I suppose it would be criminal of the ECB to take a counter-stake and then announce a debt guarantee.

A word here and there to European banks in need of a shot of vitamins combined with an appropriately sized counter-stake taken on the quiet, then, when enough have their positions in place, announce the guarantee. Also, can one buy puts on a CDS?

doesn't Goldman's position and media campaign meet the definition of economic warfare?

Call it economic terrorism. Warfare, properly, is between sovereign entities. It could also be called piracy, but I think several nations have new, rather draconian laws on terrorism.

As the Dutch said while fighting the Spanish: "It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."