Spain and China are cosying up - to the anger of many in the EU

Greece also feels threatened by a far bigger, immediate neighbour. It perceives Turkey as a "constant and significant danger to its national security and sovereignty", Nick Malkoutzis, co-founder of political analysis website MacroPolis, tells me.In the past, the US mediated disputes between the two countries. Both are members of Nato. But under Donald Trump, Nato insiders say the US is increasingly perceived as missing in action politically and diplomatically, with Washington's focus very much elsewhere.In late August, Greece and Israel signed one of the largest defence export deals in both countries' histories. The "Achilles Shield" agreement provides Athens with Israeli technology aimed at protecting Greece against a range of threats, including drones, aircraft and missiles.There is a history of public sympathy with the Palestinian cause in Greece and many people have been sceptical about ever closer relations with Israel. But Malkoutsis says the public and political reaction to the "mega-deal" with Israel has been "more muted than might have been expected".He says this is because there is a bottom line - a common understanding of the fundamental need for Greece to strengthen it...