Germany's Handelsblatt is calling the Aegean a "dangerous geopolitical puzzle," reporting that Greece's military buildup...

Germany's Handelsblatt is calling the Aegean a "dangerous geopolitical puzzle," reporting that Greece's military buildup is rattling Ankara. The German financial daily says the brief period of calm that followed Erdogan's visit to Athens in late 2023 is now over, with both NATO allies trading accusations again. At the center of Turkey's concern is Greece's push to strengthen its military presence on Aegean islands with Israeli weapons systems. Ankara views this as a direct threat to its security. Handelsblatt also points to the planned underwater electricity cable in the Eastern Mediterranean as another flashpoint adding to already strained relations. The report references Turkey's "Blue Homeland" doctrine, noting that the relevant legislation could be submitted to the Ankara parliament within the month. That doctrine asserts Turkish maritime claims over vast stretches of the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, putting it in direct conflict with Greek and Cypriot sovereign interests. Handelsblatt stops short of predicting open conflict, noting that neither government is willing to risk a full-scale war. But the paper warns that the bigger danger is a sudden crisis that spirals out of control before either side can pull back. The escalating arms buildup, the energy corridor disputes, and the looming Blue Homeland legislation are all converging at the same time, and Handelsblatt is framing the combination as a serious risk, not a manageable tension. #Greece #Turkey #Aegean