Turkey grows increasingly isolated in eastern Mediterranean dispute with Greece - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Amberin Zaman

Amberin Zaman

Aug 13, 2020

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks to members of the press after a cabinet meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on August 10, 2020. - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for dialogue while still pushing ahead with a contentious Mediterranean gas development plan that has outraged Greece and alarmed NATO and the EU. (Photo by Adem ALTAN / AFP) (Photo by ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Tensions in the eastern Mediterranean took a dangerous new turn on Aug. 13 as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ramped up his hawkish rhetoric against Greece.

Speaking at a meeting of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Erdogan said Turkey had warned Greece that if it were to attack a Turkish seismic research ship deployed off a small Greek island, it would “pay a heavy price.” Erdogan said Greece had “received its first response.” He did not elaborate.

Related Topics

Water Issues

People wave flags of Libya (R) and Turkey (L) during a demonstration in the Martyrs' Square in the centre of the Libyan capital Tripoli, currently held by the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), on June 21, 2020. - The GNA on June 21 denounced Egypt's warning of military intervention in Libya, labelling it a "declaration of war", after the Egyptian President warned that if pro-GNA forces advanced on the strategic city of Sirte -- some 450 kilometres (280 miles) east of Tripoli -- it could pro

Turkey entrenches further into Libya as rivals strike back

Amberin Zaman

Amberin Zaman

In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Turkey off the hook as EU postpones sanctions decision amid coronavirus scare

Amberin Zaman

Amberin Zaman

In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

BERLIN, GERMANY - AUGUST 28: German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and Josep Borrell, EU Foreign Minister make their way to a press conference after informal talks between the EU Foreign Ministers at the Foreign Office in Berlin on August 28, 2020 in Berlin, Germany. The topics of the so-called Gymnich meeting include the developments in Belarus and the dispute over natural gas in the eastern Mediterranean between Turkey and the EU states Greece and Cyprus. (Photo by Kay Nietfeld - Pool / Getty Images)

Can EU sanctions threat cool Turkey’s moves in eastern Mediterranean?

Amberin Zaman

Amberin Zaman

In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Greece's Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias (C) walks on Istiklal Avenue after his meeting with the Patriarch of Constantinople at the Greek Consulate in Istanbul on April 14, 2021.

Turkey's efforts to woo rivals yield mixed results

Amberin Zaman

Amberin Zaman

In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture