Athens' decision to hold a referendum on austerity July 5 and the creditors' strategy of delaying the continuation of negotiations until after the vote have only exacerbated the Greek crisis. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras suggested he could resign if people vote in favor of the current agreement, but a vote against the deal could also bring about the collapse of the government and seriously damage the Greek banking sector. Regardless of the outcome of the vote, a Grexit remains possible and could have serious geopolitical consequences because of Greece's position in the Eastern Mediterranean. Should Greece leave the common currency, both the European Union and the United States will make substantial efforts to keep Athens in the European Union and NATO. The Greek government and its creditors are playing a dangerous game.