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Ambitions Driving Ankara’s Actions

View of Souda Bayan on the northwest coast of the Greek island of Crete. Can be seen the harbor, with some ships docked and, in the background, the city of Chania.
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Posted: October 5th, 2020

By Norman T. Roule

Norman Roule is a geopolitical and energy consultant who served for 34 years in the Central Intelligence Agency, managing numerous programs relating to Iran and the Middle East. As NIM-I at ODNI, he was responsible for all aspects of national intelligence policy related to Iran, including IC engagement with senior policymakers in the National Security Council and the Department of State.

 A considerable amount of quiet, intense diplomacy is underway regarding conflict between Greece and Turkey over energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean.  US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited the region last week in a bid to keep escalating tensions between Athens and Ankara from boiling over.   

Pompeo said the US will base a US Navy ship at a military base that it shares with Greece in what some view as a sign of symbolic support for Athens.  The ship will deploy in Souda Bay, the joint US – Greek base closest to where Ankara deployed its own drilling ships in search of gas deposits earlier this year.

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