The Greek Connection: The Life of Elias Demetracopoulos and the Untold Story of Watergate

The incredible true story of the dissident journalist who went from being a 13 year-old resistance fighter in Nazi-occupied Greece, to a Washington insider who – according to Christopher Hitchens – uncovered the secret behind Watergate.

Elias Demetracopolous (1928-2016) is perhaps one of the most overlooked figures in 20th century political history.

As a 13 year-old in occupied Greece he was tortured and imprisoned for his daring resistance efforts against the Nazis. After his life was miraculously spared he became a journalist, covering the American Embassy in Greece and gaining access to powerful figures in both governments.

When the military junta seized control of Greece in 1967, he escaped the country and for seven years was the leading advocate in Washington for restoring democracy in Greece. Over the years, his scoops and pursuit of uncomfortable truths put him at odds with the Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, and Carter administrations. He became the object of CIA, FBI, and State Department surveillance and smear campaigns. There were Greek plots to kidnap and eliminate him.

Demetracopolous’s lifetime of standing up for democracy and a free press against powerful special interests has much to teach us about our own era of journalist intimidation, dark money, and international intrigue.