Turkey ramps up tensions in the Aegean

This week saw tensions between Greece and Turkey reach levels we have not seen since 2022 in the Aegean as Turkey sent its warships into an area south of the Greek islands of Kassos and Karpathos. The ratcheting up of tensions followed Turkish President Erdogan’s hardline statements on Cyprus this weekend and his calls for Prime Minister Mitsotakis to put Defense Minister Dendias “in his place.” Constantinos Filis, the director of the Institute of Global Affairs and a professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis to look into whether we are seeing a gradual return of tensions in the Aegean after more than a year of calm. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Greek, Turkish ships face off in the Aegean, but no hostile engagementItalian research vessel returning to Crete after completing operationGreece must get an important role in the Commission, prime minister tells von der LeyenExperts call for urgent conservation strategy as Crete faces water shortagesAfter Losing Crops to Drought, Sicily Fears Losing Tourism, Too