Naval Drama in the Mediterranean: Italy and Greece Send Warships, NATO Silent!
The Mediterranean is turning into a hot zone of conflict, and Italy and Greece are not holding back – they are sending warships to patrol the Libyan coast! Has NATO forgotten about this problem while everyone focuses on Ukraine? It seems so, and the consequences are already visible.
Libya – A New Hotspot of Conflict and Migration
Libya, a country three times the size of Spain, is back in the spotlight due to the rising influx of migrants and increasing Russian influence. Russia is not only supplying weapons to Libyan militias but is also building a potential naval base in the northeastern port of Tobruk. Italy and Greece are concerned – this is not just a regional problem but a threat to all of Europe.
Migration Crisis Escalates
Greece has already sent two warships to patrol the Libyan coast, while Italy warns that the situation is urgent and the EU must act swiftly. This year alone, about 9,000 migrants have arrived on the Greek island of Crete, nearly double last year’s number. Just last week, over 2,000 migrants landed on Crete.
Greece has even decided to suspend asylum application processing for three months for those arriving by sea from North Africa. Opposition and parts of the government criticize these measures as inadequate and warn that naval patrols might encourage migrants to take dangerous sea crossings.
Russia and Hybrid Warfare Through Migration
EU diplomats warn that Russia is using Libya as a central hub for its African strategy. Migrant smugglers in Libya allegedly support Russian strategic efforts, helping Moscow bypass sanctions and turn migration into a weapon against Europe. There is fear that Russia might repeat the hybrid war it launched on the EU’s eastern front by forcing refugees to cross borders, as seen with Belarus and Poland.
European Union and NATO – Where Are You?
Italy and Greece desperately seek support from their allies, including France, but the response is disappointing. France is more focused on other issues, and NATO does not include Africa in its agenda at all. Italian Prime Minister Antonio Tajani warns that Libya is an emergency that the EU must solve together, but diplomatic attempts so far have turned into a farce.
What’s Next?
The situation is alarming. Russia is building military infrastructure in Libya, including missile systems, which could pose a direct threat to Europe. The migration crisis is deepening, and Europe seems to have forgotten about this problem while focusing on Ukraine.
Will Europe finally realize that Libya is a new front that cannot be ignored? Or will we watch as war bases and migrants become tools of geopolitical games while NATO and the EU sit idly by?
Meanwhile, Italy and Greece are not wasting time – warships are already at sea, and measures are stricter than ever. Will this be enough, or is it just the beginning of a new major crisis in the Mediterranean?
So, what do you think? Is Europe ready to face this threat, or will it all end again with empty diplomatic promises? Drop a comment, let the voice from the shore be heard!
