Greece, Cyprus and Israel: A partnership that worries Ankara

The cooperation between Greece, Cyprus and Israel has become a matter of concern for Ankara. In December 2025, the three countries agreed to strengthen military cooperation. Greece has been reported to be deploying Israeli PULS missile systems near the Turkish coast. In response, Turkey has formed a defense alliance with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

Professor Farhod Karimov explained this topic using maps in the Kun.uz program "Geopolitics".

**The Greece-Cyprus-Israel triad and the strategic importance of Cyprus**

Professor Karimov noted that the alliance between Greece, Cyprus and Israel forms a kind of triangle on the map. Cyprus, which is located in the center of this triangle, has great strategic importance. Israel, Cyprus and Greece have unresolved issues and conflicts with Turkey. These are related to security, territorial claims and sea routes. For Cyprus, this is primarily a matter of independence and the integrity of the island.

Each of these three countries has its own strategic importance, and one of the main factors strengthening their cooperation is the growing rivalry with Turkey. In particular, the confrontation between Israel and Turkey has intensified significantly in recent times.

**Israel's need for regional partners**

If you look at the map, Israel's strategic depth is very small compared to Turkey. Although Israel has access to the sea, its ability to independently limit or pressure Turkey in the Mediterranean is limited. Therefore, Israel needs partners in the region. Greece and Cyprus, which have been competing with Turkey for many years, are of particular importance in this regard.

It is these three countries that are united by common strategic interests. In December 2025, they approved a one-year roadmap for military cooperation and joint actions for 2026 in Nicosia.

**Geographical location of Turkey and the problems of the Aegean Sea**

Turkey's geographically favorable location determines its strategic position. However, the main sea route from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea passes through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits and enters the Aegean Sea. Most of the islands in the Aegean Sea belong to Greece.

There are more than 2,200 large and small islands in the Aegean Sea, more than 200 of which are inhabited. The fact that most of the islands belong to Greece complicates the issue of maritime territories. International maritime law also plays an important role here. According to the current regime, the territorial waters of coastal states can extend up to 12 nautical miles (about 22 kilometers).

Since many of Greece's islands in the Aegean Sea are surrounded by such territorial waters, the issue of maritime borders and navigation has become one of the main topics of long-standing disputes with Turkey. Now, Cyprus and Israel are joining this strategic competition more actively. They are united by a common interest - the desire to curb Turkey's influence in the region and shape the security system in the Mediterranean in a way that suits their interests.