Caution ahead

The Greek government is hoping that it will be able to negotiate a deal with its international creditors by exchanging a softer approach to the pending bailout review for the responsibility of managing the refugee and migrant crisis that is threatening to split Europe.

Such a strategy requires a great deal of care.

There is, indeed, some leeway that could be granted to the government to help it get out the tight spot it is in right now. The effects of this, however, could be huge and extremely dangerous. From the tourism season which is about to start and for which omens are already mixed, to the likelihood of a new migration route appearing via the Ionian islands, the rise of extremist nationalism and the sensitive issues that determine Greek-Turkish relations, there are a lot of potential traps into which such a policy could fall unless extreme caution is exercised.