Is the US-Greek military deal a pretext for ‘war against Turkey’?

“We no longer have any tolerance left for the terrorist attacks against Turkey from Syria.” These are the words of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Following this statement, military operations are expected to be launched to purge the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is composed of the People’s Protection Units (YPG) terrorist organization, from areas that pose a great threat against Turkey. The objective of Turkey’s plan to form a “safe zone” is to take under control a 30-kilometer area that extends all the way to the Iraqi border, starting from Tel Abyad-Jarablus in the west, and Ras al-Ayn in the east. Hence, the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) and the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) have launched preparations for a likely operation in northern Syria and the east of the Euphrates. Statements by top-level authorities say that if Erdoğan’s upcoming meeting with Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin at the Rome G20 Leaders’ Summit in October turns out to be futile and the SDF/YPG do not vacate these areas, a military operation will be inevitable. The decision has already been made, and the necessary coordination will be operated with certain countries. 

Western and hegemonic forces trying to stop Turkey in Syria through terrorist organizations are striving to confine Turkey within its own borders in the Blue Homeland, and activate the U.S.-concocted “crescent plan” through the operation to besiege Turkey. The U.S. not only took Alexandrapouli, 40 kilometers from Turkey, from Athens and turned it into a military base, it also has its eye set on the islands surrounding the Dardanelles Strait. It has been discerned that the U.S. is consolidating weapons and power in the area in the shape of a crescent. The fact that the U.S. wants to establish other bases in Greece is another report coming through the grapevine. As these developments unfold, the TAF launched the “Determination 2021 Drill” in the Aegean and the Mediterranean. So what do all these consecutive reports mean? What are the U.S. and Greece trying to do? All these developments bring to mind the possibility that the U.S. may attack Turkey via Greece in the case of possible war or mounting tensions. 

The U.S. plan to transform Greece into its own personal military base within the scope of its strategy to control the Aegean and the East Mediterranean is continuing full throttle. The U.S., aspiring to form both a permanent and rotational military presence in the region, is planning to increase its bases in Greece within the scope of its bilateral defense deals. The report by Greece’s foreign and defense ministries on military bases states that 22 areas were offered up to the U.S. It is said that as per its strategic position, the base on Skyros Island will certainly be preferred by God's own country. While American forces are currently using the Souda Base in Crete and Alexandrapouliport, the airbase in Larissa and Stefanovikeio are also serving U.S. aircraft. 

Just the other day, the U.S. and Greece signed a critical deal. The U.S.-Greece Defense Cooperation Deal that was initially signed in 1990, was expanded and renewed for five years on Oct. 14-15, 2021, by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias. If either party does not withdraw, it will remain effective until 2026. 

Meanwhile, sources that spoke to Kathimerini, one of Greece’s most-read newspapers, claimed that, for the first time, the U.S. has articulated that it is against Turkey in a written text, and that it will stand with Athens. Sources mentioned that the U.S. is against “Turkey’s expansionist policy.” The article in Kathimerini states, “This time the U.S. did not consider Turkey and Greece as equals. Contrary to previous years, the U.S. announced that it will invest in Greece, it will not fear Turkey’s provocative attitude, and that it will not hesitate to activate its forces in Greece.” 

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated that the U.S. boosted its military presence in Greece in critical points from Maritsa to Crete Island with this deal, and added, “The U.S. is also undertaking the responsibility to oppose any threats and provocations against Greece. I am very happy.” 

Greek Foreign Minister Dendias, on the other hand, first weighed upon Turkey without mentioning names, and then said the deal was not aimed against anyone: “This deal, similar to the deal we struck with France, is not aimed at any country.” 

In order to facilitate the U.S. armed forces, Greece is going to allocate certain military infrastructure and facilities in the four areas (Alexandropouli, Crete, Stefanovikeio, and Lithoro). 

If the parties mutually agree, other facilities of the Greek Armed Forces may be allocated to the United States for military convenience. This article was interpreted to signify that the Aegean islands will also likely be included in the future among the areas where U.S. armed forces will be hosted. 

Greece and the U.S. are repeating their determination to mutually protect their security, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity against actions or attempts that pose a threat to peace, such as armed attacks. Greek Foreign Ministry sources claimed that, with this article, the U.S. will aid Greece in the event it is attacked by Turkey.