In the military-political history of all
nations, a triangular relationship constantly appears: the simultaneous
invasion of a country by two conquerors, who are both simultaneously enemies with
each other. The same triangle appears when we have an invasion of a country by
a conqueror, while another conqueror is already in that country.
In Hellenic history we have many such examples.
Invasions of Hellas by Ottoman and Frankish conquerors, while they were
enemies with each other. Here the triangle is
"Hellenes-Ottomans-Franks". Invasions of Hellas by
Byzantine and Arab conquerors, while they were enemies with each other. Here
the triangle is "Hellenes-Arabs-Byzantines". Invasions of Hellas by
the Byzantines and Visigoths of Alaric, who were simultaneously enemies with
one another. Here the triangle is "Hellenes-Visigoths-Byzantines".
We call this engagement
the classical triangular relationship. It constantly appears in the form of a
dilemma to all peoples; and the one having the dilemma of choosing an ally,
might be in the position of the subjugated, or in the position of the sovereign
(i.e. at the time of the invasion, the people are not subjugated but free), or
in the position of one of the conquerors.
For example, the English
during the Second World War addressed the conquered peoples and asked them for
an alliance against the Germans. Here the dilemma is the conqueror's (=the
English), who is looking for allies against another conqueror (=the Germans).
The dilemma that the English conqueror was faced with, was whether the
conquered peoples would ally with him, or whether they would ally with the
German conqueror in exchange for their freedom. The English promised
independence to the conquered peoples after a victorious end to the war. The
Germans promised immediate freedom from the English colonial rule.
The Indians, as a
conquered people, had the dilemma of who to ally with. They ultimately chose to
participate in the war on the side of the English conquerors against the
Germans. The Poles faced the dilemma of a Nazi or communist invasion.
Ultimately, the Nazis and communists relieved the Poles of their dilemma, after
they came to an understanding and dismembered Poland.
