• Israel or any other state is not making agreements 'for Greece,' but to instrumentalize and 'exploit' Greece. In other words, an incredible trap has been set for Greece, and the Mitsotakis-Dendias duo is serving Greece on a platter to others for their own political gains.

The author is a faculty member at Hasan Kalyoncu University in Gaziantep, Türkiye, and a senior researcher at the Ankara-based Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA).

ISTANBUL

Every country's mystical past mirrors its mood. The gods and goddesses of Greek mythology also reflect various emotions related to life. Naturally, opposites and contradictions are evident in mythology. Besides Eris and Dolos' ability to deceive and cause conflict, Soter's protective and comforting nature demonstrates this contrast.

It seems that modern Greek politics has pushed these contradictions to the limit. The policy developed by Greece's former Foreign Minister and current Defense Minister Dendias, which is rooted in his hostility towards Türkiye, is reminiscent of the complicated situation of the Greek gods.

It is not hard to list the reasons for this argument. Let us briefly outline them: increasing military spending despite economic vulnerabilities, signing "defense" agreements with other countries against Türkiye, becoming an instrument of other nations, and ignoring obligations under international law. This pattern is also reflected in issues such as the illegal militarization of the Aegean islands and the publication of unethical messages and images by the Greek Air Force after the crash of a Turkish C-130 in Georgia, despite the 20 Turkish martyrs. This list could go on further.

What is the problem?

So, without beating around the bush, it's important to address the real issue. Why does Greece act belligerently and provocatively toward its "ally" Türkiye? Why does it antagonize Türkiye instead of recognizing a neighbor right next door? To help Greece overcome its persistent Eris and Dolos mindset, it would be helpful to provide an analysis as "friendly advice."

Greece's self-provocation with its main slogan, "The threat comes from the East," is not a new phenomenon. However, this claim accusing Türkiye is baseless. Greece's actions, including the massacre of Turks in Tripolitsa on Oct. 5, 1821, the disappearance and forced deportation of Turks during and after the Balkan Wars (1912-1913), the occupation of Asia Minor during the Turkish War of Independence, attempts to eliminate the Turkish community by Greek Cypriots, and maximalist demands in the Eastern Mediterranean, highlight another reality. At no point in its history has Türkiye initiated a war of aggression against Greece. Therefore, the threat is not from the East, but from the Greek political mindset.

This conditioned state of mind and chain of actions has naturally been imposed on the Greek public for centuries through the rhetoric of politicians. In other words, Greek politics reinforces a form of learned helplessness, provokes its people, and distances them from reality. Therefore, Greece is directed toward an artificial Turkish threat rather than its real problems.

Greek economic crisis

It is worth examining the Greek economy first. From the late 1990s onward, Greece experienced high growth and low interest rates after transitioning to the euro. Public spending increased rapidly, and budget deficits became persistent. The bubble burst when opaque budget and debt figures were uncovered, leading to the 2009 crisis. During this period, Greece's debt-to-GDP ratio was approximately 180%.

After three separate bailout packages, the total debt reached about €290 billion ($337 billion). As a result, strict measures were taken, including wage cuts, pension reforms, tax hikes, and privatizations. GDP shrank by roughly 25%, and unemployment rose to 27%. With the EU's unconditional aid, Greece recovered after 2020. However, structural problems still remain.

Greek arms procurement program and economic crisis

Greece's military spending is certainly not the only cause of its economic crisis. However, an article published on Nov. 2, 2021, by Greek academics Christos Kollias, Suzanna-Maria Paleologou, and Michel Zouboulakis concludes that military spending, along with other structural problems, has worsened the crisis. Indeed, despite the economic downturn and high debt levels, Greece remains one of the countries with the highest defense spending relative to GDP.

According to SIPRI and World Bank data, military spending slightly decreased after the 2009 debt crisis but never dropped below 2%. Meanwhile, Greece's defense spending as of 2024 is about 3.1% of its GDP, significantly higher than the NATO average. In other words, while pensions and civil servant salaries are being cut through tough economic measures, armament efforts continue.

During this time, it seems that Greece's loans from the EU have had their interest waived. This is a major concession by Germany. However, despite Germany's goodwill, Greece:

• Continued the modernization of its Leopard 2 main battle tanks, MEKO-class frigates, and Type-214 submarines.

• In 2018, it signed a deal worth about $1.3 billion to upgrade 85 F-16 fighter jets to the "Viper" configuration. It was announced that a total of 121 F-16s would be upgraded.

