Greece, NATO and Moscow

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2017/02/28/US-Army-UH-60-Black-Hawks-reach-Greece-for-NATO-operation/1861488299581/?utm_source=sec&utm_campaign=sl&utm_medium=8

Greece has often been one of the most volatile members within the NATO alliance. Under the Karamanlis government which came to power in 1974 after the US-backed Junta of Colonels was ousted, Greece left the military structure of NATO and did not return until the 1980s. And even then under Andreas Papandreou the relationship was less than brilliant.

Today with Greece in a state of tension with Brussels and the nature of NATO in question, the US (regardless of Trump's language) wants to stabilise the relationship. There is a real fear of renewed tensions with Turkey over Cyprus which could exacerbate the already delicate situation with Ankara.

But even more, there's the fear of Russia. Historically and culturally Greece is a natural ally to Moscow and yet since the end of World War II, Greece has been backed by the West. These exercises are part of a campaign to make sure that relationship stays solid.

Athens is looking for friends and certainly for investment and yet they also must know that they are in danger of becoming the subject of intrigue and schemes. Greece can all too easily become a pawn in the great power game.

While this is a UPI story and therefore fairly mainstream, the truth is that most of the media outlets don't cover stories like this. In the grand scheme of things, what's the big deal? Some military equipment is being moved in for upcoming maneuvers. In and of itself, it's not very significant but it's a piece in the larger puzzle.

Also in a similar vein:

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2017/03/03/US-Army-Black-Hawks-reach-Romania-for-NATO-support-operation/4581488553506/?utm_source=sec&utm_campaign=sl&utm_medium=4