The goal is the country's strategic autonomy

Greece must become strategically self-sufficient. Alliances are fine, but even finer, and more effective, is our own force that does not depend on others.

We went through too long a period during which we did not take security matters seriously. We downgraded the machinery of state, hierarchies, the defense industry - whatever, that is, a state needs to function and to be respected by its adversaries. We did it with relish and it was understandable after the maelstrom of the dictatorship. But we overdid it.

Now, fortunately, the pendulum is swinging back where it should be. The threat is far too visible to allow for frivolity. The government has shown that, under the right leadership, the Greek state can become effective, despite its shortcomings. In the same way that the culture of insouciant inaction, partisanship and degradation of management in public enterprises...