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Greece and China are perhaps like David and Goliath when it comes to economic strength. But there's no animosity between the two countries - this David is after help. The Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is on a five-day state visit to the world's second largest economy

Have Greek Markets Turned a Corner?

A year ago, Greece was toxic territory, but investors have begun to show an appetite for the country’s stocks, government bonds and corporate debt

Despite Warning on Violence, Greece won't Ban Golden Dawn

Although Greece's government has said it will not ban the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party, the Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights said there is enough evidence of the party's support for violence to outlaw the group

Cremation Under Debate in Greece

With urban cemeteries filling so fast that bodies are dug up after three years and put in ossuaries so plots can be reused, Greece gave approval for cremation in 2006. However, no one has been able to get past opposition from the church

Greece Expects Record Number of Tourists this Year

The ongoing economic crisis that has dropped hotel rates and food prices made Greece one of the most attractive destinations for tourists this year. Tourism revenues could hit record highs of as much as 12 billion euros this year

A Right and Proper Death of the Euro When the proposal was initially made for a common European currency, it seemed to be a good idea. Although inexpert in economics, it struck me as an effect of a false analogy with the United States that was common in Europe at that time

Economists, Greeks Wary of 'No More Austerity'

Many Greeks are welcoming an announcement that further austerity measures to repay Greece's overwhelming debt will not be sought following three years of pay cuts, tax increases and slashed pensions. Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said better times are ahead

Europe, Unemployment and Instability

The global financial crisis has slowly yielded to a global unemployment crisis. This unemployment crisis will give way to a political crisis. The crisis involves all three of the major pillars of the global system -- Europe, China and the United States

The Bright Side Of Greece: Lower Prices, Fewer Tourists

I keep getting asked if Greece is safe for travelers -- a question that feels absurd the instant you arrive there. Safety concerns have been played up by the international media outlets. Frankly, it's a great time to travel to Greece

Europe: The Politics of Fear

Like ghosts from the past, we see political violence, xenophobia, migrants being scapegoated and extreme nationalism creeping into our public debates -- even into our parliaments. This is a Europe diverging from its founding principles

Europe is Divided Again: This Time It's Creditors vs Debtors

The euro crisis is now threatening to turn the European Union into something fundamentally different. The member countries are divided into two classes -- creditors and debtors -- with the creditors in charge

Teenage Migrants 'Trapped' in Greece

They gather on benches, and some even kick a ball around, but they are not here for recreation - this is where they sleep, hoping their numbers will provide some protection

Half-Baked Economic Theories Continue to Direct Global Economy

I am not writing this to pile on two Harvard economists who put the Western world into economic mess. I am concerned about the policy professionals who accept such economic propositions even when they seem self-evidently too good to be true and defy common sense

Greece: Dangers of the Disaffected and Unemployed

With unemployment in Greece at 27 percent, it is not surprising to see both radical right- and left-wing groups gaining support from those who have become disaffected by the crises. The disenchanted are joining radical parties espousing a wide variety of ideologies

New Extremism Poses Threat

Emerging extremist organisations in the Balkans are operating alongside existing extremist groups and may try to change the political and legal framework to fit their agendas

Greek Government Failing Asylum Seekers

When Vahid Pejman, a former journalist from Afghanistan, arrived in Greece with his wife and 11-year-old daughter, he anticipated a brief stay before heading somewhere more welcoming

Congratulations, Europe, on Winning the Nobel Peace Price

The Nobel Committee recently awarded its prestigious top prize to 500 million people who have, for the last 65 years, made a conscious decision to live together in peace and harmony: the European Union

Fear and Loathing on the Streets of Athens

Police officers in body armour surround dark-skinned men on a busy street in Athens. It is a scene that has been playing out across the city since the government crackdown on illegal migration

Would a Stronger European Federation Even Help?

Seventeen economically disparate nations bound their fortunes together in creating the euro zone, and it is exactly this that has thrown the European project into crisis

European Union: Caught in the Fertility Trap

The European Union has voiced concern about low fertility as a major demographic challenge. If it stays at these low levels, the population quickly moves from growth to decline, which is already happening in Germany, despite immigration

Eurozone Jobless Rate Hits Record 12 Percent

The latest labor market report continued to show a wide disparity in the jobless rates throughout the eurozone. More than a quarter of the workforce is unemployed in both Spain and Greece, while in Germany only 5.4 percent are out of work

Why Do Societies Give Up?

