tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386077914312449748.post470132332052266128..comments2024-03-29T13:09:31.522+01:00Comments on Defence and Freedom: The Greek fiscal "troubles" and MilitaryUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386077914312449748.post-64003297016238244272009-12-16T02:14:02.677+01:002009-12-16T02:14:02.677+01:00As far as the relationship between Greece and Turk...As far as the relationship between Greece and Turkey goes, it's clear that Turkey is simply leaving Greece behind as a rival. Turkey is becoming a regional power with significant interests and influence in the Middle East and Central Asia. It's very unlikely that the Turkish government will be willing to base their force structure on a balance of power with Greece.<br /><br />I think this realization is one of the reasons the rhetoric and rivalry between Greece and Turkey is cooling. Both nations have other problems. Greece has internal political and economic issues and Turkey is distracted by its own regional power aspirations. They really can't afford to keep each other as enemies anymore.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13783904381680777945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386077914312449748.post-18791325317058763012009-12-16T00:44:58.661+01:002009-12-16T00:44:58.661+01:00Well, the submarine trade was already blown and Gr...Well, the submarine trade was already blown and Greece doesn't look like a liquid buyer of additional ships and fighters to me.<br /><br />The influence of a Turkish peace dividend on the relations between the moderately Islamist Turkish government and the Kemalist (secular) military would be interesting.<br /><br />A classic government's approach to improve the mood of an almost rebellious military would be to buy new toys. That would be the opposite of what you propose.S Ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03359796414832859686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386077914312449748.post-7830621819065308192009-12-16T00:27:56.778+01:002009-12-16T00:27:56.778+01:00In my oppinion Greek force reductions will depend ...In my oppinion Greek force reductions will depend on the relationship with Turkey. You noticed correctly that the Greek-Turkish hostilities have declined in the past years. <br />Nevertheless Greece will feel vulnerable, if it disarm unilateral.<br /><br />My suggestion is the following: <br />NATO or EU should support a (kind of) "mutual balanced force reduction" treaty between both states. <br />As the southern and eastern borders of Turkey are quite hostile areas, there will be some resistance against this plan. <br />A solution could be the conversion of the Turkish arsenal.<br />The Turkish Navy could reduce its offensive potential (Landing Crafts etc.) and position its forces in the Black Sea or in the eastern parts of their Mediterranean Coast. <br />The Turkish Air Force should reduce its F-4- and F-5-fleet to a minimum for training. The other aircrafts should be stored in other NATO-/EU-countries. So they can be used as reserve in a conflict with Iran for example but not against Greece. <br /><br />Unfortunately this plan will fail. Which important NATO-country is interested in a disarmament of both states? OK, perhaps some EURO-members. But the economical interests are quite huge: Germany wants to sell submarines, France wants to sell frigates and the USA wants to sell fighters...K.B.noreply@blogger.com