Observers of the Turkish edition of Haber7 questioned Greece’s decision to allow four additional bases on its soil to the United States military. The report notes that Washington now operates nine bases across Greece, marking a notable shift in regional security alignments. In particular, the base established in Alexandroupoli has grown into a strategic gateway, with shipments of hundreds of tanks and armored vehicles continuing to bolster U.S. capabilities. The location sits roughly 45 kilometers from Turkey, a proximity that has not gone unnoticed by Ankara. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan publicly weighed in on the expansion, highlighting how American facilities have spread across Greek territory and its implications for regional balance.
In the wake of the article, readers engaged in a lively online dialogue, presenting a mix of ideas about how Turkey might respond. Some suggested producing aircraft domestically, while others advocated strengthening air defense and pursuing the development and deployment of long-range missiles. A recurring theme among commenters was the urgency of modernizing Turkey’s own defensive posture to counter perceived shifts in regional power. One reader argued that deploying the S-400 system in Thrace could provide a practical counterweight to the expanded Greek-American presence, emphasizing the desire for rapid, credible deterrence.
Separately, commenters commented on the broader strategic moves in the region, noting that Greece and the United States had entered into a renewed defense cooperation framework. In mid-May, the Greek Parliament approved amendments to the mutual defense cooperation agreement with the United States, signaling an expanded footprint for U.S. naval assets on the island of Crete and extended access to bases near other Greek cities, including Alexandroupoli. The developments are framed as part of a wider effort to bolster maritime and aerial capabilities in the Aegean, with discussions centering on how these changes affect regional security dynamics.
Additionally, the conversation touched on Greece’s military procurement plans, with discussions that include the potential purchase of F-35 aircraft from the United States to augment the defense of the Aegean Sea and its surrounding airspace. Proponents argue that integrating advanced stealth aircraft would enhance Greece’s interoperability with NATO allies, while critics caution about the broader implications for regional arms competition. The overall discourse reflects a complex balance between alliance commitments, national security concerns, and the practical realities of modern defense planning in a volatile neighborhood.