Greece must remain vigilant and fully prepared to counter any revisionist ambitions emanating from Turkey, particularly those that challenge sovereignty and stability in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. Greece must stand ready against Turkey’s revisionist ambitions.
In the face of rhetoric that seeks to redraw borders or question established international frameworks, Athens has both the right and the responsibility to safeguard its national interests. At the same time, strengthening its strategic posture across the Aegean — including reinforcing its presence and influence along the Anatolian coastline — is essential to ensuring that such revisionist narratives are firmly deterred and do not re-emerge.
Karagül: “Western Thrace and the Aegean islands must be reunited with Turkey”
In an article published in Yeni Safak, brahim Karagül — editor-in-chief of TR Haber and a close adviser to President Erdogan — argues that the world is at a critical turning point in history, where traditional rules, international law and supranational institutions have effectively ceased to function. In his view, major powers have entered a phase in which authority is asserted through control of vital resources and strategic maritime corridors.
The columnist maintains that the US move to block the Strait of Hormuz is not merely a tactical decision, but the precursor to a period of “extreme developments”, in which diplomacy gives way to the pursuit of control over energy resources and trade routes, reviving practices reminiscent of earlier historical eras.
From the Persian Gulf to the Aegean: the threat to the Straits and Turkey’s outlook
Karagül attempts to draw a parallel between developments in the Strait of Hormuz and Turkey’s own strategic waterways. He expresses concern that the same logic of blockade and control applied elsewhere could be extended to the Dardanelles and the Bosporus. In this context, he interprets the US military presence and the establishment of bases in Greece, Romania and Bulgaria not as measures to counter Russian influence, but as preparations to challenge Turkish sovereignty. He argues that these moves form part of a broader strategy aimed at marginalising Turkey.
The Greece–Israel–Cyprus axis and the role of the United States
In his analysis, the columnist targets cooperation between Israel, Greece and Cyprus, claiming that these countries have formed a joint axis acting as a “guard” for Israeli and American interests. He suggests that this coordination goes beyond defensive cooperation and should be viewed as offensive towards Turkey. Karagül concludes that these initiatives are driven by Israeli strategic planning, which leverages US military power to advance its objectives in the region.
“Western Thrace and the Aegean islands must be reunited with Turkey”
Concluding his article, Karagül calls for a shift in Turkish strategy. He argues that Turkey should abandon what he describes as a passive stance and respond more assertively to emerging challenges, turning its focus towards the “Western Front”. He advocates renegotiating the status of the Aegean and Western Thrace, insisting that the country must secure what he terms its “natural borders”.
“Western Thrace and the Aegean islands must be reunited with Turkey,” he states.
According to Karagül, a lack of decisiveness would leave Turkey vulnerable, and he therefore calls for the adoption of a new doctrine aimed at countering what he describes as efforts to “encircle” the country.
