As reports circulate that Donald Trump has chosen Senator Marco Rubio as his potential Secretary of State, Rubio’s strong stance on Syria and the Assad regime is drawing significant attention. Rubio’s positions on the Middle East suggest he may prioritize a tougher U.S. stance against the Assad government and Iranian influence in the region.
Rubio, a prominent critic of the Assad regime, has long opposed efforts to normalize relations with Syria under Assad’s rule. He co-sponsored a bill aimed at preventing normalization with the Syrian regime, underscoring his belief that Assad’s government should remain diplomatically isolated. Rubio has also voiced strong opposition to U.S. troop withdrawals from Syria, calling such moves a “grave mistake” and emphasizing the strategic need for an American presence to counter ISIS and other extremist threats.
In 2017, Rubio argued that defeating ISIS would not be possible without Assad’s removal from power, highlighting his view that Assad’s regime fuels radicalization. Rubio has advocated for a strategy focused on supporting local forces on the ground to achieve regime change rather than relying on foreign troops, hoping to create a more sustainable path toward stability in Syria.
Rubio’s consistent stance underscores his belief that as long as Assad remains in power, the risk of extremism in Syria and beyond will persist. His appointment as Secretary of State would likely signal a return to a more assertive U.S. policy in Syria, with renewed support for opposition groups and efforts to counter both the Assad regime and Iranian influence in the region.
