In the summer of 1960 Cyprus became an independent republic for the first time in its eventful history under various colonial rulers. This, however, was the moment when the trouble actually started as the two ethnic groups of the new country - Greek and Turkish Cypriots - had significantly different perceptions of how their common state should function. While the Republic of Cyprus broke apart only 14 years into its existence, these different perceptions have remained until the present day. "The Expired Conflict" provides a compact account of the various stages of this inter-ethnic conflict and focuses on the question whether there are any options left that could possibly lead to a settlement; a settlement with consequences far beyond the borders of this "unsinkable aircraft carrier" of the eastern Mediterranean. The book offers a detailed insight into the contentious issues and shows how little these issues have changed after almost forty years of partition. By now, the author argues, the conflict has significantly exceeded its "expiry date", only to live up to its questionable reputation of being what scholars have termed the "diplomats' graveyard".