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Members warn Turkey’s ‘Blue Homeland’ posture threatens Greece, Cyprus and Eastern Mediterranean stability
Summary
Members and witnesses told the House subcommittee that Turkey’s Eastern Mediterranean maritime policy and recent aggressive actions raise sovereignty and security concerns for Greece and Cyprus, and some members urged U.S. measures to protect allied advantages in the region.
Lawmakers and witnesses told the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe that Turkey’s Eastern Mediterranean maritime policy — often described in testimony as its “Blue Homeland” doctrine — has intensified confrontations with Greece and Cyprus and risks destabilizing the region.
Representative Dina Titus and other members described a pattern of Turkish airspace and maritime incursions and called for the United States to ensure Greece retains a qualitative and strategic advantage in the East Mediterranean. “Allowing Greece to maintain the qualitative and strategic advantage over Turkey is crucial,” Titus said during questioning.
Witnesses described the policy as an expansive Turkish maritime claim that has led to contested drilling and close encounters between Greek, Cypriot and Turkish vessels. “What Turkey has done is… extend its territorial waters to cover effectively almost all of the Eastern Med,” one witness summarized, adding that agreements with Libya have undercut Cypriot claims and contributed to tensions between Ankara and Athens.
Members also raised the security implications of re‑integrating Turkey into advanced U.S. defense programs. Several members opposed returning Turkey to the F‑35 program unless Ankara demonstrably reversed earlier actions — notably its purchase of the Russian S‑400 system. “We should not put them back on, and I would argue that even if they relinquish the S‑400, there should be a cooling off period,” a committee member said.
Why it matters: Eastern Mediterranean tensions intersect with U.S. and allied defense planning, energy security (offshore resources) and NATO cohesion. Lawmakers argued a stronger U.S. posture in support of Greece and Cyprus and closer trilateral cooperation with partners such as Israel could help deter escalation.
The hearing did not produce a decision; members and witnesses asked for additional written materials and assessments on maritime incidents and defense transfers.
