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AHIF STUDENT FOREIGN POLICY TRIP PARTICIPANTS DESCRIBE THEIR PERSONAL EXPERIENCES
WASHINGTON, DC —The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) is releasing ten essays authored by the participants of the 14th annual American Hellenic Institute Foundation College Student Foreign Policy Trip to Washington, DC, Greece, and Cyprus.
The students’ insightful essays describe their personal experiences from the trip to Greece and Cyprus held June 14 to July 1, 2022. During the 18-day program, the students were in Cyprus, June 18 to June 23, and Athens, June 23 to July 1. Prior to departing for overseas, the students spent four days in Washington, DC. They received firsthand experience about the foreign policy issues affecting Greece and Cyprus, their relations with the U.S., and the interests of the U.S. in the region.
“Through our AHI Foundation, we are pleased and proud that the community’s next generation of leaders experienced another successful outcome with our fourteenth annual college student foreign policy trip,” AHI President Nick Larigakis said. “They took every advantage of the unique opportunities presented by the program to learn about the foreign policy issues that are important to the Greek American community and United States interests in the Eastern Mediterranean. We look forward to their future contributions to the community as well as continuing to grow our program to new heights.”
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The United States’ Balancing Act in the Mediterranean: American Relations with Greece, Cyprus, and Turkey
Maria Fusca
For most Americans, Greece is a small country in the Mediterranean that serves as a great vacation spot. They think of pretty beaches, ancient temples, and white buildings with blue roofs. But at least they recognize the name. If you were to ask most Americans what their thoughts on Cyprus are, they will likely have no idea what you are talking about. The island nation is little known in the United States, which is astonishing since the illegal invasion of Cyprus by Turkey in 1974 made headlines across the globe. Back then, the United States did nothing to stop Turkey from taking over one-third of the island, and now, nearly half a century later, the situation in Cyprus has not changed much.
The island is still divided, with U.N.-controlled buffer zone separating the Republic of Cyprus with the so called “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,” the puppet government in place which carries out the will of Ankara and is only recognized by Turkey.
This begs the question: if other countries acknowledge that the invasion was illegal, the government in northern Cyprus is illegitimate, and Cyprus is meant to be a unified nation, why did no countries, particularly the United States, take any action to prevent the invasion? Furthermore, why has the United States taken no action since then to reunite Cyprus?
When it comes to Turkey, the United States has often followed a policy of appeasement. When the invasion took place, it did so in order to keep Turkey from siding with the Soviet Union during the Cold War. In the present day, some believe United States still needs Turkey as an ally to counter the threat posed by Russia to the global balance of power as a result of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War. However, this perspective is mistaken as it fails to realize that the United States cannot rely on a country ruled by a leader as authoritarian as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to combat another authoritarian country. Erdoğan has proven to be an unreliable ally not only to the United States but to all NATO members by constantly objecting and blocking policies which are in the interests of the organization, such as when he temporarily blocked the entrance of Finland and Sweden into NATO and when he purchased and installed a Russian S-400 missile systems in Turkey, threatening certain NATO defense systems. He is also constantly antagonizing fellow NATO member Greece by conducting unauthorized military flyovers over Greek territory, and claiming the Aegean islands to be Turkish territory.
In stark contrast, Cyprus is an excellent ally of the United States, as is Greece. Through the AHIF Foreign Policy College Student Trip to Greece and Cyprus, I was able to see with my own eyes just how much the three countries collaborate on military and security matters. By visiting both countries, I understood how important a united independent Cyprus would mean to the region and the world, and how important it is for the U.S. to take action on this matter to strengthen its relationship with Greece. By visiting Souda Bay in Crete and the Hellenic Navy base in Salamina, I understood not just the extent of cooperation between the two countries, but also the potential to further deepen the Greek-American relationship. Greece, as well as Cyprus, is in a key strategic position to support a strong American presence in the Mediterranean region and provide reliable assistance in all military matters.
The trip also opened my eyes to another matter: The United States could do much more to reward Greece for being such an unwavering ally. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ visit to Washington D.C. and his speech in front of Congress show a slow change in this regard, but it is not enough. It is not enough until the United States draw a red line with Turkey and makes it explicitly clear that if Turkey antagonizes Greece or Cyprus, it antagonizes the United States as well. Until it does so, the United States is not balancing the interests of Greece, Cyprus, and Turkey, but openly supporting Turkey as it harms and obstructs Greek and Cypriot interests.
While the Russo-Ukrainian War goes on, it is understandable why the United States wants to maintain good relations with as many countries in the region as possible. However, that is no excuse to let Turkey continue its malign behavior and activity. It has challenged Greek sovereignty, invaded and continues to occupy an EU member state, and impeded the expansion of NATO. This is just to mention a few of the unacceptable actions taken by the government of Turkey on the global stage, without even getting into the questionable domestic policies which have been implemented in the country by Erdogan's administration, from devaluating the currency to failing to maintain free and fair elections. Under these circumstances, the United States cannot possibly ignore the authoritarian direction Turkey is headed in, and the danger trying to appease it poses to the current world order.
