Khaled FouadABSTRACT
The huge natural gas discoveries in the past years in the Eastern Mediterranean have added a new dimension to the highly tense region, making it similar, in terms of geopolitical conditions, to other strategic regions rich in oil and gas such as the Arabian Gulf and the South China Sea. In light of the new gas discoveries, major players in the Eastern Mediterranean are competing to acquire a share of the abundant quantities of natural gas in the seabed and at the same time pursuing to gain geopolitical importance and influence in a promising region. As a result, disputes over maritime delimitation among the countries of the region have increased, which in turn has reflected on changing alliances and disputes in the Eastern Mediterranean. The study examines the prospects of relationships among the countries of the region through elaborate overlapping and intersecting interests, disputes over maritime delimitation, and the perspective of the great powers toward the region. Finally, the study concludes that natural gas resources in the Eastern Mediterranean are more likely to be an incentive for tension and competition rather than cooperation unless there are serious settlements to the chronic disputes.
Introduction
The Eastern Mediterranean region has long been home to conflicts and crises, most prominently the chronic dispute between the Arab countries and Israel, as well as the ongoing conflict between Greece and Cyprus on the one hand and Turkey on the other. The huge natural gas discoveries in the past years in the Eastern Mediterranean have added a new dimension to the highly tense region, making it similar, in terms of geopolitical conditions, to other strategic regions rich in oil and gas such as the Arabian Gulf and the South China Sea.