Athanasios Ellis
Cyprus’ effective management – both at the operational and diplomatic levels – of the drone attacks from Hezbollah, has upgraded it strategically.
At least five important parameters have emerged in recent days: 1) the unity, political and with respect to defense, with Greece, 2) the critical role that Cyprus plays in the context of both the European Union, as the member-state that is geographically closest to the Middle East, 3) and in the Commonwealth and the special relationship with the United Kingdom, due to the latter’s Air Force base in Akrotiri, 4) the strategic relationship with Israel, 5) perhaps most importantly, the growing perception in the US defense planning of Cyprus as a critical piece of the security puzzle in the region.
On an interpersonal level, the Cypriot president utilized his past experience as a career diplomat and then as Minister of Foreign Affairs, to remain in direct communication with many regional actors, including Emmanuel Macron, combining Cyprus’ need to confront threats with the French president’s strategic choice to project French power in the Eastern Mediterranean.
A similar “win-win” approach was also taken with Greece, with the presence, initially, of the Minister of Defense, Nikos Dendias, and then of the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The dispatch of the two frigates and four F-16 fighters to Cyprus – ignoring some unnecessary nationalistic exaggerations that accompanied them – was a correct move and, in the current circumstances, necessary. Combined with the self-evident significance of the joint appearance of the leaders of Cyprus, Greece and France at such a critical moment internationally, it sent resounding messages to many recipients.
It was expected that there would be a reaction from Turkey, which dispatched six F-16s to the northern occupied part of Cyprus. However, this move gave the president of Cyprus the opportunity to note – to the attentive ears of a worried international audience – the illegal occupation of part of the Republic. Also, given the existing presence of 40,000 Turkish soldiers in the north, Ankara’s action did not have the corresponding substantive and communicative dimension of the actions of the Greek Cypriot side.
The provision of practical support with air and naval forces, as well as the resounding declarations of solidarity made by powerful players in European and global geopolitical events – such as Macron’s “when Cyprus is attacked, it is Europe that is attacked” – can only be seen as a strategic gain for Cyprus.