Maria Fusca is a senior at the George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs, where she is pursuing a BA in International Affairs and two minors in Sociocultural Anthropology and Cross-Cultural Communication. She participated in the fourteenth annual AHIF Foreign Policy College Student Trip to Greece and Cyprus sponsored by the American Hellenic Institute Foundation.
The Greek American Community: A Necessary Balance Between Enjoyment and Responsibility
Natasia Raphtis
We live ignorant lives as Americans. I make that statement with no judgement, as I too lack a true understanding of lifestyles beyond my own. As Americans, we live with a privilege of safety and comfort that many people in other nations never experience. A privilege that, for example, allows all the opportunity to have an education, build families, or develop successful careers. A privilege, more specifically, that creates space for different ethnicities within America to build communities bound to a shared culture. As a member of the Greek American community, I know this privilege well. I have endless gratitude for my ability to freely practice Greek Orthodoxy and display pride for my culture through food or music without fear of discrimination.
However, this privilege to freely embrace our culture coupled with an ignorance about where that culture comes from is leading to a dangerously ambivalent Greek American community. I cannot speak for all, but from the experiences I have had within my own generation, our pride of and connection to our culture is so surface level that it has lost its potential to be the driving force for substantial change within the Eastern Mediterranean. I am grateful that the AHIF Foreign Policy Trip opened my eyes to this problem.
On this unique seventeen-day experience, we traveled to Washington D.C., Cyprus, and Greece to become fully immersed in the issues of our culture and studies. We met with policy makers, military officers, and government officials of all kinds. They briefed us on their areas of expertise, and in return we were able to ask questions and engage in a dialogue about international relations within the region. I cannot properly explain just how incredible these meetings were. I was one of ten college students in a meeting with the Commander of the Hellenic Navy or the President of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus – once in a lifetime, unimaginable scenarios.
Within these meetings, I realized the ignorance that plagues my own life. At the University of Michigan, I am blessed to have an amazing Modern Greek Department. I have explored my native language, culture, and history more in the past two years than I have in my lifetime. I have also been able to delve into the issues of Cyprus and Turkey throughout my political science classes. However, no matter how much I thought I knew, it was nothing compared to what I was exposed to during my time on the trip.
I had never heard the term “arc of crisis,” which captures the essence of the importance of Greece to the U.S. and the world at large. Greece is situated in a volatile region of the world. With unstable neighbors in the Middle East and the Balkans, the war in Ukraine to the north, and the aggressor foe Turkey right next door, some would say that an “arc of crisis” surrounds Greece. Greece, however, remains a strong democracy and military power, making it a strategic U.S. ally in the center of the chaos. Greece has always sided with the U.S. on foreign policy issues. and they have always been on the liberating side of modern warfare – with courageous acts like Metaxas’ infamous “OXI” still being celebrated to this day.
Even after completing research on the Republic of Cyprus, I never truly understood what it meant to be an illegally occupied republic. I never realized how many immoral facets made up the issue, one of the most heartbreaking being the missing persons problem. The Republic of Cyprus is still searching for around 800 of the nearly 1,600 Cypriot missing people in the invasion of 1974. Presidential Commissioner Photis Photiou leads the recovery effort. Turkish troops have relocated these bodies to mass graves and allow an extremely limited number of excavations that would return loved ones to their families for burial. Cypriots must fight daily for something everyone should have a right to, all while seeing a grandiose Turkish flag illegally plastered on a mountain in the north of their home.
Many Americans are ignorant to all of this. Many see Greece as their vacation spot with a crippling economy and great spanakopita. Some do not even know Cyprus is its own country, and many fail to see the shocking parallels between the invasion of Cyprus by Turkey in 1974, and the subsequent invasions of Kuwait and Ukraine. As AHI President Nick Larigakis repeated time and time again throughout our trip, Cyprus is an EU country currently occupied by a member of NATO - Turkish troops, yet it is an outrage about which nobody seems to care. This trip opened my eyes to all that I was ignorant about, as well as how powerful pride in our culture can be in bringing positive change. I look forward to raising awareness within my community and inciting change throughout my time as a student and in my future career.
Natasia Raphtis is a junior at the University of Michigan. She is majoring in Political Science and International Studies with a minor in Modern Greek. After graduation Natasia plans to attend law school and pursue a career in foreign policy. She participated in the fourteenth annual AHIF Foreign Policy College Student Trip to Greece and Cyprus sponsored by the American Hellenic Institute Foundation.
