In the world of authoritative media, the English weekly newsmagazine, The Economist, occupies a special place. It is considered one of those that, as they say, is a ‘must read’. And it is read by a select international readership. Founded in 1843, the magazine has a circulation of 909,476 and, together with its Internet readers, reaches 1.6 million subscribers.

So when it speaks, its voice resonates.

Its latest cover was unusual, and it launched an unusually tough criticism and issued a strong warning about Erdogan’s plans with the revealing headline: ‘Turkey could be on the brink of dictatorship’.

But it also does something extremely useful. It de-codes Erdogan’s philosophy and makes his general behavior, and in particular that towards Greece and Cyprus, more understandable.

Erdogan, then, according to the magazine, sees himself as the creator of “New Turkey” – “a Turkey so strong as to ignore or test old alliances sometimes to the breaking point, to create new ones to act unilaterally.”

In this context, Erdogan stated some time ago that “we don’t need to ask anyone, and we are not subservient to anyone.”

He believes that Turkey is “destined to become a world power” and based upon some indicators, “she already might be one.”

The Economist adds: “Many in his inner celebrate the west’s decline circle and the rise of the new world order.”

And the magazine refers to another crucial point that we all know: “America and the EU have too often held back from criticizing Mr. Erdogan for fear of alienating a pivotal, if troublesome, ally. No one wants a country as important as Turkey to go completely rogue. All are aware that a resentful, isolated Turkish president could do great mischief. He could foment fiercer territorial quarrels with Greece and with Cyprus.”

The article concludes by stating that, “the foreign policy of Turkey is not conducted by generals and diplomats but more and more is designed for domestic political consumption.”

The Economist’s explanation provides a convincing explanation for Erdogan’s rhetoric and his actions against Greece: He behaves this way because he sees Turkey as a ‘great state’, as a ‘world power’, and this makes him look down on Greece.

Let’s hope he doesn’t have to learn the truth the hard way. May he not get to the point of putting his theory into practice.