Revisiting the Foreign Policy of the Republic of Cyprus and Quasi-Alliances in the Eastern Mediterranean

Abstract

The Eastern Mediterranean has emerged as a significant geopolitical region in the 21^st century, influenced by both intra-regional dynamics and the strategic interests of international powers. The Republic of Cyprus (RoC)—a small State within this region—has endeavoured to adapt to the evolving international landscape and promote its own strategic interests. This paper examines the RoC’s foreign policy in the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly its involvement in regional cooperation and the formation of quasi-alliances. The primary focus is twofold: situating the RoC’s foreign policy within the international-regional nexus (particularly US policy in the Eastern Mediterranean and US–RoC relations), and assessing its strategic objectives and priorities. The analysis revisits the formation of quasi-alliances, such as the Israel–Cyprus–Greece and Egypt–Cyprus–Greece partnerships, and regional networks of cooperation. The key questions addressed include the success of RoC policy since the early 2010s, the positives and negatives of its approach, and the preconditions for a more effective foreign policy. The paper concludes that, despite notable progress, the RoC’s foreign policy suffers from a lack of vision, strategic planning, and institutional capacities, making it vulnerable to domestic politics, populist rhetoric, and geopolitical shifts.