Navel-gazing is a regular occurrence in Greece. We evaluate our national affairs by focusing on the interior, ignoring what is going on abroad, the country’s position in the world and international circumstances. Likewise, we exercise politics, both domestically and abroad, without measure, without care and more importantly, without understanding international reactions.
At present, for example, many ask why the USA has not been more active in its support, when everyone recognizes Greece’s geopolitical value. They answer can be given instantly with another question: Can they? As we all know, the Greek problem can only be solved within the Eurozone, of which we are a part. Ever since France kneeled down though, Germany became the dominant force in the Eurozone. It did not become the dominant force because it was the richest, but because it represents the dominant system in the Old Continent. Truth be told, the spirit the guides Europe is German.
The end result is that any differences in the Eurozone are reduced to a difference with Germany, as there are no other countries capable of balancing out the situation. The USA’s diplomatic reserves are not enough or capable to enforce an opinion on Germany, which will work in favor of Greece. On top of there there is the Ukrainian crisis and Putin’s expansionism which further complicates matters.
At the same time, one cannot ignore what the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Kotzias referred to as the “sickle of instability”, which is defined as Ukraine, Iraq, Syria and Northern Africa.
Additionally there is the relationship between Germany and the USA to consider. Merkel’s country is America’s largest business partner in Europe. The financial interdependence of the two countries is not negligible. On the contrary, one might say that an American intervention would complicate or rather make things more difficult. The American president is considered too “leftist” in the USA. He may have gained the support of the poorer Americans with his pro-people policies, but he is treated with hostility by the powerful lobbies of transnational corporations in the pharmaceutical and oil sectors, even the American Jewish lobby as of lat, which opposes his opening towards Iran.
So he may support and follow the Greek affairs closely, but he will not sacrifice himself to save us.
In this respect, if we have a falling out with Germany, it will not be easy to find capable allies to balance out the disagreement with Berlin. Paris, as we mentioned, has given up; Rome, despite Renzi’s kind words, is keeping a distance; the Iberians are already against us and the Northern Europeans are fed up with us.
Consequently, Greece ought to proceed with flexibility and with an understanding of international circumstances. The new Greek government seriously disputed the dominant beliefs in the Eurozone, established an oppositional status, but since it has not managed to make powerful allies, it must regroup.
Now is the time for flexibility and adaptation. Mr. Tsipras must take five steps back in order to gain fifty steps forward. Otherwise he is in danger of breaking down on the way, leading the entire country with him into catastrophe.
Antonis Karakousis
Originally published in the Sunday print edition
