A good day for Hellenism in America

The midterm elections in the United States on Tuesday were a good day for Hellenism in America. Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, widely seen as an ally of Greece and Cyprus for over two decades, was re-elected to a third term, while the number of Americans of Greek descent in the House of Representatives also increased.

Though not of Greek descent himself, Menendez has for years been one of the US's most vocal supporters on the issues that concern the Greek world. His interest and sensitivity is the result of personal relations with specific people, but also of his involvement with the issues - from Cyprus and Greek-Turkish relations, to the name dispute with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

To a large degree, the senator from New Jersey is filling the void left by Paul Sarbanes when he retired after 30 years in the Senate, but also by the retirement of...