Elisavet Kammas '26
It is known by many that Greece and Turkey have not been on the best of terms. This has been going on for hundreds of years. Whether it is because Turkish planes have been spotted over the Aegean Sea, or Turkish refugees fleeing to the Greek islands, there has always been something going on between the two countries.
Ever since the 1800s, when Greece declared independence from the Ottoman empire, the two countries have always been brawling. Even after the treaty of Lausanne, Greece and Turkey have been fighting over many territories connecting the two, including the Aegean islands. While most of the islands went to Greece, the countries have been claiming islands all over the Aegean. Even more outrage broke out when Turkey took over Northern Cyprus. Cyprus, a hellenized country, had become the Republic of Cyprus in 1959, only for the north to be invaded and dominated in 1974 by Turkish military.
Recently, tensions have once again aroused between Greece and Turkey. Greece has been arming their islands as Turkey has been making (and testing) missiles (called Tayfun). Only a few days ago the Turkish president told Greece that a missile can hit Greece - more specifically Athens. However, that will only happen if Greece “doesn’t stay calm.” Both countries have been a part of NATO since 1952, therefore making such a threat a very serious issue if it were to come true.
Greece is determined to protect itself against any threat or wrong-doing (whether it be Turkish or not). Turkey seems to have similar motives, claiming that Greece has only made unlawful claims, and provoking actions. If Turkey does attack Greece, both countries would surely be at war. If not, then the two will continue having tensions, going back to the same way it has been for years upon years.
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