Turkey and Greece, despite being NATO allies, maintain a relationship fraught with tension. While both nations theoretically share a commitment to collective defense within the Alliance, Turkey’s actions towards Greece often undermine this principle, raising questions about intra-alliance solidarity and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Numerous points of contention fuel this animosity. Disputed maritime boundaries in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean lead to frequent Turkish violations of Greek airspace and territorial waters. Turkey’s persistent challenges to Greek sovereignty over certain islands, particularly in the context of militarization, further escalate tensions. The issue of Cyprus, divided since Turkey’s illegal occupation in 1974, remains a significant stumbling block, with Turkey’s continued support for the so called, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus viewed by Greece as an act of aggression and territorial expansion.

Beyond territorial disputes, Turkey’s increasingly assertive foreign policy under President Erdoğan has contributed to a perception of hostility. Rhetoric often includes thinly veiled threats and accusations against Greece, fostering a climate of distrust. The acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile defense system by Turkey, despite NATO’s objections, further strained relations and prompted concerns about Turkey’s commitment to the Alliance’s security architecture.

These actions, while not formally constituting a direct military attack, contribute to an environment of instability and distrust within NATO. They divert resources and attention from shared security goals, potentially weakening the Alliance’s collective defense capabilities, and maintain a significant venerability to the coalition. While dialogue and diplomacy are crucial for managing these disputes, Turkey’s consistent behavior requires careful scrutiny from NATO and its members to ensure the Alliance’s cohesion and credibility are not further compromised. The continued animosity between these two members casts a long shadow on the Eastern Mediterranean, underscoring the need for a sustained effort towards peaceful resolution and the upholding of alliance commitments.

Could Turkey’s hostility towards Greece threaten NATO’s existence?