American Hellenic Institute

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American Hellenic Institute (AHI)
FormationAugust 1, 1974;50 years ago (1974-08-01)
FounderAssistant Secretary of the Treasury Gene Rossides
PurposePromoting U.S. foreign policy interests
Headquarters1220 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
Region
Southern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean
President and CEO
Nick Larigakis
Website https://americanhellenicinstitute.org/

The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) is an advocacy organization and policy center founded by United States Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Eugene Rossides in 1974. Its purpose is promoting United States foreign policy interests involving Southern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, with a focus on countries including Greece, the Republic of Cyprus, and Türkiye. [1]

Contents

History

The American Hellenic Institute was created on August 1, 1974, by United States Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Eugene Rossides in response to the Turkish invasion of the Republic of Cyprus. In its advocacy for a U.S. response to the invasion, AHI argued that Turkey had violated the US Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and Foreign Military Sales Act by using U.S. weapons for actions other than legitimate self-defense purposes. [2] Under continued pressure from AHI, Congress passed an arms embargo on Turkey in December of 1974. [3] [4] [5] That same month, AHI initiated a $25 million congressional aid package to the Republic of Cyprus. [6]

Throughout its over half a century of advocacy, AHI expanded beyond promoting U.S. policy regarding the invasion of the Republic of Cyprus and has since evolved into a standard foreign policy advocacy organization, with a focus on Southern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. [1]

Associated Organizations

Other groups include:

Notable Members

Regions of Focus

AHI is active in foreign policy issues affecting Cyprus, Greece, Albania, Turkey, and North Macedonia, among others. Mediterranean Relief.jpg
AHI is active in foreign policy issues affecting Cyprus, Greece, Albania, Turkey, and North Macedonia, among others.

AHI has been a part of many political activities and lobbying actions to promote U.S. foreign policy interests regarding Southern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, primarily involving countries including Greece, the Republic of Cyprus, Türkiye, Israel, Syria, Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia. [9] [10] [11] [12]

AHI has also been involved in promoting U.S. policy interests involving countries in West Asia, such as Armenia and Azerbaijan, mostly regarding the U.S. response to Türkiye's involvement in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. [13] [14]

In addition to specific regions, AHI also focuses on promoting U.S. foreign policy interests related to the European Union and NATO. [15] [16]

AHI frequently partners with Jewish American and Armenian American lobbying groups to promote policy related to U.S. interests in Israel and Armenia. [17] [18] This has included the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), B'nai B'rith, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the American Jewish Committee (AJC), Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), the Armenian Assembly of America, and others.

Major Activities

Policy Advocacy

AHI has been involved in the creation of the following policies and initiatives:

1974: An arms sale embargo on Turkey following its invasion of the Republic of Cyprus. [4] [3] [5] [19] A $25 million Congressional aid package to the Republic of Cyprus. [20] [19]

1989: Following discussions on the topic of the occupation of the Republic of Cyprus, AHI received a letter from then-Senator Joe Biden stating "we must send a signal to Turkey that until it has removed every last soldier from Cyprus, it will never be recognized as a full member of the international community." [21]

1998: Section 2804 of the FY1998 Omnibus Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, which "Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should use its influence to suggest that the Government of Turkey: (1) recognize the Ecumenical Patriarchate (in Turkey) and its nonpolitical, religious mission; and (2) reopen the Ecumenical Patriarchate's Halki Patriarchal School of Theology." [22]

2024: A letter from Members of Congress to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines to request a classified briefing on Turkey's support of Hamas and other US-designated terrorist organizations. [23] [24]

Congressional Commemorations

AHI facilitates multiple annual congressional commemorations in conjunction with the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, including the yearly Congressional Commemoration of the Invasion of the Republic of Cyprus and the Congressional Salute to Greek Independence Day. [25] [26]

Conferences and Seminars

In order to provide education on its policy areas to lawmakers and stakeholders, AHI regularly hosts conferences with panels that typically includes members of the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. National Security Council, the U.S. Congress, and various academic institutions. [27]

Policy Areas

Defense Cooperation

The most active area of policy advocacy of AHI involves defense cooperation between the United States and Greece, the United States and the Republic of Cyprus, and various multilateral structures, including NATO.

