Mitsotakis meeting Trump

Athens is naturally concerned about Turkey's military operations in Syria and its mounting violations of Cyprus' exclusive economic zone, among other things, and is debating how best to manage the situation so as to avoid any unpleasant developments.

Planning is effectively centered on the role of the strongest player in the regional strategic puzzle, which, so far at least, is the United States. It is also clear that for as long as Donald Trump is in power, the most effective channel of communication with the superpower is directly through him. Relationships between leaders have always been important and have even been instrumental in shaping bilateral ties in the past. Nevertheless, they never replaced, ignored or defied diplomatic efforts.

This is no longer the case in the US right now. Unfortunately, the advice from crucial departments like those of foreign...