Supreme President E. Chris Kaitson led a high-level delegation of Hellenic American leaders on the Sixth International Leadership Mission, a joint initiative underscoring the deepening cooperation among Greece, Cyprus, Israel and the United States. The mission brought together senior leadership from the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (Order of AHEPA), the American Hellenic Institute (AHI), and B’nai B’rith International, continuing a decade-long effort to strengthen strategic, intercommunal, and international ties in the eastern Mediterranean.
Convening first in Jerusalem on February 22–23, the delegation participated in official meetings aligned with the sixth biennial Greece, Israel and Cyprus summit. Delegation members were received at the Presidential Residence by President of Israel Isaac Herzog, where discussions focused on regional security, diplomacy and cooperation amid ongoing regional instability.
The delegation, which also included AHEPA Canada President Anstasios Moussas and Sons of Pericles Supreme President Basilios Ronstadt, engaged in briefings with senior Israeli officials, defense experts and policy leaders. Meetings included discussions with Mike Huckabee, as well as strategic briefings from Israeli think tanks and a visit to a joint command headquarters.
The mission continued in Athens on February 24–25, where trilateral cooperation took center stage. Alongside Nick Larigakis, President and CEO of AHI, and Robert Spitzer, President of B’nai B’rith International, the delegation met with senior Greek defense and government officials. At the Hellenic Ministry of National Defense, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias provided a comprehensive briefing on regional security and the readiness of the Hellenic Armed Forces. Additional meetings were held with Vice Admiral Theodore Mikropoulos, Deputy Chief of the Hellenic Armed Forces, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Greeks Abroad Yiannis Loverdos.
While in Greece, delegation leaders also visited the Hellenic Parliament and toured a Special Forces training center in Nea Peramos, gaining firsthand insight into Greece’s evolving defense posture and strategic priorities.
The final leg of the mission took place in Nicosia on February 26–27, where discussions focused heavily on energy security and regional defense. Meetings at Cyprus’ Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry examined current energy programs and exploration initiatives in the eastern Mediterranean. The delegation also met with Israel’s Ambassador to Cyprus, Orin Anolik, reinforcing diplomatic coordination between the two nations.
Security briefings in Cyprus included meetings with the Cypriot Minister of Defense and a detailed assessment from Lt. General Emmanouil Theodorou, Chief of the Cypriot National Guard.
The mission concluded with participation in AHEPA District 27’s Mid-Winter Conference and a gala dinner honoring former President of the Republic of Cyprus George Vassiliou. More than 200 attendees gathered to recognize his legacy, with the award accepted by Mrs. Vassiliou on behalf of her late husband.
This sixth leadership mission builds on five previous trilateral delegations held since 2014 and continues to be widely recognized for strengthening cooperation between the American Hellenic and American Jewish communities while reinforcing diaspora support for the strategic partnership linking Greece, Cyprus, Israel and the United States. Organizers emphasized that the mission’s focus on defense, energy and diplomacy reflects a shared commitment to peace, stability and collaboration in the eastern Mediterranean.
