The Greek Connection: Illicit Trade, Power and Networks in the Mediterranean
This article examines illegal trade in the Mediterranean during the interwar period, with a focus on the major markets for such activities, particularly the export of arms and war materials to Spain and Palestine. In Spain, the primary customer was the Republican Government, while in Palestine, dema...
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| Publicat a: | URI:https://journals.openedition.org/bchmc, |
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| Autor principal: | |
| Format: | Article ou chapitre numérique |
| Idioma: | Anglais |
| Publicat: |
Bulletin de correspondance hellénique moderne et contemporain
2026
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| Accés en línia: | Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM |
| Sumari: | This article examines illegal trade in the Mediterranean during the interwar period, with a focus on the major markets for such activities, particularly the export of arms and war materials to Spain and Palestine. In Spain, the primary customer was the Republican Government, while in Palestine, demand was fuelled by the Arab Revolt. The article also investigates the smuggling of Jews from Central Europe into the British Mandate of Palestine. In addition, it explores the geopolitical dimensions of arms sales by suppliers other than Britain to the British-dominated Middle East, highlighting the role of one of the most prominent facilitators of this trade, the Greek industrialist and military contractor Prodromos Bodosakis-Athanasiadis, and his extensive networks. Finally, the analysis considers the national economic implications of this trade in Greece and Germany, and its impact on the formation of internal power coalitions in both countries, including the distinctive roles of Hermann Göring in Germany and Bodosakis in Greece, as well as Britain’s strategic plans for post‑war Greece. |
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