CYPRUS | Can It Still Be Solved?

Published 2022-08-12
Cyprus has become a model of a seemingly unsolvable conflict in international relations. Over the past sixty years, the United Nations has repeatedly attempted to find a bridge between the island’s Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities - but without success. All this has led many observers to increasingly question whether a settlement can be found. So, can Cyprus ever be solved?

Hello and welcome! My name is James Ker-Lindsay. Here I take an informed look at International Relations with a focus on conflicts, security, and statehood. If you like what you see, please do subscribe. If you want more, including exclusive content and benefits, consider becoming a channel member. Many thanks!

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The Mediterranean island of Cyprus has become a byword for intractable conflict. Rich in history, the island was settled by Bronze Age Greeks almost 4000 years ago. Since then, it has come under the rule of numerous civilisations - including Egyptians, Romans, Byzantines, Crusaders and the Venetians - before being conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1571. This led to the creation of the Turkish Cypriot community. However, in 1878 the Ottomans handed the island to Britain as part of a defence agreement. While this led to Greek Cypriot calls for union with Greece (enosis), these were repeatedly rejected. In 1955, the Greek Cypriots launched a campaign to end British rule and unite with Greece - a campaign that led to Turkish Cypriots calls for Cyprus to be partitions (taksim). Instead, Greece and Turkey reached a compromise and in 1960 the Republic of Cyprus was created. However, the complex power sharing agreement soon collapsed, which led to the creation of a United Nations peacekeeping force, UNFICYP. In 1974 the island was divided when Turkey invaded Cyprus following an attempt by the Greek military government to annex the Island. Since then, efforts to reunite the island as a bizonal, bicommunal federation have continued without success. Today, many ask whether Cyprus is now destined to remain forever divided. Or can Cyprus still be solved?

CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction and Titles
0:49 Cyprus: An Unsolvable Conflict?
1:43 Background to Cyprus
3:03 A Brief History of Cyprus
4:54 The Emergence of the Cyprus Problem, 1960-1974
6:01 Interlude: A Tour of Varosha
6:31 UN Settlement Efforts in Cyprus since 1974
8:06 The Key Issues of Disagreement in Cyprus
10:18 The Obstacles to a Cyprus Settlement
13:15 Can Cyprus Still Be Solved?

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FURTHER READING & USEFUL SOURCES

UN Mission of Good Offices unficyp.unmissions.org/about-good-offices
Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs mfa.gov.cy/
'TRNC' Ministry of Foreign Affairs mfa.gov.ct.tr/
The Cyprus Problem: What Everyone Needs to Know amzn.to/2FaaBU2

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MY BOOKS

Secession and State Creation: What Everyone Needs to Know amzn.to/2MPY3W2 [PRE-ORDER]
Kosovo: The Path to Contested Statehood in the Balkans amzn.to/35jiBN2
The Foreign Policy of Counter-Secession amzn.to/2Qinm5t
My other books amzn.to/2MlP13u

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Twitter www.twitter.com/JamesKerLindsay
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Academia.edu lse.academia.edu/JamesKerLindsay
Research Gate www.researchgate.net/profile/James_Ker-Lindsay

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KEYWORDS

#Cyprus #Turkey #Reunification
#InternationalPolitics #CurrentAffairs #InternationalRelations
#TRNC #NorthernCyprus

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All Comments (21)
  • For over sixty years, the UN has tried to broker a Cyprus agreement. But what little hope existed for a settlement seems to be finally fading. So, do you still think Cyprus can be solved? And, if reunification isn't possible, then what's the realistic alternative? Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and comments below.
  • @bitsbobs8613
    I was 8 years old we left all my toys behind thinking I’ll be back in a few days , 48 years later still waiting
  • I would love to see a video discussing how Cyprus was incorporated into the European Union, despite the fractured nature of the island.
  • I know the story of modern Cyprus, however Professor James Ker-Lindsay presents so well and provides such excellent coverage — a compelling discussion that is an absolute pleasure to view. Many thanks PJKL.
  • I am involved and work in the political-I.R field since I was adolescent, this informative video is undoubtedly correct, summary and unbiased, and maintains viewer's interest. Well done!
  • @tepsurka
    James, it is so nice hearing you explain conflict either at university or online. Thank you!)
  • @Rjkooljay2
    Yay at last a new episode. I was getting tired of watching reruns of Taiwan, Bosnia, Romanian reunification etc 😅
  • @master0fnone
    Hi James, I am an Englishman, aged 26 who lived in TRNC for 18 months between 2020-2022. I first visited in 2017 and have been there ~5 times for total of ~2 years. I moved (temporarily, mind) in 2020 as my partner being a Turkish speaking Cypriot, personal circumstances and COVID-19. In turn I ended up living with her family such is the standard Cypriot atittude to hospitality and family life. I'd like to think I have a good grasp on the events going on in Cyprus. Having been with my partner for 6 years, working in Cyprus and having copious conversations on the Cyprus problem with natives. Your video here is without the best summary of events I've seen. There was an American documentarian who for me, made a mockery of the Cyprus problem. Alas, you've nailed it on the head. Thank you for bringing the news and details which unfortunately Cyprus just doesn't manage to get out to the west themselves. I think due to Cyprus' island nature, lack of high quality and unbiased content, there isn't much that gets out.
  • @yveb9074
    This is the best analysis of the situation I have ever heard. To the point, balanced, measured and based in reality. Not afraid to suggest that perhaps, time has simply run out for unification to succeed.
  • @bojicc9miso
    Keep doing the detailed source presentation of conflict in other international disputed entities as in this one! Only when knowing both sides arguments can an average viewer learn about it. Cheers from Croatia
  • @marcocolo7151
    I've been in Cyprus a couple of years ago, and I was amazed by this beautiful island. I really hope the cypriots can find peace without the interference of foreign countries.
  • @goshlike76
    It's a rare thing to see unbiased videos on the Cyprus dispute. Excellent analysis.
  • @_Zaaier
    Thank you for all these very interesting videos! Cool to have one on location :D
  • @Asamations
    Great to see you out again James, presenting on location!
  • @atahanoflu
    as a turk thank you very much for being objective and not taking sides like many western or eastern media. great contetns! i hope to see more.
  • @daveevans8454
    Great video, very informative. I taught English in Cyprus around 10 years ago, I feel it is time to return, really a fantastic place.