He ruled Lesbos at a time of increasing Ottoman power, and his last years were preoccupied with maintaining some measure of independence.
[1] Soon after he assumed control of Lesbos, he informed Genoa that he wished to be part of their 1428 treaty with Alfonso V of Aragon.
[3] According to Pero Tafur who met the exile at Mytilene on his homeward journey, Alexander "was preparing ships to set out for Trebizond against his brother."
The Republic of Genoa had business interests in Trebizond that might be harmed in a civil war between the brothers.
[5] During his tenure as lord of Lesbos, the castle of Kokkinos on Lemnos and the island of Thasos came under his control.