How do the recent discoveries of offshore Israeli and Cypriot gas affect the region's geopolitics?

Abstract

The effect of the recent discoveries of offshore Israeli and Cypriot gas on the region's geopolitics is the main focus of this study. The questions regarding the topic are answered in two chapters. In the first chapter, possible economic and political effects of offshore explorations in the Eastern Mediterranean are analyzed. The economic, financial and export potential of the resources is investigated in terms of the countries that claim the resources, particularly those of Egypt, Israel and Cyprus in the content of thesis political and historical relations with their neighbors. In the second chapter, possible investment and export options that may bring a solution to the challenges are proposed in terms of scenarios, and every scenario is analyzed in terms of its political, economic and regional effect. The six scenarios that are analyzed in this thesis follows: Arish-Ashkelon Pipeline, Israel's possibility of using the gas for regional peace, Pipeline to Turkey, Floating LNG Facility, East-Med Pipeline Project and Vassilikos LNG Terminal. These scenarios are presented hierarchically in terms of their relative effectiveness