• Starting in the early 2020s, the procurement of Rafale fighter jets and FDI/Belharra-class frigates from France began. An order was also placed for the fourth FDI frigate in 2025.

• It was announced that a €25-28 billion defense procurement program will be carried out through 2036. As part of this, new submarines, F-35 fighter jets, unmanned air-sea vehicles, command-control systems, and satellite projects will be implemented.

Israeli detail

At this point, it is especially important to address defense relations with Israel. Under the agreement signed with Israel in 2021, a pilot training program and a flight school are to be established between the Israeli company Elbit Systems and Greece. Negotiations are ongoing for PULS multiple rocket launchers and air defense/missile defense systems to strengthen the capabilities of Greece's land forces. In this context, a comprehensive air and UAV defense system called "Achilles Shield" is being planned. Additionally, Greece is considering acquiring systems such as Barak MX, SPYDER air defense systems, and David's Sling to update its air defense and missile defense capabilities.

War in Ukraine

Greece is the only country that has started to turn the Ukraine War into an opportunity. Besides moving Russian oil into the global market with its shadow fleet, it benefits the most from US, German, and EU funds in exchange for supplying Ukraine with its old-generation weapon stock. For example, it transferred 40 outdated BMP-1 armored combat vehicles to Ukraine and, in return, received 40 Marders from Germany. Under the European Peace Facility (EPF), Greece also received budget compensation as part of the EU's €28 billion military aid to Ukraine.

Under the US' EDA (Excess Defense Articles) and other programs, surplus systems such as helicopters and armored vehicles have been provided to Greece due to the "security situation." These are not directly in "exchange for aid to Ukraine," but are part of the broader effort to strengthen NATO's eastern flank rather than the south-eastern front.

Anti-Türkiye defense agreements

Another issue is the defense agreements. Thanks to the efforts of former US Secretary of State Pompeo and then-Ambassador to Athens Geoffrey R. Pyatt, the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement was updated in 2019 and 2021. Meanwhile, Greece and France signed a "Strategic Partnership in Defense and Security" agreement on September 28, 2021. Supposedly, these agreements provide assurance against Türkiye. The agreement involves the sale of FDI-class frigates and Rafale aircraft, Exocet anti-ship missiles, and NH-90 helicopters. Alongside all these agreements, it is also necessary to consider the tripartite mechanism established by the Greek Cypriots, Greece, and Israel. Because the target is clear: Türkiye.

Greece is also trying to block Türkiye's efforts to obtain F-16 and F-35 aircraft by mobilizing Greek and Jewish lobbies in the US Senate. Mitsotakis and Dendias are lobbying to prevent Türkiye's defense industry from participating in the EU's defense initiatives under the SAFE program. Later, Dendias issued statements to the press about missiles being deployed to the Aegean islands.

Türkiye's Agenda

There are so many security issues on Türkiye's agenda that Greece is hardly even considered alongside all these problems. The main approach is to focus on diplomacy and discuss the issues. In fact, efforts toward "normalization" were initially started through topics that were "solvable" and could "contribute" to the process. The goal was to build trust. However, Dendias' recent statements about placing missiles on the islands in the Aegean Sea show that the "settings" of the Greek government have been disrupted "again."

Meanwhile, Türkiye is working to calm and resolve crises through mediation and facilitation. It is also boosting its defense capacity to protect NATO, of which both Türkiye and Greece are members. If a real threat to Greece arose, Türkiye would likely be the first to assist it.

While Greece spends its time at the doorstep of the US and the EU with its imaginary claim of a "Turkish threat," it is clear that it is jeopardizing the welfare of its own people, that it has not abandoned its military buildup despite economic crises, that it has created crises and turned tension into a "source of livelihood," and that it has shown no hesitation in making statements and taking actions against Türkiye to garner support from the entire West for its spoiled behavior. Its defense relations with Israel, meanwhile, directly target Türkiye.

At this point, one thing should be clarified: Israel or any other state is not making agreements "for Greece," but to instrumentalize and "exploit" Greece. In other words, an incredible trap has been set for Greece, and the Mitsotakis/Dendias duo is serving Greece on a platter to others for their own political gains.

So, Greece needs to move away from the spirit of Eris and Dolos and learn to handle its issues with Türkiye in good faith.

*Opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Anadolu's editorial policy.