Turkey’s fear of a new era of strategic isolation in the Eastern Mediterranean is evident in the frequent, almost daily, reports and articles appearing in Turkish media.
The evolving American military strategy in the Mediterranean is redrawing boundaries, and Cyprus is emerging as a new link in a geopolitical corridor that is causing unease in Ankara. The Turkish news outlet Journal.Ist paints a concerning picture for Turkey, posing the question: “Is Cyprus the new Incirlik?”
The strategic importance of Cyprus
In a video posted by the outlet, the reasons why Cyprus is becoming a focal point for the United States are analysed:
“If you want to control access to and from the Suez Canal in the Mediterranean, you must have a military presence in Cyprus.
Today, the US has established a base in Alexandroupoli, and we are aware of the bases in Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. They are also attempting to establish one in northern Iraq.”
The proximity of the new base in Mari to Incirlik is highlighted as a critical factor. According to the video, “The distance between Incirlik and the Cypriot base, which allows the US to oversee the Middle East, is approximately 150 kilometers – practically within arm’s reach.”
Redistribution of power in the Mediterranean
Incirlik has long been a cornerstone of US military presence in the Middle East. However, the deterioration of US-Turkey relations is prompting Washington to invest in alternatives that are seen as rivals to Turkey.
“With these facilities,” Journal.Ist notes, “the US previously utilised the British bases in southern Cyprus, Akrotiri and Dhekelia, as its own. However, with the addition of military installations in Alexandroupoli, Souda Bay in Crete, Volos, Litohoro, and Larissa in Greece over the past few years, a corridor of bases in the Mediterranean has now been established, including Cyprus,” emphasising that the base in Mari symbolises a shift in US strategy in the Eastern Mediterranean at Turkey’s expense.
Watch the video HERE.
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