New Books in Middle Eastern Studies Sean Mathews, "The New Byzantines: The Rise of Greece and Return of the Near East" (Hurst, 2025)
Jan 9, 2026
Sean Mathews, a Greek-American journalist with deep roots in Middle Eastern affairs, explores Greece's complex identity and historical ties to the Near East. He argues that Greece's true belonging extends beyond the Western narrative, influenced by Ottoman legacies and geopolitical shifts. Mathews discusses the impacts of demographics, Gulf investments, and highlights the significance of Greek communities in Egypt and Jerusalem. He also delves into Greece's evolving rivalry with Turkey and how alliances are reshaping regional dynamics.
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Greece Rejoining The Near East
- Sean Mathews argues Greece historically belongs to the Near East and is now being pulled back toward it culturally and geopolitically.
- He cites demographics, economics, and a shifting US commitment as drivers re-centering Greece eastward.
Demographics Shift The Regional Center
- Mathews highlights demographics as decisive: younger, larger populations lie south and east of Greece, shifting markets and armies that way.
- He contrasts Italy's median age ~48 with Egypt's ~25 and notes flight distances to illustrate geographic proximity.
Two Strands In The Greek Revolution
- Mathews recounts the Greek Revolution as driven by both Enlightenment ideas and a Byzantine Orthodox yearning.
- He frames the war as a brutal Near Eastern conflict where Byzantium's legacy shaped Greek identity.
