As war rages across the Middle East, the recent attack on British bases in Cyprus has sharpened debate in Greece over the country's growing strategic role within the United States security architecture. What once seemed a distant conflict is now viewed in Athens and Thessaloniki as a crisis with potential domestic repercussions.
Under the US-Greece Mutual Defence Cooperation Agreement, Greece has become one of Washington's most significant military hubs. Facilities that were previously considered logistical waypoints are now regarded as operational centres with frontline relevance to both the Eastern Mediterranean and NATO's south-eastern flank.
At the heart of this network is the naval base at Souda Bay on Crete, the only location between Norfolk, United States, and the Persian Gulf capable of hosting an aircraft carrier while providing full technical support to nuclear submarines.
Further north, Alexandroupoli, near the Turkish Straits, has gained prominence since Russia invaded Ukraine as a critical transit corridor for US and NATO military equipment into eastern Europe while bypassing the Bosporus.
In central Greece, the 110th Combat Wing in Larissa has previously hosted MQ-9 Reaper drones, enhancing real-time surveillance capabilities across the wider region.
Meanwhile, Stefanovikeio, near Volos, regularly accommodates US Apache and Black Hawk helicopters, offering rapid deployment options should a crisis expand on land or require search-and-rescue operations.
Greek officials stress that comparisons with Cyprus require caution. Unlike Cyprus, Greece is a NATO member, and any strike on US infrastructure on Greek soil would trigger Article 5 collective defence obligations. That is seen as a strategic shield, raising the stakes for any direct attack.
However, analysts warn that the greater risk may lie in hybrid threats rather than ballistic missiles. Cyberattacks, sabotage or proxy actions remain plausible scenarios as Tehran has repeatedly signalled that states facilitating attacks against it could become legitimate targets.
By Vasilis Papoutsis - adapted from Greek by Vassia Barba
