Well put. Athens and FoB made a terrible choice in 'raiding' Ni. They've recognized this poor choice and have taken steps to remedy their behavior patterns. NPO/Heg were finally held militarily accountable for their actions after years of the same behavior and dozens of alliances reduced to tech farming shadows of themselves under viceroys. The actions of Athens are frighteningly similar to some of the deplorable actions of the NPO/Heg era, but they way they have handled themselves after the incident has clearly separated them from that crowd.
Anyone who is genuinely surprised by MK and C&G's response to this incident clearly doesn't understand either group. Treaties are signed for the bad times, not for the good times.