The Re-Ottomanisation of the Aegean Islands

[Reaper]

Understood. So does Greece have backing from Russia? EU?

Greece has not asked either for backing.

The Greek strategy since 1974 is to hope and pray Turkey gets a weak leader who doesnt want to expand into the greek aegean. That is as far as Greek strategy mixed with leftist apologism has got Hellas.. Currently Dora/ Mitsotaki / Tsipras are all holding on to the pathetic 'hide under a table and hope Erdogan just goes away' strategy.. The same misguided strategy the UK stupidly utilised that encouraged Argentina to invade the Falklands, same strategy Ukraine used before they lost a vast chunk of their country to seperatists backed by Russia, the same strategy that cost Cyprus its northern half..

[Don Giovanni]

Understood. So does Greece have backing from Russia? EU?

Technically the EU, but countries in the EU have their own national interests at the end of the day. Germany and Italy share some of Turkey's interests. France shares our interests.

Russia wants Ghaddafi's son in power. He's among Haftar's allies. Hafter himself lived under US protection after falling out with Ghaddafi, so the US isn't opposed to him either. Neighboring countries like Egypt and Tunisia are fearful of Muslim Brotherhood (MB) taking over their own countries, so they are weary of Sarraj and Turkey who are in bed with the MB movement.

In terms of the big picture, Russia/China and the West are courting Turkey and giving them leeway in the hopes of not alienating them and getting them to stay or join their side. Given their geography and population size, they could represent an advantage to which ever side they choose. Historically, the West has propped Turkey up in a weakened state and has prevented them from regaining their former status as a major threat. Turkey since it's founding has remained in this weakened state, but Erdogan wants to restore Turkey back as a major power and reaffirm her independence from outside forces, as empire in and of itself.

Our goal is we need to put Erdogan in the same boat as Iran, present them as a regional threat that must be contained and not allow them the rights they seek over own in the Mediterranean. We also have to secure our borders and prevent them from inundating our country and Europe with Muslims who will sure enough vote and act according to Turkey's interests in the long haul.