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political

The Statesmanship of Mitsotakis

Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis continues performing well in his duties as an international statesman. The Prime Minister hosted Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Greece. The two agreed that Greek membership in NATO and the European Union would not be an obstacle to Greek-Russian relations.

Foreign Minister Lavrov affirmed Russian support for Greece’s right under international law to extend its territory in the Aegean Sea to twelve nautical miles. Russia is coming down firmly on Greece’s side against Turkey. This is welcome as Greece is also gaining the support of the United States. In addition, Turkish President Erdogan has mocked the Trump administration by daring Washington to impose sanctions on Turkey.

Greece faces a challenge in attempting to win over both Washington and Moscow. Washington seeks to impose sanctions on Turkey because it purchased an s-400 defensive system from Russia. It is true that America is very staunchly anti Russian at this point.

However, American and Russian interests may conceivably merge with regard to Turkey. For centuries, Great Britain and France loathed the Russians and their foreign policies were directed againt the Russian Empire. Despite this traditional hostility both London and Paris made common cause with Russia during the First World War against Germany.

During the Second World War, London and Washington made common cause with Stalin against Hitler’s Germany. It is not inconceivable that Washington and Moscow could come to see Turkey as a common threat. For this reason, it is better for Donald Trump to be reelected President than for Joe Biden to be elected President.

The Russians and the Turks are on opposite sides in Libya as they were in Syria. Turkey is sponsoring Syrian jihadists in Azerbaijan and Libya, the same elements that fought Russia and the Asaad government in Syria. There can be no question that over the long term Russian and Turkish interests are completely incompatible.

The Trump administration’s friendly attitude to Russia is welcome on the grounds that in the event of a Russian-Turkish conflict (as nearly occurred in 2015), Washington will stay out of it. Joe Biden and the Democrats have become so anti Russian that they will not be able to be responsible in the event of a Russian and Turkish clash in the future. Greek interests necessitate depriving Turkey of both American and Russian support.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis is doing very well in defending Greek national interests. He is keeping all options open by maintaining friendly ties to both Washington and Moscow. The Erdogan government in Turkey is bound at some point to trigger a confrontation with with either one or both of these countries.

With some serious diplomatic activity, Greece can win the support of both America and Russia. The fact that American and Russian diplomatic officials have been visiting Athens lately demonstrates that Greece is rising as an important regional player. The opportunities are endless.

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political

The Right Vote Intellectually, Morally, and Spiritually

Putting aside previous reservations I have cast my vote by mail. It was the right choice and was formulated as a result of great spiritual, intellectual, and moral considerations. There really was only one choice to be made. It could not have gone any other way!

The name of this blog originates from the banner of the Byzantine Empire. The successor to that Great Empire which was once centered on Constantinople is Russia. It was simply unthinkable to choose a candidate from a political party that has spent the last four years bashing what is today the center of Orthodox Christianity! Unthinkable and intolerable!

Well educated people who prefer the intellect and learning understand that Russia is the country that smashed Napolean and Hitler. Wise statesman seek friendship and not confrontation with Russia. The historically illiterate party whom I voted against would exacerbate tensions with a nuclear armed country.

There are too many wars that the United States has waged in recent decades. The destruction of Orthodox Serbia, the invasion of Iraq, the overthrow of the Libyan government in 2011, and the attempt to overthrow the Syrian government were miserable failures that produced human misery and opened up the door for genocide and slavery under the Islamic State.

I voted for the anti war candidate whose policies were a reversal of the traditional foreign policy of both parties. Desiring reconciliation with Russia is something to brag about, not to be condemned as it is by the historically illiterate candidate. The candidate that I voted for worked with Russia to destroy the Islamic State that resulted in the stabilization of Syria. The destruction of the Islamic State resulted in the end of the slave trade and genocide of Yazidis, Christians, and Shiite Muslims.

I voted for the candidate who opposes infanticide. The political party of the other candidate has become notorious for its open support of nine month abortions. The Governor of Virginia who belongs to the party of the candidate I voted against not only supports abortion up to the time of birth but has openly said that in the event an infant survives an abortion at that stage that it would be permissible to permit a living baby to die!

I voted for the candidate who opposes the mutilation of children. The party I voted against is the party of the rainbow flag. The party whose base of political supporters believe it should be permissible to support the “transition” of boys to girls and vice versa. There is presently a case involving an eight year old boy in Texas whose mother (a Greek woman at that!!!!) won permission from a court to “transition” him into a girl!

