On August 16, 1960, the United Kingdom officially granted independence to Cyprus, marking a significant moment in the island’s history. However, this newfound sovereignty was not entirely unconditional.
According to Article I of the Treaty Concerning the Establishment of Cyprus, the territory designated as the independent nation included “the Island of Cyprus, together with the islands lying off its coast,” but notably excluded two specific areas: the Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area and the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area. These territories, which make up less than 3 percent of Cyprus’s total land area, are categorized by Great Britain as British Overseas Territories, a classification shared with regions like Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, and the Falkland Islands.
Prior to recent changes, there were fourteen British Overseas Territories. However, in a historical move from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in September 2024, Britain agreed to return sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, central to the British Indian Ocean Territory, to Mauritius, with the sole exception being the military base on Diego Garcia. The decision to exclude the Diego Garcia base from the Chagos agreement could indicate a precedent allowing the United Kingdom to maintain its sovereignty over its Cypriot territories—an assumption that may require reevaluation.
At the time Cyprus gained independence, the United Kingdom was a dominant power in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, with a royal naval base stationed in Malta until 1979. The Royal Air Force established Akrotiri in the mid-1950s, aiming to reduce traffic congestion at the adjacent Nicosia Royal Air Force Base. The U.S. had created the Adana Air Base in Turkey but primarily viewed it as an emergency landing facility for bombers, highlighting the strategic importance of British bases in the region during that era.
By 1970, however, British influence in the Middle East was in decline. Faced with extensive pressure on the British pound sterling, the government decided to devalue its currency by nearly 15 percent in November 1967. British Prime Minister Harold Wilson’s announcement signified a significant pivot, revealing plans to withdraw military presence from bases “East of the Suez,” effectively scaling down Britain’s Middle Eastern footprint.
Instead of shutting down these military installations, the British armed forces handed over most facilities to the Americans in 1971. The former British base in Bahrain has now become the U.S. Naval Support Activity Bahrain, which serves as the headquarters for the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet. In 1979, Queen Elizabeth II formally inaugurated Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port, a site that has transformed into a pivotal docking location for U.S. aircraft carriers.
Cyprus, geographically positioned west of Suez, has seen sustained British presence, unlike Mauritius, which had an uninhabited main island until the early eighteenth century and fluctuated in territorial claims. Mauritius’s claims rely on historical context regarding colonial territories, where Seychelles split off in 1903. Moreover, the Maldives also contest the sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, complicating the claims further due to political interests.
Starmer’s willingness to concede control to Mauritius brings forth vital questions regarding Britain’s capacity to protect its interests on the global stage. If he cannot assert himself against Mauritius, one wonders how the United Kingdom can confront more pressing challenges from nations like Turkey, particularly regarding its conduct in the Eastern Mediterranean. Despite the Royal Navy’s commissioning of the HMS Queen Elizabeth II and the HMS Prince of Wales, financial strains may lead to the potential sale of one of these vessels, putting Britain’s military posture at risk.
The Royal Navy’s ability to project global power has waned considerably, reflecting a drastic reduction in its capabilities compared to previous decades. In an era where it once boasted a strong presence in the region, including permanent bases and frequent port movements, it now finds itself with diminished influence in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The United Kingdom historically leveraged its membership in the European Union to amplify diplomatic muscle; however, the post-Brexit landscape has eradicated this strength. Currently, British ownership of the Sovereign Base Areas serves more as a relic of former prowess than an effective tool for maintaining security or projecting influence in the Eastern Mediterranean.
As Starmer sets a precedent for Britain’s retreat, it begs the question whether he should adopt Wilson’s approach and acknowledge that the British military will cease attempts to project power “East of Gibraltar.”
This pivot does not imply a complete void in security, as threats from Turkey and militant groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah continue to loom large in the region. The presence of a resurgent Russia leveraging its strategic position in Syria has returned the area to a state reminiscent of Cold War tensions, complicating the operational environment for the U.S. Navy as it maneuvers between its Fifth and Sixth Fleets.