What it Means to be Greek
Eleni Piliotis
What does it mean to be Greek? I’m still learning the language. I don’t even know how to Greek dance. Especially as a first-generation American, I always compared myself to other Greek Americans because I never felt Greek enough. I did go to church on Sundays, I love to eat and make Greek food, and I always stayed true to my faith, values, and beliefs that stemmed from my upbringing. The AHIF Foreign Policy trip reinforced that each of us has our own story and our own special connection to our Greek heritage. Our shared values and affinity for Hellenism will continue to support the future of Hellenism in America.
I grew up listening to stories my parents told me about their childhood in Greece and their experience immigrating to the United States not knowing a word of English, and then going on to both earn their PhDs. My father from Pylos, with great pride, would always talk about the Battle of Navarino. I remember visiting the castle that defended the Peloponnese in Pylos, and hearing about the Greek War of Independence. It has come full circle during this trip to visit various military bases and to see and hear about the great strength and resilience of the Greek armed forces in person. It was breathtaking to go to Souda Bay and see the F-16 jets fly and spiral right above us which was demonstrated by the Hellenic Air Force. As we went from meeting to meeting, whether it was by bus or boat or plane, we gained great and unique insight and perspective on so many complex issues affecting Greece and Cyprus, ranging from international law, energy, immigration, human rights, maritime boundaries, and more.
Like other students on the trip, I am passionate about international affairs and pursuing a career in this field because I truly want to make a positive impact in this world and bring awareness to issues that are not often brought to light. And while we discussed the Cyprus issue when we first started our trip in Washington D.C. with government officials and professors, nothing could have prepared me for how it actually felt to actually see and enter the occupied territory. It was heartbreaking and emotional to see the desecrated churches that were once lively and full of color, completely in shambles and painted over so you could not see the beautiful iconography. Along the beach in Famagusta, we saw children and families playing and swimming in water, and right beside them was a row of buildings completely destroyed by bombs from the 1974 Turkish invasion all in plain sight. Over 200,000 were displaced from their homes, which were taken over or destroyed. Hundreds and hundreds of Greek Cypriots still remain missing since the Turkish invasion. I kept questioning to myself as we drove through the occupied territory why no one knows about this and why this grave violation of international law and human rights is rarely taught in school. As I go on to start my master's program at The George Washington University in Security Policy Studies in Washington D.C., I know I will reflect on this trip often and remember everything I learned as I pursue a career in the field of foreign affairs.
What it means to be Greek is different and unique to every individual and their own personal story. I learned that to me, being Greek is a feeling, it is a special connection, it is history, and it is a deep appreciation for keeping tradition alive. Philotimo is what being Greek means to me. While the word ‘philotimo’ has no direct translation to English, philotimo is pride, honor, generosity, and the bonds between each other. Philotimo is a way of life, it is making a positive contribution to your community and the world. During this trip I have had the privilege to meet with not only incredible government officials, dignitaries, and leaders, but to connect with other like-minded students who are the future of Hellenism. Philotimo describes the feeling I had during and after the American Hellenic Institute Foreign Policy trip. It embodies the Hellenic community, and the future of Hellenism in America. I feel optimistic for the future of Hellenism in the United States knowing that there are so many of us who are so ambitious, driven, and passionate about issues affecting our community and our Greece, which we will continue to pass from generation to generation. I want to extend an enormous thank you to each and every individual who created and supported this once and a lifetime opportunity. Thank you, Mr. Larigakis and Mrs. Pakhchanian, the AHI staff, and all of the supporters of AHI and the foreign policy trip.
Eleni Piliotis is pursuing her master's degree in Security Policy Studies at The George Washington University. She participated in the fourteenth annual AHIF Foreign Policy College Student Trip to Greece and Cyprus sponsored by the American Hellenic Institute Foundation.
Connecting with the Past to Change the Future
By Brendan O’Connor
Over the past few years, international relations and the building of trustworthy relations has become ever more important. In more recent days especially, the international community has had to come together to determine how future global relations may look. This aspect of diplomacy is exactly what the AHIF Foreign Policy Trip is focused on examining. During this 17-day program, we met with some of the most important government, military, and religious leaders in Greece and Cyprus. Not only would this experience be rare for the average diplomat, but it was even more surreal for us to do it as university students.
Since I was young, I grew up with the stories of patriotism and fearlessness throughout Greece’s history. I knew the major battles and was aware of the illegal Turkish occupation of Cyprus. However, I never fully realized the impact of these events until I participated in this foreign policy trip. I think many of my colleagues would agree, visiting Cyprus was our most impactful experience.
The Cyprus problem is rarely discussed at our universities or by American society in general, and, admittedly, I also never truly understood how real it actually is. Visiting the illegally Turkish occupied north of the island was the closest I have been to war. Seeing the bombed-out city of Varosha while people swam and played on the beach only a few meters away was an extremely uncomfortable and eerie experience. Additionally, visiting a military outpost right on the UN buffer zone proved that the effects of Turkish occupation on the people of Cyprus are constant and enduring.
