The Eastern Mediterranean in Turmoil – The «Nisyros Dialogues» as the Venue for Strategic Thinking by Yannis Maniatis

As our annual gathering in Nisyros approaches, it is the perfect time to reflect on the journey of the Dialogues so far—and to realize just how enduring and relevant the Dialogues of previous years continue to be.

This year, however, we find ourselves in an entirely different global landscape. The new Trump administration, trade tensions, the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, and the dangerous flare-up between India and Pakistan paint a picture of volatility, polarization, and tectonic geopolitical shifts.

Amid this whirlwind, the Eastern Mediterranean—long a historical crossroads between Europe, the Middle East, and Africa—once again takes center stage. This year’s Nisyros Dialogues focus on this very strategic region, decoding current developments through a variety of lenses: European Defense, Space Geo-Cybersecurity, Energy Security, Climate Change and Resilience.

I vividly recall last year’s Dialogue with fmr Acting Secretary of State USA and fmr U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Daniel B. Smith, on energy, electrical interconnections, and renewable energy sources. This year, we take things a step further: linking energy to European strategic autonomy and the demands of an unstable world.

Events are unfolding rapidly—and I am certain that by the time we meet again in Nisyros, the Dialogue will have gained even greater depth.

This year’s central theme "The Eastern Mediterranean in the Vortex of Geopolitical Changes" captures precisely this fluidity and complexity. The pace of change is so intense that I am almost certain we will have new developments to analyze by the time we gather in Nisyros in just one month's time.