Cyprus-Forum.com

[kimon07]

It looks like the domination of the Islamists first in Libya and now in Egypt and the US support to the Muslim Brotherhood in the other Arabic countries, have worried extensively both Putin, as well as Netanyahu who will soon be trying to find ways to counter the threats posed against their countries and their interests by these developments.

Read here:
http://www.debka.com/article/22124/Puti ... n-Damascus

Considering that next to Israel, Cyprus is the only non Islamic country of the Middle East which already has “strategic” relationships with both Russia and Israel, could these developments lead to new opportunities and a new role for Cyprus? Could Cyprus become a partner to an anti Islamic Russian-Israeli axis in the East Med? Would such a role pose dangers for Cyprus or would it strengthen its security and status in the region? Would it increase or reduce the chances of a solution to the CY problem? Would such a role be welcomed by the EU?

[Maximus]

any such role could pose a danger to Cyprus if she cannot even secure her own sovereign territory.

You can never have enough powerful and influential friends though.

[GreekIslandGirl]

I find this confusing.

Why does Obama support Islamic regimes?

Doesn't he know they oppress women, minorities, human rights and freedom of speech? Can't he see that they keep people downtrodden and poorly educated? Why would a Nobel prize winning laureate prevent others from trying to attain what he managed by living in a Democracy with equal rights?

What can he hope to achieve in this way?

[humanist]

This sounds like a curse not an upgraded role. Theoretically Cyprus does have 18% Muslim population and therefore needs to keeps religion and State Politics separated. I personally don't like seeing the world from these lenses.

[Panicos UK]

I find this confusing.

Why does Obama support Islamic regimes?

Doesn't he know they oppress women, minorities, human rights and freedom of speech? Can't he see that they keep people downtrodden and poorly educated? Why would a Nobel prize winning laureate prevent others from trying to attain what he managed by living in a Democracy with equal rights?

What can he hope to achieve in this way?

International politics is first and foremost about securing and advancing the national interest (in Obama's case that is US national interest). Political ideology plays second fiddle.

[kimon07]

any such role could pose a danger to Cyprus if she cannot even secure her own sovereign territory.

Don't you think that if Cyprus becomes important to Russia and Israel that would be the best possible security for its sovereignty?

Maybe Russia and Israel would have many reasons to support (for their own interests) that the north should not be occupied and controlled by the Army of a Muslim country?

[kimon07]

This sounds like a curse not an upgraded role. Theoretically Cyprus does have 18% Muslim population....

Lets be reasonable. How possible is it for Cyprus to get under the control of an Islamic regime? Not possible. That is why Cyprus can very well play the role of the strong hold of the non Muslim powers which have interests in the East Med. including the EU (think of the natural resources). And that is why both Israel and Russia would like to see the army of Muslim Turkey pulling out from Cyprus. The case is clear here. The US are trying to control the Arab countries though Turkey which they are trying to upgrade to a leading regional superpower and they would not mind sacrificing Cyprus (offering Turkey whatever it wants, i.e., control of our resources).

All these are clearly against the interests of both Israel and Russia. Which makes Cyprus a "natural" ally of them both and a valuable factor to this power game.

[GreekIslandGirl]

This "tiny insignificant rock"; as Bananiot keeps reminding us ...

[kimon07]

This "tiny insignificant rock"; as Bananiot keeps reminding us ...

Who?

[AmericanGC]

Cyprus has had a good standing with Islamic nations despite the problems with the Turks. The Cyprus National Guard is training Libyan officers. They have maintained relations with Iran, Syria, and Lebanon. All this and still having good relations with countries like Russia and Israel. The Russian and Israeli Navies conducted joint training because of shared interest in Cyprus which is unprecedented. The US and Turkey are trying to push the idea that Turkey is a regional is bullshit. No one is looking at Turkey as a leader. They have no natural allies.