ALet’s start with an unpleasant observation. War is for the first time so close to us. The two hot fronts of the Third World War in the making in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as the war preparations of all the players prove that the era of “innocence” has passed irretrievably. It is not that there have not been war conflicts in the past, both in the second half of the 20th century and in the first years of the 21st, but now war is chosen by large portions of the planetary elites as a way out of the permanent crisis. A world of geopolitical instability tends to become the new planetary normal, and our country sits on the geopolitical tectonic plates between West and East, so close to active fault lines.
In these circumstances a policy of neutrality in favor of peace against warmongers is vital to the very existence of the country. A policy that will be based on the defense of national sovereignty against those who plot it or promote its liquidation. It is certainly not in the interest of the country to be adventurously involved in war, against all geopolitical realism, even at the behest of our allies/protectors. And yet the political system chooses to dress the country in khaki, and at the behest of NATO turns Greek territory into a base and the armed forces into a NATO annex. At the same time as the ideological preparation of Greek society is intensifying, it must be convinced, beyond all logic, that this is its own war.
On the right side of history
From the first day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, our country declared that it was on the “right side of history”. “Anti-Russianism” worked as a lever to align with the NATO tank, and the material consequences of this choice were quickly seen. Both in the economy, energy, interstate relations with Russia, and mainly in the active involvement in the Ukrainian conflict with the flow of weapon systems and missiles from the warehouses of the Greek army to Ukraine to be continuous. A silent demilitarization has been taking place in recent years, so convenient for NATO, so convenient for the Greek-Turkish rapprochement, so detrimental to the country’s defense and deterrent power. In the last year, another NATO adventurism has been added, with Greece being pushed to take an active part in the conflict in the Middle East, on the side of the Zionist entity of Israel, against every historical international political tradition.
Souda – Alexandroupoli – Larissa
The presence of NATO forces expands throughout Greek territory. After Souda, a second US base is granted in the port of Alexandroupolis and the unacritic Evros becomes perhaps the most important US transit hub in the NE. Europe due to the war in Ukraine, while the construction of a liquefied natural gas station (from America) also upgrades the energy role of the city. Souda, once again, confirms its role as a staff center and supply area for the NATO forces operating in the NE. Mediterranean to support Israel. While finally, in Larissa, the headquarters of the 1st army turns into the headquarters of the European naval operation “Shields”, against the Houthis of Yemen in the Red Sea. To the above must be added “allied” forces and means (UAVs, helicopters) that are often, sometimes temporarily and sometimes more permanently, stationed or trained in our country.
NATO annex
The above options drastically change the very character and purpose of the Greek armed forces. In the name of modernization, the increasing NATOization of the Greek armed forces is imposed at the expense of their objective, which is none other than the defense of national integrity and deterrence (against the main danger posed by Turkish expansionism). There are not a few times that in the past the Greek army was called upon to assist NATO (see supporting actions in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Mali, etc.) but now the intensity of the involvement in the hot zones is being significantly upgraded. As of 2021 an array of the Patriot anti-aircraft system is in Saudi Arabia to protect Aramco’s oil facilities. The Israeli Elbit Systems has undertaken the creation of the air force training center in Kalamata where Israeli pilots are also trained. At the same time, naval ships are participating in “allied” operations, while the conflict in the Middle East is heating up, with the HYDRA frigate already involved in the Red Sea in the war against the Houthis of Yemen. Finally, the announced armament program of the country moves along the same wavelength, with very expensive weapons systems, compatible with the operational needs of NATO in the wider region, being advanced at the expense of solutions compatible with the defense needs of the country – at a time when the domestic defense industry is discredited day by day.
Cyprus: NATO unsinkable aircraft carrier
THE new tension in the Middle East, with the attempt of the warmongering leaderships of Israel and the countries of the West to involve the whole region (centered on Iran) in the vortex of war, finds the Republic of Cyprus captive to a series of adventurous choices that make it a burden of NATO and the UK. British warplanes are increasingly taking off from the British base at Akrotiri, not only for surveillance operations, but also for direct bombing and interception. We saw it happen for the first time a few weeks ago during the “allied” airstrike against Houthi targets in Yemen, we saw it again with the interception of Iranian drones by RAF aircraft a few days ago.
The most pro-Western political elite, since the island’s independence, overlooks the sinful history of NATO and the US in the Turkish invasion and occupation and flirts with tying the Republic of Cyprus to the Euro-Atlantic chariot. The perennially good relationship with Russia and the Arab countries is sacrificed in the name of this choice. The island is considered Israel’s strategic heartland, with Zionist interests now controlling areas of politics, diplomacy, the economy and the shadow economy. At the same time, the Turkish presence with the continued occupation and colonization remains intact and expands. And the Hellenism of Cyprus is called to survive by going through geopolitical entanglements, against the indifference of the Greek elite.
Ready wars for whom?
Nwe are ready “to leave our sofa” if asked, said the MEP of the ND, vice-president of the European People’s Party and former Minister of Defense, Ev. Meimarakis. He coordinates his voice with a series of representatives of the European elite (of the center-right and center-left) who are preparing public opinion for war. Notice that “if we are asked.” We are not called to fight for our own interests but “on behalf of others”. It is a NATO obligation to dress Europe and our country in khaki. After all, for months now “we have been at war with Russia” as the Prime Minister of our country himself stated; now that the planetary conflict is expanding to the Middle East, we must take a fighting position. Europe is entering a rearmament and military armor race, part of this campaign is the preparation of a reluctant public opinion (which also touches the troops) that does not see this war as its own business.
In contrast to this ideological preparation. In contrast to the fear, the permanent crisis, the war economy, the ironclad armoring inside the countries, it is necessary to oppose the demand for peace and neutrality. Not as a form of withdrawal or defeatism. Fortitude and defensive armor are necessary in the face of real threats such as an expansionist Turkey. National security is too serious a business to be sacrificed in the name of adventurism on the right side of history.
