Podcasts
07/06/2020
New front lines take shape as East Med actors mark their territories
In Israel there is a notion of it being now or never with regards to the annexation of the West Bank, despite the likelihood of another Palestinian intifada. Another conflict in the Middle East is highly anticipated as Israel gears up to annex what many nations around the world already recognise as an integral part of the state of Palestine, not to mention Turkey.
Meanwhile in Libya, Turkey and Russia may appear to be on opposing sides in the conflict that has drawn in a number of international players into North Africa, but they are actually providing each other the pretext they both need to get a foothold in the region, spelling bad news for Greece and Cyprus who feel hard-done-by because of a maritime demarcation deal between Libya’s UN-backed government and Turkey.
In fact Turkey has deliberately been irking Greece for a reaction. Right now, Turkey is as united and strong as it can ever be, while its rivals in Europe are disunited. While an economic crisis chips away as Turkey’s strength, it cannot wait any longer in its quest to become self-sufficient. Attack is its only defence. Turkey needs Greece to start a war, but Greece isn't falling for the bait, as Athens knows it cannot possibly come out on top in a military confrontation.
But as Turkey seeks to expand its influence in the Eastern Mediterranean with its Blue Homeland maritime doctrine, Egypt, the only nearby country able to match Turkey's naval power, now heads an anti-Turkish bloc including Greece, Cyprus, France and the UAE. Although there is no reason for a direct conflict between Turkey and Egypt, Egypt’s assertions give Cyprus and Greece ground to stand on when condemning Turkey, and also provides the regional allies France and the UAE need to get involved.
Radio EastMed’s Editor-in-Chief Ertan Karpazli has more.
Meanwhile in Libya, Turkey and Russia may appear to be on opposing sides in the conflict that has drawn in a number of international players into North Africa, but they are actually providing each other the pretext they both need to get a foothold in the region, spelling bad news for Greece and Cyprus who feel hard-done-by because of a maritime demarcation deal between Libya’s UN-backed government and Turkey.
In fact Turkey has deliberately been irking Greece for a reaction. Right now, Turkey is as united and strong as it can ever be, while its rivals in Europe are disunited. While an economic crisis chips away as Turkey’s strength, it cannot wait any longer in its quest to become self-sufficient. Attack is its only defence. Turkey needs Greece to start a war, but Greece isn't falling for the bait, as Athens knows it cannot possibly come out on top in a military confrontation.
But as Turkey seeks to expand its influence in the Eastern Mediterranean with its Blue Homeland maritime doctrine, Egypt, the only nearby country able to match Turkey's naval power, now heads an anti-Turkish bloc including Greece, Cyprus, France and the UAE. Although there is no reason for a direct conflict between Turkey and Egypt, Egypt’s assertions give Cyprus and Greece ground to stand on when condemning Turkey, and also provides the regional allies France and the UAE need to get involved.
Radio EastMed’s Editor-in-Chief Ertan Karpazli has more.
