Turkey is using Greece’s new Special Spatial Framework for Tourism to revive claims over islands and rocky formations it says were “not ceded to Greece by international treaties” — a dispute that goes far beyond tourism and reaches into the heart of the “Blue Homeland” strategy
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas delivers a firm message to Ankara, stressing that respect for international law and the sovereign rights of EU member states is a fundamental prerequisite for deeper EU–Turkey relations. Her response came following a parliamentary question submitted by Greek MEP Giannis Maniatis regarding Turkey's planned "Blue Homeland" legislation.
Following talks with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, newly appointed EU Special Representative Raffaele Fitto confirmed Brussels is seeking a more active role in the UN-led Cyprus peace process, while Nicosia sees EU–Turkey relations as a key source of diplomatic leverage.
Source: Al-Monitor | Ankara and Baghdad have launched a major expansion of their energy partnership, keeping the strategic Kirkuk–Ceyhan pipeline operational while pursuing new oil flows, Turkish participation in Kirkuk's energy sector, and a broader corridor extending to Basra amid mounting instability around the Strait of Hormuz.
The UN Secretary-General has announced a new informal expanded meeting involving the two Cypriot communities and the three guarantor powers. His “constructive” talks with Nikos Christodoulides and Tufan Erhurman have revived diplomatic momentum, although deep divisions remain over the form of a settlement, security guarantees and Turkey’s continued role on the island.
The UN Secretary-General’s visit to Nicosia aims to turn confidence-building measures into a genuine political process. His separate meetings with Nikos Christodoulides and Tufan Erhürman, the private dinner and Wednesday’s joint meeting will reveal whether there is sufficient ground for meaningful negotiations—or whether partition is becoming entrenched. The European Union may not formally sit at the table, but it is an indispensable part of any viable settlement.
The UN Secretary-General’s mission to Cyprus is not just another diplomatic visit. It is a final attempt to determine whether there is enough political ground for a new five-party conference or whether the Cyprus file will be handed to his successor without meaningful progress.
Athens and Ankara clash over minority rights as Turkey accuses Greece of violating the Treaty of Lausanne, while Greece argues school suspensions are linked to demographic changes and declining student numbers
Ankara is exploring the transfer of its Russian-made S-400 air defense systems to the United Arab Emirates in an effort to remove the main obstacle blocking its return to the F-35 program. The Trump administration appears open to a deal, but opposition remains strong in the U.S. Congress, while Greece, Cyprus, Israel and several NATO officials are closely watching the potential shift in the regional balance of power.
As Europe seeks to strengthen its defence capabilities, the Cyprus question remains the political red line preventing Turkey’s deeper integration into the EU’s security architecture.
No longer viewed as NATO’s most difficult ally, Turkey is rapidly emerging as one of the alliance’s most indispensable strategic partners. The Ankara NATO Summit highlighted a profound geopolitical shift: in an era defined by the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, energy insecurity, and great-power competition, Ankara’s geography and diplomatic flexibility have become assets the West can no longer ignore.
Ankara has formally informed Canada that it will join the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB) as a founding member, becoming part of a new multilateral financial institution expected to mobilise up to £100 billion to strengthen allied defence industries and military capabilities.
Greece's first official response to President Trump's renewed openness toward Turkey's return to the F-35 program. Defense Minister Nikos Dendias questioned whether rearming Ankara serves U.S. strategic interests, warning that NATO's southeastern flank cannot be strengthened by empowering a country that continues to threaten another Alliance member.
A Danish journalist's extraordinary question to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte became the defining political moment of the Ankara Summit, exposing the growing tension between defending the Alliance's unity and confronting Donald Trump's increasingly disruptive rhetoric.
Ankara is attempting to re-enter the F-35 program, but the final decision extends far beyond President Donald Trump. Congress, CAATSA sanctions, the Russian S-400 system, and the regional balance of power in the Eastern Mediterranean remain the decisive factors.
At the NATO Summit in Ankara, US President Donald Trump signaled a major shift in Washington’s policy toward Turkey, saying the United States would consider selling F-35 fighter jets to Ankara and lift CAATSA sanctions. The remarks could reshape the strategic balance in the Eastern Mediterranean and mark a new chapter in US–Turkey relations.
Addressing the Greek Parliament, Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis dismissed speculation about Turkey's possible return to the F-35 fighter jet program, stressing that U.S. legal restrictions remain fully in force. He also described Greek-American relations as being at their strongest point ever, highlighting Greece's strategic defense upgrades and unwavering commitment to safeguarding its national interests.
As NATO leaders gather in Ankara, the alliance's strategic reliance on Turkey is increasingly overshadowing public criticism over democracy, rule of law and human rights, reflecting a broader shift in Western security priorities.
Ahead of next week's NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey argues that the Alliance is not facing a crisis but adapting to an increasingly complex security environment. As Washington urges European allies to shoulder greater defence responsibilities, Ankara is seeking a more influential role in shaping Europe's future security framework.
A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers is urging the Trump administration to maintain sanctions on Turkey and prevent its return to the F-35 fighter jet program, arguing that Ankara’s continued possession of the Russian S-400 system remains incompatible with U.S. law and NATO security.
As Ankara prepares to host one of NATO’s most consequential summits in years, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has intensified domestic security operations, reigniting European concerns over the rule of law and civil liberties. The developments highlight a longstanding dilemma for Western allies: how far can strategic necessity outweigh democratic principles?
