Every week, there are a few stories on my timeline about Greece, Turkey and energy in the East Med. They tend to say the same thing; I mostly gloss over them. But there are three things that drive me nuts in how people talk about this issue. Pardon the rant.
First, I wish people would stop saying that Turkey is “exploring.” Exploring implies a target, some, you know, exploring and, eventually, results. Turkey isn’t *really* sending ships where it might find hydrocarbons—and I never hear of any actual results (are there?).
Now, Turkey is pretending to explore, of course—mostly to annoy, I think. But that’s like saying someone is “working out” because they follow some fitness accounts on Instagram and bought fancy clothes and new shoes. Put “exploring” in quotes, please.
Second, I wish people stopped saying that Turkey is “ruining the party in the East Med.” Again, do not misunderstand me: the party is OK, could be better, but not a bummer either. It's neither “time of my life” nor “worst day ever.” But: none of that is due to Turkey.
Turkey in East Med energy is like a loud uncle at your wedding. Except it’s a Zoom wedding and you can mute your uncle, and once you do, everyone carries on as before—but your uncle is still at home, drunk, alone, yelling at the phone. That’s Turkey and East Med energy.
Third, the dispute between Greece and Turkey is not over energy. It’s not even *one* dispute. Some of what Turkey “wants” has merit; other “claims” are absurd. It is helpful, from time to time, to unpack these things and examine them. Don’t lump everything into one pile.
That said, there is tension right now because Turkey wishes for there to be tension. Why? I have no idea. To spite, to distract, to find glory, to sit at the cool kids table—who knows.
What do you do with the bully? You stand your ground. Push back. Fight. And: you distinguish between someone having a point and being annoying about it. It’s a variation on this theme: “I hear you—but cut it out; and until you do, I have nothing to say.” (fin)
