Since deciding to move from Costa Rica to Cyprus, I’ve felt a lingering sense of unease that I can’t quite explain. Cyprus, a small island nation divided between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, holds strategic significance in the Eastern Mediterranean. My research revealed that Jewish investors have been purchasing property on a large scale in Cyprus, which maintains strong ties with Greece. The presence of an Israeli military base on the island further highlights its importance. Given its proximity to Turkey, Cyprus finds itself at the crossroads of regional power struggles. Some speculate that these developments are linked to broader territorial ambitions tied to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
This reminds me of similar patterns unfolding in Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia. Mainland Chinese investors have been acquiring significant properties in Malaysian cities, a trend that mirrors the situation in Cyprus and Greece. Meanwhile, tensions between Malaysia and China have escalated, particularly over territorial disputes. China recently claimed the Luconia Shoals (locally known as Gugusan Beting Raja Jarum) in its new map. These shoals, located just 100 kilometers from Sarawak but over 2,000 kilometers from mainland China, are a critical flashpoint. Chinese coast guard vessels have reportedly chased Malaysian fishing boats and warned Malaysia against exploring oil and gas in the area.
Amid these tensions, the arrival of the U.S. Navy's USS Abraham Lincoln in Malaysia signals American interest in countering China’s growing regional influence. China’s claim over territories like Nankang Ansha (Beikang Ansha) appears aimed at limiting U.S. military expansion and preventing Asia from becoming a strategic base for American forces. The U.S. is also closely monitoring the ties between Malaysian Chinese communities and mainland China, viewing them as a potential challenge. Similarly, Washington’s focus on Taiwan reflects the ongoing power struggle with Beijing in the Indo-Pacific. These events underscore the careful maneuvering of global powers, each advancing their influence like pieces on a chessboard.
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