In their publication, the New York Times report that the president-elect has now decided on his choice – to keep, however, a small reservation because of the explosive-known temper of Donald Trump.
If his appointment to the State Department is finally confirmed, Rubio will become the first top diplomat of Latino descent.
Rubio — or whoever ends up holding the State Department portfolio — will face a series of dangerous and unpredictable global challenges.
Analysts point to the need for careful steps in international diplomacy, as the balances on the planet have changed dramatically since 2017 when Donald Trump first entered the White House.
Donald Trump with Marco Rubio
(AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
What does this mean for Greece?
In a recent interview with CNN Greece, Greek-American Republican Gus Bilirakis expressed his belief that the new Trump presidency will be beneficial for Greece.
Other analysts and commentators supported this position through their positions.
The Republican, along with his Democratic colleague Bob Menendez, co-sponsored the bipartisan EAST MED ACT in 2019 – the legislation that formed the basis of US policy in the Southeast Mediterranean.
“I am proud to have co-signed a bill that strengthens our presence in the Eastern Mediterranean, an area that is strategically important to the United States and our allies,” said Marco Rubio at the time.
This choice of Trump may cause … discomfort in neighboring Turkey, which has accused the Republicans of relations with Gulenists.
The pro-government Turkish newspaper Saba that he had “targeted” Rubio in 2021, after letter which he co-signed on Erdogan’s authoritarian policy and his government’s violation of human rights.
The war in Ukraine ahead
The biggest challenges are undoubtedly the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and a major “thorn”, as Reuters writes, is China’s ever-strengthening cooperation with US enemies – namely Russia and Iran.
The American politician was elected to the Senate in 2010 and took a very hard line in foreign policy – mainly towards China, Iran, Venezuela and Cuba.
He has repeatedly clashed with Republicans who want little international engagement and echoed Trump’s views on foreign policy.
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin (FILE PHOTO)
Photo by Jorge Silva/Pool via AP
A typical example is Russia’s war with Ukraine, which he has said has reached a stalemate and “must end”.
The Ukraine issue is expected to be high on the 53-year-old Rubio’s “agenda” – something that Donald Trump himself, who has previously said that the conflict in Europe will end before he even returns to the White House, wants in January. .
The 53-year-old politician previously argued that Ukraine should seek a compromise, rather than try to regain all the territory that has been annexed by Russia for the past decade.
And while Rubio has strongly accused Russia in the past, he is more likely to side with Trump and change his position.
It is not clear, however, whether Ukraine and Russia are ready to sit at the… negotiating table with the United States – even if Donald Trump himself pushes in that direction.
On Israel’s side
The choice of Marco Rubio for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as analysts point out, shows the intention of Donald Trump … to turn a blind eye to Israel.
In fact, if the Republican choice of Michael Walsh is confirmed for the post of national security adviser, it looks like the new US administration will be moving towards an even friendlier stance towards Israel.
The two men will “build” the “America First” foreign policy, with the goal of ending the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and avoiding American military involvement on the battlefields.
Donald Trump with Netanyahu
AP Photo/Evan Vucci
Rubio has previously called for a more assertive foreign policy from the US and in 2016 he attacked Donald Trump himself when he promised neutrality in the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
After Iran’s attack on Israel last April, Rubio said:
“The Biden administration is working to prevent an Israeli response as it continues to serve its anti-Israel and anti-Semitic base.”
Recently, Rubio has publicly expressed his unequivocal support for Israel.
“I think Hamas is 100% to blame,” he said last year, responding to an activist’s question about the deaths of thousands of Palestinian civilians.
The “past” with Trump
Before the choice of Jay D. Vance for the vice presidency, the American press wrote that Donald Trump considered the possibility of choosing Marco Rubio as his “chosen”.
This situation was ultimately not confirmed, possibly due to the intense rivalry between the two men in 2016.
In the Republican nomination debate, Rubio, aided by Republican Ted Cruz, attacked Trump, saying:
“Every night you say the same thing…”Everybody’s an idiot, I’m going to make America Great Again, I’m winning the polls… Every night the same thing” he said.
Marco Rubio and Donald Trump during the 2015 Republican nomination debate (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
(AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
He has since scaled back his stance on Donald Trump.
