Greece and China - Mind the gap!

There is an interesting article in the New York Times discussing the use of Greece's political power by China. What was being explained did seem to have some parallels with our current spate of radicalised young people.

It seems that whether it is an individual or a whole country feelings of resentment arise when the gap between rich and poor widens. That gap can foster inappropriate relationships. 

Greece is a poor, struggling country and China can offer economic support. What does China get in return? Political influence in Europe. China is wooing Greece, and very successfully. Anyone who has read Niall Ferguson's take on the economic and political power of the US and China will be a tad bothered by this. 

The balance of power will change as China moves further into Europe.
Today I also read in the Sydney Morning Herald that China is moving it's investment out of Australia. This is another example of how fragile our economies are, how global capitalism places the security of nations in the hands of just a few players. Australia was already feeling a little wobbly, with debt above prudent levels and so this could push it into a dire economic position.

It may be that isolated physical terror attacks by alleged religious fanatics are mere diversions, and less to be feared than the political and economic attack from the east.
The main concern with all of this is that we, as individuals are powerless. There is nothing we can do to influence the actions of the global capitalism players, but the effects of changes will affect us all.
Just as the GFC did.