I voted for the candidate that opposes drag queen story hour and child drag queens. Drag Queen Story hour (I have witnessed this first hand) consists of men in drag reading books to toddlers. There is also the sickening appearance of eleven year old boys who are drag queens.

The candidate I voted against has criticized the candidate I support for his relationship with North Korea. The candidate I voted for has demonstrated skills and abilities in international diplomacy. He has brought the North Koreans to the negotiating table something that three previous Presidents were unable to do.

Voting for Donald Trump was the right way to vote intellectually, spiritually, and morally. Intellectually it is because the President understands the world from Russia to the Middle East much better than the pack of historically illiterate pagans in the Democratic Party. Spiritually because the Democrats have declared themselves the enemies of Christianity, and morally because, well, the President does not support killing live babies and mutilating children.

Four years ago, an ancient people called the Yazidis were being mercilessly slaughtered in a planned genocide by Islamic State. Yazidi women were sold in slave markets by the barbarians of Islamic State. The President wanted to go after Islamic State (which he did through his successful policies in Iraq and Syria) while the Democrats wanted to go after Russia. The President stopped the abuse and enslavement of women under ISIS while the Democrats ensured that men would have absolute access to the ladies room!

From a moral and logical standpoint, my vote speaks for itself.

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political

Greece, Italy, and Russia

An interview with an Italian Admiral (comments further down) at this link with full interview

https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/10/21/italian-admiral-greece-turkey/

Russian warning to the Turks at this link

https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/10/21/russia-turkey-greece-navarino/

“There is no doubt that in the absence of an agreement, such measures will have to be taken. The only thing that is holding back Europe right now is Greece’s unwillingness to find honorable compromises. As long as Athens remains on intractable positions, the EU will have difficulty in supporting it.”

Italian Admiral on Greece

Regarding the comments from this Italian Admiral. The mind of any Greek is not far from the treachery that was perpetrated by the Italians, French, British, Americans, and Soviet Communists in 1922. It can be said that Greeks should not be prisoners of the past and we should see things within the context of today’s realities. This is true, but at the same time we should be cognizant of past wrongs and injustices.

These insulting comments from the Admiral bring to mind the Italian arming of the Turks in Asia Minor from 1919 to 1922. It also recalls the Italian support for Albania and the undermining of the Greek effort to liberate Northern Epirus. We can also go back to the Fourth Crusade in 1204 when the Italians and the French invaded and destroyed Constantinople.

Hopefully, this Admiral speaks for himself and and his stance is not that of the Italian Government. At this time, Greece has allies and supporters in France and Austria. For now there is no reason to doubt their sincerity. However, Greece should be careful in the event of a potential betrayal by her allies as has happened many times in history.

The Russians have reminded the Turks of the Battle of Navarino (see second link above) in 1828 which consolidated the liberation of Greece. The Russians have also affirmed Greece’s territorial rights that are being infringed upon by the Turks. Greece is presently conducting a strong foreign policy but Athens should be careful to maintain warm ties with Russia as well as America.

Russian and Turkish proxies are fighting on opposite sides in Libya. Syrian jihadists sponsored by Turkey are fighting in Libya and against the Armenians in the Caucuses. The same jihadists the Russians helped the Syrian government defeat. The new pro Greek statements coming from Russia could very well indicate that the Russians anticipate that Turkey is going to be an enemy.

Athens needs to act wisely and prudently and act according to Greek national interests which are based on the right of self defense against Turkish aggression. It is not beyond the realm of possibility that Washington and Moscow could both come to view Turkey as a jihadist threat. This would be the best case scenario for Greece.

Greece must act wisely and avoid being entangled in the tensions between Washington and Moscow. Athens should maintain friendly relations with both as they both seem to be moving away from Turkey. Time will tell what will happen as Greece faces potential dangers as well as great opportunities.

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political

Erdogan and Jerusalem

Turkish President (Sultan) Erdogan has now put forward territorial claims on Jerusalem. This should be a warning to both Israelis and Palestinians alike that Turkey is a menace. Furthermore, Turkish claims on Jerusalem also conflict with Jordan which has the role of being the protector and guardian of the Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem.

Jerusalem and the Holy Land were part of the Ottoman Empire for four hundred years. Erdogan is putting forward a claim on Jerusalem on this basis. Furthermore, Erdogan is declaring himself to be the ruler and representative of Muslims. The rest of the Muslim world can not be happy with these claims being put forward by the Turkish President.

