Turkey Decries Cyprus–Greece–Israel Security Talks

A new “axis of evil” has arisen in the eastern Mediterranean Sea — at least according to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s slavish media. The sharp reaction was brought about by a trilateral summit between Cypriot, Greek, and Israeli leaders in Jerusalem on December 22. Although no formal defense agreement was penned, the three partners expressed a desire to deepen their joint defense and counterterrorism efforts. Their vision to “usher in an era of stability, prosperity, and cooperation” between Europe and the Middle East signals a firm rejection of Turkish irredentism and strongarming.

Ankara Fears a Challenge to Its Domination Bid in Eastern Mediterranean

The Jerusalem summit, followed by an agreement on joint military exercises announced on December 29, expands on existing plans for Mediterranean security in the “3+1” system with Washington –– an informal energy and security partnership between the three Mediterranean countries and the United States, currently engaging in joint naval exercises, defense technology sharing, and counterterrorism programs. It is also a coordinated response to Turkey’s desire to expand its maritime claims through its “Blue Homeland” doctrine, envisioning larger sovereign Turkish claims over the Aegean and Mediterranean seas in the region and projecting force through deployment of armed drones and heavy troop presence from Northern Cyprus against Greece and Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed the group’s opposition to “those who fantasize [that] they can restore their empires,” referring to Erdogan.

While Turkish Defense Ministry Spokesman Zeki Akturk claimed the trilateral group posed no military threat, pro-Erdogan media raised alarm over the summit members’ “encirclement” of Turkey. Ultranationalist media outlet Yeni Safak deemed Israel the “number one threat” to Turkey in response to the Jerusalem summit.

Turkish Offensive Activities Threaten U.S. Partners and Embolden Iran

Turkey matched its rejection of the Jerusalem summit with military activities threatening the trilateral group’s members. On December 24, Greek fighter jets intercepted Turkish aircraft violating Greek airspace over the southern Aegean Sea — only one in a series of recent Turkish violations. These provocations have convinced Greece of the need for closer coordination with Cyprus and Israel, in addition to its NATO ties. Turkey is a member of NATO, too.

The Turkish Defense Ministry has sought ways to restrict Israeli activities while backing enemies of the United States. On December 25, Israeli media reported that Turkey has begun efforts to build and operate early-warning radar stations in Syria to track Israeli aircraft, hindering future Israeli air operations against Iran. Turkish Defense Ministry Director General Ilkay Altindag called Iran’s security an “integral part of Turkey’s security” during a visit to the Islamic Republic on December 24.

Ankara’s threatening and escalatory posture against U.S. allies must not be ignored. U.S. President Donald Trump should use the opportunity during his meeting with Netanyahu to express Washington’s support for the trio as one that helps secure regional security. The United States should see Ankara’s rebuke of the Jerusalem summit as further evidence of why Turkey should remain ineligible to be re-admitted into the F-35 stealth fighter program. Through its rhetoric and military posture, Turkey has demonstrated that its acquisition of cutting-edge U.S. military platforms would only serve to undermine the security of key American allies and raises the risks of regional armed conflict.

Sinan Ciddi is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where William Doran is an intern. Follow Sinan on X @SinanCiddi. Follow FDD on X @FDD. FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy.