Marco Rubio, a prominent Republican known for his hawkish views, takes tough stances on Iran, China and Russia

Marco Rubio is a prominent political figure in the United States, known for his hardline positions on complex foreign issues such as Iran, China, and Russia, and his “hawkish” or tough approach to dealing with international security and political challenges. His nomination by then-President-elect Donald Trump to serve as Secretary of State came as a surprise to many, especially given his extensive experience in foreign affairs and his history of decisive engagement with sensitive issues facing the United States on the international stage.

Marco Rubio’s background and political upbringing:

Rubio was born in Miami, Florida, to Cuban immigrant parents of modest means, with his father working as a waiter and his mother as a cleaner. Rubio’s passion for public service was inspired by his grandfather, who witnessed the devastation of his homeland due to communist rule, which contributed to forming his conservative and hardline view of authoritarian regimes, especially those that embrace communist ideologies. In his early political career, Rubio served as a city commissioner in West Miami and then as speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, which helped enhance his political skills and solidify his tough approach to dealing with various challenges.

Marco Rubio’s stance on China:

Rubio is one of the most vocal critics of China in the US Congress. He played a key role in drafting and passing the “Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act,” a major step in curbing Chinese influence on the global stage and raising concerns about China’s human rights practices, especially in the Xinjiang region. This legislation reflects the United States’ desire to pressure China to adhere to human rights standards, at a time when relations between the two countries are witnessing great tension over issues of trade, rights, and territorial control.

These laws and the ongoing disputes between the United States and China are a critical turning point in relations between the two countries, as the “Uyghur” law is one of the pieces of legislation that aims to weaken the Chinese economy and strengthen American industry by pressuring Beijing. This law has made Rubio a prominent figure in the US-China conflict, putting him in constant confrontation with Chinese economic and trade policies.

Marco Rubio’s stance on Iran:

Rubio takes a tough stance on Iran, and sees Tehran as a major threat to US national security and its allies in the region, such as Israel and the Gulf states. Rubio is considered an advocate of tightening sanctions on Iran, especially those related to the oil sector, which is considered Iran’s main economic artery. In this context, analysts say that appointing Rubio as Secretary of State will increase pressure on Iran, and may strengthen the sanctions imposed on its oil exports.

Marco Rubio believes that Iran’s regional policies, including its support for armed groups in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, pose a threat to the security and stability of the Middle East, and stresses the need to exert continuous pressure on Tehran to curb these activities. In addition, his vision is in line with Trump’s desire to intensify pressure on Iran in order to change its behavior and limit its regional ambitions, which Rubio sees as a necessary step to enhance regional stability.

Marco Rubio’s Positions on Russia and the Ukrainian Crisis:

Marco Rubio has clear positions on Russia, especially regarding the Ukrainian crisis. Although he is a hawk, he believes that a permanent solution to the Ukrainian crisis should be through political settlement and negotiations, not through armed conflict. He stated in an interview that Ukraine needs to adopt a more flexible and negotiating approach with Russia, stressing that the return of all Ukrainian territories may not be realistic at this stage.

Marco Rubio was one of the few senators to vote against a $95 billion military aid package for Ukraine, indicating his desire to find alternative solutions to the Ukrainian issue. Rubio believes that the Ukrainian crisis could drain American resources, and therefore prefers to seek diplomatic solutions that contribute to reducing tensions between the West and Russia.

Marco Rubio’s Relations with Trump and Political Positions:

Marco Rubio is a prominent supporter of Donald Trump’s policies, and was one of the most prominent supporters of his 2024 election campaign. His name has been floated as a potential candidate for the position of vice president, reflecting the strong relationship between him and Trump. Trump describes him in his statements as “a fierce defender of the nation and a true friend to allies,” which indicates the great confidence Trump has in Rubio and his expected role in shaping the US administration’s policies on many international issues.

Marco Rubio adopts a vision centered on strengthening the American economy and bringing vital industries back home, while building a workforce capable of facing the upcoming economic challenges. He believes that America needs a strong coalition of the working class to achieve this vision, which he considers the foundation of a “new American century.” He also emphasizes the need to overcome partisan divisions in order to achieve sustainable reforms that benefit the American economy, communities, and families.

The impact of Marco Rubio’s appointment on US foreign policy:

The nomination of Marco Rubio for the position of Secretary of State carries clear indications of the new US administration’s orientations, as it is expected that US foreign policy will witness a shift towards more severity towards international opponents, especially Iran, China and Russia. Analysts expect Rubio to be decisive in implementing economic sanctions, especially on Iranian oil exports, which directly target China due to its dependence on Iranian oil.

Analysts believe that the sanctions policy may increase tensions with China, which may respond to the United States by reducing its reliance on the US dollar in oil trade. Trump raised this issue in a speech, pointing to the risks that the dollar may be exposed to as a result of strict policies towards China.

Suggested for you: truce with Israel

Conclusion

Marco Rubio represents a strong figure in US politics, characterized by his tough positions towards countries that he considers to be opponents of the United States, such as Iran, China and Russia. His nomination for the position of Secretary of State by Trump reflects the administration’s desire to adopt a more assertive approach to international issues, whether by strengthening economic sanctions or pushing allied countries to cooperate more deeply with the United States.