No. 95
WASHINGTON, DC — In 2016, the American Hellenic Institute initiated the study Souda Bay: NATO’s Military Gem in the Eastern Mediterranean produced by the Lexington Institute, which provides a detailed analysis of one of the most important naval bases in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The study serves as an important resource for understanding the strategic importance of Souda Bay, which is especially relevant in the context of the ongoing war within the region between Israel and Hamas. Currently, Souda Bay is being increasingly utilized by the United States military, which has reportedly sent an influx of personnel and aircraft to the area as part of an ongoing augmentation of forces in the region.
In addition to providing facts about the capabilities of the base, the report also specifically highlights the importance of its proximity to the region where the current conflict is occurring. For example, the report cites Admiral James Stavridis, former Supreme Allied Commander at NATO, who stated that “Greece occupies a remarkable geopolitical position as a solid southeastern anchor to the NATO Alliance. The bases on Crete are particularly critical when looking at the instability in the Levant.” Dr. Goure, Senior Vice President with the Lexington Institute, has referred to Souda Bay as a permanent aircraft carrier in the middle of the Mediterranean, which provides critical support for allied military activities in the region.
The report also highlights the strategic partnerships between Greece and the United States and Greece and Israel:
“Since 2011, American, Greek, and Israeli navies annually conduct Exercise Noble Dina to increase interoperability in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations. Hellenic and Israeli navies practice several other mission areas in at-sea drills between air and surface assets, and Israeli helicopter pilots recently conducted an eleven-day training exercise near Mount Olympus. The Hellenic Armed Forces aim to work closely with Israel’s Defense Forces and to extend military cooperation, including defense industry initiatives. In January 2016, the governments of Israel and Greece met to sign bilateral agreements to strengthen cooperation in foreign affairs, maritime relations, civil defense, terrorism, and other issues. A trilateral meeting between Israel, Greece and Cyprus was also held to establish a permanent framework for countries that share similar security and peace values to strengthen stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and advance regional prosperity.”
AHI President Nick Larigakis, who regularly visits Souda Bay to observe its capabilities, stated that "This substantive report captures how Greece can be utilized to advance the interests of the United States and its allies, especially in terms of defensive cooperation. Souda Bay is home to one of the most important military installations in the region and thus serves an unequivocal role in supporting our nation’s strategic positions in that area. The importance of this fact has come under greater light recently, as Souda Bay is currently serving multiple key functions to support the United States’ and its allies in their involvement with the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Souda Bay truly is the military gem of the Eastern Mediterranean.”
Read the study Souda Bay: NATO’s Military Gem in the Eastern Mediterranean here.
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The American Hellenic Institute is an independent non-profit Greek American public policy center and think tank that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community.
For additional information, please contact Zac Cotronakis at (561) 529-0306 or [email protected]. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our website at http://www.ahiworld.org.