Ankara testing Athens's resolve

Athens is viewing the recent spike in violations of Greece's air space and territorial waters by Turkish ships and jets as a test of its resolve.

Tensions between the two countries escalated further on Friday after a Turkish coastal patrol boat fired live ammunition during a military exercise in Greek territorial waters in the eastern Aegean.

The incident was seen as part of a trend that began on January 29, when a Turkish gunboat carrying Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar sailed around the Aegean islets of Imia - whose sovereignty Ankara disputes.

Since that time Turkish patrol boats have moved around several islets in the region, including Panaghia and Farmakonisi - both have a permanent Greek guard - while Turkish fighters jets have continued overflights, leading to dangerous mock dog fights with Greek air force pilots. And with the incendiary rhetoric...