US Secretary of State Rubio applies classical Greece’s lessons to modern political decisions

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a speech in Athens, Greece, on the third anniversary of October 7, 2023, using classical Greek history to frame the Trump administration's foreign policy doctrine. He urged the West to renew its spirit, increase defense spending, and confront adversaries, contrasting ancient Greek 'thumos' with modern Western decay.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a major policy speech in Athens, Greece, on October 7, 2026, the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023 attacks. Speaking against the backdrop of the Parthenon on the Acropolis, Rubio framed the Trump administration's foreign policy doctrine through the lens of classical Greek civilization. He argued that the West has decayed, becoming obsessed with safety and ashamed of nationalism, and must rekindle its 'thumos' (spiritedness) to confront adversaries. Rubio urged Europe to increase defense spending and follow Greece's example, praising Athens as a model ally. He highlighted Greece's Achilles Shield defense initiative and its recent air defense deal with Israel. Rubio outlined the Trump doctrine of rebuilding national power, the defense industrial base, and mastering new technologies like chips, cyber, drones, and space exploration. He criticized the 'radical mullahs of Iran' and called for a willingness to use military force. The speech was aimed primarily at a Western European audience, urging the continent to awaken from its slumber. The article frames the speech as a key articulation of the Trump administration's underlying ideology, comparing it to historic speeches by John F. Kennedy and Adlai Stevenson.