For decades, Turkish-Greek relations have revolved around familiar fault lines: maritime jurisdiction disputes in the Aegean, airspace disagreements, the militarization of islands and above all, Cyprus.
Athens has long accused Türkiye of pursuing a “revisionist” foreign policy. Based on this narrative, successive Greek governments have attempted to construct their national security doctrine. Yet too often, realism has been replaced by domestic political rhetoric. The so-called “Turkish threat” has periodically been transformed into a convenient political instrument, especially during moments of economic instability or internal political pressure within Greece.
In reality, Ankara and Athens have maintained what could best be described as a controlled rivalry for decades.
Conflicts intensified from time to time. Harsh statements were exchanged. Military exercises were staged as political messages. Yet both sides understood the cost of direct confrontation. For that reason, disputes over Cyprus and the Aegean largely remained within the framework of controlled political crises rather than open conflict.
However, the regional balance of power has changed dramatically over the last decade.
