Relations between the two countries were later strained by the Cyprus dispute and after the end of the Greek military junta, which particularly the Greek left considered to be backed by the U.S. In 1974, Greece temporarily left the military branch of NATO to protest the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. In 1980, it rejoined the military branch and stayed a close US-ally during the Cold War and until now.Antonis Klapsis, "From dictatorship to democracy: US-Greek relations at a critical turning point (1974-1975)." Mediterranean Quarterly 22.1 (2011): 61-73 online.
