A PERILOUS TANGO FOR FOUR IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN

Sourced: BESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 765, March 11, 2018

By Dr. Spyridon N. Litsas

The Eastern Mediterranean has entered a new period of high volatility, with Israel and Greece in the eye of the storm. Both countries are facing an upgraded strategic challenge from Turkey and Iran. This is not simply an interstate problem but a broader crisis that will influence the future geostrategic physiognomy of the Eastern Med.

In the first two months of 2018, the Eastern Mediterranean seemed to adopt all the bleak characteristics of the Balkans: high volatility, resolute revisionist actors, and unstable internal sociopolitical environments rocked by political scandals. The region now accommodates two status quo regional powers on the one side and two revisionist peripheral powers on the other. This creates an asymmetrical mosaic of political goals.

Israel and Greece, the two status quo powers, find themselves in a dangerous tango with the two main revisionist powers in the region, Iran and Turkey. This is hardly news. But for the first time, this tense tango is being played by an orchestra of balalaikas.

Read more at: https://besacenter.org/perspectives-papers/perilous-tango-four-eastern-med/

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.