The influence of Greek Americans and relations with Turkey

The presence of the Greek-American community is an intrinsic factor in any equation that concerns Greece. The power of the diaspora - which is sometimes evident publicly and officially and, at others, discreetly - should not be discounted by any party who poses a direct or indirect threat to Greece or Cyprus. Despite personal grudges or even deep divisions within the community, Greeks and Cypriots in America are a force to be reckoned with.

The annual celebration at the White House of Greek independence may be mostly symbolic in nature - even though only a handful of communities in America can boast such a ceremony - but the influence of the Greek Americans is by no means negligible.

Many often complain that is it not blatant or effective enough, but those who know how the American political system works - and unfortunately there are only a few in Greece - know that...