02.09.2026 06:50
Former Greek Land Forces Commander Konstantinos Ziazias said that the defense cooperation between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan has increased Ankara's regional weight and bargaining power. Stating that Turkey has established a strategic network extending from the Eastern Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean, Ziazias emphasized that Athens must reassess its strategy by taking into account the new balances shaped by Turkey.
A striking assessment regarding Turkey's growing influence in the region came from former Greek Army Commander Konstantinos Ziazias.
In his statement published on the Greek defense website Militaire.gr, Ziazias evaluated the defense cooperation between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, pointing out the importance of the combination of the different strengths of the three countries for regional balances.
DREW ATTENTION TO TURKEY'S DEFENSE INDUSTRY
Ziazias stated that the cooperation brings together Turkey's advanced defense industry and NATO experience, Saudi Arabia's economic and energy power, and Pakistan's military capacity on the same platform.
Expressing that Ankara aims to further increase its geopolitical role and regional weight through this cooperation, Ziazias noted that Turkey's sphere of influence is not limited only to its immediate vicinity.
A NETWORK EXTENDING FROM THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN TO THE INDIAN OCEAN
The former Greek commander stated that Turkey has established a wider strategic cooperation network extending from the Eastern Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean.
According to Ziazias, Ankara is rising to the position of a potential "security provider" for countries with security needs, such as Saudi Arabia, in this process.
ANKARA'S BARGAINING POWER IS INCREASING
Also touching on the economic and defense industry dimensions of Turkey's regional goals, Ziazias noted that Ankara aims to increase its defense industry exports and expand its access to Saudi capital.
Ziazias assessed that this cooperation provides Turkey with a wider maneuver area and higher bargaining power in the international arena.
According to the former Greek commander, Ankara's increasing influence directly affects Greece's strategic calculations in the region.
A NOTABLE ANALYSIS ALSO FOR ISRAEL
Ziazias pointed out that the rapprochement between Turkey and Saudi Arabia could also have consequences for Israel's plans regarding the region.
Stating that the defense cooperation developed by Saudi Arabia with Turkey could complicate the rapprochement process between Israel and Saudi Arabia, Ziazias expressed that the effects of the new cooperation thus extend beyond the Eastern Mediterranean.
"GREECE SHOULD RE-EVALUATE ITS STRATEGY"
Giving extensive coverage to the consequences of Turkey's increasing weight in the region for Athens, Ziazias said that the developments require Greece to re-evaluate its previous strategic approach towards Saudi Arabia.
Noting that Athens now has to take into account the new balances shaped by Turkey in the region, Ziazias argued that Greece should follow a long-term strategy instead of overreacting to the developments.
CALL TO ATHENS FOR USA, FRANCE, AND ISRAEL
Ziazias stated that Greece needs to further strengthen its international relations in the face of the new regional picture.
The former Army Commander expressed that Athens should strengthen its relations with the USA, France, Israel, the Greek Cypriot Administration, Egypt, and the Gulf countries, emphasizing that Greece should create a long-term strategy against Turkey's increasing regional weight.