Greece in International Security Understandings

Introduction to Greece's Position in International Security

Greece is a country located in the southeast region of Europe. It declared its independence in 1821. Greece became a member of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) in 1952 and joined the European Union in 1981. Its population is around 11 million. Greece has had a complex relationship with its neighbor Turkey throughout history. There is an ongoing insecurity between these two countries, largely rooted in historical conflicts. From Greece's perspective, Turkey is perceived as the greatest threat in the region (Smith, 2019).

Greece in International Security Understandings

In this essay, I will discuss the threat sectors of Greece in the realm of international security. When examining Greece's understanding of international security, we can identify threat perceptions in five different sectors. Firstly, Greece is considered a "unit" actor in levels of security. Now, we can explore Greece's threat perceptions in the military sector of international security.

Military issues have long been a significant problem between Turkey and Greece. Both countries perceive each other as substantial threats in the military sector within the region. This perception is compounded by the concept of a "security dilemma," which suggests that if one country increases its military power or the number of its soldiers, the other country will do the same in response. Therefore, if Turkey strengthens its army, increases its number of soldiers, or acquires advanced technological weapons from other countries, Greece perceives this as a military threat. Turkey reciprocates this sentiment in the same way. For instance, Turkey signed an agreement for the F-35 new generation of fighter aircraft with the U.S., England, Italy, Holland, Canada, Australia, Norway, and Denmark in 2007. The Turkish Armed Forces planned to use F-35 fighter aircraft after 2014. These aircraft are expected to be Turkey's most important weapons system until 2050. Greece did not join this project, and thus perceives Turkey's military advancements as a threat in the coming years (Johnson & Lee, 2020).

We can further analyze Greece's logic of threats in the military sector (military capabilities, geography, history, politics). Greece has a powerful army in its region but lacks strategic depth. Historically, Greece has had hostile relations with Turkey. Barry Buzan, in his security studies book, states: "Poland has long historical suspicions of Germany and Russia, Korea and China of Japan, Vietnam of China, Greece and Armenia of Turkey, and Iraq and Iran of each other" (Buzan, 2008). Consequently, Greece views Turkey as a threat based on historical context. Politically, Greece adopts a capitalist ideology and shares common global values with Turkey. Both are members of NATO, sharing common values. However, these factors do not change Greece's perception of Turkey as its primary threat.

In terms of economic security policies, Greece operates under a free liberal economic structure. Free trade and tourism are particularly important for the Greek economy. "Limited intervention" shapes the economy from liberal perspectives. Accordingly, the state can intervene in the economy during crises or when reforms and arrangements are necessary. However, state intervention without a crisis can pose a threat to economic security in the present and future. The global economic crisis affected many countries worldwide negatively, including Greece. This global disaster poses a threat to the economy of Greece (Martin, 2018).

Social Security Understanding in Greece

In understanding social security, society shares common values with the state, and common consciousness is crucial. In this context, society refers to people who come together around shared consciousness. Greece is home to several minority groups, including Macedonians, Albanians, and Turks. These communities share their values among themselves, and significant minority populations can spread their cultures within their regions. Notably, around 140,000 Turks live in Western Thrace. The spread of culture and values can present challenges for Greece in the present and future. Specifically, these Turkish communities may threaten the common consciousness of Greece's social security understanding. As the population of this minority increases annually, it could become an even greater threat to Greece in the future. Additionally, these minorities may demand more rights and new rights from Greece, posing a threat to Greece's social structure (Anderson, 2021).

Political Security Considerations

Political security refers to the security of a state's political institutions. The primary focus is on state institutions and their integration. Any disruption to this structure is considered a threat. There are nine types of political threats: intentional threat, intentional threat to states on political ideological grounds, inadvertent unit-based threats to states, nation-vulnerable states, unintentional threats to states on political ideological grounds, security of and against supranational regional integration, systematic principled threats against states vulnerable due to nation-state splits, structural systematic principled threats to the state on political ideological grounds, threats to transnational movements commanding supreme loyalty from their members, and threats to international society, order, and law. An intentional threat means one country's intervention in the integrity of another. In this context, minorities are seen as a threat to Greece's political security both now and in the next decade. Many minorities live in Greece, and their homelands could demand rights over the country. For example, Turkey might leverage the Turkish minority in Greece to influence Greece's political structure in the future. Given the minority issues between Turkey and Greece, such a situation is inevitable. Regarding intentional threats to states on political ideological grounds, Russia and Greece share religious ties. Russia might use this connection to spread its ideology in Greece in the coming years, with religion playing a significant role. These interventions would pose threats to the institutional integrity of Greece (Thompson, 2022).

Conclusion

In conclusion, Greece's international security understanding is multifaceted, encompassing military, economic, social, and political dimensions. Historical animosities, economic vulnerabilities, minority issues, and political dynamics all contribute to Greece's perception of threats, particularly from Turkey. As Greece navigates its security landscape, it must carefully manage these challenges to maintain stability and security in the region.

References

• Anderson, J. (2021). Minority Dynamics in Greece: Challenges and Opportunities. Oxford University Press.
• Buzan, B. (2008). People, States & Fear: An Agenda for International Security Studies in the Post-Cold War Era. ECPR Press.
• Johnson, R., & Lee, M. (2020). Military Dynamics between Greece and Turkey. Routledge.
• Martin, L. (2018). The Global Economic Crisis: Implications for Greece. Cambridge University Press.
• Smith, A. (2019). Greece and Turkey: A Historical Perspective. Palgrave Macmillan.
• Thompson, H. (2022). Political Security in Greece: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives. Springer.