Hellenic-American Relations and their Bright Future: What would be the role of AHEPA?




By Alexander Th. Drivas* 

The connection between the USA and Hellas has an historic dimension that works both ways. It is well known that Hellenism and Greek-Americans have played emminent roles in American society, but American political values after 4th of July 1776 also had their own influence in the Hellenic Revolution of 1821.

Democracy, liberty, freedom and more than 200 years of friendship are the foundational values for the strong ties between USA and Hellas.

However, in international relations what matters is the present, because the present is the foundation for the future. The USA and Greece have longstanding strategic partnership but we should do more to bolster this alliance which is beneficial for both states.

After the end of the Cold War, all US administrations retained their interest for Greece and the end of the bipolar political environment presented a great geopolitical opportunity to Greece.

The Balkans needed to be stabilized in light of the power vacuum left behind after the USSR fell apart and Greece was a powerful stabilizing force.

The challenge for the Balkan States after the Cold War was to hitch themselves to western vehicles. NATO and EU were the best strategic choices for countries like Romania and Bulgaria which have tremendous geostrategic value as Black Sea states.

Greece took responsibility for the transition of those countries from communist states into western democracies.

The role of Greece is also significant for the USA beyond the Balkans. Athens is at the geopolitical crossroads in the Eastern Mediterranean. There are numerous issues in which Greece is necessarily involved and Washington needs Greece more than ever because American foreign policy towards the Eastern Mediterranean, the Balkans, the EU and the Middle East is at a turning point.

It seems that the US government is following Edward Luttwak’s advice “We (USA) should learn how to recognize our friends and our opponents.”

America is anxious is about Turkey as Ankara changes its policy towards the USA and Israel.

The American government has already shown it is learning as it focuses again on this crucial region of Eastern Mediterranean. Another analyst, Seth Cropsey, once asked rhetorically, “Will U.S. Choose the Right Side in the Mediterranean?” His answer was based on the “axis of stability” which should be supported by the US government.

Greece, Israel and Cyprus (we could add a stable Egypt and Jordan) constitute that axis. These countries have much in common and they have already shown that they desire more cooperation among themselves.

Putting aside the fact that USA and Greece have longstanding strategic relations, through greater recent Mediterranean cooperation, Greece is augmenting its value for Washington.

Issues like the energy security of the EU and Eastern Mediterranean, political stability in the greater region and the elimination of terrorism (mainly ISIS) are the most important among many other issues that concern both the USA and Greece.

Is it the right decision for Washington to boost Hellenic-American relations? Absolutely.

The alliances that created stability in the greater Middle East belong to the past. Greece and Cyprus are on the inside of the new plan and boosting Hellenic-American relations should be the priority of both sides, but the multilateral system which includes the contemporary international politics has to offer more opportunities than the bilateral system of the Cold War Era, and some of those play out on the grass roots, not the geopolitical level of politics.

The grass roots are more important than we think and as an Ahepan in Greece, I must address the role of AHEPA, which a few days ago celebrated the 96th year of its existence.

Examining with respect the AHEPA constitution, I have noted the many restrictions regarding “lobbying” in support of Greece and Cyprus in Washington, but again respectfully, I wish to raise the question of the possibility of some changes there.

Given that AHEPA constantly offers services to Hellenism in the USA, it could provide powerful and special aid for building bridges between Greece and USA.

In the future AHEPA could be a huge part of plans for Hellenic-American relations that follow the rules of both the USA and Greece.

If would be mutually profitable endeavor, especially for Greece, Why? Because Greece had never a consistent policy towards Greek Diaspora.

The huge potential benefits from the utilization of the Diaspora’s golden human capital is something that Greece still ignores. The process of adjusting to the reforms that the Memoranda called for would be very different had they made better use of Greek-Americans who have the crucial know-how that comes from living in a competitive and challenging society like America’s

The tremendous soft power of AHEPA will be fruitful for both USA and Greece by helping to facilitate stronger and deeper relations through activities on a variety of important fronts.

*Alexander Th. Drivas is PhD Candidate at Panteion University focusing on  Greek-American Relations. He is Secretary of AHEPA chapter Solon HJ04

Συνάντηση του υπουργού Εθνικής Άμυνας Πάνου Καμμένου με τον Αμερικανό πρέσβη Τζέφρι Πάιατ

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