Why do once-successful societies ossify and decline? Hundreds of reasons have been adduced for the fall of nations and empires. Reasons run from inflation and excessive spending to resource depletion and enemy invasion, as historians attempt to understand the sudden collapses

Tensions Between Germany and Greece Run Deep

History is not an alibi, but neither is ignorance or indifference to history, from which Germany has richly profited since 1948. Greece was less fortunate

Beyond Money

We live within an economic system that is cruel and impersonal, divorced from gratitude, empathy, compassion, love and nurturance

From Beatings to Tweets, Racism on the Rise in Greece

The ongoing economic crisis in Greece and a surge of the neo-Nazi group Golden Dawn has targeted immigrants

Greece to Undergo Review by International Auditors

International auditors are set to arrive in Greece to determine if the struggling country is eligible to receive $38 billion in aid

Greek Tragedy: Two Athletes Shipped Home from Olympics

Two Greek athletes were sent back from London after one tested positive for a banned steroid and the other made a racist remark on Twitter

Greece Carries Weight of Economic Crisis to London Olympics

Significantly reduced funds for training and equipment have diminished medal hopes for Greece

European Union Better Off as Concentric Powers, Not US Imitation

Nearly every step towards total union has revealed still more of the inherent factors of disunity in Europe and has dramatized how distant 'Europe' has become from the simple and lucid ambitions of its origins

Siena Conference Further Evidence of Stalemated Euro Zone

The European Union is at risk of being destroyed by the euro. The credit crisis has created divisions in Europe which are undermining what was supposed to be mutual confidence and solidarity

Samaras Offers Hope, But is Faced with Uncertainty

Antonis Samaras gets his technocrat-laden cabinet working on the Greek economic crisis while he handles the politics

Greece: One Weak Domino

Other countries have problems, but Greece's are an encyclopedia of bad behavior

New Coalition Government Fails to Calm Greek Worries

Conservative leader Antonis Samaras takes the helm of the new Greek government, but faces political -- and popular -- opposition

Greek Elections Yield Pro-Bailout Winner

Driven by fear of being pushed out of the eurozone, Greeks back the same parties who created their economic crisis

European Elites Can't Stop Themselves Crashing Their Own Project

Throughout the Euro crisis, the Euro elite has suffered from the same inability to imagine failure that led to August 1914. Even days before the outbreak of war, it was thought impossible because the consequences would end the system

Europe's Optional Catastrophe

If the eurozone splinters, it will have been an avoidable disaster. The choice lies with Germany, which can save the monetary union if it allows for policies aimed at debt relief and growth, not just slashing deficits

Greeks Advance to Euro 2012 Soccer Quarterfinals

Czech Republic and Greece posted crucial victories to advance to the quarterfinal stage of the European Championship 2012. The Czechs defeated Poland, 1-0 while Greece beat Russia, 1-0

Why Angela Merkel Won't Bail Out The Profligate Countries of Europe

With Germany enjoying historic lows in unemployment, why is she resisting calls to open her purse strings to help the eurozone's floundering members? It is worth examining why Germans see things differently

Greece Backtracks on Bailout Deal Changes

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras told Greece's parliament he will adhere to harsh austerity measures demanded by international lenders, in the hope that will lead to renegotiations

Greece Hopes Tourism will Rebound Amid Lingering Crisis

Greek officials and businesses are trying to lure back reluctant visitors, amid worries the 2012 tourist season is lost

Greece Alone and Broke -- Again

The recent indecisive Greek elections could be summed up by two general themes: Greeks want to stay in, and expect help from, the eurozone

Is Greece European?

