several factors that include climate change. ♪ >> you are watching al jazeera, the headlines this hour, hurricane ian has made landfall in florida, with winds reaching more than 150 miles per hour. al jazeera, is in tampa, florida with more. >> tremendous damage, and officially now we know there are one million people in south florida without power. according to the governor, the

detail, the strength of the storm, governors santos said -- governor desantis said, we are looking at a disaster looming over the southern side of florida and it won't stop here because accompanying hurricane ian is rain that will sustain wins at least 100 miles per hour for at least 15 hours until next thursday. >> two people in cuba were killed as the hurricane hit the island on tuesday. the storm also caused a blackout plunging 11 million people into darkness. moscow has called for a meeting with you when security council. the eu and u.n. blame sabotage. russia backed authorities in fort portions of ukraine say that the results of the

referendum held of our five days's show that people have overwhelmingly voted to join the federation. the death of mahsa amini has saddened everyone, but protests will spread. she was killed, by the so-called morality police. in baghdad, security forces fight as -- tried to storm the highly fortified green zone government area. those are the headlines on al jazeera. do stay with us, up next is inside story. ♪

>> what has triggered the latest tension between greece and tukiye, deploying to a island reaches a agreement. athens argues it is protecting its people. can it be contained or will it spiral out of control? this is inside story. ♪ >> hello, welcome to the program. grease and tukiye have been in conflict over maritime borders for decades. in the latest, athens is accused of deploying u.s. build vehicles to tukiye's. these aerial images reportedly

show ships with vehicles docking on the island of less posts and -- greece has cold -- has called the move completely unfounded. the two nations are allies but historic photos and continue to accuse each other of undermining peace and stability. >> while we are making sincere efforts to end wars, crisis and tensions in the war -- in the world, we hear greece, as i've always said. greece is not an interlocutor, we know well aware of those that provoked and released intentions against us are --

>> there are ways to resolve these differences, we could go to international court if you agreed on the conditions to reach such a settlement, but we don't resolve our differences through aggressive posturing and recalling imperial fantasies. using a rhetoric that is inflammatory. >> let's take a closer look at these islands, last year tukiye disputed greece is sovereignty over the agn islands. saint they were to remain demilitarized. 10 years later athens was officially awarded certainty in a treaty.

the ownership on the islands say that it is -- conditional on them being demilitarized. greece rejects that interpretation. let's bring in our guest now, in istanbul, we have editor of a daily english-language newspaper in tukiye. and the senior research fellow of the hellenic foundation of european foreign policy. tukiye is arguing that these islands are part of their -- part not part of the non-treaty

status? >> over the last few weeks, tukiye -- greece is under the threat of tukiye with the use of military force with the argument that the islands should not be militarized. but greece believes that due to the current situation it is under threat by tukiye and therefore, it tries to militarize the island along with the militant u.n. chapter. this is the situation and the real problem starts with the threats coming from the other side, and also from the history that demonstrates that tukiye is prepared to use military force in order to obtain political gains of cyprus highlands. >> let's put that point to men it to chila can is simple -- mehmet chelck in istanbul. >> if you look at the recent

provocation by greece against tukiye, we can see that with the radar blocking, with the greek postcard firing against a commercial vessel with militarizing, the nonmilitary status islands, we can see that these provocations are unfortunately arising and emerging from the other side of the agm in athens. -- the agn in athens. agean in athens. or when it comes to the cyprus issue, tukiye has been pushing for equitable share of resources in -- arguing for dialogue and

diplomacy. we can see on the one hand, greek leaders say, that tukiye once a neighborly relations but on the others we see in the same day that greece is militarizing or sending a deployment to the non-military status islands. . it is a hypocritical situation, of course there's been historical tension between these two countries. if we're going to continue to talk about the history, tukiye and greece cannot get anywhere. tukiye has been pushing for dialogue and pushing on with some of the disagreements and finding some sort of common ground to solve and overcome some of this -- these issues. however, the greek side can -- it's position changes day and night and is very unproven oval

-- very unpredictable. it becomes a problem for tukiye and its leadership to deal with greek officials. they see that as being provocations, not a willingness to actually find the solution for the existing, be it historical tensions or be it current tensions between the two sides. >> why are these islands in particular such a flashpoint for both greece and tukiye? >> these islands are very close to the coast of kurt -- of tukiye. and for this reason tukiye is concerned, and claims that the treaty does not allow greece to have this military vehicle, this american military vehicles to be posted there. as you can hear, greece is

claiming that it is under threat from tukiye and therefore it is justified to do so. what is remarkable is just recently the president of tukiye, mr. ergodan did not just complain about the militarization of the islands but the quote and quote -- occupation of the islands. these are two nato partners and this is not the best moment to have tensions between greece and tukiye as everyone realizes. >> george, the turkish government has said that this decision is partly political by greece to get these, more of these military vehicles into the islands. this greek election coming up next summer.

how much of this is for domestic consumption. >> this is not a political decision. this is a security decision. there are chronic problems and greek and turkish relations. but in the last year, greece has been very aggressive, which is recognized by both washington and brussels. the european union has been very critical of tukiye's public rhetoric, against greece, against cyprus in general. and what is arrived now, the situation is, that the relationship between tukiye and the united states has entered uncharted waters. it is cliff's -- crystal clear and washington that tukiye is

not necessarily considered a reliable partner and within this context, greece is a reliable partner of the united states. this new situation is creating new dynamics. within nato, and also withinhe afrmath of the russian invasion of ukraine. the united states is only working with reliable partners. this is fueling the -- aggressive rhetoric from the other side and we remain hopeful that within nato, the situation could be put under control. because, the cohesion of nato's southeastern flank will be dire news that will be welcome in moscow. >> how is this effecting relations with the united states, then considering that both of these countries are nato allies, as well? >> of course, if we look at the

current stage of tukiye -- u.s. relations we could say that it is not on very solid ground at the moment. but there are on -- but they are strategic allies, sometimes partners. there is always that historical alliance between tukiye and the united states for several good reasons. but as the previous speaker mentioned, moscow and the eu, and all of the ukraine relations or developments, if you look at tukiye's value for the west, i think that grain deal is a very good example for that. if we look at the mediation between ukraine and russia and tukiye's value to the u.s.. prisoner exchange is a good example of that. another would, by tukiye, would

be the work to bring the two leaders together at a negotiation table. otherwise, unfortunately, the war is not getting anywhere we would like it to end. or find a solution for. and when it comes to u.s. tukiye relations, when it comes to -- recently, they want to diplomatically overcome these tensions however, turkish side has already been pushing for this negotiation table and a common ground for dialogue. however, unfortunately, greece goes and complaints to the eu or complaints to the united states intoxicants tukiye. for example, mischa talkies -- the greek prime minister -- we

should recognize the reality that these two neighbors, once they of work on these issues, without the interference of the third parties -- like france selling weaponry or defense mechanism to greece. or the united states the bringing its military deployment to the greece. i think the solution would be easier. however, the unreliability of the greek side, the other third parties using greece in a way that they could contain tukiye in the region. one pushes tukiye away from the west. at other rises -- otherizes tukiye from the west, i think that tukiye's value should be recognized. they stop the global food crisis

for example. we should value these moves by tukiye defined diplomatic solutions. >> is this dispute more about access to the waters around the islands and the potential natural resources there rather than the islands and solves -- themselves? >> there is that, there is the military importance of these islands, of course, this helps greeks to have islands to be so close to tukiye's mainland. two comment on what the turkish speaker said, it's true that tukiye and ergodan deserve credit for their mediation in the conflict to secure the grain deal. and ergodan has been saying it is important to respect the

territorial integrity of ukraine specifically referring to crimea. but then it is sort of weird, he describes the reek status of these islands as situational occupation. that is not sensible, i think. it is pouring oil to the flames. perhaps, some of it can be explained by the fact that ergodan has an election next year, it is not sure that he will win. the opposition is coming on very strong. the opposition is much more secular. when it comes to foreign policy, ergodan and the opposition often agree. if he can come across as strong, on foreign policy, this is in his interest to convince some non-convince voters. >> what do you think is at stake here for athens, particularly,

with the potential for national -- natural resources around those islands? >> the possibility for dialogue is currently very limited. and currently it is not the availability of reese that is leading to this outcome, as our prime minister has repeatedly said that greece is prepared for a dialogue. but while one country is constantly under threat of another by the use of military force, the conditions for dialogue are not ideal. at the same time, greece recognizes only be limitation of maritime zones as the only legal difference between the two sides, while tukiye believes it is much broader. under the current circumstances i find it impossible for the sides to talk about the issue of the limitation and also reach a solution. by contrast, taking into account

-- the -- tukiye into account, there are other countries, the convention that tukiye has not signed, the recent dili is between italy and greece. greece and egypt, and other agreements that are highlighted. and also, there is the eec med gas floor. to -- the reason that tukiye is not part of it is because tukiye is not accepted by the majority. i think that this is a clear indication that most countries in the eastern mediterranean set aside the united states, are not

happy with the behavior of tukiye, tukiye is welcome to join if it reference -- if it respects international law. . >> tukiye has said, the turkish government has said it has no intention of invading these islands. we take that at face value. is it more about the fact that, because of the natural resources that could be around these islands, finding natural gas and so on, tukiye doesn't want to be left out of that part of the equation? >> and rightly so. tukiye obviously, is close to these waters and including the turkish cyprus which tukiye supports in that sense. tukiye is rightly asking for its interest. and it can't be this -- this

maritime delineation cannot be for very good international law reasons, it cannot be the way that the greek side is translating them. that is there. on the other hand, we were talking about the turkish elections and how this will serve on erdogan's hand, or whether it is actually in his favor. turkish, greek relations have been tense for a long time. but if we look at the recent provocations, they have been -- almost all of them have come from the greek side. this doesn't help to establish dialogue. i mention that earlier. several provocations by the greek side, and this also, of course, regardless of who was gum during tukiye. there is a sense of rallying around the reader when it comes to tukiye-greek relations. when it comes to who was governing, when it comes to the

state policy, turkish governments seeks to maximize at their interests. >> let's put that to george then, tukiye sees greece as the provocateur in this. what you say that? -- what do you say to that? >> it is well known, at the same time it is very well rejected and the european union and united states also during the talks of the east med gas forum. it is clear that greece is defending itself and obviously the cost of the threats from the other side are not very heavy in the situation. i believe especially in the aftermath of the invasion of ukraine, there is a sensitivity in the west about the ambitious tendencies and philosophies. greece is working toward the solution with its partners including the european union and

the united states. tukiye is not a member of the european union and that the time being it seems impossible for it to enter. ahead of the meeting, the important political meeting that will take place in prague after 10 days, perhaps there'll be an opportunity for our leaders to meet. this would be good news, but if this public rhetoric continues from the other side, obviously i cannot be optimistic about any breakthrough, even a meeting between the two leaders. >> let's give the last word to moment. -- mehmet, do you see the potential for this to come down eventually or could it get out of hand? >> i think it could come down, tukiye respects the borders of all of the international

community. numerous times they have made that clear and affirmed that greek -- that tukiye respects greek in -- territorial integrity. it doesn't emerge out of nowhere, it comes after the harassment of turkish jets on nato duty, it comes after the firing of turkish, commercial vessel. it comes after, pushing away all of these refugees in the agean to death. the rhetoric of course escalates. it forces president ergodan's hand. if were talking about a threat, it is a constructive threat while as the provocations are intangible as they take place. >> how do you see this playing

out, and we've said this is the latest in disputes between greece and tukiye, does this have the potential to get worse? >> yes it has the intentional of getting worse, and tukiye -- history is playing an important role in that regard. if were looking at the greek-tukiye relations and the relations from a historical framework, we cannot be optimistic. what is even more frustrating and disappointing is the fact that there is no contact at the highest level right now and we can obviously understand for at the moment that leaders don't talk to each other, there is the possibility -- in the eastern mediterranean. greece will defend itself. this is greece policy, and this is greece policy supported in washington and brussels.

>> thank you very much to you gentlemen, in athens and istanbul. thanks as well to peter from brussels who was with us earlier. you can watch this program at any time, go to our website and for further discussion go to our facebook page. facebook.com/a.j. inside story. you can also join the conversation on twitter. bye for now. ♪

oggcccccg'''ñl