No. 106

WASHINGTON, DC - The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) welcomes a December 8, 2023, blog published by The National Interest that recognizes the importance of NSA Souda Bay in Crete as U.S. military resources are redirected toward the Middle East in the aftermath of Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel.

“We believe it is important to share articles such as this one from The National Interest that are spot-on in their analyses regarding Greece’s contributions to U.S. security interest and military readiness in the region,” AHI President Nick Larigakis said. “AHI has made We encourage our audience to share it as a resource when discussing developments with policymakers and their staffs or with colleagues, family and friends in the community.”

“With the rise in jihadist violence in the Middle East and Africa, this base has served as a critical anchor for the United States and its NATO allies,” Author Ethan Shapiro writes, adding, “Some 2,200 U.S. Marines have also recently arrived in Greece, demonstrating the American commitment to using a “forward presence” to deter Hamas supporters from engaging in the developing conflict in the Middle East.”

Shapiro adds, “In these dangerous times, the importance of military readiness could literally prove to be a matter of life and death. Without the help of allies like Greece, Israel might be facing an existential threat from its neighbors. Instead, thanks in part to Souda Bay, it is difficult to imagine how the United States could be better positioned to respond to the impending threat of regional instability in the Middle East.”

 Read: How American Naval Power Enhances Its Diplomacy

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The American Hellenic Institute is an independent non-profit Greek American public policy center and think tank that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community.

For additional information, please contact us at (561) 529-0306 or [email protected]. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our website at http://www.ahiworld.org.