As part of a potential military withdrawal, the United Kingdom might consider transferring control of its Cypriot bases to the United States, akin to its previous actions in Bahrain. U.S. forces stationed in Bahrain operate under Bahraini sovereignty, and similar arrangements could be established in Cyprus, allowing America to lease the bases while restoring full sovereignty to the island.
The potential U.S. lease of the Akrotiri and Dhekelia bases could solidify the growing partnership between the United States and Cyprus, particularly in light of President Nikos Christodoulides’s visit to the White House on October 30, 2024, which underscored the strengthening ties between the two nations. This presence could foster economic interdependence, as American military personnel engage with local communities economically and socially, echoing arrangements seen in other strategic locations.
This proposed arrangement between the U.S. and Cyprus could serve as an avenue for decolonizing the remnants of British presence and address the ongoing Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus, which has persisted for five decades. Despite Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s ambitions, the broader international community has no inclination to formalize Turkey’s actions in the region, thereby maintaining Cyprus’s sovereignty amid continued diplomatic stalemate.
Starmer’s recent deal with Mauritius reflects a broader trend of virtue-signaling rather than a comprehensive understanding of intricate diplomatic relations. The precedents set by the 1971 transfer in Bahrain, together with the recent Chagos agreement, could herald significant shifts for the United Kingdom’s role in the Eastern Mediterranean, challenging its colonial vestiges in Cyprus.
Michael Rubin is director of policy analysis at the Middle East Forum and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Follow him on X: @mrubin1971.
Image: NASA / Wikimedia Commons.
**Interview with Dr. Alice Thompson, International Relations Expert**
**Interviewer:** Good afternoon, Dr. Thompson. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent announcement by the UK regarding the Chagos Islands. Can you share your insights on the implications of this decision?
**Dr. Thompson:** Good afternoon! Absolutely. The UK’s decision to return sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius marks a significant shift in British colonial policy and reflects broader changes in international relations. Historically, the Chagos Islands have been contentious due to the military base on Diego Garcia. This decision demonstrates a willingness to re-evaluate past colonial actions and could set a precedent for other territories.
**Interviewer:** You noted the strategic military presence historically associated with these territories. How does the UK’s loss of sovereignty over the Chagos Islands affect its military posture in the Indian Ocean?
**Dr. Thompson:** It’s certainly a concern. The UK has relied heavily on the Diego Garcia military base for its operations in the region, particularly in support of U.S. military activities. While the base remains under British control, the decision to return sovereignty can be seen as a symbolic loss, which may impact the UK’s ability to assert itself in the region.
**Interviewer:** With the Chagos Islands’ return to Mauritius, do you foresee any challenges arising from this transition, especially regarding local governance and international relations?
**Dr. Thompson:** Undoubtedly. Mauritius may face pressure to manage the complex historical claims to these islands, including those from the Maldives. Moreover, the transition could lead to internal political challenges, especially if there’s resistance from local populations or international entities that might seek to influence their governance.
**Interviewer:** The UK’s historical military strategy has been influenced by its role within NATO and the EU. How might this recent decision reflect on the UK’s ongoing military capabilities post-Brexit?
**Dr. Thompson:** Post-Brexit, the UK has been reassessing its global military commitments. Without EU support, its leverage has decreased, as seen in the current situation. The UK’s military capabilities are still significant, but financial constraints and the need to prioritize resources mean it may focus more on Europe rather than distant territories. The current landscape suggests a potential reorientation in defense strategy.
**Interviewer:** based on your analysis, should the UK consider similar concessions in other regions, such as Cyprus?
**Dr. Thompson:** That’s an intriguing question. The situation in Cyprus is complex due to its own historical and geopolitical implications. While ceding control of its base areas could be seen as a strategic move to align with current global dynamics, it would require careful consideration of national interests, especially with Turkey’s assertiveness in the Eastern Mediterranean. A full reassessment of Britain’s military objectives is necessary, and such concessions must align with a comprehensive foreign policy strategy.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Thompson, for your valuable insights. It seems clear that the ramifications of this decision will be felt far beyond the Indian Ocean.
**Dr. Thompson:** Thank you for having me! The geopolitical landscape is ever-changing, and such decisions shape the future in complex ways.