AHI provides annual testimony to the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee regarding defense cooperation in the Southern European and Eastern Mediterranean regions. [28] This includes topics such as International Military Education and Training (IMET) and Foreign Military Financing (FMF). AHI also publishes fact-sheets and resources guides on the defense cooperation between the United States and Greece and between the United States and the Republic of Cyprus for the use of Members of Congress and their staff. [29] [30]

AHI specifically highlights the benefits of U.S. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay and the Hellenic Crete Naval Base at Souda Bay, Crete. This base features the only deep water port in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean Sea that is suitable and capable of maintaining the largest aircraft carriers. [31] AHI also promotes the strategic importance of Crete hosting the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre (ΝMIOTC) and the NATO Missile Firing Installation (NAMFI).

Energy Development

AHI also has done significant advocacy regarding U.S. policy toward energy development in the Eastern Mediterranean. This includes supporting energy production initiatives that would counter Russia in the European energy sector. A key policy in this area includes advocating for U.S. protection of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Greece and the Republic of Cyprus, which has come under repeated dispute and disruption from Turkey.

The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I Bartolomew I.jpg
The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I

Other Issues

AHI has been a longtime supporter of the United States recognizing genocides committed by Turkey, specifically the Greek Genocide, including the Pontic Genocide, and the Armenian Genocide. In 2019, the United States Congress officially recognized all such genocides. [32] [33]

AHI has provided testimony at the state legislature level to encourage the adoption of the Greek Genocide in genocide education curriculums.

