EDITORIAL

Frank A. Reynolds II
(Security Analyst based in USA, RIEAS Internship Program)

Copyright: @ 2023 Research Institute for European and American Studies (www.rieas.gr) Publication date: 17 July 2023

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

Introduction

This paper aims to highlight the importance of Greece as a member of NATO and the European Union. The geography of Greece is vital to its importance in both NATO and the European Union as Greece connects Europe to the Middle East, and Africa through the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. Political history, violence, and land disputes have deep divisions within the region. This paper will highlight the important political and strategic landscape of not only Greece but also its neighboring countries so that Greek importance in NATO can be clearly understood.... Read more

Raagini Shekher Sharma
(RIEAS Senior Analyst)

Copyright: @ 2023 Research Institute for European and American Studies (www.rieas.gr) Publication date: 2 July 2023

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

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There are two major trade routes connecting Asia with Europe, the traditional Indian Ocean maritime route which has been heavily used historically and at present times also it is the major contributor to the international trade transit and the other trade route is the Eurasian Northern Corridor connecting Russian far East and the East & North East China to Europe through the railways.... Read more

Robert Ellis
(International adviser, Research Institute for European and American Studies. Athens)

Copyright@ https://www.economist.com/

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

Faced with ruinous inflation, Turkey’s people should welcome the appointment of Hafize Gaye Erkan as governor of the central bank and Mehmet Simsek as finance minister (“Braking at the cliff’s edge”, June 10th).
The appointments signal a return to economic orthodoxy. However, unless Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the country’s re-elected president, has undergone a change of heart, it’s going to be an uphill struggle.... Read more

According to Hatem Zadek, a Professor at Helwan University, Mediterranean gas can fix what politics has spoiled.

BY ROBERT ELLIS

(The writer is an international adviser at RIEAS (Research Institute for European and American Studies) in Athens)

Copyright @ 2023 https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-746737 (Jerusalem Post 19 June 2023) Posted at RIEAS web site on 19 June 2023.

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’s newly reelected president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has – on a visit to northern Cyprus – demanded the recognition of the breakaway state as a condition for negotiations on the future of the island. In this case, he is barking up the wrong tree.

Since 1964, when UN peacekeeping forces (UNFICYP) were deployed on the island to prevent fighting between the two population groups – the Greek and Turkish Cypriots – this has developed into one of the world’s longest standing conflicts.... Read more

Shaul Shay
(Senior research fellow at the International Institute for Counter-terrorism (ICT) at the Interdisciplinary Centre Herzliya and former deputy head of Israel’s National Security Council)

Copyright: @ 2023 Research Institute for European and American Studies (www.rieas.gr) Publication date: 18 June 2023

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

On May 27,2023 clashes broke out between Taliban and Iranian forces on their joint border along Afghanistan’s Nimroz province. The recent clashes have contributed to growing tensions between the two countries. 
Since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, Iran has been positioning itself to secure its interests in Afghanistan and forge a working relationship with its new rulers. The relations between the Taliban and Tehran are unstable and there are several areas of disagreement between the countries.. Read more

Daniela Cobo G.
(RIEAS Associate and Graduate Student, Webster University Athens)

Copyright: @ 2023 Research Institute for European and American Studies (www.rieas.gr) Publication date: 11 June 2023

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

Ecuador, a country located on the northwest coast of South America, is facing several security challenges related to drug trafficking and organized crime. Its geographical location between Colombia and Peru, two major drug-producing countries, makes it a strategic transit route for drug traffickers. In recent years, criminal organizations, including Mexican drug cartels such as the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, use Ecuador as a transit point for cocaine shipments destined for international markets, particularly the United States and Europe. These cartels take advantage of Ecuador's porous borders, extensive coastline, and strategic position for drug transportation.... Read more