Ten years ago, Turkey nearly started a war with Israel when a flotilla that included many stupid leftists from America and Europe left the occupied territories of Cyprus and went to Gaza to confront the Israelis. The “activists” had no regard for the territorial integrity of Cyprus whose sovereignty they violated when they entered the Turkish occupied territories. They willfully made themselves instruments of the Turkish regime and were being used.

This was an early case of Turkish aggression. Five years later, Turkey shot down a Russian plane over Syria. Another act of aggression. And in Syria, Turkey threatened to invade the Kurdish regions where the Syrian Kurds heroically fought and defeated the Islamic State. The Israelis, the Russians, and the Trump administration all chose to deescalate. The leaders of these countries all acted rationally and sought to avoid the possibility of a major war.

Turkish President Erdogan has proceeded to escalate tensions more recently with Greece, Cyprus, and Armenia. He is also supporting Syrian jihadists in Libya who are fighting the Russians, and other who are fighting the Azerbaijanis in Artsakh. It appears that Washington, Moscow, and Tel Aviv have not entirely gotten the message about Turkey.

The Israelis are reported to be the biggest arms suppliers to the jihadists in Azerbaijan. A thoroughly unscrupulous policy and one that looks to be self defeating as Azerbaijan is a Turkish proxy. Erdogan’s statements on Jerusalem should be a loud warning to Israel that it should be backing the Armenians in Artsakh.

The Russians have rightfully joined the international community in condemning the opening of the beach in Varosha, a town in Cyprus that remains under Turkish occupation. The Russians also happen to have a defense pact with Armenia and should be backing the Armenians. Azerbaijan and Turkey are being assisted by the very same jihadists that the Russians fought in Syria.

Greece needs to be prepared. Turkey may very well instigate a war much like the one that Azerbaijan has instigated against Armenia. At this point, the security of America, Europe, and Russia heavily depend on the successful defenses of Armenia, Greece, and Cyprus. Erdogan’s Turkey is emerging as one of the world’s most preeminent threats.

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political

Varosha

The Turkish occupied forces in Cyprus have proceeded to carry out their threat to open the town of Varosha which has been a ghost town since the 1974 Turkish invasions of Cyprus. This move has been universally condemned. Furthermore, Greece and Cyprus have threatened to renew efforts to pressure the European Union to impose sanctions on Turkey.

Greece and Cyprus do not want a war with Turkey. But Turkish actions are extreme and the Erdogan government continues to provoke. It is abundantly clear that President Erdogan is too fanatical to be reasoned with. The Greek Government continues to pursue diplomacy by meeting with Turkish officials.

This is understandable as all efforts to avoid war should made. But can war really be avoided when the Turks openly boast about the slaughter of Greeks at Smyrna in 1922? Erdogan has made very clear that he is a rogue leader. He proceeded to convert Hagia Sophia into a Mosque and is proceeding accordingly with his plans to promote Turkish expansionism in the Aegean Sea and in Cyprus.

The Greeks need to keep open lines of communication with Washington and Moscow. Likewise, with European States that are pro Greek such as Paris, Vienna, and Rome. Germany should be shunned at the diplomatic level as the Germans are only concerned with appeasing Turkey. Germany’s stance in favor of appeasing Turkey to avoid Ankara’s threats to flood Europe with Middle Eastern refugees is pathetic.

The Russian government has condemned the Turkish moves in Varosha and this should be sign as a welcome show of support by Greece and Cyprus. Likewise, President Donald Trump has publicly accused Turkey of undermining the war against Syria. Athens and Nicosia must work extra hard to win support from both Washington and Moscow in their fight against Turkey.

Greece’s closest ally right now is Armenia which is fighting a defensive war against Azerbaijan. It is crucial that Greece and Cyprus assist Armenia in any way possible. Just as Turkey was the sponsor of jihadism during the Syrian war, Ankara is again sponsoring jihadists who are fighting alongside Azerbaijan.

In the days and weeks to come, we will see how democratic and civilized the western world really is. Will western governments stand up for the Armenians and the Greeks against Turkish jihadism and expansionism?

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political

Greece triumphs over Evil

It appears that the Neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party in Greece have been convicted of murdering a left wing rapper back in 2013. The convictions are good news and this likely puts an end to the difficult years of economic troubles in Greece which enabled the extremism of the right to make a comeback. Golden Dawn never came close to taking the reigns of power in Greece, but for too long they were a power on the streets of Athens where they beat and terrorized immigrants and minorities.

