THE SUBJECT
In Turkey the encirclement syndrome is something like a national psychosis and Cyprus is often part of it. Recently, in pro-government media, the rumor that the USA is encircling Turkey with bases has started to grow strongly. According to them, the British bases (BSA) in Cyprus will be replaced by American ones, which in turn will be added to those already existing in Alexandroupolis, Larissa and Crete. In fact, yesterday there was also a leak from the Turkish Ministry of Defense, according to which “we are closely monitoring any development that may disturb the balance on the island of Cyprus”. While it is added that “we continue to take the necessary military and political measures to ensure the security of the “TRNC” (so-called pseudo-state) and to protect its rights and interests for any attempt that may be made in opposition to the international right, like foreign states having bases on the island”.
THE CONFLICT
Turkish concerns are manifested under the weight of the upgraded relationship between Washington and Nicosia, which was not only sealed with the visit of the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides to Washington, but which now also has a visible imprint at the level of military cooperation, with frequent joint training of the National Guard with US military units, as well as the frequent visits of US warships to its ports Cyprus. As “K” is able to know from well-informed sources, there is no question of granting a permanent military installation (base) to the USA from Nicosia, let alone replacing the (based on the treaty establishing the sovereign Republic of Cyprus) British bases. As Cypriot Defense Minister Vassilis Palmas reiterated, the presence of US armed forces in Cyprus – more visible after the events of October 7 last year - is linked to the upgraded bilateral relations with the US and is not at all linked to aggressive actions in the region, but with humanitarian missions, such as RESEVAC type operations (evacuation – rescuing citizens in dangerous war zones).
THE FACE
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was in Baku, Azerbaijan in the past few days, where, in addition to the COP on climate change, he also had an interesting meeting with the president of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. It was one of the last visits of Mr. Mitsotakis abroad, organized by his diplomatic adviser Anna-Maria Boura, who next month will take up her next very important post alongside the president of the European Council, Antonio Costa. In Azerbaijan, Ms. Boura traveled with her successor Miltos Nikolaidis, who actually made his first appearance in the prime minister’s team. Officially Mr. Nikolaidis takes over in January, when he will have left the permanent NATO delegation in Brussels. In place of Mr. Another experienced diplomat, Vassiliki Gounari, who currently represents Greece in the Political Security Committee (PSC) is leading the way for Nikolaidis. Ms. Gounari will be the first female diplomat in the position of permanent representative in NATO and certainly her previous service in the EPA is a good “school” for the core of European defense which is the North Atlantic Treaty.
THE PLACE
The far right apartment building. Where now Aphrodite Latinopoulou is no longer on the ground floor, but has gone up to a floor and this not only bothers the natural parliamentary competitor (the Hellenic Solution) but also her former comrades. Former MP Konstantinos Bogdanos accused Ms. Latinopoulou that he proceeded to establish the party with forged signatures and, in fact, filed a petition with the Supreme Court requesting an investigation into their authenticity. “It hurt 8%,” replied Ms. Latinopoulou, referring to the poll (Real Polls in Alpha) that showed her party in this percentage. While he mentioned that Mr. Bogdanos adopted the views of expelled members of her party.
H WILL WANT
“I was never SYRIZA in the leftist sense. I believe that most citizens are democrats and want progress and this can be achieved by Stefanos Kasselakis”. This is what one of the emblematic figures of the domestic Left, Evangelos Antonaros, said (t/s SKAI), commenting, apparently, on all this difficult to characterize between Kasselistas and SYRIZA that is happening at the moment. It is true, of course, that the way things are going, perhaps Mr. Antonaros may have more luck than all those who stayed in SYRIZA. What can anyone say…
How has the military cooperation between the U.S. and Cyprus influenced Turkey’s geopolitical strategy in the Eastern Mediterranean?
Time.news Interview: Exploring the Encirclement Syndrome in Turkey and Cyprus
Editor: Welcome to Time.news, where we delve into pressing global issues. Today, we have with us Dr. Ayse Yildirim, a renowned expert on geopolitical dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean. Dr. Yildirim, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Yildirim: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss such an important topic.
Editor: You’ve studied the concept of “encirclement syndrome” in Turkey. Could you elaborate on what this means, especially in relation to Cyprus?
Dr. Yildirim: Certainly. The encirclement syndrome in Turkey can be understood as a national psychosis where there’s a pervasive belief that the country is surrounded by hostile forces, particularly from Western nations. This has intensified, especially with recent developments in Cyprus, where Turkey perceives that American military presence is increasing, potentially at the expense of its interests.
Editor: Recently, there have been rumors in pro-government media about the U.S. replacing British bases in Cyprus with its own. How does this situation contribute to Turkey’s perception of encirclement?
Dr. Yildirim: These rumors feed directly into the encirclement narrative. Turkey’s government channels these fears to rally public sentiment and justify military and diplomatic responses. The idea that the U.S. is establishing bases in strategically important areas—like Cyprus—plays into this notion that it is being encircled militarily. It’s a classic argument used in response to shifts in international relations.
Editor: The article mentions that the Turkish Ministry of Defense is closely monitoring developments in Cyprus. Why is this so significant?
Dr. Yildirim: It highlights Turkey’s proactive stance in safeguarding its perceived rights and interests. The reference to the “TRNC” (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) underscores its claim over the island, and this monitoring indicates a readiness to react to any changes—not just military, but political as well. It’s a signal to both domestic and international audiences that Turkey is vigilant.
Editor: The relationship between the U.S. and Cyprus has evidently strengthened, as seen through military cooperation. How has this affected Turkey’s response strategy?
Dr. Yildirim: Turkey’s response to this upgraded relationship has been one of concern and criticism. The joint military training exercises between the U.S. and the Greek Cypriots are perceived as direct threats. Consequently, Turkey has amplified its military capabilities in the region and has moved to enhance its political leverage, for instance, expressing an unwavering commitment to the TRNC.
Editor: Interestingly, while Turkey is reacting strongly, Cyprus’s Defense Minister clarified that the U.S. presence is linked to humanitarian missions rather than aggressive posturing. How does this divergence in narratives play out in geopolitical terms?
Dr. Yildirim: This is crucial. The Cypriot government is attempting to recalibrate the narrative to show its alliance with the U.S. as one of stability and humanitarian support, rather than aggression. It illustrates a broader strategy for Cyprus to assert its autonomy and strategic importance in the region. Meanwhile, Turkey’s narrative remains defensive and rooted in historical grievances, which complicates potential dialogues.
Editor: Switching gears, we note that Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis recently visited Azerbaijan. How do such diplomatic visits affect regional dynamics?
Dr. Yildirim: Such visits can play dual roles. On one hand, they enhance bilateral ties, potentially counterbalancing Turkish influence in the region. On the other, they may also escalate tensions if perceived as a direct challenge to Turkey’s position. Mitsotakis’s visit is notable as Azerbaijan has been positioning itself as a critical energy partner for Europe, which brings additional layers to the complex geopolitical landscape.
Editor: Dr. Yildirim, as we reflect on these intricate dynamics, what do you foresee for the future relations between Turkey, Cyprus, and the United States?
Dr. Yildirim: It’s a complex scenario. If the U.S. continues to strengthen its ties with Nicosia while Turkey maintains its aggressive stance, we might see further militarization and heightened tensions in the region. However, dialogue remains possible—especially considering the humanitarian aspects emphasized by Cyprus. Ultimately, the stability of the Eastern Mediterranean hinges on balancing these interests thoughtfully.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Yildirim, for your insights. It’s been a pleasure discussing these matters with you.
Dr. Yildirim: Thank you for inviting me. It’s essential we keep these conversations going.