Western press published a striking analysis article on the tension between Turkey and Greece.
While it was stated that the two NATO countries had been in conflict for decades over land and airspace claims, experts who spoke to the Western press stated that the current tension, which was necessary to focus on unity against Russia during the occupation of Ukraine, risked spreading to NATO affairs.
Emphasizing that the frictions experienced brought Turkey and Greece to the brink of war three times in the last 50 years, experts said that they did not see a solution in the relations between the two countries recently.
“It takes a mediator with the skill and some leverage to find something these two nations can agree on. But I don’t see that on the horizon,” said Jim Townsend, the former US assistant secretary of defense for European and NATO policy.
Philip Breedlove, a retired US Air Force general who served as a NATO ally commander from 2013 to 2016, said the longstanding problems between Turkey and Greece have escalated and subsided over time. “The leadership in Turkey is pushing the country in certain directions and these tensions have escalated once again as they have over the years,” Breedlove said. Breedlove added that NATO and the United States have managed similar tensions in the past.
Experts suggested that if tensions escalate to the level of hostility, Russian President Vladimir Putin could take advantage of it. Townsend and the US general Breedlove, who think that the relations between Turkey and the USA will improve again, stated that they estimate that the USA will provide the F-16s demanded by Turkey.
Emphasis on “Joint Threat” FROM US RETIRED GENERAL: WE SHOULD GIVE TURKEY F-35
Noting that the focus should be on the “common threat”, the former NATO commander said he wanted Turkey to have the F-35. Breedlove added that the United States would want to move forward with Turkey as it is an incredibly important part of the NATO alliance despite the recent decline in relations and cannot speak to current government policy.
Star Newspaper