Dear friends of the Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation and the «Nisyros Dialogues»®,

We are pleased to announce the theme of this year's 5th «Nisyros Dialogues 2026»:

"The Eastern Mediterranean in a State of Strategic Confrontation"
War, Realignment and the Making of a New Security & Energy Architecture

Defence – Maritime Security & Safe Navigation – Energy Security
Alliances – Geopolitical Realignments – Deterrence
Opportunities & Challenges
Greece – Cyprus – Middle East – Eastern Mediterranean

Under the auspices of H.E. the President of the Hellenic Republic Mr. Constantine An. Tassoulas
&
Under the auspices of His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

Official Communication Sponsors:
> The Kathimerini
> The New York Times International Edition - Kathimerini English Edition
> SKAI TV & Radio
> ANA-MPA News Agency

The Eastern Mediterranean is no longer a region defined by latent tensions or gradual transitions. It is now a theatre of active strategic confrontation, where war dynamics, energy disruption, and shifting alliances are redrawing the geopolitical map in real time.

The state of war with direct and indirect conflicts both in Iran and in the wider Middle East, the destabilization of critical corridors, and the increasing militarization of the region, has accelerated a systemic reordering of power. At the same time, reactions across the Eastern Mediterranean—from assertive posturing to deepening alliances—are shaping a new and still fluid regional architecture.

Within this context, the region is undergoing a profound transformation:

• From a periphery of competing interests to a core strategic frontier for Europe and the transatlantic alliance
• From a zone of energy potential to a critical hub for energy security, particularly in LNG and infrastructure connectivity
• From fragile balances to explicit alignment blocs, with new forms of deterrence, cooperation, and projection of power

At the center of these developments, Greece is emerging as a pivotal actor, a pillar of stability, a security provider, and an increasingly indispensable energy hub for Europe. Its deepening strategic alignment with key allies, including the USA and major European powers, reflects a broader shift toward structured partnerships and coordinated responses in an era of heightened uncertainty.

At the same time, regional fault lines remain pronounced. The evolving posture of Turkey, the centrality of Cyprus, and the broader interplay between regional and global actors underscore that the Eastern Mediterranean is not only a space of cooperation, but also one of contestation, recalibration, and strategic ambiguity.

Against this backdrop, the «Nisyros Dialogues»®, the initiative of the Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation, stands out as a curated meeting of eminent personalities who come to analyze and propose strategies for the future of the Eastern Mediterranean. As demonstrated in previous editions, where key government, political and institutional actors used the forum to articulate policy directions and announce initiatives across sectors such as energy, sustainability, and regional development, the «Dialogues» have evolved into a platform for shaping narratives and influencing policy at the highest level.

The 2026 flagship edition of the «Nisyros Dialogues»® in Nisyros brings together government and political leaders, policymakers, diplomats, academics, and industry stakeholders to address critical questions:

• Is the Eastern Mediterranean entering a prolonged phase of strategic confrontation, or a new equilibrium?
• What form will the emerging security architecture take, and who will shape it?
• Can energy cooperation act as a stabilizing force, or will it become another axis of competition?
• What is the future of alliances and deterrence in a region increasingly defined by volatility?
• How can Europe, and Greece in particular, translate geopolitical pressure into strategic opportunity and resilience?

At a moment when developments are unfolding faster than policy frameworks can adapt, the «Nisyros Dialogues»® aim to once again position themselves at the forefront of geopolitical thought and policy relevance, bridging regional realities with global strategic debates.

The «Nisyros Dialogues» which are under the permanent Αuspices of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and annually under the Αuspices of the Presidency of the Hellenic Republic, bring together representatives of Governments, the Political World and Civil Society, Diplomats, Academics, Technocrats, Business Leaders, high-ranking Executives, from Greece and abroad and experienced journalists with longstanding careers in Greek and international media.

The countdown for the 5th «Nisyros Dialogues 2026» has begun! We will keep you regularly updated on themes, participants, and everything else related to this year's gathering at the "Stefanos" crater in the Nisyros volcano.