Sorting out Greece and the Taliban

This week, we look at media comment on Greece’s debt crisis, as well as on US commander General Stanley McChrystal’s plans to win the battle against the Taliban in Marjah in Afghanistan.

The EU's Rubicon

The EU promise to rescue Greece from its debt crisis could mean it crosses a “political Rubicon”, writes the Financial Times.

... If it organises a rescue of Greece, the EU will cross a political Rubicon, heading towards a more complete union. But even for advocates of a closer integration of Europe, this is a mistake. … If Europe, or just the Eurozone, is to become more deeply joined, it should be a deliberate and honest process, not an accidental and covert one.

Germany to the rescue

Germany’s reluctance to bail out Greece is “self-defeating”, writes The Times.

… The German Government is being pressed to help Greece out of its financial difficulties, in the name of a wider European interest. But Angela Merkel, Germany’s Chancellor, objects to the notion of a bailout. … The principle of a bailout needs to be faced. Greece’s debt is held by European banks. If Greece defaulted, it might spark another banking crisis and plunge Europe into recession again. ...

Just add water

US commander General Stanley McChrystal’s claim that the Taliban can be kept out of newly liberated areas of Afghanistan by installing a “ready to go” administration is questionable, writes The Guardian.

… Among the many nonsenses uttered about the long-heralded offensive against the walled town of Marjah in Helmand [on Sunday, 14 February] was the claim by the US commander, General Stanley McChrystal, that he had an Afghan administration that would be brought to life in the newly liberated areas "in a box, ready to roll in". From the army that gave us meals ready to eat, comes a new product. It is called governments ready to govern. All you do is add water. If such a thing did exist, it has got unlimited potential in a global market of failed states. …