Developments on the grand chessboard are intensifying and what is confirmed is the fact that Piecemeal tactics are not enough and that in order to manage these challenges in a sustainable manner, The actions of the parties involved should be based on a broader strategic framework…
From this perspective, there are two things who are required to to objectively take into account both small and large regional and other actors in this complex and ever-changing equation.
The one relates to the need for ongoing, proactive intervention that «builds» the environment for active alliances and «locks in» the useful list of NON-opponents, thereby defining a force multiplier that acts as a catalyst for the course of developments. The second refers to the need for comprehensive strategic planning, a a clearly defined strategic agenda, which should be pursued in a unified and cohesive manner, so that it can impart in turn, the necessary added value in targeted routine operations, at a historic juncture that is giving rise to critical upheavals and very significant developments.
Our country plays a multifaceted role on this chessboard. Not only because it chose to passively align itself with reckless Euro-Atlantic decisions, showing complete disregard for the long-term costs, but also for two more for very specific reasons.
- The first has to do with the fact that she herself (and Cyprus along with it), although it formally appears to play a supporting role in the context of Euro-Atlantic plans, in reality is a point of contention in regional affairs, putting on the table the core elements of its national sovereignty, as well as a broader package of non-negotiable sovereign rights.
- The second concerns the complete lack of a walking strategy, which makes it vulnerable to behind-the-scenes bargaining.
The Key Players in regional affairs There are four. The ongoing there is a conflict strategic in nature, while the differences between the four with regard to their strategic adequacy, They are distinct and fully indicative of the character of the modern world.
As for Russia, the main objective is to consolidate its enhanced presence on this chessboard and this goal This inevitably involves a significant weakening of the cohesion of NATO's southeastern flank, so consequently it passes and by eroding the traditional foundations of the United States in the wider region.
China insists on DO NOT get caught up in choices that will tie up working capital. He prefers to «secures» positions that facilitate its geo-economic integration, through smart practices that expand its ability to impose relationships of dependence, rushing to capitalize on them through targeted strategic agreements.
The U.S. seek to to enforce their full restoration by asserting a leading role in regional affairs, but this particular bet seems to present certain difficulties.
- Accepting this role It is NOT a given…
- The environment presents a a multitude of new and difficult-to-manage competitions…
- The need for a comprehensive reassessment of the U.S.'s relationship with both traditional allies (e.g., Turkey) and traditional adversaries (e.g., Iran) it is obvious…
- The actual situation on the ground, although traditionally well-known, is nevertheless at this time it seems less familiar and more unwelcoming more than at any other time in the past for the U.S.
Turkey Finally, despite the simplistic approaches that are mindlessly reproduced in the domestic media scene, remains not only a critical but also a key factor in these developments. First and foremost, because The hard core of her revisionist policy leads her to is involved in one way or another across the entire Eurasian chessboard. The impact of this engagement is highly strategic, since at the heart of its objectives lies a broader set of upheavals—ranging from shifts in geostrategic balances to border modifications, as well as the redefinition of a series of arrangements grounded in international agreements. Regular management finally, the one she chooses, has very specific goals related AND by promoting its reform agenda, but ALSO with the de facto imposition of a a new model in its international relations that will ensure her relative strategic autonomy and the ability to employ various forms of coercion against anyone. It is, therefore, a multi-objective management strategy that aims to…
- Νa manipulates the behavior of the powerful as they vie for a share and a role at the table of power…
- To act as a dominant force among all Turkish-speaking populations…
- To neutralize regional powers that is unable to rally…
- To undermine other regional associations in which it does not participate, in order to thereby alter the overall picture and the regional balance the following day.
It is therefore clear that any attempt to seriously assess the way in which our country intervenes within this environment, either independently or within the framework of «allied» structures and its contractual obligations toward them, must take all of the above into account.
The strategic foothold, as we defined it at the outset, as a critical and decisive factor of power that could add value to routine operations, is completely missing from the equation. Greek foreign policy…
- He refuses to acknowledge that the strategic conflict on the large chessboard, It will dramatically change its character and will inevitably redistribute roles but also pie among the leading actors…
- He refuses to acknowledge the EU's complete strategic inaction, but and in a manner that is both insecure and opportunistic with whom The Americans are keeping an eye on developments…
- He insists on ignoring the fact that the Aegean and the southeastern Mediterranean are the most likely strategic escape routes Turkey could take in order to secure benefits, if its efforts to manipulate its powerful allies—within the framework of a new type of relationship it seeks to build with them in order to play on all fronts—do not bear fruit…
- He insists on ignoring the fact that both in its immediate surroundings and within its vital territory, It is hemmed in by the assertive agenda of all its neighbors, who sense that they can take advantage of its tolerance.
