"The 'Silk Road' plan is expected to change the world political and economic landscape through development of countries along the routes, most of which are eager for fresh growth," Xinhua wrote. Beijing hopes that annual trade volume between China and "Belt and Road" countries will "surpass 2.5 trillion U.S. dollars in a decade or so," -  Chinese President Xi Jinping

Today Greece is a tiny microcosm of much of Southern and Eastern Europe. All have too much government debt owed to distant mega banks, massive underemployment, weak energy starved economies and rule by distant, unelected, EU bureaucrats. These problems are combined with minimal prospects for new sources of government funding and private investment.

The solution is not to be found with the failing EU but rather looking east toward energy rich Russia and wealthy China ready to do business with Europe. The new China Silk Road Eurasian land bridge with highway, pipeline, rail and infrastructure development that will bring together China, Central Asia, Russia and Europe may well be the singular investment opportunity of the 21st century.  

This project like the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) created by China and joined by most of Europe is an attractive funding alternative to the Washington dominated IMF and World Bank.  Just as Europe broke ranks with the US on the AIIB, they will also look east and away from the US leadership for the peaceful economic benefits of Silk Road.

The bottom line is Washington's "help" usually means military intervention and overthrow of governments in nations ranging from Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, Libya and now the Ukraine and all have been massive failures for the citizens of these countries bringing only war and destruction to advance American hegemony. Contrast this destruction to the economic, funding and trade benefits of the Silk Road land route running from China and Asia all across Russia to Europe through Moscow and crossing into Europe in historic Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Europe will turn east because they need to grow their economies with secure and cheap energy, investment funding, and exports to Asia rather than end up an economic basket case like Greece.  The same goes for military confrontation with Russia as advocated by American neocons that prefer to start wars for others to fight.

The Greek Catastrophe Continues With No End In Sight

This is simply a horrific object lesson for other nations that might allow voters to decide their future in or out of the EU.  The EU hates voter choice and referendums because historically it has not fared well when membership is open to public debate and vote. They prefer the easier alternative of simply buying off politicians, elected officials and "cooking the books" to guarantee eligibility and new EU nations.