Mark Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, in his speech on October 7, 2026, in Athens, examined the history of ancient Greece and its connection to contemporary Western identity. He sought to link America's civilizational identity to the legacy of ancient Greece through historical narrative and justify the policies of the Trump administration.
An Effort to Redefine Western Identity
In this speech, Rubio referenced the Athenians' resistance against Xerxes' army, attempting to present an image of the confrontation between defenders of civilization and invaders. He spoke about the philosophical and political legacy of Greece and its connection to Christianity and the formation of European civilization, ultimately introducing America as the heir to this civilizational tradition. This historical reinterpretation serves not only as praise for ancient Greece but also as a tool for defining contemporary Western identity.
Ancient History and Political Identity Formation
Rubio emphasized in his speech that ancient history can be used as a tool for political identity formation. Without mentioning the early Greek attacks on Iran, he focused solely on the confrontation between the Athenians and Xerxes' army, thus presenting an image of the clash between civilizations to the audience. This approach, while America's political existence is about 250 years old, gives this country a self-constructed and non-rooted identity.
Rubio further analyzed the characteristics of Western civilization and expressed his criticisms of the current state of the West. He pointed out that today, rather than focusing on the flourishing of the capabilities of the best individuals, we are concerned with providing comfort for the weakest. This perspective is somewhat related to criticism of contemporary social and economic approaches in the West.
Future Strategies and Existing Challenges
The U.S. Secretary of State also highlighted the necessity of returning to nationalism and maintaining the West's position at the top of the world. He addressed the question of whether the West can maintain its position or will it head towards decline and deterioration. In this regard, he emphasized existing alliances and the necessity of mutual cooperation among Western countries, urging Europe to align with this approach.
Rubio's remarks in Athens have somewhat transformed into a political and strategic plan for the future of America and its allies. This approach, alongside criticisms of contemporary history and Western colonial behaviors, presents a complex image of current U.S. policies.
On the other hand, this speech also emphasizes that the notion of Western civilization without considering the history of colonialism and exploitation of other nations is incomplete. While Rubio speaks of peace, he must also pay attention to the negative impacts of U.S. policies in other countries, especially in Iran.
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