It's no accident that Greece is the most economically troubled country in the EU. The fact that it is located at Europe's southeastern back door also has something to do with it. For Greece's economic and political development bear marks of a legacy not wholly in the modern West

Cyprus Gas Drilling Could be Geopolitical Accident Waiting to Happen

Energy exploration is adding a new wrinkle to the Turkish-Greek rivalry over the island of Cyprus

Greeks Pushed to the Edge by Austerity Measures

A spike in suicides is blamed on the economic crisis that could also bring down the country

Bailout of Greek Banks Good, But Not Enough

With an 18 billion-euro bailout, Greek banks are now staying afloat. But losses and political instability could easily sink the ship

Greece's Balkan Inheritance is Heavy

The Balkans are historically apart from Europe for two reasons. This has everything to do with the present crisis of Greece and the future of Greece's membership in -- or perhaps its departure from -- the European Union and its euro zone

Let Sleeping Germans Lie

All over Europe, the gospel is that tight-fisted Germans are at the root of the European Union meltdown: They worked too hard, saved too much, bought too little and borrowed not at all

Elections Could Shift European Union Away from Austerity, But Should They?

The elections in France and Greece seem widely to have been taken, at least on the European and American left, as a solution to the great European economic crisis

Greek Economic Crisis Not Slowing Corruption

Corruption is a way of life in Greece, and even the raging economic crisis cannot stop it

Call for Cyprus Reunification

Two renowned figures suggest that Greek Cyprus' presidency of the EU is an opportunity to correct nearly 40 years of history -- the reunification of Cyprus for the first time since the Turkish invasion of 1974

The Futility of European Elections

Elections in Greece and France may be further dividing the Continent

Austerity Strategy is Fatally Flawed

Economists continue inveighing against austerity strategies. But none of them seem capable of explaining in plain, simple language why imposing austerity now is utterly foolhardy -- in fact, just plain stupid

Waiting for a European Santa Claus

Voters in France and Greece proved that they're willing to cycle through governments over and over until someone fixes their predicament. They want Santa Claus, as if they were 5 years old again

Greek Voters Punish Ruling Parties for Austerity

Enraged Greek voters delivered a stinging rebuke to the two ruling parties that have dominated politics for four decades

In Greek Elections, A Campaign of Fear Prevails

Political leaders stick to their scripts amid anger over austerity, uncertainty and the rising right-wing groups

Europe After the Crisis: How to Sustain a Common Currency

Over the past two years, the eurozone members have done a remarkable job managing the short-term symptoms of the crisis, although the costs have been great. Yet the long-term challenge remains

Greek Economic Crisis Highlights Real Cost of Corruption

Bribery as a way of life in Greece has undermined the country, but attitudes may be changing

Fearing Protests, Greece Bans Citizens from Parade

Athens' Independence Day parade turned into a private event for political leaders due to worries of anti-austerity demonstrations

European Economies At Risk - Greece

Greece's economy has suffered from both the financial crisis and austerity measures meant to resolve the crisis

Enforcing Budgetary Discipline in the Eurozone

Europe's new fiscal compact treaty attempts to force regional reform without challenging sovereignty

History Never Quite Ends

For all the veneer of the 21st century, the world still looks a lot like it did during the last hundred years and well before that

Second Bailout May Not be Enough for Greece

Greeks breathe a sigh of relief now, but economists say a day of reckoning still looms

Greek Unrest the Result of Suppressed Democracy

In Greece, opinion is that once again, as in 1917, 1940 and 1947, when, as they are convinced, they were ill-used by the great Western powers, they once again are victims of Western Europe, and especially of Germany

Greece and Germany in War of Words

The old foes -- who are now EU allies -- are bickering over who is to blame for Greece's economic crisis

Greeks Eager to Repair Tarnished Reputation

Greeks around the world are undertaking public relations initiatives to re-establish their homeland's reputation, as well as to boost the morale of its people and confidence in its economy

Greece's Unlawful Immigrants in Dangerous Hands

An EU court ruling says Greece is too risky for asylum seekers to be returned, but what can the country do when so many want to come in -- and get out?

Will the Euro Survive 2012?

2012 could be the make-or-break moment for the embattled eurozone. Europe could either continue on the path of ever-greater integration - or return to being a regional group of rival states.

