EDITORIAL

Quantin de Pimodan
(Co-author of The Khaleeji Voice, six-part book series about each of the GCC nations and their respective urban art cultures)

Copyright: Research Institute for European and American Studies (www.rieas.gr) Publication date: 11 November 2018

Note: The article reflects the opinion of the author and not necessarily the views of the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS).

For two years, the Crown Prince, Mohamed bin Salman (MBS), has enjoyed a media campaign glorifying him, but the recent collapse of the narrative from Riyadh might lead the country to dangerously turn inward. The damages provoked by some of the Prince’s advisors are yet to fully reveal their true nature but already the ultra-nationalistic stands are indicating the dangerous path the kingdom could embrace if the international community, going forward, does not operate with great care. Read more

Shaul Shay
(The author is the director of research of the Institute for Policy and Strategy at the Interdisciplinary Center Herzeliya and former Deputy Head of the National Security Council)

Copyright: Research Institute for European and American Studies (www.rieas.gr) Publication date: 29 October 2018

Note: The article reflects the opinion of the author and not necessarily the views of the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS).

Turkey is seeking to expand Turkey's influence beyond the Middle East to Africa in a bid to transform Turkey from a regional power into a sort of neo-Ottoman Empire.

Turkey has traditionally maintained good relations with the African continent. In the context of Turkish policy of opening up to Africa initiated in 1998, Turkey was determined to improve and develop the political, economic, commercial, and cultural interaction…. Read more

“POST-CRISIS” GREECE - Q&A

Tassos Symeonides
(RIEAS Academic Advisor)

Copyright: Research Institute for European and American Studies (www.rieas.gr)Publication date: 7 October 2018

Note: The article reflects the opinion of the author and not necessarily the views of the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS).

The EU has announced the Greek crisis is over. The Greek government issues rosy predictions of cascading outside investment waiting to happen. Are we about to experience a Greek “miracle?”

Greece is indeed a country of miracles but with the slight difference of the miracles being of the unhappy kind. Both Brussels and the Athens government exist in their own virtual world of wishful fantasies. And while Brussels may fantasize at no cost, Athens has no such luxury. Economists agree Greece must achieve high growth rates, around 4 to 5 pc per annum, for at least the next five years in order to even begin thinking of making payments toward the debt. On the other hand, Germany and her allies insist Greece must repay her debt in full—and demand the GoG (Government of Greece) maintains budget surpluses of at least 3.5 pc per annum for the foreseeable future...Read more

Q&A

Maybe this world is another planet's hell
Aldus Huxley

Tassos Symeonides
(RIEAS Academic Advisor)

Copyright: Research Institute for European and American Studies (www.rieas.gr)Publication date: 16 September 2018

Note: The article reflects the opinion of the author and not necessarily the views of the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS).

President Trump has introduced a new style of American leadership rattling traditional elites and upending postwar “constants” few believed they could be touched. This is particularly true in regard to US-European relations. Where do we stand now?

Since Day One of his administration, Donald Trump has signaled his dislike, even rejection, of the US approach to the postwar status quo prompting a storm of protest...Read more

Dr. John M. Nomikos
(Director of the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS) and the European Intelligence Academy (EIA), both in Athens, Greece)

Dr. A. Th. Symeonides
(Academic advisor to the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS), Athens, Greece)

Copyright: Taylor and Francis Group, Journal of International Intelligence and Counterintelligence (IJIC) - John M. Nomikos & A. Th. Symeonides (2018) Intelligence and Balkan Instability: Repeating the Past or Moving in a New Direction?, International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence, 31:1, 85-101, DOI: 10.1080/08850607.2017.1374150

Note: RIEAS wishes to thank Mr. Richard R. Valcourt, IJIC Editor, for his kindness to allow RIEAS to post the article.

Over the centuries intelligence has been a key instrument of statecraft. But intelligence information can be a double-edged sword. If correctly analyzed and applied, it may show leaders how to avoid calamities and arrive at optimal decisions. In some cases, it can avert a fight and provide the ground for compromise. But when misused and manipulated to advance political aims and preconceptions, it can lead to irreparable disaster and long-term suffering. Read more

Q & A

Tassos Symeonides
(RIEAS Academic Advisor)

Copyright: Research Institute for European and American Studies (www.rieas.gr)Publication date: 16 August 2018

Note: The article reflects the opinion of the author and not necessarily the views of the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS).

Erdogan’s latest spat with the West, amid a deteriorating domestic economy, threatens the long-term stability of his country. What is Erdogan trying to accomplish by going toe-to-toe with the United States?

Erdogan has badly miscalculated the capacities of his “tough” Islamic posture. He won the election that allows him to impose more authoritarianism on his country, gambling on the loyalty of the Moslem conservative segment of the electorate, and he apparently thinks this victory enables him on the international level as well...Read more