The Peace (s)Quad

Planet’s most troubled area is definitely the Middle East.  Many interstate wars, civil conflicts, guerilla fronts and international coalition interventions have cause numerous deaths and outspoken poverty in one of world’s richest territories.

  

  The first and most important mistake that many “analysts” and politicians commit when trying to reach conclusions on the Middle East, is that they observe the area as a distant region of Earth with no influences from/to surrounding regions.   Regions like the Central Asia, Caucasus mountain area, Pakistan / Afghanistan borders and the region of Eastern Mediterranean.  Any form of instability, or power vacuum in any of these areas causes turmoil in the Middle East and the other way around.  On the other hand if these region retain a certain degree of stability, then peace and prosperity is a prospect for the MidEast. These areas work like communicating vessels.

  My region of interest lies south of Greece, north of Egypt, west of Israel and surrounds Cyprus.  The Eastern Mediterranean Plateau with its recently discovered gigantic oil and (mostly) natural gas reserves is the new energy’s Eldorado.  A vast sea area with prospects of great wealth for all countries and companies that will be beneficiary to its exploitation.  In order for exploitation to commence, delimitation of each country’s EEZ needs to take place first. 

  Delimitation can take place by several methods.  The safest and more “just” is by addressing the issue to the International Court of Law.  A time consuming method though.  I surely doubt if the countries of the East Med have the time of the will to use the Court as a solution.  The most sincere method though is through diplomacy.  Diplomacy and strategic planning aiming to the welfare of the people living in the shores of East Med.  The resources are vast and enough for all countries!

  Greece, Egypt, Israel and Cyprus need to work together and they need to work fast.  They have  to declare delimitation zone for their EEZ and begin the much expected drilling operations on the area.  Greece’s strong navy and Airforce, Egyptian enormous army and geopolitical strength, Israel’s strong armed forces and closer to US policy makers and Cypriot geostrategic position and strategic partnership with Russia, ensure that no country will dare to question the deal stuck by these for partners for Peace in the region.

  Let me point out some aspects.  The delimitation of EEZ’s in the region should definitely include a fair EEZ for the Palestinian authority.  The deal should be open for more countries to participate: Lebanon at first, Libya if stabilized under the efforts of general Haftar, and Syria.  A much troubled Syria that needs to be pacified and gain stability after the murderous “Arab spring” invaded the land….

  No country should be left out, if true long lasting peace is to be achieved, including Turkey.  The Turkish leadership though has troubled the MidEast, Europe and the US too much.  This is because  its direct involvement and support over the infamous “Arab spring” and the radical group that derived from it.   Mr.Davutoglou’s neo-ottoman plans scare all its neighbor nations who remember with feelings of grievance the years under the Ottoman oppressive rule.  There is no room for expansionist views in the world, only prospects of multinational cooperation for Peace and Prosperity of the people.  If Turkey overcomes its visions of reviving its old empire, then it can be a trustworthy partner.  Until then though it poses a threat.  Cyprus, Egypt and Syria have felt the Turkish intervention on their internal affairs on the recent years.  

  

  A deal between Greece-Egypt-Israel-Cyprus will be mostly welcomed by US and Russian officials who really want stability in the region.  Both superpowers high strategic planning is focused on the region of Asia-Pacific and want the minimum required involvement in the area for them.   They both do not want to waste resources on an area that is no longer so vital for the well being of their people. 

  

  A new era of Peace and Prosperity may arise in the Eastern Mediterranean.  An era of Peace that will positively affect the Middle East and the Balkans.  It is time for Greece-Egypt-Israel-Cyprus to become the Peace (s)Quad that will finally lead the area out of the most troubled 20^th century….