Greece’s Defence Minister Nikos Dendias publicly criticized Turkey on Thursday, accusing Ankara of supporting Hamas and opposing the US vision for the Middle East. Speaking at a panel in Washington, D.C., Dendias questioned Turkey’s position on the conflict following the October 2023 attacks in Israel and highlighted Turkey’s hosting of the Muslim Brotherhood. He contrasted this with Greece’s growing cooperation with Israel, including joint military exercises and defense projects.
Dendias’s remarks reflect shifting alliances in the region, where Greece and Israel have strengthened ties amid tensions with Turkey over maritime claims and regional influence. Despite these developments, the US continues to maintain Turkey as a key strategic partner, relying on Ankara for various foreign policy objectives in the Middle East and the Caucasus.
**Why this matters**
The comments illustrate ongoing geopolitical realignments in the Eastern Mediterranean, where Greece and Israel are deepening their partnership in response to Turkey’s assertive regional policies. This dynamic complicates US efforts to balance relations with both NATO allies, Turkey and Greece, amid broader Middle East conflicts and security challenges.
Source: NewsData