Turkey’s Veto in the Eastern Mediterranean Isn’t Enough

The Eastern Mediterranean epitomizes the shifts in the global order: American retrenchment, coupled with the continuing ineffectiveness of the European Union, has created space for local actors to engage in hard-power politics. This has worked in Turkey’s favor—for now.

Faced with a consortium of rival countries—Greece, Cyprus, Israel and Egypt—all intent on capitalizing on the off-shore energy resources in Eastern Mediterranean, Turkey last year launched a strong counteroffensive. On the diplomatic front, Ankara signed an agreement in November with the Government of National Accord in Tripoli, to demarcate bilateral maritime borders. The agreement underscored Ankara’s desire for an extensive continental shelf in Eastern Mediterranean. It clashed with the partitioning planned by the rival group of countries.