Media Coverage

Advocacy work by AHI has been covered by mainstream U.S. media, including The Washington Post, Time, CNN, The Hill, Politico. [19] [23] [34] [35] [36] Additionally, AHI is covered by Greek American media such as To Vima (partnered with the Wall Street Journal), Ekathimerini, and the National Herald. [37] [38] [39]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Our Mission". American Hellenic Institute. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  2. ↑ 22 U.S.C. § 2373
  3. 1 2 "Historical Documents - Office of the Historian". history.state.gov. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  4. 1 2 Sen. Sparkman, John J. [D-AL (1974-12-30). "S.3394 - 93rd Congress (1973-1974): Foreign Assistance Act of 1974". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  5. 1 2 "Drugs, Ethnic Lobbies, and U.S. Domestic Politics: #Reviewing The Turkish Arms Embargo". The Strategy Bridge. 2023-07-25. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  6. ↑ Fatouros, A. A., "The Turkish Aid Ban: Review and Assessment" (1976). Articles by Maurer Faculty. 1905. https://www.repository.law.indiana.edu/facpub/1905
  7. ↑ "Home". American Hellenic Institute Foundation. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  8. ↑ "NL Group, LLC Consulting : Consulting for the Greek Community" 2003. NL Group, LLC. Retrieved 23 Oct 2008.
  9. ↑ "Our Mission". American Hellenic Institute. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  10. ↑ "AHI calls for Turkey sanctions over Syria incursion | eKathimerini.com". www.ekathimerini.com. 2019-10-22. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  11. ↑ "AHI demands the protection of the Greek minority in Albania!". Telegrafi. 2013-05-19. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  12. ↑ Larigakis, Nick (January 6, 2014). "American Hellenic Institute President Nick Larigakis: Congress should back ally Greece on 'Macedonia' name issue". The Hill. The Hill.
  13. ↑ "Turkey's Overlooked Role in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War | German Marshall Fund of the United States". www.gmfus.org. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  14. ↑ "AHI Marks the 109th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide". American Hellenic Institute. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  15. ↑ Antonis (2022-07-14). "AHI's Updated Fact Sheet on Greece's Contributions to U.S. Security Interests, NATO". The National Herald. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  16. ↑ Bender, Sharon (2022-01-28). "American Jewish, American Hellenic Groups Applaud EU Investment in Power Cable Linking Israel, Cyprus and Greece". B’nai B’rith International. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  17. ↑ "American Hellenic, American Jewish Groups Welcome Announced Greek, Cypriot Leaders' Visits to Israel – COP". conferenceofpresidents.org. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  18. ↑ Bender, Sharon (2022-05-13). "American Jewish, American Hellenic Groups Hail Fifth, Three-Country Leadership Mission". B’nai B’rith International. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  19. 1 2 3 TIME (1975-07-14). "OPINION: New Lobby in Town: The Greeks". TIME. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  20. ↑ Sen. Sparkman, John J. [D-AL (1974-12-30). "S.3394 - 93rd Congress (1973-1974): Foreign Assistance Act of 1974". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  21. ↑ "Biden Must Face Kissinger's Eastern Mediterranean Mistake". American Enterprise Institute - AEI. Archived from the original on 2024-09-30. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  22. ↑ "FY1998 Omnibus Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, Section 2804", October 21, 1998. https://www.congress.gov/105/statute/STATUTE-112/STATUTE-112-Pg2681.pdf
  23. 1 2 Kelly, Laura (November 22, 2024). "House members call for classified briefing on Turkey's ties to Hamas". The Hill. The Hill.
  24. ↑ "RELEASE: Gottheimer, Goldman, Bilirakis, & Malliotakis Lead Bipartisan Letter with 39 Members of Congress To Blinken and Haines Regarding Turkey Harboring of Hamas leaders". Josh Gottheimer. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  25. ↑ "AHI to Host Annual Congressional Salute to Greek Independence Day - Greek News USA". Greek News USA. May 3, 2025. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  26. ↑ Kouremenos, Achilleas (2024-04-02). "AHI Hosts Congressional Salute to Greek Independence Day". The National Herald. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  27. ↑ "AHI Hosts Landmark "Cyprus: 1974-2024" Conference Featuring Series of Expert Panels". American Hellenic Institute. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  28. ↑ chkatopodis (2024-05-21). "American Hellenic Institute (AHI) Advocates for Strong U.S. Foreign Aid to Greece and Cyprus in House Appropriations Subcommittee". tovima.com. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  29. ↑ "AHI Releases Fact Sheet Detailing US–Republic of Cyprus Strategic Partnership". American Hellenic Institute. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  30. ↑ "AHI Releases Updates to US-Greece Strategic Partnership Fact Sheet". American Hellenic Institute. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  31. ↑ U.S. Embassy in Athens (May 3, 2017). "Ambassador's Remarks at EXPOSEC-DefenseWorld Conference". News & Events; Topics: Ambassador, News, Speeches, U.S. & Greece; Tags: Defense, Exposec. U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Greece (published 2 May 2017). Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  32. ↑ Rep. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA-28 (2019-10-29). "Text - H.Res.296 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Affirming the United States record on the Armenian Genocide". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2025-03-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  33. ↑ Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ (2019-12-12). "Text - S.Res.150 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that it is the policy of the United States to commemorate the Armenian Genocide through official recognition and remembrance". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  34. ↑ Τσιλινίκου, Μαρία (2024-03-14). "Νικ Λαριγκάκης (ΑΗΙ) στο CNN Greece: «Τεταμένες και περίπλοκες οι σχέσεις ΗΠΑ -Τουρκίας»". CNN.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  35. ↑ Gramer, Robbie; Bazail-Eimil, Eric (2024-11-22). "Halifax or bust". POLITICO. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  36. ↑ "Greece deserves respect for holding to its word". The Washington Post. The Washington Post. September 15, 2014.
  37. ↑ olinardatou (2024-11-20). "Concerns Over Hamas's Alleged Move to Turkey Prompt Congressional Inquiry". tovima.com. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  38. ↑ Kouremenos, Achilleas (2024-11-20). "AHI Advocacy & Congressional Request for Briefing on Turkish Support of Hamas". The National Herald. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  39. ↑ "AHI urges Rubio to maintain close US-Greece cooperation | eKathimerini.com". www.ekathimerini.com. 2025-02-25. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
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