US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is coming to Greece at a time when such visits are not a formality. For both sides, much depends on such contacts. The United States is dealing with two wars that have a direct impact on the whole world and, at the same time, has shown that it prefers bilateral agreements (such as the one with Greece that has been in effect for years) rather than collective procedures (as in NATO).

America’s entanglement in Iran, and the economic, political and strategic consequences of this war and of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, make it necessary for countries to strengthen old alliances and forge new ones, while sometimes shaking relations with other countries. Rubio’s visit is being held in the context of the sixth round of the “US -Greece Strategic Dialogue.” In his talks with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, he is expected to discuss substantial needs of the two countries at this troubled time. Wednesday is, after all, the third anniversary of the slaughter carried out by Hamas in Israel, which set off the chain of events that are roiling the Middle East.

The US decision to withdraw (out of fear of a terrorist attack) all its B-1 bombers from a British air base from which they carried out missions over Iran, is indicative of the general sense of uncertainty. The question now is which allied bases the Americans will use if President Donald Trump decides to increase military pressure on Tehran. This may be one of the subjects that will be discussed in Athens.

Greece, on the other hand, needs to secure the greatest possible level of support from the United States, as there may be difficult days ahead with Turkey. Closer Greek and Cypriot relations with Israel – in response to Turkey’s endless threats and revisionism – make Ankara even more aggressive. The close relationship between Trump and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the hyperactivity of the US ambassador to Turkey, complicate things and make Rubio’s mission more difficult.

Greece needs political and military support. The United States wants to know who it can rely on, and up to what point. This is Trump’s criterion. This means that Greece is in a position to achieve much, but, as the Americans say, there is no such thing as a free lunch. The US will want substantial returns for whatever it provides, and Greece may have to make difficult decisions. The Greek government must therefore achieve as much as possible, to offset what Greece will offer.

Home

A crucial and difficult deal with the USA