Shockingly, 48 years after Turkey invaded Cyprus, the occupation of the island continues with little to no pushback from the international community. This lack of support against Turkey affects Greece in the same way. To have a NATO member violating Greek airspace multiple times per day, every day, as well as occupying an EU country, proves how unreliable and volatile Turkey is as an ostensible ally and neighbor. Unfortunately, America must make difficult decisions when it comes to being harsh on Turkey due to the U.S. geopolitical interests in the Middle East and Turkey's strategic geography. However, the United States must remember its historically strong relationship with Greece and fight for the shared values of freedom and liberty that both of our countries cherish.
During our visit to the Salamis Naval Fleet and to Souda Bay in Crete, I realized the extent of Greece's military power and preparedness. I say this because going into this trip, Americentrism caused me to assume that Greece is solely reliant on American troops and military power. However, my assumption proved to be completely wrong.
I was impressed with the dedication and presentation of each base and crew. From climbing aboard a Hellenic Navy submarine (which was absolutely terrifying) to watching an impeccable air display by the Hellenic Air Force, I realized that Greece is truly prepared for anything. One thing that sets Greeks apart, regardless of military power, is the pride that engulfs each and every one of us. I am an American first and foremost, but the blood of my ancestors allows me to feel this same Hellenic pride. I am sure this patriotism alone would scare even the greatest army, as it has done in the past.
Throughout my childhood, I knew that Turkey was always a threat to peace in the Mediterranean. My mother is from Samos, and I have visited the island many times. Being so close to Turkey’s mainland, Samos is particularly important to the Hellenic Armed Forces. Recently, far-right nationalist Turkish politician Devlet Bahçeli released a map that indicated the Greek islands in the Aegean, and even Crete, belong to Turkey. In this map, the island of Samos is falsely claimed to be Turkish. The same island that my family has inhabited and defended for centuries. This recent provocation cannot go unpunished. This is a direct attack on the sovereignty of Greek islands, and even more so, on the sovereignty of a NATO ally. This volatile behavior is only growing worse, and the United States must understand the consequences that a war in this region would bring to the world.
Overall, our purpose on this trip was to gain the knowledge and expertise of the issues most pressing to Greece and Cyprus and how they relate to U.S. foreign policy today. As university students and future leaders in the field of international relations, this experience was truly life changing. Personally, I have decided to take a more focused track that promotes America’s needs in the region, while defending Greek and Cypriot interests and sovereignty. The Greek American community has a lot of work to do in supporting both countries and in promoting the ideals that we all share. The international order is rapidly changing, and tensions are growing throughout the world. However, we must remain strong in our duties and beliefs and never stop fighting for what we believe in.
I was honored to be a part of this program and look forward to working for the betterment and prosperity of our nations.
Zήτω η Ελλάδα και Zήτω η Αμερική!
Brendan C. O’Connor a junior and Dean’s List student at American University majoring in International Studies with a minor in the Russian language. He participated in the fourteenth annual AHIF Foreign Policy College Student Trip to Greece and Cyprus sponsored by the American Hellenic Institute Foundation.
Staying Silent No More: Standing Up to Revisionism
By Christopher Zrazik
I began this foreign policy trip as an enthusiastic learner and by its conclusion I discovered a motivation to be an active participant in the foreign policy issues affecting the Eastern Mediterranean. I engaged with policymakers, diplomats, and military officials at the highest level, something very few students get to experience. Gaining a nuanced understanding and deeper appreciation for the issues of the region highlighted the importance of Greece as a pillar of stability. A valuable aspect of the briefings and tours was their authenticity. The information was not watered down. There was no spin. In a world where it feels like the media twists and misrepresents information, this was refreshing. I find myself driven to not stay silent on these important issues and the revisionism that perpetuates them. Historical revisionism is the desire to reinterpret historical events in way that challenges and sometimes contradicts established facts and views. The silence of the international community when it comes to the invasion of Cyprus and the revisionism that exists in the rhetorical landscape is worrying. The plight of Cyprus must not be ignored any longer.
There is no doubt that the invasion of Cyprus shares numerous stark parallels with the recent invasion of Ukraine. Both invasions were justified by distorted claims of genocide. Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that neo-Nazis are targeting Russians and Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine, yet no widespread support for fascism appears to exist within the country’s institutions. Regarding Cyprus, in 1974, although there was a coup instigated by the Greek military junta, there was no genocide being committed against Turkish Cypriots, as claimed by Turkey’s government. The revisionism that sprouted amid these invasions is an attempt to return to a past era. Putin believes that Russians and Ukrainians were one people under the Soviet Union. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan disputes the sovereignty of Greek islands; claims that Thrace, partially in Greece, belongs to Turkey given the presence of Turkish language speakers in the region; and speaks as if Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis does not exist, hampering the development of productive, neighborly relations.
