Μια εξαιρετικά ενδιαφερουσα συνέντευξη, ενός εκπροσώπου του βαθέος αμερικανικού κράτους. Αυτός καλά τα λέει. Το Μητσοτάκη, το Ροζάκη και τους 4 της Κ, τους ρωτησε αν συμφωνούν;
The US leadership and the Pentagon seem to attach great priority to the development of a military base in Alexandroupoli, the so-called “Souda 2.” What is Greece’s role in the new US strategy for the Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean?
I think Greece has an important role, not just for the Black Sea, but really for the larger context in the Mediterranean. We are now seeing developments in the Middle East and in Africa that will have a huge effect on Europe. As a Mediterranean nation, the position of Greece is going to be absolutely critical. So, I would favor a more extensive US military presence and cooperation with Greece if that is acceptable to the government.
Also, I think we have got to look at Greece playing a larger role within NATO councils, and this is something that other Eastern European countries and NATO would support. Now we have to look at the new configurations of threats to the Alliance as a whole. I mean, part of the threat is embodied in one of the allies themselves in Turkey. And that is a separate problem, as in this area there are a lot of potential economic and political opportunities to bring the Middle East and Europe closer together. And I think frankly it is going to require a larger US presence, and Greece is the natural place for that to take place.
There is much speculation that Trump had friendly relations with Erdogan, while the current president, Joe Biden, is more oriented toward good relations with the Greek leadership. Based on your experience, are these claims valid, and how did bilateral relations between Greece and the United States evolve during your term of office?
I think Biden has actually gone out of his way to try and mollify Erdogan. The shipment of F-16s presumably associated with Turkey, accepting Sweden into NATO, and not pressing on sanctions on the purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system really indicate Biden’s certainly trying to get improvements in Turkey’s behavior in ways I think are mistaken. You know, Trump has gone back and forth with Erdogan when they were imprisoning and trying Pastor [Andrew] Brunson, and we put enormous pressure on them to get Brunson released, ultimately successfully. But Trump has an attraction to authoritarian figures like Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping and Erdogan. But I cannot explain that. I just know it is true.
Look, I think Turkey under a responsible government is a critical member of NATO geographically because of the straits, the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles, and because of Turkey’s position in the Middle East. Under Erdogan, it has been more of a problem. And, you know, anchoring NATO’s southeastern flank is ever more important in the current world. And if the Turks are not willing under the Erdogan government to step up responsibly, then I think that just increases the importance of Greece and the role that it is prepared to take on, because we need a strong NATO presence in the Mediterranean. We do not have enough naval vessels, and it will take time to make more. And so, I think a stronger NATO requires a more vigorous Greek involvement.
John Bolton is not your standard diplomat, but a tough realist of the international scene. US national security adviser in 2018-2019, he opposed Donald Trump’s intentions to normalize relations with Iran and Russia and was driven to resignation.
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