Turkey's Strategic Pursuits in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean

Turkey has set as a strategic goal the control of Cyprus, which it intends as a vital area for its expansion. To implement its goal and with the assistance of Britain, it has drawn up a strategy for the "reconquest" of Cyprus since the 1950s, which it has implemented to a large extent by dividing the island. It has essentially placed Cyprus under its strategic hostage, by maintaining strong Turkish occupation forces. Turkey's expansionist policy towards Cyprus was also aided by strategic mistakes of Hellenism, which followed the ineffective strategy of appeasement. Today, Turkey continues its aggressive and expansionist policy towards Cyprus in order to complete its goal. In the Eastern Mediterranean, by projecting its aeronautical power, it seeks to acquire a dominant role. The Republic of Cyprus must strengthen its self-defense capabilities and review its position on a solution to the Cyprus problem. Cyprus and Greece must forge a defense alliance between themselves and abandon the policy of appeasement.