Risk of ignition over the Imia islets in the eastern Aegean - How the regime of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will try to take advantage of political instability in the U.S. - How and why they are feverishly preparing the Greek Armed Forces.
What unfolded last year in the Eastern Mediterranean basin saw the European Union continue to face with "irritating" stoicism the continuing and ever-increasing challenges of Turkey.
Unprecedented instability and political confusion prevails in the U.S. and enables the Turkish regime to emerge in the most dangerous way its revisionist pursuits.
The consequences of the EU's indecision are manifold and are already being felt.
The marginalization of the EU by a credible lever of pressure and foreign policy, and its replacement by Turkey and Russia, proved to be a peritoneum in the case of Nagorno-Karabakh which was left to the appetites of the Azeris and their Turkish allies.
On the other hand, the U.S.' tolerance of Turkish provocations for several months has only fueled Ankara's unilateral actions.
The Turkish president may have recently embarked on a "charm operation" in Brussels and Washington, and analysts estimate that Erdoğan will try to take advantage of the transition period between the Trump administration and Biden.
Risk of ignition with unforeseen consequences
Turkey in the present geopolitical instability rejoices and tries to exploit it.
The incident in Imia, with the Turkish coastguard harassing Greek fishermen and literally hitting the boats of the Greek Coast Guard, raises tensions.
This confirms that despite the efforts of the Turkish leadership to show its supposedly good face, the Turkish regime seeks a conflict aimed at dragging Greece to the table of unconditional negotiations.
Of course, the point that Ankara tried to provoke is not accidental.
In Imia, but also in other places either on the sea or land border, such as in Evros, even an "accidental" action or a maritime accident can ignite a spark and develop into an event with unpredictable consequences.
Greek policymakers are well aware that Erdoğan is insolvent and for this reason the Armed Forces are intensively preparing for any eventuality, including Imia.
Besides, the visit of the Chief of General Staff, General Konstantinos Floros on New Year's Eve to Crete, Karpathos and Kastellorizo, was not only accidental and ceremonial.
These are the areas that have been in the sights of Ankara for a year now, especially Kastellorizo and the whole Megisti complex, which is the biggest obstacle in its plans for the famous "Blue Homeland".
With the Turkish regime insisting on aggressive tactics against Greece and Cyprus, endangering peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, there is absolutely no room for inaction and complacency in the Greek Armed Forces.
The Greek military want to prevent any aggressive actions by Ankara and to end it in its infancy, particularly around Imia.
It is obvious that despite the efforts for armament upgrade and strengthening of the three branches of the military, which are running with very fast procedures, the military leadership wants to "shield" the borders of the country as best as possible.
At the same time they want keep everyone on maximum vigilance.
Even with the existing potential and with all the means and armament they have, they will continue to successfully complete the mission assigned to them 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Vassilis Skoularakos is a correspondent for News Bomb.
