In a move which (from reading most international press lately) seems to be quite the unusual and unexpected one, the Greek Government has responded to the latest outbreak of neo-fascist violence (in particular, the murder of activist musician Pavlos Fyssos) in their country by taking actions which had not been expected (AFAICT): by arresting leaders of the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn Party, including several Greek MPs.
It's still quite premature to try to figure out what is, or may be, happening in Greece, and how this latest crackdown may eventually play out - especially as it is happening amid one of the worst economic crises to hit a European nation since the 1930s - but it is certainly unsettling news.
On the one hand, it is not particularly heartening to read news accounts that point out, as the NYT reminds us:
It is the first time that the leader of a political party and members of Parliament have been arrested in Greece since the fall of a military junta in 1974.
On the other, it's extraordinarily hard to have much sympathy for a
violently reactionary political movement that is virtually a clone of the worst of 1930s fascism. Complete with appeals to street violence to advance their extremist ultra-nationalist aims.
How this will ultimately play out remains to be seen...
3:47 PM PT: update