From Bulgaria to the Gulf: Greece’s Air Defense Network Takes on a Growing Regional Role

Greece has reportedly expanded its regional air defense involvement, including measures linked to the protection of Bulgarian airspace, amid heightened tensions in the wider Middle East following strikes involving the US, Israel and Iran. Athens deployed a Patriot missile system and two F-16 aircraft in northern Greece at Bulgaria’s request, as concerns over potential spillover threats into the Balkans increased. The security environment is described as increasingly volatile, with references to intercepted ballistic missiles heading toward Turkey and a drone strike on the British Akrotiri base in Cyprus....