However, despite these similarities, the reactions to both invasions could not be more different. On one hand, Russia was hit with an array of economic sanctions, travel restrictions, diplomatic expulsions, and resolutions at the United Nations. On the other hand, Turkey has only faced condemnation from the U.N. Security Council, European Commission of Human Rights, and an American arms embargo that was lifted in 1978, only four years after the invasion. Turkey was not targeted with widespread economic sanctions, airspace bans on Turkish airlines, and removal from international institutions. Why was the invasion and occupation of a sovereign nation perpetrated by a NATO member accepted with no punishment or condemnation? The lack of outrage and subsequent action from countries claiming to support international law, history, and alliances has also occurred recently in the wake of Turkey’s continued violations of Greek airspace and the Cypriot exclusive economic zone. By not forcefully speaking out and acting to defend international law and sovereignty, the international community signals disregard for these principles and greenlights further revisionist challenges.
University students, like myself, have the power to educate one another and advocate for causes we believe in. I can guarantee you that members of my class at the Elliott School of International Affairs will go on to work at the State Department, on the Hill, and at lobbying firms. The same goes for thousands of other graduating classes around the U.S. It is imperative that our generation is knowledgeable on these issues because we will be the ones guiding U.S. policy in an arena of revisionist powers in the coming years.
In the meantime, what can be done? Along with discussions with my peers, I plan to work with my school’s Hellenic Student Association to raise awareness on these issues. Take the Cyprus issue, for example. In addition to the illegal occupation, there are still 800 to 1,000 missing persons in Cyprus, over 500 Orthodox churches have been destroyed, and efforts to slowly wipe out the enclaved Greek Cypriot minority in the occupied territory. However, many do not know about the invasion, let alone these facts. The lack of awareness and reaction to these atrocities promulgated by the Turkish-backed occupying regime is dangerous. Through these cumulative actions, the occupiers seek to craft the narrative that the occupied territory is ethnically Turkish and should be a separate state. There is a lot to be learned about revisionism, its proponents, and where it is guiding policy. Just as we were briefed and educated on these issues, the same must be done with our colleagues.
Lastly, by studying in Washington, D.C., I have an excellent chance to get out into the D.C. playing field; it is a hub for advocacy, activism, and policymaking and it is time to take advantage of that to advance these relevant foreign policy issues. It is time for our generation to strongly advocate for international law, history, and alliances. We must demonstrate that it is no longer acceptable to stay silent and allow revisionism to flourish.
Christopher Zrazik, Dean’s List student and Presidential Academic Scholarship recipient, is a sophomore at the Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University majoring in International Affairs, concentrating in Security Policy, and minoring in Public Policy. Christopher participated in the fourteenth annual AHIF Foreign Policy College Student Trip to Greece and Cyprus sponsored by the American Hellenic Institute Foundation.
AHIF Student Policy Trip
By Morgan Lilly
I plan to go to law school after my upcoming senior year, and I want to focus on the international law field. Through my studies and AHIF foreign policy trip, I have been presented with the pressing challenges affecting international institutions in their operability and compliance and how to organize political interactions in our anarchic international system. Under our current structure, only military force and power politics can ensure compliance of international law as our institutions are woefully inadequate.
Through my studies I have learned about the intricacies of organizations such as NATO, the EU, and many other international organizations that promote cooperation and security between sovereign global actors under the rule of law. I have seen how, for the most part, these institutions are weak and largely ineffective in coordinating behavior in a meaningful way.
I have always had a globalist worldview due to my upbringing with a Greek mother and an American father who grew up as an Air Force brat in various countries abroad. However, I have seen many of my peers in school only focusing on American issues. We do not realize the immense impact that issues in the Eastern Mediterranean have on not just the world but, more specifically, on American interests. Through the experience of this trip, I hope to become an advocate for these pertinent issues and show those outside of the Greek and Cypriot communities the importance of these problems.
My experiences through this eye-opening trip revealed several breaches of international law by Turkey and how the international community and the United States in particular have let these acts go without repercussions. The first example occurred when we went to Crete and talked with the Greek F-16 pilots who deal with the egregious Turkish flyovers of Greek islands daily and who must stay on alert 24/7 in case of provocation. A second example was when we went to Varosha and witnessed the beautiful beaches with the stark background of a war-torn landscape surrounding it after the illegal invasion of Turkey in 1974. Another example from Cyprus was our firsthand experience visiting the Green Line and being in the only divided capital in Europe under occupation from a NATO power over a member of the European Union.
These breaches of international law are evident to observers but due to current systems and alliances in place there is not much that can be done to ensure compliance and cooperation even with the aggression clearly coming from one side - our “NATO ally” of Turkey. Due to the ill-found hope that Turkey can be a bridge from the West to the Middle East, the United States has allowed for an aggressive authoritarian power to assert itself in the Eastern Mediterranean. For example, earlier this year, Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland showed indifference for these issues by accidentally recognizing Ersin Tatar as “president” of the occupied area of northern Cyprus and then brushing off her comments by stating she didn't prepare enough.
