Looking back at the Imia crisis and the legacy of US diplomacy
In January of 1996 Greece and Turkey came close to conflict when the Imia crisis erupted. The US played a critical role in preventing a military escalation through Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke, and the US ambassadors in Athens and Ankara. Thomas Niles, the US ambassador in Athens at the time who passed away this week, spoke openly about the crisis in the years that followed, noting that the US had made a “big mistake” in not taking a position on Greek sovereignty in the Aegean. Tom Ellis, the editor in chief of Kathimerini’s English Edition, joins Thanos Davelis as we look back at the Imia crisis of 1996, the US role in preventing a military confrontation, and its lasting legacy today.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Thomas Niles, US envoy during Imia crisis, dies at 85
Stournaras: Crisis may be Europe’s chance
U.S. Announces Deal to Share Ukraine’s Mineral Wealth
US and Ukraine sign agreement creating investment fund after months of negotiations