The former government of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras showed a great deal of tolerance for Golden Dawn as their members terrorized migrants in Greece. It was only when the Neo-Nazis murdered an ethnic Greek that the Samaras government proceeded to crack down. The Samaras government’s tolerance for the Neo-Nazis demonstrated a lack of Christian morality and decency.

This party which was like the original Nazi Party of Germany based on ideas of racial purity, neo-paganism, anti-semitism, and the occult was thoroughly evil. This deceitful movement even tried to masquerade as the defenders of Greek Orthodoxy. Golden Dawn was linked with the black metal music scene based on pro satanic and anti Christian themes. In its own publications it demonstrated contempt for Christianity as did the original Nazi Party.

In Greece’s last national elections, the Neo-Nazis did not receive votes to enter Parliament. This was very good news and their convictions today are also good news. Their is a moral lesson here in that all extremist ideas and movements ranging from the extreme right to the extreme left should be condemned by good people.

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political

Support the Armenians!

Azerbaijan has started a war of aggression against the Armenians of Artsakh. Azerbaijan has the open support of the Turkish government. The murderous and genocidal policies of Turkey that led to the extermination of the Armenian, Assyrian, and Greeks Christians of Anatolia are being revived today. Just as Azerbaijan is waging aggressive war against Armenia (Nagorno Karabakh is rightfully a part of Armenia) Turkey has been threatening to do likewise against Greece.

The whole of the Christian world (East and West) is obligated to support the Armenians as much as possible. A repetition of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 is unthinkable. Some time ago, the government of Azerbaijan threatened to attack a nuclear power plant in Armenia. It appears that the Azerbaijani leadership is even less capable of rational thought than the leadership in Ankara.

The United States and Russia are both morally obligated to help the Armenians. The United States claims to support democracy while the Russians claim for themselves the sponsorship of Christianity. The Azerbaijanis appear to be another jihadist state making use of Syrian jihadists. Israel has taken an immoral position by inexplicably supporting Azerbaijan.

Syria appears to have become the new Afghanistan. The Reagan administration support of the notorious “Afghan Arabs” during the 1980’s led to the formation of Al Qaida during the 1990’s. The western world’s support for jihadists in Syria has apparently permitted jihadism to revive even after the destruction of Islamic State.

Syrian jihadists have been used by Turkey to fight against the Russians in Libya. Now they are fighting on behalf of Azerbaijan. The Russians were on the right side in Syria. Hopefully, Moscow will recognize that the enemies they fought in Syria and are fighting in Libya are waging war against the Christian Armenians.

During the First World War, the Russian Empire gave support to the Armenians against the Ottoman Empire. It is time for the Russians to demonstrate their claims to sponsorship of Eastern Christianity by fully supporting the Armenians militarily, diplomatically, and politically. The Trump administration which admirably cut off aid to the jihadists in Syria must recognize those same jihadists are engaged in aggressive war against the Armenians.

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political

Europe against Greece and Cyprus

The European Union has refused to impose sanctions on Turkey as demanded by the Government of Cyprus. The Europeans have imposed sanction on Byelorussia which can be easily interpreted as an indirect attack on Russia since that country is a Russian ally. Turkish aggression against Cyprus and Greece has won a reprieve and most likely because of the Germans who seek to appease Turkish dictator Erdogan.

Turkey is engaging in acts of aggression against Greek and Cypriot territorial rights in the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. The refusal of the European Union to impose sanctions on Turkey proves that the Hellenic world cannot put its trust in western alliances. Greece and Cyprus can and should work with individual members such as France and Italy who have been supportive, but should reject the European Union as a whole.

The European Union imposed sanctions on Byelorussia although that country is not a member of the European Union and so its internal affairs are a domestic matter. Cyprus and Greece are both members of the European Union and have received no support although they are being menaced by a jihadist state that is not a member of the European Union. The pressure is on Greece and Cyprus to surrender at it has been so many times in history.

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political

The Germans Again

During the First World War, Germany was the ally of the Ottoman Empire. The Germans gave military, diplomatic, and political support to the Young Turks when the genocide of the Armenians, Assyrians, and Greeks was well under way. During the Second World War, Germany occupied Greece and caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Greeks through either massacres or famine.

The Germans have proven that no matter whether they are ruled by the Kaiser, Hitler, or Angela Merkel they remain firmly consistent in their disregard for the rights of Greece. Germany is not, never has been, and never will be a friend of Greece. The Washington Post now reports that Germany may have arranged a meeting between Prime Minister Mitsotakis and President Erdogan.

