by Lieutenant General (Ret.) K. H. Konstantinidis
A Friend of the Greeks in Congress
We welcomed Mr. Rubio’s visit to our country because, in addition to seeing him as U.S. Secretary of State, we also regard him as a Senator who has consistently supported Greek positions in the U.S. Congress.
In short, he is a representative of our Greek-American community in Congress, and particularly of the Greeks of Florida.
The Official Agenda of the Visit
Much has been said about the purpose of Rubio’s visit to our country, and there is no need for me to repeat it.
These are the issues concerning the sixth round of the Greek-American Defense Agreement, which covers matters of geopolitics, security, energy, defense, the economy, culture, and more.
I will try, with a fair amount of imagination, to address also those things that are not said but are implied, although these may perhaps be the most important of all.
The World at a Critical Crossroads
Our world is at a critical and unprecedented crossroads and is, by necessity, compelled to change course in order to survive in a friendly environment on Earth, while also making available to the many the new intellectual superweapon it has invented: Artificial Intelligence.
Until now, money and technology were in the forefront, with technology evolving rapidly because it functioned as a multiplier of wealth in the world.
But this course has reached an impasse because:
- Democracy has been corrupted.
- Dialogue has turned into monologue.
- The many have been replaced by the few and by the mass media.
- Money has been taken away from the many and concentrated in the hands of a few powerful individuals.
- Political parties and representatives of the people have become corrupted.
- Humanism has evolved into barbarism.
- Money has been glorified, while the spirit has been degraded.
- Greek values have been forgotten, and so on.
The Seven Warnings
And the following words attributed to Mahatma Gandhi remain valid:
- Wealth without work.
- Pleasure without conscience.
- Commerce without morality.
- Knowledge without character.
- Science without humanity.
- Worship without sacrifice.
- Politics without principle.
The West Facing a New Era
The West has lost its lead over China and must regain its footing on a new foundation: Democracy, Freedom, Justice, Cooperation, and Mutual Trust.
And the source from which the West can renew these values is, and remains, the Greek spirit and Greek cultural values.
This, after all, is the West’s advantage over the authoritarian East: a united and revitalized West.
Money and the Spirit
Until now, money and the markets believed themselves to be all-powerful, while the spirit had been pushed to the margins.
Israel was immensely powerful and could stand on its own.
Now everything is changing at once.
The West cannot be saved by money alone—especially borrowed money.
A divided Western world is weak and vulnerable.
Israel cannot stand in a hostile world without the Greek alliance.
The Pnyx and Greece’s Message
In my view, all of this is summed up in Mr. Rubio’s mind as an opportunity that will draw strength from the Pnyx.
Moreover, if he has in mind seeking the Republican nomination for the upcoming presidential elections, the messages of the Pnyx could give him the moral initiative over his opponent, particularly if he incorporates them into his agenda in order to put into practice:
- Better Democracy.
- More freedom — less lawlessness.
- Fewer wars without cause.
- More education.
- A better environment.
- Global cooperation.
- The unification of the Western world.
- Arms control and control of Artificial Intelligence.
A Personal Assessment
All of this may be true, or I may simply be mistaken in my assessment.
In any case, however, Mr. Rubio will leave Greece renewed and stronger.
And, above all, he will remain a good friend of the Greeks.
(7/10/26)
Lieutenant General (Ret.) Konstantinos Konstantinidis
Author – Member of the Society of Greek Writers
Amphiktyon Blog: amphiktyon.blogspot.com
Amphiktyon Official Site: amphiktyon.org