The Euro Crisis Lets Greece Throw Heavy Punches

The EU bureaucrats would be wise to be afraid of Greece and Syriza. Syriza is, as the Greeks know full well, the first politically potent expression of anti-EU sentiment. While the rise of the Right in Europe is coming it is still nascent. But Syriza has real power, right now. Power to break the European Union too, potentially. The stakes are very high, and they’re going to use that power, too.

Greece has already taken its first step weeks back when it stirred up trouble by making vaguely unsatisfying comments about the Russian sanctions, claiming a lack of ‘consultation’. That act, undertaken largely to show discontent and rebelliousness, set the tone for future Syriza activities. It was clear to me then that Syriza was going to stick to its mandate. The Western media provided confirmation with their sudden reports of potential ISIS terrorists traveling through Greece. Obvious villianization is obvious.

As I said, it was clear that Syriza was going to stick to its mandate, for good or bad. The refusal of the bailout proposal on Tuesday was the natural consequence of this. The Germans talked big and employed no few threats, but in the end they’re a puppy dog leashed by an American handler and their own Nazi past. Their options are limited.

Meanwhile the Greeks, freed from their sycophantic historical parties, are finally using their considerable power, as we see in the increasing cooperation between Russian and Greek ministers. While normally Greece is just another small, insignificant European country, the long-running European crisis and the civil war in the Ukraine to which Greece is closely connected culturally, imbue this tiny country with power far beyond it’s traditional scope. And I think the Greeks are going to use it too.

I predict that the Greeks are going to continue to play hard to get. They’re open to a deal with Europe, but not one which will violate their mandate. As the Germans continue to be obtuse, Greece is going to start looking for creditors abroad. To this end they are going to continue cultivating diplomatic ties with Russia. Ultimately, Greece’s economy will continue to worsen and Germany and America will use increasing pressure upon the small nation. Eventually this will force the Greeks to seek credit abroad, and the Russians will supply it, culminating in a crisis in the Eurozone.

The above I think is highly likely. Some confirmations cannot be supplied; For example, we have no way of knowing if the Germans are applying soft power except by the media and suspicious failures within Greece. The same applies to American influence, undoubtedly at work.

I also want to make the following prediction, but I put this separately since I am far less sure of it. When Greece receives credit from Russia there will be enormous media consequences that ultimately push Greece off the Euro. Their leaving will open the cascade and other European nations in the south will follow. All of this will be facilitated largely by the Spanish socialists, who will win the next Spanish elections and provide major muscle for an anti-Euro push.