Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades favours joining NATO, and has given the green light for a number of new trainings and joint exercises at sea. CYPUSA is just one of the many joint exercises that was completed successfully on July 5th.

The video below shows the search and rescue exercise between the Cypriot and US search-and-rescue forces.

It is the third planned exercise with the US navy so far this year.

Strategy

There are other factors contributing to this increased cooperation with international powers.

First, Cyprus discovered natural gas in its offshore fields, and has grown closer with Israel. The two countries conduct joint exercises as a show of force to Turkey, which refuses to recognise their maritime border treaty.

Second, there has been a dramatic increase in terrorism and refugee flows in the region, triggered by the civil war in Syria. The threat posed by ISIS has brought France and the UK into direct confrontation with the terrorists. Cyprus and France have also carried out joint navy exercises. Meanwhile, the UK uses its air and army bases on the island to conduct attacks against ISIS in nearby Syria.

The changing strategic landscape and continued threats have also prompted the government to hire professional soldiers for the army and boost security forces at the ports. While reducing the army conscription period to 14 months from 28, the ministry of defence has also added some 3000 new positions for professionals.

Is this all leading up to NATO membership? The signs all point in this direction, and it’s likely to be a good move for the island. It would increase protection against Turkey, which invaded in 1974 and refused to leave. It would also close a hole in NATO’s strategy in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Russia may be a thorn in the side, because it has traditionally strong relations with Cyprus. However, its priority in recent years has been to fight terrorism and maintain its bases in Syria, while using Cyprus as an ’emergency backup.’

Interesting times.