrived in Greece, demonstrating the American commitment to using a “forward presence” to deter Hamas supporters from engaging in the developing conflict in the Middle East.”

Shapiro adds, “In these dangerous times, the importance of military readiness could literally prove to be a matter of life and death. Without the help of allies like Greece, Israel might be facing an existential threat from its neighbors. Instead, thanks in part to Souda Bay, it is difficult to imagine how the United States could be better positioned to respond to the impending threat of regional instability in the Middle East.”

 Read: How American Naval Power Enhances Its Diplomacy

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The American Hellenic Institute is an independent non-profit Greek American public policy center and think tank that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community.

For additional information, please contact us at (561) 529-0306 or [email protected]. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our website at http://www.ahiworld.org.

No. 105

WASHINGTON, DC - The Economist named Greece as the 2023 country of the year in its most recent publication of the magazine. A leading factor in the decision was Greece’s implementation of policies which lead their rapidly growing economy.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis attributed Greece’s achievement to “the Greek people’s efforts.” He also highlighted the “continuing reforms” leading to Greece’s significant progress.

The country that received the honor last year was Ukraine for “the heroism of its people.”

Read the article here.

_____________________________________________________________________________

The American Hellenic Institute is an independent non-profit Greek American public policy center and think tank that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community.

For additional information, please contact us at (561) 529-0306 or [email protected]. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our website at http://www.ahiworld.org.