The Eastern Mediterranean has historically been the crossroads of various civilizations and has therefore constantly been the focus of international geopolitical struggle. Geographically located at the crossroads of West Asia, North Africa and Southern Europe, the region is of great importance not only economically and commercially, but also militarily and strategically. The strategic value of the region has increased in parallel with the turning points in international relations, especially since the 20th century, and this importance has become even more evident with the discovery of energy resources in the region.
As an important transit route for maritime trade, the Eastern Mediterranean is also home to a significant portion of the world’s energy reserves. The discovery of natural gas and oil reserves in the region in recent years has reshaped both global energy markets and regional security dynamics. The Eastern Mediterranean has become the focus of international competition not only in terms of energy resources but also as a critical geographical area with strategic sea routes and military bases.
The discovery of undersea natural gas and oil reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean in the early 2000s made the region a critical hub for global energy markets. Major discoveries such as Israel’s Leviathan and Tamar gas fields and Egypt’s Zohr field have reshaped the region’s energy map. However, the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus’ declaration of an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and its agreements with other countries have led these discoveries to increase geopolitical competition and tensions.
Energy competition in the region has turned into a dynamic that affects not only regional actors but also global powers. Great powers such as the European Union (EU), the United States of America (USA), Russia and China have developed various strategies to gain influence over energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean. This situation increases security risks in the region and leads to significant changes in the foreign policy strategies of regional powers.
1. Discovery and Development of Energy Resources in the Region
Energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean have been attracting more attention since the early 2000s. The first major discovery in the region came in 2009 with the discovery of natural gas in Israel’s Leviathan Gas Field. Leviathan is considered to be one of the largest natural gas fields in the Eastern Mediterranean and with 620 billion cubic meters of natural gas reserves, it has gained an important place on the energy map of the region. At the same time, the Tamar Gas Field plays a critical role in ensuring Israel’s energy independence.
Egypt is one of the countries exploring energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean. In 2015, Egypt’s Zohr Gas Field was recognized as one of the world’s largest undersea natural gas discoveries. The natural gas reserves found in the Zohr Field amount to approximately 850 billion cubic meters, not only providing Egypt with energy security but also changing the energy supply chain in the region. These fields reveal the enormous energy potential of the Eastern Mediterranean.
Türkiye stands out as an important actor in this energy competition. In 2019, Türkiye launched its own drilling campaign in its EEZ in the Eastern Mediterranean and took action to explore the natural gas reserves in the region. Türkiye’s move has led to tensions with other actors in the region, especially Greece and the SCGA. Türkiye is taking strategic steps to defend its maritime borders and the rights of the Turkish population in Cyprus.
2. Energy Security and Global Competition
The discovery of energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean is of great importance for global energy security. The natural gas and oil reserves in the region have the potential to be a critical resource in terms of providing energy supply diversity for global powers such as the EU, the US and Russia. Especially as Europe aims to reduce its dependence on natural gas from Russia, the energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean offer a great opportunity to create alternative energy supply lines. This is a strategic objective aimed at consolidating Europe’s energy security and at the same time limiting Russia’s sphere of influence.
The energy resources of the Eastern Mediterranean offer a great economic opportunity for the countries in the region. Countries such as Cyprus, Egypt and Israel aim to accelerate their economic development with the income from these energy reserves, while at the same time taking a big step towards becoming energy exporters. The discovery of energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean has deepened geopolitical competition in the region. Disputes between stakeholders in energy exploration and discovery have further complicated border issues in the region. The SCGA’s declaration of an EEZ and the granting of energy exploration licenses to foreign companies has provoked a strong reaction from Türkiye. Türkiye considers this step as a violation of international law and argues that its rights should not be ignored in the sharing of natural resources in the region.[i] This competition in the region is among the main factors shaping both energy policies and foreign policy strategies.[ii]
3. International Relations and Foreign Interventions
The US aims to be an important player in the transportation of natural gas from the Eastern Mediterranean to Europe in order to reduce its energy dependence on the EU. Russia, on the other hand, has historically endeavored to consolidate its influence in the Eastern Mediterranean, and to this end, the Moscow administration seeks to maintain its presence in Syria. Russia, which has made energy agreements with countries such as Egypt and Lebanon, aims to gain a foothold in the energy market in the region. On the other hand, the EU stands out as an important actor in energy discoveries in the Eastern Mediterranean and their transportation to Europe. Europe sees the energy resources of the Eastern Mediterranean as an alternative supply route in order to reduce its dependence on energy supplies, especially from Russia. China, which is investing in natural gas and oil projects in the region to ensure energy security, uses the Eastern Mediterranean as a transit zone to strengthen its energy supply chains to the Middle East and Africa.
In conclusion, with the discovery of energy resources, the Eastern Mediterranean has become a strategic region where the interests of global and regional actors clash. The natural gas and oil reserves in the region not only provide economic benefits but also play a critical role in security and power struggles. While international law is an important tool for determining maritime boundaries and EEZs, disputes in this area exacerbate tensions in the region. The interests of global actors such as the US, Russia, the EU and China in the region negatively affect security threats and opportunities for regional cooperation. It seems that the energy competition in the Eastern Mediterranean will continue to have a profound impact on regional security and international relations.
[i] “Competition or cooperation? The geopolitics of gas discovery in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea”, Science Direct, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2214629621000761, (Date Accession: 05.05.2025).
[ii] “Energy security in the Eastern Mediterranean”, Research Gate, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320141267_Energy_security_in_the_Eastern_Mediterranean, (Date Accession: 05.05.2025).