This trip has been extremely eye-opening not just on the failure of the international community in condemnation of these acts, but also with how important of a geostrategic point Greece and Cyprus are in the current political system. As the crossroads of three continents and with Souda Bay being the only deep-water port in the Mediterranean that can support United States aircraft carriers, this region is vitally important to the United States in maintaining the West's presence and asserting our core principles of democracy and the rule of law in this part of the world.
On the first day of our meetings, Ambassador of Greece to the United States Alexandra Papadopoulou said that a new world order is forming in front of our eyes. I hope to work in the international law field and independently bring attention to these issues as well as fix the international systems that govern our anarchic political landscape to ensure the rule of law is followed. Doing so can enhance proper communication and cooperation among sovereign nations. This trip has been an incredible experience and has ignited my fervor more than I could imagine.
Morgan Lilly is a Junior and Dean’s list student at the University of Georgia where he is pursuing a double major in Political Science and International Affairs. Morgan participated in the fourteenth annual AHIF Foreign Policy College Student Trip to Greece and Cyprus sponsored by the American Hellenic Institute Foundation.
Cyprus – A Symbol of Perseverance
By Zoe Logas
The bus lurched to a stop in front of the decrepit terminal. Hidden in the corner sat a lonesome airplane with a fading blue stripe and the words, “Trident Sun Jet” barely visible amidst the decay. A silence fell amongst our group and a feeling of sorrow crept deep into our souls. The abandoned Cyprus Airways passenger jet sat as a reminder of the horrors that unfolded there in 1974. The invasion of the northern portion of Cyprus by Turkish forces, and the continued illegal occupancy changed the trajectory of the island forever.
When describing the American Hellenic Foreign Policy Trip and the places that the institute would be taking us, one specific question continuously arose, “What/Where is the Republic of Cyprus?” The question always sat heavy in the air. My response was typically something along the lines of, “It is a small island below Turkey.” The simplification of such a complex country felt wrong. I often withheld the fact that Cyprus is continuously plagued by the sins of its northern neighbor, Turkey. The invasion of 1974 remains reminiscent of the imperialist mindset of the Ottoman Empire, and with an increased emphasis and continuous media coverage on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, I questioned how Cyprus and the alike situation that occurred 48 years ago would not be on the forefront of most people’s minds. For Cypriots, pieces of their everyday lives serve as reminders of this event.
The continued occupation of the northern part of Cyprus by Turkey is shrouded with a sense of dehumanization and lack of respect towards the human life. During the invasion of 1974, 162,000 Greek – Cypriots were displaced and forced to seek refuge within the southern parts of their country. Turkey then repopulated the occupied area with settlers, an action condemned by the United Nations. The churches left behind have been desecrated and destroyed and there is a stark juxtaposition between the remaining cemeteries of the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish. 2,002 people were reported missing by both the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities. In 1981, the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus was created as a bicommunal task force to aid in the recovering the missing bodies. Before our group met with one of the anthropologists working to excavate and identify the remains of the missing, a warning rang out that we would be seeing pieces of the remains. As we entered the building, in the center of the room, laid out on a table was an incomplete skeleton with large slivers of bone taken out to extract DNA in an attempt to discover the name and the relatives of this person. The experience was quite humbling. You often hear about atrocities committed during war, but one can never fully grasp a true understanding. There are currently 775 missing Greek Cypriots and 200 missing Turkish Cypriots, and although the work is still incomplete, many families cling to the hope of laying their loved one to rest through the work of the Committee on the Missing Persons in Cyprus.
The tone in which the anthropologist spoke conveyed that of pride for his country and their ability to push past this tragedy and continue to grow into their own. Every person I spoke to had some connection to the illegally occupied land. Those that are still missing, the destroyed family houses, the desecrated churches, the stolen land; these all sit as reminders as to what the Cypriots have had taken from them, and yet in some way, they serve as motivation to prove that while this tragedy occurred, Cyprus is much more than an occupied country. Cyprus’ significant nature gas deposits pushes it to the forefront of international geo-politics, now more than ever with the sanctions imposed on Russia and the need for Europe to diversify away from Russian gas and oil. Moreover, Cyprus is being viewed by major powers as a key regional interlocutor, and a stabilizing regional force as well as a bridge between the West and the Middle East. Cooperation with the United States military has enabled the creation of explain CYCLOPS, a modernized training facility situated on the island. The Republic of Cyprus has continued to develop despite the looming threat on the northern sector of the country. And so, while Cyprus is in fact a “small island below Turkey,” it also stands as symbol of perseverance.
Zoe Logas is a junior in the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan, majoring in Public Policy with a concentration in defense policy and foreign policy, and minoring in History. She participated in the fourteenth annual AHIF Foreign Policy College Student Trip to Greece and Cyprus sponsored by the American Hellenic Institute Foundation.
