William Mallinson – författare

Conventional wisdom and ideologies hold that responsibility for the partition of the Republic of Cyprus in the wake of Turkey’s multiple advances on the island in summer 1974 rests on domestic ethnic and religious tensions between the Turks and the Greeks. This book, drawing on a wealth of archival material, shows that this is not the case at all. As the detailed report of the United Nations mediator, Galo Plaza, had shown in 1965, the Turks and the Greeks living on the island could easily have co-existed if left alone to determine their future. This did not happen. The partition of the island had been inscribed in NATO’s policy since the 1950s, rewarding the strongest component of NATO’s southern flank, Turkey, at the expense of Greece, the weaker component. The volume details the role of CIA agents in Greece and the machinations of the Greek junta of Dimitrios Ioannides to overthrow the charismatic leader of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios, who had been fighting for an independent and non-aligned Cyprus. It also explains how the partition of Cyprus in 1974 has opened up prospects for the partition of the Aegean Sea between Greece and Turkey, with Greece’s eastern Aegean islands becoming ‘NATOlands’ in the service of the war against Russia.The volume is an essential reading for researchers and students of the history and politics of Cyprus, Greece, Turkey and south-eastern Europe.

Conventional wisdom and ideologies hold that responsibility for the partition of the Republic of Cyprus in the wake of Turkey’s multiple advances on the island in summer 1974 rests on domestic ethnic and religious tensions between the Turks and the Greeks. This book, drawing on a wealth of archival material, shows that this is not the case at all. As the detailed report of the United Nations mediator, Galo Plaza, had shown in 1965, the Turks and the Greeks living on the island could easily have co-existed if left alone to determine their future. This did not happen. The partition of the island had been inscribed in NATO’s policy since the 1950s, rewarding the strongest component of NATO’s southern flank, Turkey, at the expense of Greece, the weaker component. The volume details the role of CIA agents in Greece and the machinations of the Greek junta of Dimitrios Ioannides to overthrow the charismatic leader of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios, who had been fighting for an independent and non-aligned Cyprus. It also explains how the partition of Cyprus in 1974 has opened up prospects for the partition of the Aegean Sea between Greece and Turkey, with Greece’s eastern Aegean islands becoming ‘NATOlands’ in the service of the war against Russia.The volume is an essential reading for researchers and students of the history and politics of Cyprus, Greece, Turkey and south-eastern Europe.

Cyprus after World War II was, and continues to be, a focal point for diplomatic and military negotiations and disagreements between both local and international powers. In Britain and Cyprus, William Mallinson, a former British diplomat, has selected from a wealth of documents drawn from the National Archives, skilfully combining the chronology of events with vital themes and motifs. Several of these documents have been obtained directly from the Foreign Office and Ministry of Defence, thanks to the help, and pressure, of the Information Commissioner, under the Freedom of Information Act. Its blend of documentation with incisive exploration and analysis makes this book an invaluable resource for all those interested in the politics of the Eastern Mediterranean, British history and in the process of policy formulation.

Until the mid-twentieth century, the Dutch, with their overseas empire, had managed to stay aloof from the machinations of intra-European fighting. However, the beginning of the Cold War found them persuaded by Britain and the US to break with their independent past and fit into the emerging Western security system. William Mallinson here considers how major post-war developments in Europe affected Dutch foreign policy, traditionally one of abstentionism, and studies the extent of Dutch influence in post-war Western co-operation. Important landmarks, including the Marshall Plan, Brussels Treaty Organisation, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, Council of Europe, Schuman Plan and Pleven Plan, so vital to an understanding of contemporary international relations, are all treated incisively. The book sheds light on defence, foreign and economic policy, treating European developments from a previously neglected angle. In so doing, it provides vital insights into the history of European recovery after World War II and into the development of a postwar international order.

What are the mainsprings of international rivalry and conflict and how are they to be uncovered - by international relations theory, history or by the practice of diplomacy? Cyprus is ideal for thoroughly testing theory and practice. The island has been at the epicentre of international relations rivalry throughout its history and to this day Cyprus remains a geopolitical tinder-box with acute tension between Cyprus and Turkey over the Turkish occupation of a third of the island. Hostility has now been transferred to the forum of the EU, with Cyprus as a member and the US and Britain pushing for Turkey to join. Meanwhile in the geopolitical hinterland, Russia remains suspicious of the island's British bases which project NATO power in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. William Mallinson's approach in analyzing Cyprus' problems and the dangers for international relations is unique. He applies practical hands-on experience of international diplomacy with academic research as an historian and international relations theorist.Mallinson applies international theory to his minute analysis of revealing documents - the life-blood of the historian of diplomacy - and shows how historical research provides the essential basis for international relations theory.

In the troubled island of Cyprus, the national interests and rivalries of Greece and Turkey still collide, the population remains divided between the Greek and Turkish communities and the country is still a cat's paw of outside powers - especially the USA and the now resurgent Russia - as it has been since the acquisition of the island by Britain in 1878. These are problems that have been brought into sharp focus by Cyprus' entry into the European Union. William Mallinson's book is a fast-moving and incisive narrative history which portrays Cyprus as a continuing source of international tension in the Mediterranean and beyond. It features the latest source material from the recently released National Archive, vivid interviews with key players, even reports which raise awkward and embarrassing questions. His critical eye uncovers the underlying story of American and British involvement in the island's affairs, first as a key territory in Cold War politics with its close proximity to the Middle East and Asia and now as a key asset in the 'war on terror'.

Until the mid-twentieth century, the Dutch, with their overseas empire, had managed to stay aloof from the machinations of intra-European fighting. However, the beginning of the Cold War found them persuaded by Britain and the US to break with their independent past, and fit into the emerging Western security system. William Mallinson here considers how major post-war developments in Europe affected Dutch foreign policy, traditionally one of abstentionism, and studies the extent of Dutch influence in post-war Western co-operation. Important landmarks, including the Marshall Plan, Brussels Treaty Organisation, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, Council of Europe, Schuman Plan and Pleven Plan, so vital to an understanding of contemporary international relations, are all treated incisively. The book sheds light on defence, foreign and economic policy, treating European developments from a previously neglected angle. In so doing, it provides vital insights into the history of European recovery after World War II and into the development of a postwar international order.

Cyprus after World War II was - and continues to be - a focal point for diplomatic and military negotiations and disagreements between both local and international powers. In 'Britain and Cyprus', William Mallinson, a former British diplomat, has selected from a wealth of documents drawn from the National Archives, skilfully combining the chronology of events with vital themes and motifs. Several of these documents have been obtained directly from the Foreign Office and Ministry of Defence, thanks to the help - and pressure - of the Information Commissioner, under the Freedom of Information Act. Its blend of documentation with incisive exploration and analysis makes this book an invaluable resource for all those interested in the politics of the Eastern Mediterranean, British history and in the process of policy formulation.