Born in Seleucia on the Tigris River, the Persian noble Manes, or Manichaeus, founded in the 3rd post-Christian century, long before the Arab states overthrew the Sassanid Empire and conquered Persia, an ancient, gnostic, syncretic religious system, named after him.
Manichaeism was based on a strict dualism, advocating an eternal battle between good (light) and evil (darkness). Its followers, the Manichaeans, had a simplistic view of reality, where everything, without distinction in between, is divided into good and evil, into white or black. Grey, like its shades, is absent.
Written by Taraxipos
In our time, again centred on Persia, the superpower and the planetary leader who speaks on its behalf, brings out – inevitably – a new dualism, a new Manichaeism. Whoever is not with us is with others.
This mentality, which fits the psychology of a superpower – described in detail by Thucydides (also making the relevant psychological observations), telling the story of the Peloponnesian War, grafted on the practical/businesslike spirit of the current planetary leader (who is only interested in the outcome) often puts Europe at odds, disrupting transatlantic relations.
In this polarizing environment, Greece through its prime minister, is moving brilliantly and balancing brilliantly, safeguarding national interests in the best possible way. The recent on camera, from inside the Oval Office, enthusiastic expression of delight at Greece’s stance is typical.
Given the real fact that we don’t border Switzerland or Portugal, our foreign policy has managed both to effectively assist the superpower (without being exposed) and to have the other partners in NATO on its side. Typical, the two-day visit of the French President, just one day after the expression of presidential pleasure and thanks. Thus, and in the context of Euro-Atlanticism, the country’s role is emerging as pivotal and bridging.
It should also be noted that this attitude preserves the idiosyncrasy of the country, without being at all unilateral and unilateral, in favour of the superpower. Very recently, the Prime Minister, on the Greenland/Denmark issue, quickly took a clear and unequivocal stand against the planetary leader’s intention, supporting the sovereignty of Greenland, given, as we said, that we do not border Switzerland or Portugal.
This consistent and clear stance, as well as the immediate reaction of the rapid deployment of military forces in defence of Cyprus, make the country a key and effective player in Euro-Atlanticism, on the healthiest of foundations, that of parity.
And one last thing, perhaps most important of all: this assistance to the superpower, which also prompted the enthusiastic presidential statement, practically translates into assistance to Israel, which is in the vanguard of the West. And Israel has proven over time that it does not forget, that it is not ungrateful and that it knows how to return the help and more.
