In his speech last week in front of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, Marco Rubio called for a revitalization of the West, which he described as standing at a historic “inflection point.”
As the sun set behind him, the secretary of state argued that Ancient Greek traits — “fierce individuality and relentless ambition,” passion, courage, and pride, or what is known as thumos, risk-taking and the pursuit of excellence, among others — are quintessentially Western values that underpin all great civilizations, including America’s. He criticized Western self-doubt and passivity, urged Europe to “awaken from its long slumber and rekindle the fire” lit in Athens, and said the United States is now dedicated to the “unapologetic pursuit of national power” as it seeks to shore up critical supply chains, “rebuild the military,” and “fight for dominance of the technologies and industries of the future.” (RELATED: The Great Game: Trump Admin Quietly Shifts Focus On Mineral-Rich Region To Counter Chinese Influence)
Rubio also acknowledged, in a single sentence, a truth about America that many modern leaders simply cannot stomach or dance around using political euphemisms.