Rubio's Western civilisation speech draws criticism from Iran

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 11:30 · Archive

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has faced criticism from Iran after invoking ancient Greece and Rome in a speech arguing the West must rediscover values of power and expansion.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a major speech in Athens on 7 October, speaking with the Acropolis illuminated behind him. He argued that modern Western countries, including the United States and Europe, have weakened their industries and militaries and must renew their ambition and power. Rubio referenced the ancient Greco-Persian Wars, citing the Persian destruction of Athens in 480 BC under King Xerxes I as an example of Western civilisation surviving external threats. He claimed 'the threats we face today are every bit as real as they were on the dramatic stage of antiquity'.

Rubio directed sharp rhetoric at Iran's current leaders, calling them 'fanatics' who run a 'death cult'. His speech came as the US and Iran remain in conflict following strikes launched on 28 February, with the US maintaining a naval blockade on Iran and shipping disrupted through the Strait of Hormuz.

Tehran responded with coldness or disdain across the Iranian political spectrum. The Guardian reports that Rubio's speech suggested Europe must rediscover values of exploration and conquest that once drove centuries of expansion, or face decline. The outlet characterises the speech as rooted in nostalgia for Western civilisation rather than defending democracy as the ancient Athenians did.

How it is being reported

• Marco Rubio is promoting troubling ideas about ‘Western civilization’ | Ted WidmerIn a recent visit to Greece, the secretary of state suggested that Europe must rediscover the values of conquest and expansion They had obviously worked hard on the backdrop – and it was magnificent. On 7 October, the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio , delivered a major speech in Athens, outdoors, with the Acropolis behind him. The sun was setting, bathing the ancient scene, including the Parthenon, in the light of the golden hour. The golden hour, but yet not quite the golden age. This was not Pericles defending democracy. Instead, Rubio offered a haunting vision of the choices facing the…The Guardian · 12 Oct, 11:00
• ‘Anachronism’: Rubio’s civilisational rhetoric prompts pushback from IranRubio says threats to Western civilisation today 'every bit as real as they were on the dramatic stage of antiquity'.Al Jazeera · 10 Oct, 14:09

In this story: Marco Rubio · Iran · United States · Athens · Donald Trump · King Xerxes I

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem