Greek Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias addressed the 6th Delphi Forum in Washington, discussing current geopolitical challenges, the high level of Greece-U.S. bilateral cooperation, and Greece’s role as a stabilizing force in the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean. His keynote speech was titled:
“Greece’s Role in Shaping Defense Policy in a Changing Geopolitical Landscape.”

From a Bipolar to a Multipolar World

Dendias opened his speech by reflecting on global developments after the Cold War, stating:
“The world transitioned from a bipolar to a multipolar order, but the optimistic outlook never materialized.”

He acknowledged the misjudgment that Russia could be integrated into Europe’s security architecture, noting:
“We now realize that the world we thought existed has disappeared.”

“Joint Action in the Western World”

Analyzing the new geopolitical reality, Dendias stressed that increasing challenges cannot be tackled by individual nations alone, necessitating collective action in the Western world.

He posed the critical question:
“Who do we mean by ‘we’? Who are the U.S. allies in the effort to stabilize the world?”

To illustrate this, he compared two distinct geopolitical approaches:

• On one hand, he described an authoritarian country that ignores international law, has not sanctioned Russia, maintains close ties with Moscow, threatens with ‘casus belli,’ develops drones and missiles, and seeks closer relations with the BRICS.
• On the other hand, he referred to a modern democracy, a European Union member, a defender of democratic values, a country that fought on the right side in both World Wars, supports Ukraine, and advocates for the integration of Balkan states into the EU.

He emphasized that this second country has a deep democratic heritage that inspired the Founding Fathers of the U.S.

Greece’s Strategic Initiatives and Alliances

Dendias presented Greece’s strategic defense and regional stability initiatives, stressing the country’s commitment to international law and territorial integrity.

He highlighted Greece’s multilateral partnerships with regional and global players, emphasizing defense agreements with the U.S., France, Saudi Arabia, Italy, and Egypt, as well as deepening ties with India.

He also underlined Greece’s active NATO role, its support for security in neighboring countries, and its contributions such as:

• Greece’s presence in the Western Balkans,
• The Hellenic Navy’s humanitarian mission to Gaza,
• Naval deployments in Libya and the Red Sea.

Strengthening European Defense & Criticism of EU Policies

Dendias recalled Greece’s recent election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, advocating for a stronger European defense framework.

However, he criticized the EU’s stance as “schizophrenic” for demanding higher defense spending from member states while simultaneously imposing fiscal constraints that hinder implementation.

Modernizing Greece’s Defense Forces

He outlined Greece’s new defense ecosystem, listing reforms aimed at modernizing the Armed Forces, including:

• Fleet modernization,
• Development of anti-drone and missile defense systems,
• Military education reforms for both professional soldiers and conscripts.

Greece-U.S. Relations: “Excellent Cooperation”

Dendias praised Greece-U.S. defense relations, noting that cooperation was “excellent under both the Trump and Biden administrations.”

He introduced a broader strategic approach, highlighting Greece’s soft power as a means of enhancing its geopolitical influence.

Greece as a Bridge of Stability and Understanding

He explained that Greece can offer a deeper understanding of regional societies and geopolitics, citing:

• The Orthodox communities in the Balkans and Russia’s influence,
• Egypt’s geopolitical landscape,
• The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

“The U.S. Can Now Choose Its Allies”

In conclusion, Dendias emphasized that Greece, through the right policies, is building strong defense capabilities while using its soft power to act as a bridge of stability.

He closed his speech by stating:
“With this clear picture, the U.S. is now in a position to choose its allies for ensuring global stability.”

Dendias was introduced by Symeon Tsomokos, Founder and President of the Delphi Economic Forum.