Marco Rubio' s Expected Appointment as U.S. Secretary of State Stirs Concerns in Turkey, Optimism in Greece

07:40 14/11/2024 - Πηγή: iEfimerida

As speculation mounts over Senator Marco Rubio’s potential appointment as Secretary of State by President Donald Trump, Greece and Turkey are approaching the move with sharply contrasting perspectives.

Mr. Rubio, a longstanding critic of Turkish President

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is widely recognized for his firm stance against Turkey’s human rights record, signaling the potential for a shift in U.S. policy towards Turkey.

The prospect has sparked apprehension in Ankara, while Greek officials see a possible ally in Washington’s new foreign policy team.

Mr. Rubio’s tough stance on Turkish policies has been especially evident in his vocal support of Fetullah Gülen, the exiled cleric whom Turkey blames for the failed 2016 coup attempt.

His connection with Mr. Gülen’s movement — formally deemed a terrorist organization by Turkey — remains a significant point of tension.

Given Mr. Rubio’s calls for the release of Mr. Gülen’s detained supporters, Ankara faces growing uncertainty as it anticipates intensified scrutiny from Washington on human rights and democracy issues under Mr. Rubio’s leadership.

Mr. Rubio’s foreign policy approach has also traditionally supported closer ties with Greece and Cyprus, particularly through his endorsement of the East Med Act, which strengthened the U.S.-Greece strategic alliance.

Should he assume office, analysts expect a more guarded U.S. stance on Turkey’s operations in Syria and its domestic crackdowns on dissidents. Mr. Rubio has publicly condemned Turkish incursions into Kurdish territories in Syria and advocated for sanctions against Ankara over these military actions — a position Turkey has consistently decried.

In addition, Mr. Rubio’s backing of the removal of an Interpol red notice for NBA player Enes Kanter, an outspoken critic of Mr. Erdoğan, underscores his alignment with critics of Mr. Erdoğan’s government. This alignment has fueled speculation that, under Mr. Rubio, the U.S. may adopt a more confrontational approach toward Turkey’s domestic and foreign policies.

Greek officials are cautiously optimistic that a State Department led by Mr. Rubio would enhance Greece’s strategic partnership with the U.S., lending new weight to Greece’s interests in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Mr. Rubio’s robust support for Greece and Cyprus aligns with Greek aspirations to reinforce regional security and counter Turkish influence.

Moreover, Mr. Rubio’s critical view of Turkey’s actions toward the Muslim minority in Greece’s Thrace region has caught the attention of Greek authorities, who have closely watched Turkish influence attempts in the area.

Tensions escalated in recent years as Turkish officials accused local Muslim leaders of affiliation with Mr. Gülen’s FETO movement, leading to travel bans and accusations against community leaders.

This intensification of Turkish actions has been perceived as a destabilizing influence on Greece’s domestic landscape, further amplifying Athens’s hope for a sympathetic U.S. approach under Mr. Rubio.

As Washington’s foreign policy leadership takes shape, Mr. Rubio’s appointment could mark a decisive pivot in U.S.-Turkey relations, with broader implications for Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean’s complex geopolitical landscape.

By Antonis Telopoulos

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