US Approves Military Sales to Cyprus

The U.S. has taken a significant step in its defense relations with Cyprus by authorizing military sales to the island, marking a pivotal change in the Eastern Mediterranean's geopolitical dynamics. This memorandum, signed by President Joe Biden, allows Cyprus to acquire American defense articles, which officials there view as a recognition of the island's stabilizing role in a region marked by conflict. However, this decision has sparked criticism from Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot administration, which argue it could fuel an arms race. Cyprus has historically been close to Russia, but recent tensions from the Ukraine invasion have prompted a strategic pivot towards the U.S. The inclusion of Cyprus in U.S. defense programs is seen as an opportunity to enhance its military capabilities and contribute to regional security efforts. This development comes amid rising military urgency in Cyprus due to ongoing threats from neighboring Turkey and regional instability.