The Dream of a Unified Cyprus
Melina Christodoulou
In 17 days, we traveled to D.C., Cyprus, Crete, and Athens. We went to the parliament, House of Representatives, the Hellenic Naval Base Salamis, and so many more fantastic destinations. Through all of that, I have decided to focus my thoughts on the knowledge I gained in Cyprus. The Cyprus problem is often misunderstood and misrepresented in the Greek American community.
I grew up with Cyprus close to my heart, as my ancestors and family roots are Cypriot. This trip gave me the privilege of being able to understand my country’s history on a deeper level. To start with, America is not doing enough, it does not care enough. Cyprus is not some random island; it is at the geographical crossroads between the east and west, bridging the Middle East, Europe, and the Eastern Mediterranean. Cyprus is small, but it is a crucially important part of the world. The U.S. needs to stop acknowledging Turkey as an ally. Every day Turkey is in violation of both U.S. and international law. This is not just about land, territory, or personal property that has been stripped from Cypriots. It goes deeper than that, it's about the continuous violation of religious freedom and the culture of Hellenism that was torn from occupied-northern Cyprus. Churches were either destroyed or turned into mosques, and there has been significant cultural desecration. Furthermore, Turkish ships illegally cross into the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Cyprus. So no, it is not just about land.
Turkey is a member of NATO, this means that NATO troops are currently occupying an EU country, which should be a complete outrage to the international community. Cyprus is the only country in the Mediterranean with an occupied capital. Let’s compare the invasion and continued occupation of Cyprus, with the invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein, or currently, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Both Ukraine and Kuwait have received billions in funding, sanctions, weapons, and full-hearted support from the U.S. alone. The Cyprus problem is a humanitarian issue as well, as Turkey is illegally withholding the list and the location of the missing people resultant from the 1974 invasion. Turkey is also withholding history books, funding, and teachers from the Cypriot school in the northern region.
I have seen with my own eyes how freely Turkey has expanded into Varosha. Unfortunately, the international community has never done enough about the Varosha issue. Being able to discuss this illegal opening with United Nations officials was an eye-opening conversation. I have always viewed the UN as being on the Cypriots side. In my mind, they were Cypriot protectors. But I have come to learn that they are as much Cypriot protectors, as they are Turkish protectors. They are stationed at the Green Line to bring peace, not justice. They cannot choose Cyprus over Turkey and they never will. They are not Cypriot protectors; they are barriers.
Cyprus is a modern country battling past issues. They have been fighting for their freedom since the beginning of their existence, and through all of this, Cyprus rebuilt itself, creating jobs, institutions, and military bases. They became a member of the European Union and became a dream tourist destination. These are such impressive accomplishments for a country, let alone a country with an ongoing occupation.
The Cyprus problem must not be ignored, and American diplomats and representatives need to be informed. Cyprus deserves better, refugees deserve justice. My yiayia deserves to be able to step foot into the home that she started her life in, the home she had to flee with my pappou and her three children. I am eager to share my knowledge and experience with my school, and state officials, and I will work with Greek Americans to make sure that the dream of a unified Cyprus is never forgotten.
Melina Christodoulou is a junior at Drew University pursuing a BA in political science and a minor in communications. She participated in the fourteenth annual AHIF Foreign Policy College Student Trip to Greece and Cyprus sponsored by the American Hellenic Institute Foundation.
American Hellenic Institute Foundation Foreign Policy Trip: The Importance of Peace
By: Andreas Poulis
Growing up Greek American there was always an emphasis placed on us about the importance of learning Greek history. It goes without saying that Greece has one of the longest and prominent histories when compared to most other nations. From the Ancient Myceneans to the 1821 Revolution against the Ottoman Empire, Greece has continued to make meaningful impacts on the world.
Some of my earliest memories consist of me going to Greek School every Saturday morning for two hours. The first hour would consist of Greek grammar and language apprehension and the second hour would consist of Greek cultural understanding. During the second hour we would learn things like songs, dances, and history. At the age of six years old, we learned to dance the Kalamatiano and sing a song called “Dance of Zalongo.” This song is based on an event where a group of women and children chose to throw themselves off a cliff, to their deaths, instead of being sold into slavery by the Ottoman Turks.
At such a young age, learning about and reenacting this event left a very large impression on my young mind. This being said, I do believe that it was necessary to learn about this event and every other violent and horrific events that occurred under the Ottoman Empire and under modern-day Turkish rule. We need to understand our history and the tragedies of our past to overcome the past and create peaceful relationships between Greece, Cyprus, and our other neighbors.
Learning about history the way we do creates a cycle of fear. Fear is what creates demonization of the other. This is when one group views another group as “less than.” In the case of Greeks and Turks – this occurs on both sides and is part of the reason that Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus continue to experience threats against each other. Unfortunately, at the current moment, there are countless examples of Turkish revisionism, including violations of treaties and agreements and the continual denial of the Armenian, Greek, and Assyrian Genocides.
