From strategic partner to NATO member : the evolution of Cyprus-U.S. military relations and its impact on regional security
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Abstract
Cyprus, located at a strategic crossroad in the Eastern Mediterranean, has long been in the center of attention for geopolitical interests due to its closeness to Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. The island’s geostrategic location has established it as a key player in regional security and an area of interest for global powers, particularly the United States.
This dissertation examines the evolution of military relations between Cyprus and the United States, following the transition from a historically cautious partnership to an increasingly strategic alliance, while focusing on the potential of Cyprus for NATO
membership. The research further analyzes the broader implications of these developments for regional security and U.S. strategic interests in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Following a comprehensive review of the historical context, the study explores the early phases of Cyprus-U.S. military relations, especially during the Cold War, when Cyprus found itself navigating between Western and Soviet influences. During this period,
the U.S. maintained a delicate balance, supporting both NATO allies, Greece and Turkey, while refraining from deep military engagement with Cyprus due to its non-aligned foreign policy stance. The 1974 Turkish invasion and the subsequent division of Cyprus profoundly influenced its international relations, shaping its defense policies and complicating its ability to establish formal military alliances. The U.S. response to the invasion - marked by an arms embargo against Turkey and diplomatic efforts to mediate
the crisis - further underscored the complex nature of Cyprus-U.S. relations during the Cold War period (Tziampiris, 2021).
The dissertation then examines the post-Cold War era, which facilitated the renewal of military and strategic partnerships between Cyprus and the United States. With the decline of bipolar global power structures, Cyprus aimed its foreign policy to alligning
closer with the Western security frameworks, particularly following its accession to the European Union in 2004 (Tziampiris, 2021). The lifting of the U.S. arms embargo on Cyprus in 2020 and subsequent defense agreements signified a broader shift in U.S.
regional security policy, underscoring the island’s growing importance in the fields of counterterrorism, maritime security, and energy geopolitics.
Through detailed analysis, this study explores specific military agreements, security partnerships, and cooperative initiatives that have enhanced U.S.-Cyprus relations, including intelligence-sharing mechanisms, joint military exercises, and strategic
investments in Cypriot defense infrastructure.
A significant focus is placed on the evolving military cooperation between Cyprus and NATO, examining the extent to which Cyprus has integrated NATO security protocols and the political and diplomatic challenges surrounding its potential membership.
Although Cyprus has increased its defense coordination with NATO through the Partnership for Peace (PfP) program, full membership remains a contentious issue, primarily due to Turkey’s opposition. Turkey, a key NATO member, continues to exert
influence over the alliance’s stance on Cyprus, complicating efforts to formalize its inclusion in the NATO security framework. This study analyzes the political, legal, and security implications of potential NATO accession, assessing both the benefits and risks of deeper integration within the alliance.
The study concludes with an examination of the broader regional security implications of Cyprus’s enhanced military cooperation with the U.S. and its potential NATO membership. Given the growing tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean—
exacerbated by territorial disputes, energy competition, and Turkey’s military activities—Cyprus’s evolving strategic posture has significant consequences for regional stability. The research evaluates how increased U.S. engagement in Cyprus could
reshape the security architecture of the region, including potential shifts in U.S.-Turkey relations and broader NATO dynamics. Recommendations are made for policymakers to foster stability and encourage diplomatic engagement among key regional stakeholders, including Greece, Turkey, Israel, and EU institutions.
Ultimately, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between strategic partnerships, military alliances, and regional security dynamics. By analyzing the historical trajectory and contemporary shifts in U.S.-Cyprus military
relations, it provides critical insights into the future of Cyprus’s defense strategy and its role in shaping security frameworks in the Eastern Mediterranean.