# Greece, Turkey and Israel after the regional shocks

Source URL: https://polimeme.com/discussion/thread_34fb35a242303738
First seen: 2026-08-23 11:40 UTC · Latest activity: 2026-08-27 09:08 UTC
15 core pieces, 3 related pieces

## Summary

Athens faces competing pressure to keep calm waters and build a broader strategy, while other voices want closer alignment with Israel and firmer deterrence against Turkey. The cost of each route runs through Cyprus, Syria, and Greece’s room to act without appearing to choose sides in a wider war.

## Core contention

Should Greece answer Turkey’s pressure with restraint and legal-diplomatic balance, or with tighter security alignment and harder deterrence?

## Argument map

1. A broader, law-based strategy and domestic consensus would restore credibility and avoid reckless self-congratulation. — Γιώργος Μαντενιώτης (EfSyn), Μαγκριώτης Γιάννης (To Vima), Γιώργος Μαντενιώτης (EfSyn)
2. Turkey’s regional push and the war shock justify tighter cooperation with Israel and stronger deterrence. — Γιώργος Μαντενιώτης (EfSyn), Θεοδώρα Νικολάου (Philenews), Σάκης Μουμτζής (Liberal), Θανάσης Μαυρίδης (Liberal)
3. Israel’s hard line shows both the limits of Turkish leverage and the risks of importing a war-ready model into Greek policy. — Σάκης Μουμτζής (Liberal), Σάκης Μουμτζής (Liberal), \[object Object\] (Limes)

## Fault line

The split sits between strategic restraint and an Israeli-style security posture tied to anti-Turkey deterrence.

## New element

Recent texts now link the Greece debate more tightly to the Turkey-Israel confrontation, Cyprus, and the costs of siding with one camp.

## European relevance

Greece’s choices affect EU border security, eastern Mediterranean stability, and how member states balance law, deterrence, and alliances.

## Distinct theses in this debate

- The government’s rhetoric and one-dimensional approach have failed; Greece needs a more credible, transparent, multi-vector national strategy grounded in international law and domestic consensus.
- The strike is not isolated; it marks a strategic boundary against Turkey's attempt to expand influence across the Middle East and beyond.
- Turkey and Israel have both gained from the regional upheaval, but their interests are increasingly incompatible, especially in Syria, the Kurdish issue, and Iran.
- Government self-congratulation in foreign policy is misleading and risky because the international environment has worsened and Turkey is gaining leverage.
- Erdoğan has been forced into a political and military setback because Israel called his bluff in Syria, so Turkey’s leverage elsewhere is also diminished
- Greek social culture and historical experience make a war-ready Israeli model impossible and undesirable for Greece
- Turkey is acting aggressively and the region is heading toward conflict; Cyprus and Greece must prepare, and local Cypriot politics should be read through that security lens
- The author argues that Israel’s approach is self-defeating and may inadvertently consolidate Sunni opposition while increasing nuclear risk.

