Tag Archives: John Sfakianakis

That is the setting and Arab News gives us ‘How Greece and Saudi Arabia are redrawing the map of power’ (at https://arab.news/ytgve). This is not news for me, I saw this happens at least twice before and Greece is as good a place as any for the STC to expand as an second step beyond the few others and as they grow the European market becomes a reality. We are given “The relationship between Greece and Saudi Arabia, long anchored in commerce and maritime exchange, is rapidly evolving into a strategic alliance that spans energy, investment, technology and defense”, as well as “Digital infrastructure is emerging as the new trade route. The East to Med Data Corridor — a joint venture between Greece’s telecom operators and Saudi Arabia’s STC — will connect Gulf data hubs to European markets through undersea cables. Due for completion in 2026, it complements Saudi investments in cloud infrastructure and Greece’s ambition to serve as the EU’s digital bridge. When operational, it will transform geography into bandwidth, reviving the ancient logic of the Aegean and the Red Sea as conduits of exchange.” I initially (around 2020) thought that this would be done through Egypt and then Spain, and that it is now seemingly through Greece makes perfect sense and it won’t hurt the Greek economy one bit and mike make them renowned business partners all over Europe. And whilst we are given “Security cooperation has deepened alongside it. Since 2021, Greek air defense units have been stationed in Saudi Arabia to help protect critical energy facilities from aerial threats — an unprecedented deployment that underscores mutual trust. Athens now views Gulf stability as part of Europe’s own security; Riyadh sees Greece as a dependable partner with NATO experience and Mediterranean reach.” We need to see that the finance industry also benefits with “Greek finance is reinforcing this momentum. Eurobank, the National Bank of Greece and Piraeus Bank have expanded trade finance and advisory services for Greek and Saudi firms in energy, transport and technology. Their involvement adds institutional depth, translating political goodwill into bankable projects.” I have to admit that I am in the dark as to how that Greek finance horse is mounting up to be, but I reckon that if it fits the Saudi setting it must be decently good.

As we are handed the setting of “For Riyadh, partnership with an EU and NATO member provides credibility and access to Europe’s energy and technology debates. For Athens, alignment with Saudi Arabia amplifies its influence in a region where Europe’s energy and digital future are being decided. The Strategic Cooperation Council formalizes what business leaders had already recognized: the Greek-Saudi axis is not transactional but structural — a long-term bet on shared diversification and stability. The logic is clear. Greek forces helping defend Saudi energy infrastructure serve European as well as Saudi interests. The cables and inter-connectors binding the two nations reinforce both sovereignties. In an age of fractured supply chains, energy transition and digital rivalry, Athens and Riyadh are betting on connectivity as power.” And I do set this piece of writing to the views of Dr. John Sfakianakis, who is Chief Economist and Head of Economic Research at the Gulf Research Center as it was (as I see it) well written and for me that is shown with how easily and clearly it was written. Most economic pieces become a jumble of incomprehensible words after the first line starting with “Good morning”, this is clearly my problem as I lack an economic degree, but the expansion of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Telecom Company (STC) was bound to grow as per 2018, it made perfect sense and it makes even more sense now, especially with the administration that America is showing to have. Europe will be happy to find a non-American partner to start with and Greece is accepted as an EU partner and a NATO partner, so I expect a lot more to happen, especially as Saudi Telecom under 5G is over 700% faster than what America has to offer, as such the benefit for EU telecom corporations is easily seen, the picture below shows that benefit (an image from 2020). And this will foster a lot of benefits in the Telecom and media settings under 5G as plenty of corporations will see, the fact that the Saudi setting is over 300% faster then what the UK or German speeds have is just icing on the cake for the European companies in the equation.

Saudi Arabia is expanding and Europe is about to see the benefits from this setting. It might not be an entirely accurate setting, but it is what I see and I reckon that this will benefit China to some degree as well as the future of expanded media is hindering the America spin systems. For China it implies a two for one deal as this expands the BRICS needs in several directions. I personally see Saudi Arabia as sitting on the fence as a stage that benefit Saudi Arabia more than anything, it stops American blunt media streaks from going after them and it allows Saudi Arabia to get a foot in the door with Europe. I might be wrong here, but that is how I saw that news last May. With Saudi Arabia sitting on the fence the American media channels are seemingly in a holding pattern, which is beneficial to this setting.

So have a great day and it is about time I fly towards the city this morning (it is achieved by taking the train and drinking a red bull for breakfast) I wonder if my wings are as impressive as the ones Tom Ellis had in Lucifer. Does that make me a fashion bitch? Still yesterday breakfast in Vancouver, so I am a day ahead from them for now.