The other day, a Greek nationalist commented on one of my posts detailing all sorts of unkind things about Turkey and Turks. But don’t worry. Every country has its own share of idiots, so enough Turkish nationalists treat Greek people online the same way in the war of keyboards. So, I’d like to briefly discuss the hottest military issue between Greece and Turkey and then explain why I don’t like the nationalism of any nation.
In the Mediterranean, several Greek islands lie close to Turkey, and some of these islands are not covered under the treaty between Greece and Turkey regarding demilitarization. Turkey’s concern about the militarization of these nearby islands is understandable, as Greece would likely react similarly if a Turkish island close to its mainland were armed.
For years, Turkey has argued that its demands align with the spirit of the treaty that the countries already have and that its requests are justified. Greece, on the other hand, maintains that its actions comply with international law and that the treaty does not explicitly cover these particular islands. This ongoing dispute often fuels nationalist rhetoric and provocations from politicians on both sides, escalating tensions and leading to periodic military crises.
For the sake of discussion, let’s assume Turkey’s position is entirely correct. If the militarization of these islands does indeed pose a significant threat to Turkey’s security, then this situation reflects a failure in Turkey’s strategy, regardless of the validity of Turkey’s claims. Turkish leaders have not only failed the country but have also left its people at risk for decades.
If the militarization of these islands is as critical a threat as Turkey claims, the sensible approach would be to seek ways to resolve the issue rather than allowing the threat to continue. For instance, Turkey could use the demilitarization of the islands as a bargaining chip in financial and military negotiations with Greece. Alternatively, Turkey could consider offering to demilitarize certain Turkish territories as part of a reciprocal agreement.
In a fair world, under the assumption that Turkey’s claims were entirely justified, Greece should address the issue without needing external concessions. However, when faced with a choice between obtaining a solution through concessions that may seem unfair or maintaining a rigid stance while allowing the threat to persist, the more pragmatic option is the former, even if it involves making compromises simply because that is the beneficial option for the nation.
The nationalism of any nation has been problematic because it often thrives on the existence of a common enemy and focuses on being “right” rather than pursuing what is genuinely beneficial for the nation. It often prioritizes the desire to be right over practical solutions, leading to unrealistic demands that the opposing party would obviously find politically impossible to meet. International politics, is not just about insisting on one’s own perspective but about finding actionable solutions that safeguard national interests and resolve conflicts effectively.
Personal Note
In principle, as a Turkish citizen, I don’t write opinion pieces that criticize Greece or portray it in a negative light, as I don’t believe I am the right unbiased source people are looking for. Additionally, I don’t know why, it feels rude, even though I have critiqued other countries freely.