## Pieces

- 2026-08-27 09:08 UTC — [Να ξαναβρούμε την αυτοπεποίθησή μας στη διεθνή σκηνή](https://www.efsyn.gr/stiles/1455152/na-xanavroyme-tin-aytopepoithisi-mas-sti-diethni-skini) — Γιώργος Μαντενιώτης (EfSyn) [el]
- 2026-08-24 05:38 UTC — [Η αλαζονεία της κυβέρνησης, στην εξωτερική πολιτική, κρύβει κινδύνους](https://www.tovima.gr/2026/08/24/opinions/i-alazoneia-tis-kyvernisis-stin-eksoteriki-politiki-kryvei-kindynous) — Μαγκριώτης Γιάννης (To Vima) [el]
- 2026-08-23 09:00 UTC — [Πράσινο φως](https://www.efsyn.gr/stiles/1452442/prasino-fos) — Γιώργος Μαντενιώτης (EfSyn) [el]
- 2026-08-25 06:00 UTC — [Ortadoğu Kaosunun İki Kazananı: Türkiye ve İsrail](https://serbestiyet.com/gunun-yazilari/ortadogu-kaosunun-iki-kazanani-turkiye-ve-israil-247001) — İlhami Işık (Serbestiyet) [tr]
- 2026-08-23 21:00 UTC — [Έσπασε ο τσαμπουκάς του Ερντογάν](https://www.liberal.gr/index%2ephp/s-moymtzis/espase-o-tsampoykas-toy-erntogan) — Σάκης Μουμτζής (Liberal) [el]
- 2026-08-20 21:00 UTC — [Γιατί η Ελλάδα δε θα γίνει ποτέ Ισραήλ](https://www.liberal.gr/index%2ephp/s-moymtzis/giati-i-ellada-de-tha-ginei-pote-israil) — Σάκης Μουμτζής (Liberal) [el]
- 2026-08-23 11:30 UTC — [Στην αεροπορική βάση Αμπού Αλ Ντουχούρ θα μεταφερθούν οι S-400](https://www.philenews.com/politiki/article/1761475/stin-aeroporiki-vasi-ampou-al-ntouchour-tha-metaferthoun-i-s-400) — Θεοδώρα Νικολάου (Philenews) [el]
- 2026-08-21 08:24 UTC — [La guerra perpetua di Israele può ricompattare il mondo sunnita](https://www.limesonline.com/articoli/israele-responsabilita-7-ottobre-hamas-gaza-libano-iran-nucleare-sunnita-22552866) — \[object Object\] (Limes) [it]
- 2026-08-11 06:00 UTC — [UAE-Saudi rivalry amid the war with Iran](https://www.gisreportsonline.com/r/uae-saudi-rivalry) — Giorgio Cafiero [en]
- undated — [Η περιοχή σε αναβρασμό](https://www.kathimerini.gr/opinion/564422230/i-periochi-se-anavrasmo) — Κώστας Ιορδανίδης (Kathimerini) [el]
- undated — [Η Τουρκία, η κυβέρνηση και η αντιπολίτευση](https://www.kathimerini.gr/opinion/564422494/i-toyrkia-i-kyvernisi-kai-i-antipoliteysi) — Αθανάσιος Έλλις (Kathimerini) [el]
- 2026-08-20 11:11 UTC — [Ολο και πιο βαθιά στον πόλεμο…](https://www.efsyn.gr/stiles/1451127/olo-kai-pio-vathia-ston-polemo) — Γιώργος Μαντενιώτης (EfSyn) [el]
- undated — [Αυταρχικός ο αντίπαλος, «γενοκτόνος» ο φίλος!](https://www.liberal.gr/s-moymtzis/aytarhikos-o-antipalos-genoktonos-o-filos) — Σάκης Μουμτζής (Liberal) [el]
- undated — [Ο Ερντογάν, ο Σαλαντίν, η κατάληψη της Ιερουσαλήμ και το Αιγαίο](https://www.liberal.gr/index%2Ephp/th-mayridis/o-erntogan-o-salantin-i-katalipsi-tis-ieroysalim-kai-aigaio) — Θανάσης Μαυρίδης (Liberal) [el]
- 2026-08-24 11:46 UTC — [Σύμμαχος μιας χρήσεως](https://www.efsyn.gr/stiles/1453176/symmahos-mias-hriseos) — Γιώργος Μαντενιώτης (EfSyn) [el]

### Related

- 2026-08-25 05:40 UTC — [Δεν είναι παιχνίδι να παίζεις με το φέσι](https://www.in.gr/2026/08/25/editorial/den-einai-paixnidi-na-paizeis-me-to-fesi) — Λευτέρης Θ. Χαραλαμπόπουλος (in.gr) [el]
- 2026-08-20 11:07 UTC — [Επικίνδυνη στροφή](https://www.efsyn.gr/stiles/1451094/epikindyni-strofi) — Γιώργος Μαντενιώτης (EfSyn) [el]
- 2026-08-23 14:33 UTC — [Θολά νερά](https://www.tovima.gr/print/opinions/thola-nera) — Πρετεντέρης Γιάννης (To Vima) [el]