The era of asymmetric threats

Kyriakos Mitsotakis would never have expected to star in a Greek edition of the perfect storm. Yet fate and events have put the Greek prime minister in charge of the country at a very crucial moment. He has shown determination in dealing with the migration/refugee issue, which has also bolstered his political image. The public was craving for a strong leader - a notion that was largely eclipsed by a sense of humiliation over the past 10 years.

A "perfect storm" is exactly that because it combines many unpredictable threats all at the same time. Difficulties tend to bring out the best in Greeks: "philotimo," patriotism, generosity and even a sense of community that is rarely seen under normal circumstances.

This has been evident from developments at the Evros border, and this is also the chord that the prime minister is trying to strike with the population. However,...