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Turkey, a strategic location straddling the two continents of Asia and Europe, is known as the "crossroads of the world". However, when people refer to their coastal territories, there always seems to be a hint of regret. Why is this going on? On the geopolitical chessboard, Turkey is undoubtedly an important pawn. Straddling the two continents of Europe and Asia, it controls the Bosphorus and Dardanelles, the important straits connecting the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, and enjoys the geographical advantage of "controlling the entrance to the Mediterranean". Historically, however, Turkey's sea power has not been as prominent as its strategic position on land.
A sea of love controlled by Greece
Located between Greece and Turkey, the Aegean Sea is a major maritime route to the Black Sea, as well as an important shipping route connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Balkans. Its name is said to have originated from the Greek mythology of a king who committed suicide by jumping into the sea here, so this sea area is also endowed with a strong mythological color and tragic beauty. Due to its unique geographical location, the Aegean Sea is blessed with a rich and diverse natural landscape. It is about 610 kilometers long from north to south and 300 kilometers wide from east to west, with a total area of about 210,000 square kilometers. There are thousands of islands scattered throughout the sea, among which Crete is the largest, as well as the famous Cyclades, Dodecanese, Ionian Islands, etc., these islands are not only beautiful, but also the cradle of ancient Greek civilization.
The landscape of the Aegean Sea is like a picture, vivid and wonderful. In spring, with the warm sea breeze, the vegetation on the island begins to revive, and the wild flowers bloom all over the mountains, and the air is filled with the fresh fragrance of flowers; in summer, the blue sky blends with the clear water, and the sun shines on the white sand and stone houses, and the whole sea area is particularly dazzling; in autumn, the sunset on the Aegean Sea is particularly charming, and the golden light is reflected on the calm sea, the sea and sky are beautiful; in winter, although there are few tourists, the Aegean Sea still maintains its tranquility and mystery, and the waves lap on the shore, blowing a cool sea breeze, giving people a deep sense of tranquility。
The geographical diversity also gives the Aegean Sea a rich ecosystem. There is a wide variety of life in the sea, including a variety of fish, dolphins, turtles, etc., while the islands are home to numerous birds and plants. The reproduction and existence of these beings have added more vitality and vitality to the Aegean Sea. Most of the Aegean Sea is owned by Greece and almost outside the doorstep of Turkey. The situation is like a situation where you are almost forced into a corner, with little room to turn around, and Turkey, despite its sandy beaches, seems to have limited freedom to swim a swim away, and it is likely to float directly into the arms of Greece if you jump into the water. As for sailing? Although Turkey can be called a "strong player" in the regional pattern, Greece in contrast seems to be only a small role in southern Europe, so in the face of Greece's "erosion", does Turkey not feel a trace of grievance and resentment?
Why is Turkey in such a situation?
To trace the beginning of Turkey's loss of control of the Aegean Sea, it is necessary to start with the decline of the Ottoman Empire. Since the beginning of the 19th century, the Ottoman Empire has been under the pressure of internal and external troubles, the domestic economy has shrunk, national contradictions have intensified, and internationally, it has been plagued by the aggression and interference of Western powers. Together, these factors led to the gradual weakening of the Ottoman Empire. Against this background, the ability to control the Aegean Sea also decreased.
The Balkan Wars, which took place in 1912-1913, were a turning point in Turkey's loss of control of the Aegean Sea. In this war, the Ottoman Empire not only lost most of its territory in the Balkans, but also lost control of several important islands in the Aegean Sea. At the same time, in 1911, Italy launched a war against the Ottoman Empire (the Italo-Turkish War), which resulted in Turkey losing most of the islands in Libya and the Aegean Sea, through which Italy expanded its sphere of influence in the Mediterranean.
The First World War was catastrophic for the Ottoman Empire. As one of the allies, the defeated Ottoman Empire was forced to sign the Treaty of Sèvres, and although this treaty was ultimately not implemented, in the years that followed, Turkey was forced to accept treaties that were unfavorable to it, which severely limited its control of the Aegean Sea. In particular, in the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923, Turkey confirmed not only the loss of a number of islands, but also the limitation of sovereignty in the Aegean Sea.
Despite this, Turkey has not completely renounced its rights and interests in the Aegean Sea. Under the influence of the Turkish nationalist movement headed by Mustafa Kemal (later known as Kemal Ataturk), Turkey began a struggle aimed at restoring national dignity and territorial integrity. Through the victory of the Turkish War of Independence and the subsequent diplomatic efforts, Turkey succeeded in abrogating the Treaty of Sèvres and signing a new Treaty of Lausanne, which, although it could not fully restore control of the Aegean Sea, at least ensured that Turkey's sovereign position in the region was not seriously violated by external powers.
The Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean Sea are important passages for international shipping, and are also rich in marine resources. As a result, it has become a focal point of contention among neighboring countries. Greece, in particular, has strengthened its control over the region by virtue of its more favorable geographical location and historical island sovereignty. Turkey, on the other hand, has been greatly limited in its room for action and ambitions for external expansion in the face of the assertive attitude of Greece and other countries. Although Turkey has a strong military, it has long focused more on domestic stability and development, as well as its desire to join the European Union. These internal demands have led Turkey to tend to adopt a more restrained and conservative approach in the face of external controversy. Especially in disputes with EU member states such as Greece, Turkey is even more reluctant to escalate the contradictions so as not to affect its diplomatic strategy and international image.
epilogue
Faced with the situation in which all the islands and reefs on its doorstep are "occupied" by neighboring countries, Turkey is indeed in a rather aggrieved position. This is not only the result of problems left over from history, but also the inevitability of geopolitical competition. However, in this era of globalization and intertwined interests, a single perspective is no longer sufficient to fully interpret complex international relations. Turkey's strategy is quietly shifting, and it is seeking to live in harmony with its neighbors while safeguarding its own interests through a multi-pronged approach. Although the road ahead is long and challenging, Turkey is reshaping its role and influence in the Mediterranean and beyond, in a unique way, on the international stage.