Greece may become key U.S. ally as Washington seeks to secure energy flows amid Middle East tensions

Greece is emerging as a central player in global energy security, according to senior U.S. policy analysts who now view the country as a critical hub for maritime shipping and energy logistics. Richard Goldberg, a senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and former White House National Security Council official, recently outlined how Greece’s strategic position could make it indispensable to American energy interests in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Speaking in an interview, Goldberg suggested that Greece could become a key partner for the United States in navigating heightened risks to global shipping lanes. He emphasized the potential for Greek shipping companies to move energy supplies through contested maritime routes with U.S. military support and sovereign-backed insurance.

Greece Energy Hub Status Gains Washington Attention

The assessment reflects a broader shift in how Washington views Greece’s role in European energy security. According to Goldberg, the United States needs commercial partners willing to operate in high-risk environments, and Greek shipping companies possess both the capacity and strategic positioning to fill that role.

He noted that the U.S. government could provide tanker escorts from the military and sovereign-backed insurance to facilitate operations. The arrangement would involve significant risk but also substantial economic reward for participating companies, according to his analysis.

Vertical Corridor and Russian Gas Dependence

Central to the Greece energy hub concept is the Vertical Corridor, a proposed network designed to transport natural gas northward from Greece into Central and Eastern Europe. However, Goldberg warned that continued European reliance on Russian natural gas could undermine these emerging alternatives.

He stated that strict conditions should be imposed to compel European nations to transition away from Russian supplies toward American gas flowing through Greece. The conditions would require measurable investments in infrastructure, offtake agreements, and clear timelines for ending Russian gas imports.

Additionally, Goldberg pointed to past U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil as a potential model. Countries like Japan, South Korea, India, and China received temporary waivers only when they demonstrated concrete progress in reducing Iranian crude imports during each review period.

Multiple Energy Infrastructure Projects Converge

Beyond the Vertical Corridor, Greece’s strategic importance encompasses several regional energy and infrastructure initiatives. Goldberg described Greece’s transformation from a country facing financial crisis to a central artery of European energy security as one of the most dramatic turnaround stories globally.

Meanwhile, the proposed Great Sea Interconnector linking Greece, Cyprus, and Israel represents another dimension of Greece’s expanding role. The electricity interconnector project has attracted growing international interest, though it also faces regional opposition.

Goldberg indicated that support for the interconnector is expanding among regional stakeholders, with more parties expressing interest publicly and privately. He emphasized the need for increased American private sector involvement to strengthen confidence in the project and deter potential interference.

Turkey Factor in Regional Energy Dynamics

In contrast to concerns about competition, Goldberg suggested that energy cooperation should not be viewed as zero-sum. He noted that certain energy projects running through Turkey could align with broader U.S. strategic interests under an energy dominance framework.

However, he dismissed reports suggesting alternative routes for the electricity interconnector that would bypass Israel by running through Syria. The analyst questioned whether Cyprus would entrust its entire electricity grid to infrastructure passing through Turkish-controlled Syrian territory.

He also addressed reports linking potential U.S.-Turkey energy arrangements to Ankara’s interest in acquiring F-35 fighter jets. According to Goldberg, the F-35 issue remains separate, tied to longstanding U.S. security concerns about Russian radar systems in Turkey.

Shipping Industry Positioned for Strategic Partnership

The Greek shipping industry’s willingness to operate in high-risk environments could prove decisive, according to Goldberg’s assessment. He characterized Greek shippers as having the capability and determination necessary for complex operations in contested maritime zones.

The proposal involves U.S. government support mechanisms including military escorts and insurance guarantees. Such arrangements would represent a significant departure from standard commercial shipping operations but could address urgent energy security needs.

Goldberg framed Greece’s role as extending across multiple dimensions, functioning as a node for energy flows not only north-south through the Vertical Corridor but also east-west through projects like the Great Sea Interconnector and the broader IMEC corridor connecting the Eastern Mediterranean to the Middle East.

The timeline for implementing these initiatives remains uncertain, with infrastructure development, financing arrangements, and diplomatic coordination all requiring further progress. European nations have not yet established firm deadlines for reducing Russian gas dependence, though pressure from Washington for concrete commitments continues to build.