It is almost ironic that the "cradle of democracy," Greece, and its critical budget crisis, have come lately to threaten the cohesion of the most ambitious post-WW2 "democratic" experiment in the form of the European communities, presently the European Union.
In recent weeks, Greece has won yet another unenviable record: her deepening financial troubles have become the "virus" that threatens the stability of the euro.
With financial markets delivering a hammering to Greek government bonds over speculation that Greece might be the first Eurozone country to default, and with Greece's bigger European partners in feverish consultations over the possibility of a bailout, the immediate future of the Greek economy is under a thickening cloud.
Every time we hear of a "new beginning" in Greek-Turkish relations, we shudder.
Right now, we're again faced with a "new beginning," propelled by an invitation of the Turkish prime minister to his Greek opposite for direct talks between Greece and Turkey.
Indeed, PM Tayyip Erdogan has quickly announced he plans to visit Greece "soon" -- with his Greek "hosts" exchanging furtive glances over this unfolding "peace attack" that they cannot parry without being accused by our perennial "allies" of "refusing dialogue."
Greece has been in the international headlines for some months now because of its stark financial condition, its enormous sovereign debt, now standing at roughly EUR 300 billion (and with another 'invisible' portion estimated at EUR 400 billion), and its obvious inability to manage the situation adequately in order to avoid default.
A little over a year ago, Athens and several other cities in Greece were in flames. The trigger for that unprecedented wave of violence was the shooting death of a high school student by police. Within minutes of the shooting, throngs of anarchists, hooded street thugs, and looters, Greek as well as foreign, intermingled with students of all levels and other "discontented" youth, some of whom were as young as twelve (!) had seized the streets and begun burning, plundering, and laying waste across businesses, large and small, banks, public buildings, and university campuses.
The bomb that exploded outside the Greek parliament building, right next to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in central Athens on January 9, was yet another ringing reminder – no pun intended – that the Greek Government, Greek politicians, and all the Greek “social partners” are not doing what they are supposed to do in order to ensure this country exists in a state of reasonable domestic peace, security, and stability.