Western civilisation at risk of 'atrophy, servitude and decline', Rubio says

Western civilisation faces risk of 'atrophy, servitude and decline', Rubio says

Standing in front of the Acropolis in Athens, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio traced a line from ancient Greek history to the rise of American industry in a speech on Wednesday that cast western civilisation as threatened by decline.

Rubio said the world was at an "inflection point". Countries, especially in Europe, should return to ancient Greek values and "rebuild our institutions and our alliances to face these threats together".

"We believe that Europe can awaken from its long slumber and rekindle the fire that was here millennia ago," he said.

Although he spoke about cooperation, Rubio also said "nations need not abandon their distinct identities in order to recognise their common interests".

Rubio, who is often cited as a possible presidential candidate in 2028, referred to what he sees as dangers in the world, including "radical mullahs" in Iran and suicide bombers.

But much of his remarks centred on a wider threat, with him describing the present moment as a crossroads.

"The course we take will determine whether the West maintains its place at the head of the world, or resigns itself to a future of atrophy, and servitude, and decline," he said. "The next decade will write the story of the next century."

Rubio urged a return to the "classical understanding of politics and statecraft that the Trump administration hopes to reclaim - reclaim not just for our country, but for the whole of our civilisation".

That seemed to include a revived sense of national pride, which he said the ancient Greeks had embraced, but the west had given up as "we felt embarrassed that our achievements set us apart from the rest of the world".

"The word 'nationalism' became a dirty word," he said. "So we tore down our monuments. We condemned our own history, and in too many places, we taught our children to be ashamed of the countries they would inherit.

"In the process, we opened our borders and outsourced our industry and allowed our militaries to wither and to decay."

Rubio's boss, President Donald Trump, has tried to pursue an "America first" agenda throughout both of his terms in office, and has adopted a more confrontational approach toward traditional allies and in long-running trade relationships.

Only six months ago, Trump again threatened to withdraw the US from the Nato alliance, which he has often criticised while pressing members to contribute more to defence.

Rubio's trip to the ruins of the Acropolis in Greece was part of his three-country tour of Nato allies, with stops in Iceland and Portugal.