Cyprus’ New Role in Regional Security

The visit of President Nikos Christodoulides to the White House and his meeting with Joe Biden outline the excellent status of Cypriot-American relations. Only a few days before the US presidential election diplomacy is in full motion. The Republic of Cyprus is gradually embracing a clear Western orientation, and the USA - despite Türkiye's concerns - is eager to explore opportunities of deeper military collaboration.

Christodoulides' visit, the first of a Cypriot leader to the White House after the ones of Makarios in 1970 and Glafcos Clerides in 1996, can be considered as the apogee of a rather recent process that started in 2019. In particular, the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Partnership Act stipulated then for 'robust International Military Education and Training (IMET) programming with the Republic of Cyprus'. In 2020, Washington decided to ease the arms embargo...