The Impact of Regional Conflicts on Turkish–Greek Relations: The Transformation of the Regional Security Complex in the Eastern Mediterranean after 2019

Abstract

Since the emergence of the modern Greek state, Turkish–Greek relations have been tightly related to the regional and extra-regional actors who have been involved in the Eastern Mediterranean for political, economic, and geopolitical reasons. Developments between 2019 and 2022 and the emergence of a new power relationship between different actors caused an acceleration of tension in bilateral relations in a much wider region. This study aims to analyze developments in the Eastern Mediterranean since 2019 and to evaluate the interdependence between bilateral relations and regional developments. The article conducts an initial assessment of the Eastern Mediterranean region, before analyzing the relationship between regional dynamics and the fundamental conflicts in Turkish–Greek relations using Barry Buzan and Ole Wæver’s regional security complex theory. Buzan and Wæver’s theory helps to understand how regional interactions shape bilateral relations. The article discusses Türkiye’s potential role in the region and argues in favor of its significant role as an active insulator within the framework of the regional security complex theory, while also presenting the potential effects on the region. 

Keywords

• Eastern Mediterranean
• regional security complex
• Turkish–Greek relations
• Turkish foreign policy
• Greek foreign policy

References

1. References are indicated in the article.