The United States is seeking to increase its military presence in Greece in part because of doubts about Turkey's reliability, writes Greek newspaper Kathimerini.

According to the sources of the publication, the possibility of expanding the deployment of American troops is being considered, as relations between Greece and Turkey continue to deteriorate. Diminishing confidence in Turkey's credibility as an ally under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is also seen as a factor in the US decision to expand its presence in Greece.

In recent years, the US military has strengthened its presence in Greece and expanded cooperation with its Greek counterparts. The United States has already deployed its forces at a naval base in Souda Bay, as well as in Crete, Alexandroupolis, Larissa, and Stefanovikeio. With four more bases planned to be added, Greece has given Washington 22 options to choose from.

The United States has several military bases in Turkey, including Incirlik Air Base. Turkish politicians regularly threaten to expel the US military from these bases amid disagreements, including after US President Joe Biden's recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

Other controversies include Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense system and US support for Syrian Kurdish rebels, whom Ankara considers terrorists.
It is planned that Greece and Turkey will begin a new round of negotiations, the aim of which is to try to resolve some differences.

At the heart of the feud between the two neighbors lies Turkey's claims to waters, which Greece and Cyprus claim, in the eastern Mediterranean, which is believed to contain large deposits of natural gas. Greece and Turkey also have long-standing disagreements over maritime boundaries in the Aegean Sea.