4 days ago
24
Government officials and diplomats are pursuing the archetypal steps toward a still fragile truce successful Gaza with aggravated interest, trying to gauge what this could mean for Greece and the wider East Mediterranean area.
First of all, they anticipation that the statement will beryllium lasting and will not unravel soon. Second, they clasp a affirmative view of the likelihood of improved diplomatic relations betwixt Israel and Arab states and the revival of the so-called Abraham Accords concluded successful 2020. Greece would view the revival of an thought for an India-Middle East-Europe economical corridor very positively, provided it is included successful it arsenic a hub.
But officials are besides alert of Turkey’s upgraded role: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, aft strenuous effort, gained a spot astatine the dialog table, astatine slightest partly, by putting unit connected Hamas to attend, and, perhaps, a accidental to signifier Gaza’s future.
Hard power, and specifically subject power, counts, and, much importantly, is respected by US President Donald Trump. This is definite to beryllium used by Erdogan to inquire for favors, from obtaining F-35 craft to support for Istanbul’s bid to big the 2036 Summer Olympics. But different mentation is that, too a spot astatine the Gaza negotiating table, Erdogan did not get immoderate commitments connected different issues. It is true that President Trump personally likes Erdogan, but this is nary warrant that the contiguous bully narration will past beyond this administration.
Likewise, 1 tin accidental that Turkey’s engagement successful Libya and subject beingness successful Syria, successful summation to its beingness successful Gaza, are not signs of geopolitical strength, but of overextension.
And it doesn’t assistance Erdogan that Arab countries, successful general, are repelled by his neo-Ottoman and expansionist rhetoric, and would similar to spot his ambition curtailed.
Greek (GR) · 
English (US) ·