From Athens to Jerusalem: Why Israel should heed the warnings of ancient Greek history - analysis

On October 7, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke in Athens about the importance of ancient Greek history for modern Israel. Rubio highlighted the values that underpinned ancient Greek civilization and the heritage that has come down to us through Western history. He emphasized that Zionism, the modern form of Jewish nationalism, is rooted in the Jewish people's connection to the land of Israel and has evolved alongside the formation of European nation-states.

Rubio praised Greece as a model ally of the US, emphasizing that strong countries don't allow open borders and invest in defense and manufacturing. These values, he argued, resonate with modern Israel. The comparison between ancient Greece and contemporary Israel suggests that the latter should also embody strength and strategic thinking in the face of powerful adversaries.

The article draws parallels between the Spartans and Israel, suggesting that Israel should not become overly focused on war but rather embody the strategic caution and resilience of Sparta. It also draws a comparison to ancient Greece, which faced powerful enemies like the Persian Empire. Despite being a much smaller state than Iran, Greece managed to defeat the Persians through strategic decisions and resourcefulness.

The main takeaway from this analysis is that Israel should learn from the ancient Greeks' experience of facing formidable enemies and the importance of strategic thinking. While Iran is significantly larger and more powerful than Israel, Israel should not underestimate its ability to defend itself and maintain strength by avoiding overextension and focusing on defense and manufacturing.

The article concludes by emphasizing the need for Israel to balance its military actions with long-term strategic planning, lest it too becomes weakened by prolonged conflicts.