Deteriorating US-Turkey ties weaken Ankara's hand in other problems
Intensive diplomatic traffic between Athens and Washington that emphasizes military cooperation raises the question of whether the United States is seeking an alternative strategic ally to Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean.
As Turkey drifts away from its Western allies, the United States is distancing itself from its neutral position on international conflicts involving Turkey.
The latest showcase of how deteriorating ties between the United States and Turkey are further shrinking Ankara’s room for maneuver in conflicts that have essentially been frozen for decades is increasing US military cooperation with Cyprus and Greece.
It has been a year since I explained how drones would impact clashes between Greece and Turkey. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's attendance to an energy summit held in Athens in March indicated that Athens received the support of the United States on the matter.
Athens countered Turkey’s move to increase UAV operations by procuring MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles. According to Greek press reports, discussions between Athens and Washington revolve around the Larissa military air base, where two US military MQ-9 Reaper drones are stationed. Athens now intends to purchase these sophisticated drones. Greek media reports say Athens seeks to make a deal, estimated at approximately 50 million euros ($56 million), involving the purchase of three General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper UAVs (“Predator B”) and the construction of two ground control stations in Greece.
