Kathimerini Greece Newsroom
Steve Bannon, former White House strategist and controversial figure behind the MAGA movement, has made his home and podcast headquarters in one of Washington, D.C.'s most prestigious neighborhoods, just a stone’s throw from the U.S. Capitol. Tucked in a hidden corner beneath a grey staircase, Bannon’s space, where he broadcasts his fiery podcast “Bannon’s War Room,” stands in stark contrast to its surrounding calm and affluence. His slogan, “We have not yet begun to fight,” scribbled on paper in the window, is a hint at the political warfare Bannon continues to wage, shaping the narrative for Trump supporters across the country.
According to Kathimerini's Iliana Magra, Bannon's complex role as a media strategist, former naval officer, ex-Goldman Sachs executive, and Hollywood producer allows him to offer varied perspectives on everything from finance to foreign policy. But it's his role as Trump's former advisor and the architect of the MAGA movement that earned him worldwide infamy. Even after a tumultuous fall from grace and serving time for contempt charges related to the January 6th investigation, Bannon has held onto his influence, mainly through his podcast, which continues to attract a massive following.
During an interview, Bannon’s office reflects the chaos of his mind, with newspapers, notes, and a book titled The Glory That Was Greece standing out on his desk. It’s a book Bannon claims to read daily, and it’s where the conversation begins. He expresses a deep admiration for Greece, having visited Athens multiple times. He touches on a turbulent period in Greece’s recent history and warns that the country is now caught in a dangerous arc of instability, particularly due to tensions between Ukraine and Turkey. This brings him to a sharp critique of Turkish President Erdogan, whom Bannon calls one of the world’s most dangerous figures. According to Bannon, Erdogan’s ambitions to revive the Ottoman Empire and challenge Saudi Arabia for control of key religious sites make him a major player in the current global geopolitical tension.
Bannon’s outlook on the region is grim: he believes that unless a strategy to stabilize Greece and Turkey is found, the entire area could erupt in conflict, reaching as far as the Balkans and North Africa. His strong views extend to Trump’s role in all of this, with Bannon suggesting that Trump’s ability to resolve these issues is vital. If Trump doesn’t return to the White House, Bannon predicts a disastrous outcome for Greece within the next decade, with the war in Ukraine spreading into the Balkans and further chaos engulfing the Middle East.
Bannon also shares his thoughts on Trump’s stance toward Greece and Turkey. He highlights Trump’s appointments of close allies to ambassadorships, notably Kimberly Guilfoyle to Greece and Tom Barrack to Turkey, signaling the importance Trump places on the region. While Bannon defends these choices, arguing that they demonstrate Trump’s serious commitment to resolving tensions, he also remarks on the media’s distortion of Guilfoyle’s nomination due to her past relationships with Trump’s family.
Another notable aspect of Bannon’s worldview is his belief that we are in the early stages of World War III. He argues that the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza are far worse than the initial stages of WWII, citing the immense death toll in these regions. He highlights the threat of an “Iron triangle” formed between China, Iran, and Russia, warning that Turkey’s potential alignment with these powers could lock down Eurasia in a way that could threaten global stability. If such a scenario unfolds, Bannon fears Greece could become one of the first victims of this emerging global power struggle.
Bannon also addresses the U.S. strategy of securing its national borders and economic interests through measures like tariffs, military presence in key regions, and partnerships in the Arctic. For him, Trump’s approach is about securing America’s future in a world where rival powers like China and Russia are growing stronger. He believes that these strategies are vital to prevent the U.S. from being caught in the middle of a geopolitical disaster.
The MAGA movement, according to Bannon, isn’t imperialistic but rather focused on securing the homeland. He stresses that Western Europe, particularly, should not rely on the U.S. for defense and should increase its own military capabilities. Bannon dismisses criticisms of Trump’s policies as isolationist or imperialistic, insisting that the goal is to protect the U.S. and its allies, not dominate other nations.
One of the more intriguing elements of Bannon’s thought process is his complicated relationship with tech moguls like Elon Musk. Though Bannon has called Musk “evil” in the past, he also acknowledges that Musk’s immense wealth and influence make him a valuable ally in the political sphere. Bannon likens Musk to a “blunt force instrument” delivering significant blows to the establishment, particularly the “deep state.” Bannon’s paradoxical stance on Musk—who he criticizes but also supports tactically—reveals the complex dynamics within the MAGA movement.
Finally, Bannon touches on Trump’s vision for America’s global role and how it differs from what he perceives as the imperialistic tendencies of global elites. He insists that Trump’s goal is to secure America and its allies, not dominate or control other nations. Bannon’s criticisms of global institutions like the CIA and FBI reflect his broader distrust of the U.S. government’s intelligence agencies, which he believes have become corrupt and serve the interests of powerful elites rather than the American people.
Overall, Bannon’s rhetoric paints a picture of a world on the brink of multiple conflicts, with Greece, Turkey, and other regions at risk. His unwavering support for Trump and his belief in a nationalist, America-first approach guide his political ideology. Through his podcast and his carefully cultivated influence over the MAGA base, Bannon continues to be a significant voice in shaping the future of American politics.
*This article was translated from its Greek original and summarized
