Cyprus caught in a field of disinformation

In this Sunday's Kathimerini, Yiannis Ioannou writes that the recent presence of U.S. naval ships in Limassol has reignited a long-standing debate in Cyprus about its geopolitical alignment, particularly as tensions escalate in the Middle East.

According to his article, the confrontation between the government and the left-wing party AKEL highlighted the enduring conflict between a Western-oriented foreign policy and an independent stance. The situation underscores how Cyprus, historically positioned at the crossroads of East and West, continues to grapple with its role in regional affairs.

Last week, AKEL's criticism of the government's stance went beyond typical democratic discourse. The party found itself embroiled in spreading disinformation, with narratives originating from dubious sources. A Lebanese newspaper, "al Akhbar," with ties to Hezbollah, and a social media account known for disseminating Russian disinformation, falsely claimed that Cyprus was directly involved in the ongoing conflict between Iran, Hezbollah, and Israel. These falsehoods tied Cyprus to an information war that has been escalating alongside the physical conflict between Israel and Hamas.

This incident is not isolated. Cyprus has increasingly become a target of disinformation campaigns, particularly from Russian sources. Recent examples include false reports about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky purchasing property in the occupied territories of Cyprus and misleading claims about the transfer of Cypriot T-80 tanks to Ukraine. These narratives, rooted in Russian propaganda, aim to undermine Ukraine and Western support for the country.

The recent war in Gaza has created new opportunities for disinformation, with Cyprus once again being a focal point. The fine line between fact and narrative is being exploited to create plausible but false stories. While Cyprus has conducted military exercises with regional and Western powers, including Israel and the U.S., claims that the island nation is actively involved in the war are baseless. The Cypriot National Guard is not participating in the conflict, and no critical infrastructure is being used to support any of the involved parties.

The controversy also revived discussions about the role of the British Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) in Cyprus. Historically, these bases have been a target of Soviet-era disinformation due to their strategic importance during the Cold War. Today, the SBAs continue to be a subject of international scrutiny, particularly in the context of U.S.-UK military cooperation. Websites like Declassified.uk have perpetuated narratives about the transfer of U.S. weapons through these bases to Israel, ignoring longstanding Western military practices and the unique legal status of the bases, over which the UK does not exercise sovereignty.

The renewed focus on Cyprus's geopolitical role, fueled by both internal political strife and external disinformation, highlights the island's precarious position amid global conflicts. As the Middle East crisis continues to unfold, Cyprus may find itself increasingly at the center of geopolitical narratives, both real and fabricated.