Why is the government worried about the Israeli-Iranian crisis? – 2024-04-19 05:59:26

The Greek government is watching the new flare-up in the Middle East with obvious concern but also with composure, awaiting Israel’s response to the missile attacks it received over the weekend from Iran.

At the military level, the prevailing assessment is that Iran’s attacks, which were intercepted almost entirely, were almost “symbolic” in nature, as it was clear that they were low-powered operations.

However, there is the question of Israel’s response and whether it will cause a greater flare-up or lead to a new balance of terror, with the constant threat of escalation.

The Greek position was expressed by the announcement after the KYSEA meeting and the post of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, where the clear support for Israel was expressed, but at the same time the exhortation to the two warring sides to exercise restraint and avoid an uncontrolled conflict.

Concern over the economy

Awaiting the developments and as another parameter of geopolitical tension is added to the neighboring region of the Middle East, the concern of the Greek government manifests itself in this phase and for the most part in the field of the economy.

A decisive parameter is the oil prices, for which there are already nightmare scenarios, with chain effects, which can overturn almost all existing scenarios.

A second area of ​​concern, in the event of an escalation and spread of the conflict, is the potential impact on tourism, as it is estimated that it will hardly remain unaffected if the wider area turns into a war zone.

Geopolitical balance game

The other element to which the Greek government directs its attention is the wider diplomatic and geopolitical balance game in the region. Especially in the event that Iran engages in a direct war with Israel and its allies or acquires nuclear power status in the medium term, the big question is how the balance of power in the region will change.

The role of Turkey is considered to be of key importance for an additional reason, which will claim the role of regional superpower with new data. In this sense, the meeting of Kyriakos Mitsotakis with Tayyip Erdogan, expected for the beginning of May, acquires an additional importance, which goes beyond the framework of exclusively bilateral issues.