Hard line against China as well
The US president’s “choice” for the State Department has previously expressed the view that the US should be more “aggressive” towards China and has taken a hard line towards the Asian country.
For example, when he was in Congress during Trump’s first term he argued that the new industrial policy would allow the US to compete more favorably with the Chinese economy.
At the same time, he co-chaired the bipartisan Congressional-Executive Committee on China, which aimed to design a more aggressive policy toward Asia’s largest economy.
He also supported a bill that would ban the import of Chinese products made by China’s Uyghur minority.
“He has chosen a battle he cannot win,” Marco Rubio told the New York Times at the time, referring to Maduro.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Foreign Policy Expert on Marco Rubio’s Potential Role as Secretary of State
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome to our interview! Today, we’re diving deep into the implications of Marco Rubio’s possible appointment as Secretary of State under the incoming Trump administration. To discuss this, we have Dr. Elena Rossi, a renowned expert in international relations and foreign policy. Dr. Rossi, thank you for joining us today.
Dr. Elena Rossi (ER): Thank you for having me. It’s an exciting time in US politics!
TNE: Let’s get right into it. The New York Times recently reported that President-elect Trump is leaning towards appointing Marco Rubio for the role of Secretary of State, albeit with some reservations due to Trump’s known temperament. What do you think this decision means for US foreign policy?
ER: Well, it signifies a return to certain core Republican foreign policy principles, particularly a focus on assertive engagement. If confirmed, Rubio’s role could reestablish a stronger diplomatic push towards challenges like the ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as managing China’s rising influence.
TNE: Interesting. Speaking of Ukraine, the article suggests that Rubio has previously supported a more assertive stance, but there are hints he might align with Trump’s more conciliatory approach towards Russia. How do you see that playing out?
ER: That’s a pivotal concern. Rubio historically has criticized Russia’s actions, especially in Ukraine. However, if he adopts Trump’s strategy of seeking quick resolutions, it could lead to compromises that might not be in line with established international norms. It’ll be fascinating to see if he prioritizes U.S. strategic interests over Russian aggression.
TNE: You mentioned China as a growing concern. With Rubio’s tough stance towards Beijing, how might this influence US-China relations if he takes office?
ER: Rubio’s foreign policy leanings indicate he would likely continue a hardline approach to China, especially regarding trade and human rights issues. This could escalate tensions, particularly if he sees China’s cooperation with U.S. adversaries like Iran and Russia as threatening. Yet, the balancing act will be intricate—maintaining strong rhetoric while not provoking a destabilizing conflict.
TNE: Shifting gears to Israel, the article says Rubio is expected to bolster U.S.-Israel relations. Do you think this will impact the Israel-Palestine situation significantly?
ER: Absolutely. Rubio’s unabashed support for Israel will likely lead to a more aggressive U.S. posture in support of Israeli policies. Such an approach may alienate Palestinian interests and reduce the chances for renewed peace talks. The dynamics in the Middle East are already fragile, and a staunchly pro-Israel stance could lead to increased tensions within the region.
TNE: The article also mentions concerns regarding Turkey, particularly Rubio’s previous criticism of President Erdoğan. How might a Rubio-led State Department navigate this complex relationship?
ER: That’s a delicate balancing act. Turkey is a NATO ally, but its recent actions have raised eyebrows in Washington. Rubio will need to address human rights issues while maintaining strategic ties. This could involve a mix of diplomacy and strong messaging against Erdoğan’s authoritarianism, which might be met with resistance from Turkey.
TNE: with all these complex challenges ahead, what should we expect from Rubio’s leadership style if he becomes Secretary of State?
ER: Rubio tends to prefer a calculated and nuanced approach, but he’s also known for his passionate rhetoric. His experience in the Senate will be essential; he can navigate bipartisan support for issues like the Eastern Mediterranean policy he co-sponsored. However, how he balances his individual beliefs with the broader administration’s direction will be telling.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Rossi, for your insights today! It certainly seems like Rubio’s appointment could reshape significant aspects of U.S. foreign policy.
ER: Thank you for having me! I look forward to seeing how these developments unfold in the coming months.
TNE: And thank you to our audience for joining us in this discussion on a crucial topic in international relations! Stay tuned for more insightful conversations as events evolve.