Greece, Cyprus, Israel Boost Drills: Because Peace is Overrated
The article notes these nations will 'step up joint air and naval exercises in 2026,' deepening 'defence cooperation' with Turkey in mind. One might wonder if increasing military posturing in an already tense region (where international law is often optional) is truly for 'defence,' or if it's more about projecting power. For context, Israel's current defense budget, heavily subsidized by US
taxpayers (over $3.8 billion annually, source: Congressional Research Service), already dwarfs its neighbors, allowing for frequent 'exercises' that often escalate tensions rather than de-escalate. So, while Al-Monitor dutifully reports on the 'deepening cooperation,' they skip the part where this kind of muscle-flexing makes regional stability about as likely as a politician returning an
unsolicited campaign donation. How many more 'exercises' until someone 'accidentally' starts a full-blown war?