“Military deployment is not only intended to protect Israel, but is part of broader strategic plans to control critical geopolitical points”
The intense military mobility in Cyprus and the presence of American forces in the country is still causing concern and debate in Turkey, as many wonder what are the real targets behind this development.
Abdullah Agar, chairman of the Center for Strategic Studies of Bahcesehir University, speaking to the Turkish state news agency Anadolu, emphasized that the main purpose of the US military presence in the region is the “protection” of Israel. He notes that after October 7, the warships of the US, Britain, France and their allies showed their power in the eastern Mediterranean, effectively encircling the Arabian Peninsula.
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Hagar argues that this military deployment is not only intended to protect Israel, but is part of broader strategic plans to control critical geopolitical points, such as the Babu’l Mendep Strait, the Indian Ocean and the Straits of Hormuz. The situation in Gaza, according to Hagar, is seen as an “opportunity” by Greece and Cyprus forto strengthen their own geopolitical position, giving space for the military development of Western countries.
The presence of American forces in Cyprus is part of the preparations for “all possible scenarios” , including defensive, offensive and humanitarian operations. However, wider Western involvement in the region, as well as potential clashes with Iranian proxies, raise concerns about the future of stability in the eastern Mediterranean, he argues.
The underlying danger of British military presence
The director of the Research Center for Turkish Cypriot History of Baskent University, associate professor Mehmet Baliemez, brings back to the fore the geopolitical importance of Cyprus and the effects of British military bases< /strong>on the island. According to Baliemez, Cyprus cannot be detached from the general geopolitical scene of the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, where tension and confrontations are permanently present.
“Cyprus is the third largest island of the Eastern Mediterranean and its strategic position, due to its proximity to important players such as Israel and Egypt, strengthens its importance for the great powers”, stressed Baliemez. “The strategic presence of the British bases, Akrotiri and Decelia, which have been in Cyprus for almost seventy years, makes it clear that the island is not just a strategic point, but an active center of military activity”.
Balliemez referred to the activities of the British bases, pointing out that one is used as a base for military operations and the other as an intelligence centre. He pointed out that Britain had used the bases to provide support to Israel during attacks on Gaza, raising concerns about their strategic importance.
The threat that could to emerge from British military bases has become even more apparent with the recent warning from Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary General of Hezbollah, who stated that these bases would be targeted in the event of an attack.
“ From the moment they were established, the bases on this island have been a threat to the security of Cyprus,” said Baliemez. “It is not possible for Cyprus to be an 'island of peace' as long as these bases exist here”.
