The Role of Greece in the Balkans During the Next Twenty Years.
Abstract
In Greece long ago, Thucydides explained that honor, fear and interests are the causes of war. In Greece this century, these three factors often conspired to prevent peaceful relations between the Greeks and their neighbors. In Greece today, an opportunity exists to move beyond ancient animosities and to provide stability and leadership in the Balkans. To its Balkan neighbors, Greece is undoubtedly seen as a beacon of strength in a region marked by weakness. Greece's economic vitality and military alliances, its political system and cultural potency, its historical linkages and democratic traditions, all are enviable advantages over its neighbors. I look forward to future Greek efforts to mitigate ancient Balkan fears and to settle conflicting Balkan interests. I also look forward to a future when Greek honor is never a source of regional tensions, but always a source of regional solutions. Greece must work to reduce its neighbors' fears, to recognize its neighbors' interests, and-by doing so-to demonstrate the value of its own honor.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 07, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA364539
Entities
People
- George Roungas
Organizations
- United States Army War College