The Eastern Mediterranean has never ceased to be a field of geopolitical competition, but today the region’s challenges are returning in new ways. From crises in the Middle East and energy disputes to mounting uncertainty in Greek–Turkish relations and the ever-unresolved Cyprus issue, the region is both a threat and an opportunity. Greece is called upon to prove that it is not merely a passive observer or an insecure “defensive player,” but a soft-power actor that can take initiatives, mediate, and build bridges.
The Greece–Turkey relationship remains a critical axis for stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. Historical memories and unresolved issues often cloud the picture and trigger fear-driven reflexes. And yet, in an era when great powers are realigning and the EU seeks strategic autonomy, Greek–Turkish dialogue can itself be a tool of leverage. Greece must demonstrate that dialogue does not mean concession, but responsibility; that understanding does not negate sovereign rights but secures them under conditions of stability; and, above all, that channels of communication are the strongest lines of defense against accidental crises that could spiral into uncontrollable conflict.
Cyprus remains the region’s major outstanding issue—an ongoing injustice and a test of international law and European policy. Greece must tangibly support efforts to restart substantive talks, with boldness and flexibility, without yielding to the rhetoric of ethno-populism or to inertia. The Cyprus issue is not only a Greek Cypriot matter; it is a European one. The EU cannot speak of international law in Ukraine while overlooking violations in Cyprus. Greece should consistently remind partners of this and link the Cyprus question to the broader security and energy agenda in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The volatile situation in Gaza, the reshuffling in Syria, and the Iran–Israel confrontation are reminders that the Middle East remains close—and directly concerns us. Greece cannot act as a spectator or settle for “automatic alignments.” Its role must be to voice reason, de-escalation, and respect for humanitarian law—a voice that engages with all sides and puts forward solutions, not mere well-wishing.
In a world where military might is not enough, Greece should invest in its greatest asset: its reputation as a stable democracy, a member of the EU and NATO, and a bridge between West and East. Through dialogue initiatives, participation in peace processes, support for humanitarian actions, and smart energy diplomacy, Greece can operate as a soft-power force—an anchor of stability in the turbulent Eastern Mediterranean.
History teaches that countries which turn inward, reproducing fear syndromes, miss opportunities. Today Greece has the chance to show confidence, flexibility, and strategic imagination—to prove that stature is determined not only by territory or armies but by the ability to inspire trust and build alliances. The Eastern Mediterranean does not need new flashpoints; it needs bridges. And Greece has every reason to be the one that builds them.