The Turkish Enemy in the Greek Aegean

Aegean islands. NASA.

Prologue

On January 23, 2026, Turkey informed Greece that it owned half of the Greek Aegean Sea. Turkey’s defense ministry issued two maritime directives (Navtexes) ordering Athens to coordinate with Ankara every activity, including research, east of the 25th Meridian, the half section of the Aegean next to Turkey.

The Middle East Forum reported that while Greece and Turkey “continue to speak the language of dialogue, yet only Turkey seeks changes to the status quo.”

True...