Athena's Spear and the Business of War

 Athena's Spear and the Business of War

We are three weeks into the New Year 2026. This is my first web-log posting of the New Year. The United States has recently taken the Venezuelan President Maduro into U.S. custody, tariffs and trade wars dominate the international headlines, Ukraine and Russia are in the third year of its border and territorial dispute, the Israelis and the international community is trying to deal with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Virginia’s first female governor took office in Richmond this past weekend, and the World Economic Forum has its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland this week.

Firstly, I would like to start this web-log post by stating only blood-thirsty tyrants lust after war. War is an instance of chaos overtaking order and rationality. War is a lot of people dying and everyone is thrust into extreme hardship. It is often said the first casualty of war is Truth and war never really solves any problems, but only sows the seeds for future armed military conflict.

Nevertheless, philosophers, theologians, businesses, politicians and government leaders, and everyone else has had to contend and contemplate both the possibilities and actualities of war with armed military conflict. Personal Computers and the Internet, technologies born during the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, have added a new dimension to warfare, military strategy, and military training and education.

The Ancient Greek Goddess Athena represents divine knowledge and wisdom, military strategy, and is the virgin protector of the polis or city-state. I propose the object of today's military conflict should be to destroy and control the economy and factors of production of the enemy state. Instead of replacing the Head of State or killing many of the citizenry with weapons of mass destruction, to actually "win" a war, in the modern sense, is to control its ability to sustain and support any armed military resistance, namely its economy. Victory is having the enemy's economy subject to your will.

Anthropologists tell us that around 11,000 b.c. the Natufians were the first farmers with the first semi-permanent settlements in the prehistoric Levant, in what is today Israel and Palestine. By around 8,000 b.c. all vestiges of the hunter-gatherer nomadic tribal or clan social structures were gone. Permanent farming settlements and large towns began to develop the social institutions and economies we typically recognize and associate with civilization. At around 4,000 b.c. large-scale farming and agriculture gave rise to the first city-states and professional armies. The first professional armies' primary duty was to protect the harvest and livestock from invading neighbors. Eventually, a social class developed within the city-state Plato referred to as the Auxiliary Class in The Republic who's only occupation is to defend the city and maintain social order.

Armageddon has played an important part in the Apocalypse Prophecies. Armageddon in the book of Revelation in the New Testament Bible, is the Greek name for the Ancient City of Megiddo. In Ancient times, Megiddo was positioned in northern Israel on the Western edge of the Jezreel Valley, at the crossroads of many ancient trade routes. The Via Maris, or Way of Horus, and the King's Highway were trade routes connecting all the largest empires of the ancient world. Whoever controlled Megiddo could collect taxes or tolls on most trade on the Ancient Near-East from traders traveling on those roads. It was an important part of the Christian Crusades during the Middle Ages. Consequently, some historians argue the ancient city of Megiddo is the single most fought over plot of land and real estate in recorded human history. 

Today, the international community is embroiled in tariff and trade wars. The high debt-level of many of the Western Country Capitols only adds fuel to the problem of trade wars. Here in the United States, I believe the U.S. Congress should have the first and final say on any matters relating to the funding of government activities, tariffs and trade negotiations, and any use of actual military force. The President and Judicial Branch have very limited powers in these regards. Technically speaking, the U.S. Congress or Legislative Branch can appoint or dismiss individuals, agencies, or councils, as necessary, to deal and contend in emergency matters were time is a real constraint. If the matter-at-hand persists for more than 12 months, then by definition, it is not an emergency but a new reality, and should be decided by the Elected Representatives of the Congress.

An online degree in Military Science, Military History, or Military Leadership is a reality today that was not available 20 years ago. It is now possible to learn and know what all the top military commanders know from the comfort of your own home. Furthermore, an online degree in Military Science is a small fraction of the cost of the traditional Military Academy, making mobility within the top-ranks of the military fully accessible to everyone. While I actively promote online degrees in Military Science and military service of various kinds, I am strongly against the military draft and women serving in any military combat roles.

To conclude, springing from the head of Zeus, the goddess Athena represents divine knowledge and wisdom, particularly as it relates to military strategy and warfare. Athena’s Spear and the business of war should be to destroy and conquer the economy and factors of production of the enemy to prevent them from any real resistance. Online degree programs in Military Science are a new reality providing access to the top ranks of military leadership.