The strategic transformation of US-Cyprus defense relations : geopolitical alignments, energy security, and regional stability in the Eastern Mediterranean
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Keywords
US-Cyprus defense relations ; Eastern Mediterranean ; Energy security ; Defense diplomacy ; Geopolitical alignmentsAbstract
This thesis explores the strategic transformation of U.S.-Cyprus defense relations, situating it within the broader geopolitical shifts of the Eastern Mediterranean. Once constrained by Cold War-era dynamics and a longstanding action U.S. arms embargo, bilateral relations have been redefined since 2018 through a convergence of regional security threats, energy diplomacy, and shifting alliances. Using a multi-theoretical approach—including Neoclassical Realism, Regional Security Complex Theory (RSCT), and Defense Diplomacy—this study traces how Cyprus evolved from a marginal actor to a key strategic partner of the United States.
Empirical analysis highlights how Turkish assertiveness, hydrocarbon discoveries in Cyprus’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and the deterioration of U.S.-Turkey relations created new opportunities for U.S.–Cyprus alignment. The study examines key institutional mechanisms such as the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program, the Cyprus Center for Land, Open-seas and Port Security (CYCLOPS), and Cyprus’s inclusion in the U.S. State Partnership Program (SPP). These developments, among others, have not only enhanced military interoperability but also reinforced Cyprus’s role as a regional energy and humanitarian hub.
The thesis concludes that Cyprus has successfully leveraged its geographic position, diplomatic agility, and energy assets to embed itself in U.S.-led regional security frameworks. This evolution demonstrates how small states can enhance their strategic relevance through targeted defense diplomacy and alliance-building. The findings carry significant policy implications for U.S. engagement strategies, NATO-EU coordination, and energy security in a contested but vital region.
Postgraduate Studies Programme
American Studies: Politics, Strategy and EconomicsDepartment
Σχολή Οικονομικών, Επιχειρηματικών και Διεθνών Σπουδών. Τμήμα Διεθνών και Ευρωπαϊκών ΣπουδώνNumber of pages
97Language
EnglishCollections
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Αναφορά Δημιουργού-Μη Εμπορική Χρήση-Όχι Παράγωγα Έργα 3.0 Ελλάδα
Αναφορά Δημιουργού-Μη Εμπορική Χρήση-Όχι Παράγωγα Έργα 3.0 Ελλάδα