America at 250: The journey from Europe to Zion

Gol Kalev’s new series explores strategic shifts and evolving opposition to America:

America at 250: From Europe to Zion (JNS, July 26, 2026)

America at 250: Anti-Zionism as a proxy for anti-Americanism (JNS, July 27, 2026)

Next article: July 28, 2026

Gol Kalev’s interview with Washington Times editor Cheryl Chumley. Full interview

America at 250: From obligations to Europe to reciprocity

In his new book, Gol shows how the US shift away from legacy obligations to Europe, towards an America First posture based on “model allies”, can lead to long-term peace:

Book Excerpt – From Survival to Peace

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Indeed, in the Iran war, we saw a subtle shift in America’s strategic position—from being Europe-facing through NATO, the “special relationship” with Britain and legacy obligations to a tight partnership with Israel.

It is a shift from an American strategy based on 400-year-old historical ties that date back to the physical origins of the population of the United States, to one that is based on a 4,000-year-old, deeply rooted bond that dates back to the ideological essence of America, “One nation under God.”

As described [in the book], Americanism and Zionism are sister ideologies grounded in faith, conviction, particularity and nationalism. The U.S. Department of War’s 2026 national security strategy referred to Israel as a “model ally.” This was showcased during the 2026 Iran war.

Unlike the case with Europe—saved by America at least twice in the previous century at the heavy price of more than 500,000 U.S. dead soldiers, and, then too, forgot to say thank you—the alliance with Israel is a two-way street, characterized by an enormous amount of gratitude that Israelis have to America and to Trump.

As discussed in the book, we are in the second phase of the American Revolution. We are also in the second phase of the Zionist Revolution, launched in 1895 by Theodor Herzl, who had a dreamy vision to ”Make Jews Great Again” after 2,000 years of European suppression.

Both revolutions were not just about a physical migration, but also about an ideological exodus from Europe and its debilitating dogmas. Herzl posited that once emancipated from Europe, the Jewish state would advance humanity in unimaginable ways. As described in this book, Israel is not yet fully emancipated.

Yet, there is hope: This era of monumental changes could also enable Europe to change course and halt its age-old assault on Judaism, which started some 2,300 years ago with its invasion of Judea and destruction of the Temple, and continues today with its tailing Israel in the midst of this miracle-filled war.

Indeed, the coming years do not just present a unique opportunity for the Jewish nation to turn from a posture of survival to one of peace, but also an opportunity for Europeans to follow the lead of Arab nations and, rather than obsessively oppose the crisp light emanating from Zion, benefit from it!

As Theodor Herzl famously proclaimed: “If you will it, it is no dream.”

Additional excerpt: Glossary

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