For many years now, Greece has been receiving escalating harassment and threats by Turkey. This is not just Erdogan’s pre-election propaganda, as it is assumed. It unfolds in stages with consistency and continuity mainly since the 1950s, when Britain invited the Turks to the Cyprus game. First the exclusion of minorities from critical professions (1932), then the brutal taxation and the conscription of minorities in Labor Battalions in the middle of World War II, then the vandalism and rapes of 1955 in Istanbul, then the expulsion of the Greeks in ’64 from Istanbul, then the invasion of Cyprus, immediately after: the issue of continental shelf, then the provocative aerial overflights and the “casus belli”, then the EEZs, then an issue on “Turkish” minority in Thrace, then the “Blue Homeland” maps and now the open threats against our islands and the Aegean. And who knows what else they have in mind to claim.

On the contrary, we “claim nothing”! Neither compensations for the disasters of 1955, nor for the properties of Greeks expelled in 1964, nor for the opening of the Halki Theological Academy, nor the lifting of the “casus belli” for our 12 mile territorial waters nor for the non-implementation by Turkey of the numerous UN resolutions on the Cyprus issue…

However, much of what Erdogan tells us is true and we should listen to him more carefully. Our neighbour has a long-term strategic plan, and if Erdogan was to leave this will still be the case. The aggression of the Turkish elite, who look down on us as insignificant former vassals who survive thanks to the support of foreigners, is reinforced by our own complacency, disorganisation, infighting, debt and tolerance. And while we offer concessions to the “allies” for help, the realist Turks are convinced of our national weakness and become even more audacious.

The government is successfully doing everything it can in the diplomatic, defence and IT sectors. But these are not enough when you have and will continue to have an aggressive neighbour eight to ten times your size. You need to rely on your own forces and therefore on citizens who are consciously prepared, unanimous and ready (see Switzerland and Israel). The people’s complacency about the criticality of the circumstances, not only about national issues but also about many others such as:

– The absence of a Vision and a solid Roadmap for the country

– The populism, corruption and amorality of politicians who roam from party to party

– The partisanship of everything, especially in Education – mainly in universities

– The lack of meritocracy that drive away our youth and prevent their repatriation

– The inadequacy of our Public Administration and the Judiciary system

– The opposition of Trade Unions to any innovation effort

– The reduction and ageing of our population and our low birth rate

– The decline of marriage and family as well as that of the traditional Greek ‘philotimo’ raise questions and concerns about where we are going to end up.

The various TV channels mainly deal with games, betting, pets and cooking. Let’s remember that in the 70’s we declared with disgust that “we shall not become the waiters of Europe”. And now, in the absence of enough advanced jobs, we are turning young people there. Major mass media are now controlled by private interests that do not allow or support those fit to take power. That is why almost no competent and honest citizen dares to get involved in politics. And if they do, their colleagues and vested interests will soon wise up or isolate them.

The moral paradigm of all kinds of leadership is disappointing. Political lies, populism and hypocrisy are rampant. The country is facing serious threats and our politicians are busy with surveillance, as if we don’t know that all the leaders are observing their opponents, or as if Google doesn’t even know what underwear we wear…

Our accession to the European Community had its good points, but due to lack of a vision, bad management and lost opportunities, we reduced production and turned to seasonal tourism, appointed millions in public services and led to rest. From the moment we joined, our leaders proved inferior to the circumstances. Thus, from ranking 10th in EEC of the developed 10 (1981) we dropped to 26th in EU of 28. We have learned very little from the adventure of the memorandums and the country’s debt is constantly increasing. And instead of preparing the population for the chronic and critical threats from the east, we reassure them with allowances and “foreign alliances”.

Everyone abroad sees this, but especially our aggressive neighbours, who are lurking for the right opportunity to create trouble for us. They see our incentives for foreigners to buy Greek real estate. They see our tolerance and all of the above and become bolder. And like genuine Orientals they wait like wolves for the right moment to attack, as they have always done in the past.

It is up to our political parties to urgently get serious and prepare the country for the worst. “Si vis pacem para bellum” (if you seek peace prepare for war). We need a solid national Vision and plan and independent nonpartisan staffs of constant study and vigilance. And an appropriate Paradigm by leadership in all areas. But all these must become a popular demand in order to bring decision-makers to their senses. Together we can oblige them!

*Dimitris Ar. Kazis

Dipl. Eng. NTUA, M.Sc.`- University of London, DIC – Imperial College