Concerns as Turkish Navy surrounds Cyprus

Tension mounted in the Eastern Mediterranean on Tuesday as the Turkish Navy practically encircled Cyprus with almost 20 vessels, including frigates and submarines. 

Turkey's move coincided with the imminent launch of operations by the Yavuz drillship within Cyprus' exclusive economic zone (EEZ), while the Barbaros vessel is also conducting seismographic research in the island's waters. 

At the same time, there were no French or American military forces present in the region.

This absence of Western powers with economic interests in the region at a time when Turkey is blatantly violating Cyprus's EEZ is seen to signify that countries like France and the United States clearly want to avoid a militarization of the crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean, which is something that Ankara obviously wants. 

Meanwhile, Turkey's behavior in the Eastern Mediterranean...