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Editorial

Expatriates Are a Foreign Policy Multiplier

There are times when Greek foreign policy resembles the battle that humanity is waging against the COVID-19 pandemic, with a significant percentage continuing to refuse to be vaccinated, despite the obvious, saving, effects on those vaccinated.

In other words, while Greece has a prosperous Greek community with significant influence on political and economic life in the United States, Canada, Australia, Great Britain and elsewhere, it continues to refuse to use them in the formulation and execution of its foreign policy.

The idea is not… revolutionary. Diasporas are used by several countries – mainly by Israel – with significant positive results.

The Greek Diaspora can act as a force multiplier in the exercise of Greece’s foreign policy.

Yes, it is true that we do not have the power of the Jewish American community, but we have powerful people that could play an essential role.

Here is a recent example of the importance given to our Community: U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said during his recent meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias that, “millions of Americans are blessed with Greek heritage… There’s, I think, a basketball player for example known to just a few Americans for the Milwaukee Bucks who is now probably one of the most celebrated athletes, not only in our country but in the entire world, known to all simply as ‘Giannis’… After he achieved the feat and championship thanks to his extraordinary talent and sheer hard work and determination, it’s just a reminder that his own trajectory here is like that of so many Greeks before him in America.”

And he continued:

“But for today, let me simply say, before turning the microphone over to Nikos, on behalf of President Biden, who, as you know – and I think this would be an understatement – he is a proud honorary member of the Greek community.”These are not just words of political flattery.

They also contain an important truth: They prove that the Greek Diaspora in America is a vital factor in American political and economic life and therefore has influence at the highest levels of U.S. policy-making.

However, in order for the community to help, information, cooperation, and recognition from Greece is required. It is needed on an ongoing, multi-party political basis. But this can be plausibly achieved because, despite its weaknesses, the Greek Foreign Ministry has several competent officials who can easily create the necessary conditions required to marshall all forces of Hellenism for the betterment of Greece.

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