ArisPetasis

A leader can make a ‘good’ decision ‘under the circumstances’ that meets basic criteria – criteria usually set by that leader and often contaminated by greed and power hunger. Political decisions, in particular, are often made to appear rational, and even ethical, but are in fact redolent with propaganda and falsehoods. Typically, such decisions fail because of weak rationality and poor ethics. The author asks: “What is rational or ethical about a decision to attack another country, steal its assets and control its government?”

The book uses the paradigm of the Vietnam War to demonstrate the inability of even the smartest people to make rational decisions, particularly when their deliberations are devoid of virtue. The ‘best and the brightest’ in American politics and strategy advised several US presidents to continue to prosecute the Vietnam War, which lasted for 20 years and was fought thousands of kilometres away from America, a safe homeland protected by two oceans. Their advice rested on biased and ‘imaginative’ scientific analyses, meaningless numbers and designer statistics using made-to-measure scientific models. Ultimately, America was humiliated and about 3 million people lay dead.

At the outset, the decision-makers had failed to ask the question: “Is it right and legitimate for us to use chemical weapons, napalm bombs and 350,000 American troops to kill millions of people in order to force Vietnam to adopt a political system that is to our liking?” Had this moral question been integral to the decisions made by America’s leaders, this calamitous and irrational war would have been prevented and humanity would have been spared a great agony.

Aris Petasis examines rationality and virtuosity in decision-making, concluding that both attributes must be considered if a decision is to be credible. He argues that passions, particularly greed and perverted ambition, tempt leaders into making wrong decisions. His rich professional background and scholarly approach enable him to offer thought-provoking observations on decision-making and a set of guidelines to help leaders make more rational and ethical decisions, be they CEOs, rulers, generals or international strategy pacesetters.

Israeli Jews

Israel is in no short-term danger considering the power of its security structures […] and the support of the U.S. [However,] there is no evidence to date that the people of the countries surrounding Israel are ready to accept Israel as a neighbour with whom they can live in peace.

Greeks of Cyprus

In all probability Cyprus will continue to suffer the Turkish headlock [of] occupation and population replacement.

Lebanese Christians

The future of the Lebanese Christians is strongly intertwined with that of the future of the Lebanese State and to the degree Lebanon manages to deal with its million problems that never seem to go away.

Egyptian Copts

Much will depend on the nature and determination of future Egyptian governments to maintain stability and provide security and their willingness to provide Copts with confidence for their future.

Azeri Armenians

In the short term the uncertainty that surrounds the future of Azeri Armenians is likely to continue and even increase, considering that the powers waged against them are much stronger than the state of Armenia that is their protector.

Kurds

‘Kurds have no friends but the mountains.’ This old Kurdish proverb tells the full story of Kurdish abandonment and fake promises.

Palestinians

The plight of the Palestinians has been a terribly sad story and an uncomplimentary episode for the leadership of the world community.

Greece

[…] Greece chose the road that led her to Anglo-American dependency that curtailed her freedom to act independently. […] Greece needs the permission of outside powers before she can take [major] decisions on foreign policy, defence and the economy.

Turkey

For the last 70 years Turkey has been the prized military partner of the U.S.

Through a series of illuminating essays exploring the subject of leadership, this unique non-fiction book offers an interesting insight into what it takes to be an effective or failed leader, using real-life people and situations. Drawing on a wealth of experience, the author identifies the behaviours that effective leaders have in common and the character flaws that those in positions of leadership need to conquer.

Does greed singularly prevent someone from exercising overall good leadership, or is greed just one of a multitude of leadership parameters? This book will make you question your own perspective on leadership and on leaders’ triumphs and failures.

Petasis is a strategy consultant who has worked with a number of multinational organisations in a multitude of countries. His professional experience and scholarly approach allow him to make thought-provoking observations on the strengths and weaknesses of the bosses, rulers, generals and pacesetters of the modern world.

Lebanon is also in the midst of an open conflict with Israel in the south. Israel is faced with daily security issues, the Sinai Peninsula is no longer safe, and the rule of international law is being increasingly violated. The arrival in the region of a new powerful world player, Russia, and of an indomitable regional player, Iran, has further upset the balance in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The economies of the region are also confronted with serious problems. Greece and Cyprus are under Troika supervision, even if Cyprus’s programme is, in theory, ending soon. The Egyptian economy is failing to meet its potential, with its per capita GDP stuck at the bottom of the international rung. Even the Turkish economy is showing signs of fatigue, with the value of the Turkish lira against the dollar taking a nosedive and the Russian embargo beginning to bite. Israel is doing better than its neighbours, but continues to carry a heavy defence burden.

If properly handled, energy can help unite the countries in the region and turn the Eastern Mediterranean into a peaceful and harmonious network. There are, however, two main obstacles that must be overcome: the Palestinian problem and the occupation by Turkey of 37% of Cyprus’s territory. Syria would also need to take the path to peace, free of terrorism and violence. Working together on energy resources would help the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean see their neighbours as natural allies rather than as antagonists and proxies of some foreign power.

The book proposes the creation of a High Energy Authority that would enable all countries in the region to exploit their energy reserves together, creating economic advantage and reducing conflict and hegemonic dependence.