The Greek Prime Minister must be very careful not to make any concessions. International law is on the side of Greece and the support for Greece from France, Italy, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates has has been achieved through diplomacy and hard work. German interests are not Greek interests.

Many Greek Americans are opposed to President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin of Russia. This is a mistake. While it is true that Russia presently enjoys friendly relations with Turkey, that is likely to change as is the relationship between President Trump and President Erdogan. It German Chancellor Angela Merkel that Greeks everywhere should be looking at with hostility.

Germany has evolved from the country that was appeased in 1938 to the country that is Europe’s appeaser in 2020. The Germans are looking to appease President Erdogan’s Turkey. The Turks are threatening to flood Europe with millions of refugees. Rather than being outraged by Turkish blackmail and concluding that Ankara should be challenged, Berlin seeks to appease Ankara and probably at the expense of Athens.

Prime Mitsotakis has done well in deterring Turkish aggression. It would be a mistake for him to embrace the pan European internationalism that the Socialist Party (PASOK) embraced between 1996 and 2004. If Greece accepts a flawed agreement with Turkey under German auspices this will be victory of Pan European internationalism at the expense of Pan Hellenic nationalism. Turkey is an international threat and menace and capitulating to Ankara will only make that threat much worse.

The Washington Post following the New York Times thinks “diplomacy” is a good thing. This depends on what “diplomacy” looks like. The New York Times lamented the absence of Richard Holbrooke who was an appeaser of Turkish aggression in 1996. The Washington Post commends Angela Merkel’s initiative. Athens must beware lest Angela Merkel becomes the Richard Holbrooke of 2020 and Athens snatches defeat from the jaws of victory.

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political

Another victory for Greece

The Turkish seismic research vessel Oruc Reis has returned to Turkey despite the strong words from the Turkish leadership in recent days and the provocations of the National Action Party (the Grey Wolves) who celebrated the anniversary of the Turkish slaughter of Armenian and Greek Christians at Smyrna. This is the third Greek victory over Turkey this year. Earlier this year, Athens successfully defended the Greek border from refugees who were being exploited by Turkey for use as a political weapon against Greece.

At the end of July, Turkey stopped drilling for oil near the Greek island of Castellorizo. Prime Minister Mitsotakis has understandably adopted a diplomatic stance following the Turkish withdrawal but should not conclude that the Turkish threat has diminished. President Erdogan’s bragging about the events at Smyrna and other Turkish officials bragging about Syrian jihadists who were prepared to fight with Turkey in the event of a war with Greece should not be forgotten.

Strong support from France, Italy and Egypt has been of enormous benefit to Greece as has the threat of European sanctions against Turkey. Greek diplomacy has won another small but serious victory. It should be remembered that Erdogan has constantly called for the revision of the Treaty of Lausanne and Turkish officials in all parties sitting in the Turkish Parliament have called for the seizure of the Greek islands.

Greece has taken strong steps in purchasing military equipment and sending troops to the island of Castellorizo. Its strong determination to defend its territory and its islands played a role in deterring Turkish aggression at this particular time. Athens needs to build on the small but significant victories it has achieved this year. It must continue purchasing military equipment and keeping its military on guard for the next confrontation that Turkey instigates.

Alarmist articles in the New York Times and the Guardian lamented the absence of traditional American diplomacy in the handling of Greek-Turkish confrontations. If the late Richard Holbrook whose absence has been lamented by these misguided editorialists had handled this Greece would have been forced to forfeit its rights. Greece has just benefitted from the replacement of traditional American “diplomacy” by Trump’s diplomacy.

The Trump administration stayed out of it and did not pressure Greece. The Greeks stood up for themselves and Turkey capitulated. This is a Greek victory in the Trump era which has no precedents during the eras of the Clinton or Obama administrations. Nor does it have any precedents in the Republican administration of George W. Bush.

There are yet more dangers that exist. The world remains strangely silent at the exploitation of millions of Middle Eastern refugees by the Turkish government. Turkey has threatened to flood Europe with these refugees. Germany has been so struck with fear over another refugee crisis that it was willing to appease Turkish aggression against Greece.

Certainly, there are reasons to fear another refugee crisis in Europe. Even at the best of times the refugee crisis was a problem. Now in the world of covid-19 millions of refugees flooding Europe will add far greater dangers than ever before. The Turkish government is attempting to hold Europe hostage through the inhumane treatment of the refugees and the potential threat to millions of people in Europe.

The Erdogan government is an international menace to the entire world. Greece has emerged as a front line state and is taking its place. At last, Athens is finding its voice and putting forward its national interests like a normal country.