On October 7, the U.S. Secretary of State gave a speech in Athens, using the legacy of ancient Greek civilization to frame a new vision for Western power and identity. The address echoed a similar speech delivered in February 2025 at the Munich conference, where the administration outlined a strategy of "civilizational erasure" and the "controlled decline of the West." In Athens, the Secretary of State traced the lineage of Western civilization from ancient Athens, through the Roman Empire, to modern America, citing historical figures such as Leonidas, Achilles, Alexander the Great, and Hernán Cortés. The Secretary of State argued that the West must choose between continuing its current path of national power or facing a future marked by "atrophy, servitude, and decline." The speech emphasized the need for a new elite, unbound by democratic constraints, to preserve American global influence. This idea aligns with post-liberal and technocratic ideologies and is part of a broader ideological shift within the second Trump administration, as detailed in the December 2025 American National Security Strategy. The political backdrop of the speech included controversy involving the American ambassador, Kimberly Guilfoyle, who reportedly told a Greek minister that Washington could replace governments in other countries. This led to an investigation by Democratic Congressman Gregory Meeks. The situation highlights the growing tensions between the U.S. and its European allies, as well as the influence of right-wing movements in both regions. The Secretary of State referenced the Parthenon as a symbol of Western civilization's enduring legacy. However, critics pointed out that using the Parthenon to promote a "non-zero-sum" alliance is historically misleading. Ancient Athens, as described by the historian Thucydides in the Melian dialogue, operated a system of exploitation and tribute through the Athenian League. The speech also highlighted recent agreements between the U.S., Denmark, and Greenland as examples of successful transatlantic cooperation, calling for increased defense spending and a focus on reindustrializing the economy and dominating future technologies. The Secretary of State drew parallels between ancient Greek values and modern American ideals, emphasizing individual ambition, exploration, and the pursuit of excellence. This narrative was criticized for favoring aristocratic excellence over democratic principles, reflecting the influence of Straussian thought and its interpretations by the "West Coast Straussians." The timing of the speech, just before the U.S. mid-term elections and European elections, raised questions about the future of Western civilization in global politics and the possibility of a reactionary shift in both American and European politics.