I’ve gained a relatively unique perspective on these events because I have lived in both Athens and Moscow within the past ten years. I can’t claim to be a renowned expert on the culture of either country, but I’ve seen enough to understand the cultural and political similarities. Much attention is now being paid to Greece’s emerging status as an important pawn in the West-vs-Russia struggle, and how Greece can manipulate the voting process for further anti-Putin sanctions as a negotiating tactic. Everyone is talking about what Greece stands to lose if they leave the Euro. But I don’t think sufficient focus has been made toward what they can gain by tilting toward the Russian sphere of influence, or how much their negotiations are influenced by historical experience. I am of the opinion that Ukraine is the opening skirmish of what will eventually be known as the Second Cold War, and that Greece is about to become an even more important place on the global chessboard.

steve:

I should point out that the Greeks are far from blameless in their current predicament. If you want to understand the extent to which every single Greek - from their head of state down to dear old Mrs Papadopoulos down the street - willfully took part in the systemic fleecing of the Euro economy through tax evasion, financial chicanery and outright fraud, then I can’t recommend a better summary than what you’ll find in Michael Lewis’ excellent book Boomerang. Ken Lay, the disgraced and deceased CEO of Enron, is probably looking up from whichever corner of hell he currently is, and burning (heh) with envy at the sheer magnitude of the scam that has been perpetuated since Greece entered the Eurozone in 2001.

That sounds like and interesting read.

posted 3350 days ago