The Failure of the Euro

The euro should now be recognized as an experiment that failed. The political goal of creating a harmonious Europe has also failed

Cyprus Gas Discovery Raises Political Stakes

The discovery of large quantities of natural gas offshore Cyprus could give a push for ending the decades-long dispute dividing the island. But it could also end up ratcheting up tensions with Turkey

Europe's Crisis: Beyond Finance

Everyone is wondering about the next disaster to befall Europe. Italy is one focus; Spain is also a possibility. But these crises are already under way. Instead, the next crisis will be political, not in the sense of what conventional politician is going to become prime minister, but in the deeper sense of whether Europe's political elite can retain power

Banker to Head Coalition Government

Banker and academician Lucas Papademos gets the unenviable task of keeping Greece's teetering economy afloat and dealing with more protests and strikes over austerity measures.

Uncertainty Rises as Eurozone Crisis Deepens

With no end in sight for the two-year-old euro crisis, the question now is can the EU survive it while remaining united?

Balkan Minorities Work Towards Functional Multiculturalism

Minorities throughout the Balkans are banding together and drafting constitutional type documents aimed at protecting and serving their rights

Papandreou Survives Vote, Uncertain Coalition Pending

Delivering a plea to keep international aid coming -- and a blistering attack on his rivals -- Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou survived a close vote of confidence

Greece In Chaos as Papandreou Faces Confidence Vote

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou agreed to make way for a negotiated coalition government, raising hopes for a political consensus on the EU bailout and austerity measures

Greece's Youth: 'I Have No Hope'

Degrees in hand but no jobs and few prospects, many of Greece's young say they'll reluctantly abandon their near-bankrupt country and look for work and a new life in other countries. Others are just resigned

European Union Leaders Reach Deal on Greece, but Worries Remain

European Union leaders have brokered a deal to reduce Greece's debt and hopefully stem the continent's lingering debt crisis. The deal is a major move forward, but it is still only one step in restoring stability on a continent beset by economic woes

Mykonos: A Greek Island Treasure

Mykonos is the classic Greek-island stop and, along with Santorini, it's the most touristy. But being on Mykonos recently reminded me how enduringly charming the Greek islands are

Surviving a Lost Decade

Even before the financial sector and sovereign debt crisis began to destabilise Europe's banking system, European leaders were voicing fears that the Old World might be slipping towards global irrelevance

Germany's Role in Europe and the European Debt Crisis

Increasingly, the European debt crisis is ceasing to be a Greek or Italian crisis. It is a crisis in the future role Germany will play in Europe

The Double Dilemma Facing Weaker National Economies

At the heart of this particular crisis is the unpleasant fact that the common European currency project is, in its present form, simply not working

Argentina: Lessons of Default

This time exactly 10 years ago, in December 2001, Argentina was sinking under the weight of its debts and hardly anyone was watching. In Argentina, you could feel the relentless slide towards catastrophe

Stage Set For 2012 Euro Cup Finals

The stage is set for the 2012 Euro Cup following Friday's draw that saw host Poland and Ukraine getting the top draws while Spain placed in a tougher group. Poland was drawn in Group A along with Greece, Russia, and Czech Republic

Right-Wing Partner in New Greek Government Raises Eyebrows

The small right-wing LAOS party, often accused of extremism, joined Greece's ruling coalition

Is Europe Over?

What made Europe a compelling political, economic, and social alternative wedged between Anglo-American free marketeers and Soviet nomenklatura is rapidly becoming a thing of the past

Restructuring Euro Debt and Latin Lessons

Comparing past sovereign restructurings, William R. Cline, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, says that Uruguay's orderly default in 2003 offers a constructive example for Greece. The tentative Greek plan is similar to the path Uruguay

Why Does America Defend the Weak and Small?

Only the United States seems to have an affinity for protecting tiny, vulnerable countries. Israelis, anti-communist Chinese, Kurds, Greeks and Armenians have a few things in common. They have relatively small populations, aggressive neighbors, few strong allies, many expatriates and refugees in the United States, and a tragic history of persecution and genocide

Senior Banker Lucas Papademos Named New Greek Prime Minister

Senior banker Lucas Papademos was named to be the new prime minister of an interim Greek unity government that seeks to agree upon a new European debt deal and thwart national bankruptcy for the financially ailing country

EU Leaders Announce New Eurozone Rescue Deal

EU leaders announced a new plan to contain the debt crisis in the euro area, after private banks and investors agreed to write off 50% of Greek debt from their books

