Two American foreign policy experts have called on the United States Congress to adopt a tougher stance toward Turkey’s actions in northern Cyprus. Speaking before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, they urged Washington to officially label the area as “under Turkish occupation” and highlighted Turkey’s military buildup and settlement activities as threats to regional security.

Michael Rubin of the Middle East Forum criticized diplomatic ambiguities and stressed that Turkey’s continued military presence, demographic changes, and redevelopment projects violate United Nations resolutions. Sinan Ciddi of the Foundation for Defence of Democracies described Turkey as a destabilizing force in the Eastern Mediterranean, citing recent Turkish military escalations and urging Congress to maintain sanctions and strengthen ties with Cyprus and its regional allies.

Both analysts emphasized the need for clear US policy to counter Ankara's influence, with recommendations including recognizing Cyprus' sovereignty, closing Turkish Cypriot representation in the US, and increasing military cooperation with Greece, Cyprus, France, and Israel. They cautioned that Turkey’s actions undermine NATO cohesion and regional stability, calling for decisive US and international response.