- He refuses to realize that in this highly contradictory yet blatantly confrontational environment, Both opportunities and new ideas are emerging which now make it possible to create and strengthen parallel collaborative frameworks with an updated agenda and structured on the basis of purely strategic characteristics, in shaping which our country can play an important role and have a significant say. And most importantly of all, Greek foreign policy…
- He refuses to adopt and, of course, to promote in an aggressive manner, a new approach to defending the national cause and restoring historical rights. Minutes is compatible with the casus belli… Under negotiation the conditions that will leave an indelible mark of the Occupation on Cyprus… He is looking for a way to spruce things up a process of gradually dismantling traditional and non-negotiable red lines.
So… at a historic juncture when conditions are changing dramatically of the game, Our country's foreign policy remains mired in short-sighted tactics that lack strategic coherence and, as a result, do not raise expectations of any substantial change in the actual situation.
For us, Ukraine remains merely a pretext for voting in favor of sanctions at Russia's expense, while, given its scope, it could be a prime opportunity for Greece to set the Black Sea agenda and the entire range of violations that Turkey has committed over time against the Greek people.
Crimea, too, serves as a pretext for perpetuating a self-destructive anti-Russian sentiment whereas it should be a prime opportunity to comprehensively upgrade our diplomatic and political arguments and our ability to find solutions capable of paving the way to put an end to the disgrace of the Occupation in Cyprus.
On our successive trips to Libya, we went without preconditions, hoping to exchange pleasantries and making empty promises of vague support for the country's reconstruction. At the same time, Turkey, with the entire Libyan Cabinet in attendance, signed a package of agreements concerning critical areas of Libya’s reconstruction.
We celebrated because we «secured» a commitment that bilateral talks would begin to resolve the issue of maritime zones, but unfortunately We have not clarified exactly what the starting point for these discussions will be.
We chose to go to western Libya as a symbolic gesture in light of the prospect of opening a Greek consulate there in Benghazi, but we did not engage in a substantive discussion with that particular center of power, which is friendly toward our country, in order to undermine Erdogan’s sham from within. And yet… At the same time, Turkey is playing both sides, while the international community turns a blind eye.
We'll just say a few words about the fleeting flurry of statements, which, as long as they remain mere pleasantries, undermine any glimmers of positivity one might otherwise discern and it is as if the country doesn't even face any real strategic challenges.
We are looking for statements that will «sell» domestically, and at the same time, the other side when it does not challenge us directly and on the battlefield, systematically operates behind the scenes with the aim of undermining potential strategic alliances (see Egypt, Israel, etc.).
And, of course, Greek foreign policy remains trapped in dead ends and continues to dances to the rhythms whistled by the Sultanate, disregarding the fact that this choice, in practice, amounts to a recipe for undermining the country's dignified national identity. The most recent One example is Erdogan's recent threatening statements the existence of which should signal the Immediate and unconditional cancellation of the Greek foreign minister’s visit to Ankara tomorrow. Nevertheless, as of the time of writing, the Greek silence is a given, and in the author’s opinion This silence constitutes an uncharacteristic act.
It's clear that this is leading the country to ruin. It chases after statements designed to make a splash in the moment, and before the political leadership has a chance to enjoy its supposed gain, a new tsunami of challenges arrives, whether from allies or opponents, to remind everyone that their hands remain tied to the ropes and that others are pulling the strings.
Its mandatory involvement in the events unfolding on the grand chessboard could serve as a major incentive for a comprehensive shift toward an offensive diplomatic and political strategy. in strategic options for the defense of national laws. Nevertheless, the country’s political class continues to follow the course it has grown accustomed to and insists on doing so under even worse conditions than in the past, and in stark contrast to the gravity of the problems and challenges of our time.
The recipe for failure is right here, and some people are doing everything they can to divide Greek society. You can imagine what happens next…
By Mr Kyriakopoulos