Euro Zone Rescue: Deja Vu All Over Again

The crisis won't be over until the underlying flaw of the euro is fixed -- namely the separation of monetary and fiscal policy. German public opinion has to realise that the euro was built on imperfect foundations and that these imperfections must be corrected. Meanwhile, the Italian president of the ECB will need all his technical and political expertise to keep the Eurozone together

Eurozone Rescue or Recession? Fallout of the October Package

It was short-term good news in that it defused 'the bomb' -- the possible catastrophe vortex of failing banks and defaulting sovereigns. The bad news is that it will induce a recession. Banks will create a credit crunch in trying to meet capital adequacy ratios, and the new austerity will create a fiscal contraction

How Europe's Crisis Could Hurt the Global Economy

While Greece is at the epicenter of the troubles right now, the economic effects of the European Union crisis could be profound and global

Civilization in Reverse

In Greek mythology, the prophetess Cassandra was doomed both to tell the truth and to be ignored. Our modern version is a bankrupt Greece that we seem to discount

Greece: Default and Exit

The dominant view has been that the Greek debt is the creation of a clientelistic political system that has historically resulted in a bloated public sector, unable to collect taxes. This is not a serious view

Greeks Unable to Pay Building Maintenance Fees

The lack of paid maintenance and heating fees in urban apartment communities is leaving some tenants out in the cold

As Greek Bloggers Assail the Government, Their Names are Wanted

A country roiling in an economic crisis, strikes, protests and riots is fertile territory for blogs, but a move is afoot to undermine them, critics say

Greek Soccer Turns Ugly

Soccer in Greece is quickly losing its fan base amid scandals and stadium violence

Papademos, New Coalition Government, Tackle Greek Crisis

The new leader must hold together a fractured political system and convince Greeks that more pay cuts and tax hikes to get loans are needed to save their country

On WWII Anniversary, Greeks Say 'No' Again

For Greeks, October 28th is a revered day -- the anniversary of a 1940 response to Mussolini's demand that Greece surrender without a fight during World War II. But this year, Greeks are standing up to their government against what they perceive as sacrificing the country's sovereignty to foreign lenders

Greek Workers and Pensioners: The Damage Is Done

Greece will write off 50% of its new debt, but workers, pensioners and the poor say it won't help them in the aftermath of pay cuts, tax hikes, slashed benefits and thousands of coming layoffs

Europe, the International System and a Generational Shift

The financial crisis had its greatest impact in Europe, where it is triggering a generational shift. Since 1991, the idea of an integrated Europe has been a driving force of the global economy. Europe also has been presented as an implicit alternative to the United States as the global center of gravity

The Perverse Side Effect of the Euro

We may be looking at the possibility of a worldwide financial meltdown

Can Europe's Divided House Stand?

Conventional wisdom has it that the eurozone cannot have a monetary union without also having a fiscal union. Euro-enthusiasts see the single currency as the first steppingstone toward a broader economic union, which is their dream. Euroskeptics do, too, but they see that endgame as hell -- and would prefer the single currency to be dismantled

Battle for the Hearts, Minds and Wallets of Greeks

As Greeks marched to protest more austerity, the government said is critical to save the country from going under

Democracy in Revolution: the Mediterranean Moment

By showing us the possibility of democracy in revolution, the Mediterranean has ignited a revolution in democracy, one that is redefining the meaning of both terms

France Teetering on Edge of Financial Precipice

France, like all of Europe, is caught in an economic tsunami, and France is teetering at the edge of the precipice. Every week, it seems, presidents and prime ministers hold urgent meetings searching for a solution, culminating with the G-20 convocation recently. Still, the problem grows only worse

Bulgaria, Romania and Greece Initiate EU strategy for Balkans

Solving A Deadly Eurozone Sovereign Debt Crisis

Greece: Strike Turns Violent as Protesters, Police Clash

Behind Europe's Debt Crisis Lurks Another Wall Street Bailout

Better Ways Forward for the European Union

Greece: 48-Hour Greek General Strike

Assessing the Damage of the European Banking Crisis

A Win-Win Strategy for Investors in Greece

Greek Anger and Greece's Survival

Amid Strikes, Greek Workers are Hurting

Without Textbooks Greek School Year Starts in Confusion

European Crisis: Precise Solutions in an Imprecise Reality