Third-party Involvement in Greek-Turkish Disputes

Abstract

It is commonplace in the field of international studies that in order to grasp the complexities of political disputes one must identify the levels of analysis. As in other international conflicts so too in the Greek-Turkish situation at least three — geographical — levels of analysis are distinguishable: local, regional and international. Let us take the Cyprus issue, which is at the core of the Greek-Turkish problem. First, the Cyprus issue is an intercommunal problem, where a Greek majority is at odds with a Turkish minority (local level). Secondly, the issue is a problem of Greek-Turkish relations, a problem between Athens and Ankara. This is the regional level. And finally the Cyprus issue is an international problem, affecting not only the United Nations, but also — as we will see — NATO, the European Community and the United States, to name but the most important actors.