This can also be seen in the horrific 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus. Growing up, I would always hear from my grandparents that the invasion of Cyprus seemed to be out of the blue – this is clearly not the case. At that time, Greece was suffering under an authoritarian military junta. In July of 1974, the Greek junta staged a coup in the Republic Cyprus, ousting President Makarios. Just a few days later, as per the Treaty of Guarantee, Turkey invaded Cyprus. The Treaty of Guarantee states that, “The parties [UK, Greece, and Turkey] undertake to guarantee the independence and territorial integrity of Cyprus, and not to promote the union of Cyprus with other states or partition of the Island.”
Instead of trying to restore the status quo of an independent Cyprus, Turkey took advantage of this clause for its own benefit to promote its interest of a divided Cyprus. Once again, we see both nations engaging in violence. Following the coup in Cyprus, the military junta fell, and democracy was restored in Greece. However, these democratic values could not be seen in Turkey. Even today, the nation struggles with authoritarianism and the effects of this can be seen on the island of Cyprus.
Since 1974, Turkey has continually violated human rights in Cyprus. The 48-year-long presence of Turkish troops in Cyprus is a clear violation of Cypriot sovereignty and is essentially a Turkish occupation of the European Union since Cyprus joined the EU in 2004. Through AHI, I was able to have the pleasure to meet Annita Demetriou – the Speaker of the House of Representatives in Cyprus. Demetriou focuses much of her work on the importance of peace. She believes that peace is the most important thing above all. In today’s world, war can no longer be the answer. There must be positive peace talks taking place to ensure a bright and safe future for all generations. We must not use the military and weapons to unify Cyprus, but rather constructive peace tactics to reintegrate and rebuild the entirety of Cyprus as one sovereign nation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Andreas Poulis is a junior at the American University studying International Relations with a regional focus on Europe and a thematic focus on Peace, Global Security, & Conflict Resolution. He participated in the fourteenth annual AHIF Foreign Policy College Student Trip to Greece and Cyprus sponsored by the American Hellenic Institute Foundation.
Cyprus: An Eye-Opening Experience
by Anastasia Staurulakis
Growing up I learned about the challenges the Republic of Cyprus and its citizens face on a surface level through my community. However, my academic studies have revealed that there has been a distinct lack of focus on the ongoing Cyprus conflict. The AHIF College Student Foreign Policy Trip helped me bridge this knowledge gap by providing real world experiences and lessons with high-level military officials, politicians, and ambassadors, that were unattainable in a classroom.
Since 1974, the Republic of Cyprus has been illegally occupied by Turkey, and despite no international recognition except from Turkey, the occupied portion of the island attempts to assert itself, albeit illegally, as a sovereign country. As Europe’s only divided country, it was extremely eye-opening to see firsthand the stark contrast between the two sides. With the unique opportunity the AHIF Student Foreign Policy Trip afforded us, we were able to enter the Turkish-occupied north and see for ourselves what textbooks are not able to depict; the war-torn city of Varosha along with numerous desecrated churches and icons.
Turkey, despite being a member of NATO, purchased Russian missile defense systems and directly threatens the Republic of Cyprus and Greece, among other countries. In 1987, the United States had implemented an arms prohibition on Cyprus originally to promote cooperation and deter conflict, but instead the prohibition restricted further military cooperation with the Republic of Cyprus. However, in September 2022, the Administration announced the lifting of the arms prohibition for a period of one year. These are details professors don’t teach about in school, limiting us to what we were able to learn and grasp through the briefings and meetings with top officials in the AHIF College Student Foreign Policy Trip. Lastly, it is unfortunate that the United States has enabled this infringement of Cypriot sovereignty from a NATO ally due to their continued appeasement of the tyrant Erdoğan.
If one looks at today’s global current events, they will see uncanny parallels between the Cyprus and Ukraine invasions. What Russia is doing to Ukraine mirrors what Turkey did to the Republic of Cyprus forty-eight years ago. One question remains though, while Russia is receiving harsh sanctions from the rest of the world, why has Turkey received a comparatively much lesser reaction? Despite its actions, Turkish airlines are not banned from European or American airspace and the government has not faced any exclusionary economic measures. Turkey is constantly risking escalation by flying into Greek airspace and threatening the sovereignty of Greece’s islands.
The AHIF Student Foreign Policy Trip is such a unique and inspiring program for young and intelligent students to gain better insight on the issues that affect the Eastern Mediterranean region. Through a carefully curated itinerary, we gained real world experiences from meeting with high-level military officials, politicians, and ambassadors. My hope is to advocate and educate the public on the challenges Cyprus and Greece face to bring about positive change in the region.
Anastasia Staurulakis is a senior at Tulane University of Louisiana pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and a Master’s Degree in Accounting. She participated in the fourteenth annual AHIF Foreign Policy College Student Trip to Greece and Cyprus sponsored by the American Hellenic Institute Foundation.