Marco Rubio’s Visit to West Asia and Its Geopolitical Implications

Dr. Devender Kumar

The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently visited 9 foreign countries ( Panama, El Salvador, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Germany, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates), to align the new American foreign policy under Trump 2.0 with the contemporary geopolitical issues. However, his visit to West Asian countries is crucial as the region has become the major center for decisions to resolve important geopolitical issues in the world.

Marco Rubio, Mike Waltz (National Security Advisor), and Steve Witkoff (Special Envoy to the Middle East) are traveling to create conditions to fulfill the promises made by Trump during his election campaign and swearing-in ceremony in January 2025.

The various issues discussed during these visits are ‘Panama Canal’ (Panama), ‘deportation of illegal immigrants’ (El Salvador), ‘usage of the air base’ (Guatemala), ‘process for deportation’, ‘acceptance of migrants’ (Dominican Republic), “Hamas eradication” (Israel), ‘future of Gaza’ (Saudi Arabia), “ceasefire between Hamas and Israel” (UAE) and condition of Europe during the Munch Conference (Germany)

Rubio’s vision for American foreign policy is based on three aspects (a) maintaining clarity on US values (b) protecting US economy and (c) preservation of US strength. The American power according to him lies in “preventing wars” not in “promoting” them. He believes that the challenges to the US in the post-Cold War era have changed but the belief in the US power has remained.

Under Trump 2.0, US wants to end its spending on Ukraine, resolve the Hamas-Israel conflict in Gaza, and deport illegal immigrants from the US. Trump believes that “Ukrainian President Zelensky” has made the US spend “$350 billion dollars” on a war that “cannot be won”. He also blamed him for not ending the war by “starting peace talks with Russia”. After these US views, President Zelensky proposed to create a joint army of the EU to counter Russia. However, most European countries have denounced this idea but agreed for new sanctions Russia amidst negotiations in Riyadh on the ‘Ukraine War Deal’.

There are six reasons behind the US Secretary’s visits to the West Asian countries.

First, the US has realized the geopolitical significance of West Asia—for its role in security and maintaining a peaceful global order. The region also decides the assertiveness of American foreign policy on various global issues for Trump 2.0 policies— as it seeks to be more engaged domestically while trying to resolve the conflicts worldwide.

Second, the US wants to normalize ties with Russia. West Asian countries maintain good relations with major powers such as the US, Russia, and China. It is not only a major energy supplier to the world but also has significant diplomatic skills and the US wants to utilize West Asian contacts to mediate between Russia and the US as they are involved in the new Cold War.

Third, the US aims to make its long-term allies play the role of mediator with its counterparts. Therefore, Saudi Arabia hosted Russian foreign minister (Lavrov) and Rubio to discuss the tensions since the Crimean annexation and the war in Ukraine. With Saudi mediation, the US agreed on three (a) “restoring embassies in each other countries” (b) “making teams to back peace talks” and (c) “search for possibilities for the economic partnership”.

Fourth, Trump 2.0 is seeking a “Ukraine War Deal” between Russia, Ukraine, the US, and NATO. The US wants the region to bring the European partners to the table to end the war. It also invited the Ukrainian President for such talks but he “canceled his visit”. Due to the Ukraine War, Russia has witnessed a nearly 75% decline in trade with the EU and a halt on the transfer of goods worth nearly €48 billion Euro. Hence Russia is willing to achieve a deal and normalize ties with the US.

Fifth, the US wants to take “ownership of Gaza” and achieve a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. However, many Arab states have rejected Trump's plan due to domestic support for the Palestinian cause. Hence Secretary’s visit is to put more pressure on the West Asian partners to back the US proposed plan or prepare to face the reduction in US aid for various programmes. Trump 2.0 wants to attain their support to "relocate Palestinians” to other countries such as Jordan and Egypt to make ‘riviera’ a reality.

Sixth, these visits may give rise to domestic upheaval against the monarchs in the region for maintaining close ties with the US— which wants to “take over Gaza” and “displace the citizens” of Palestine. The Arab states such as Jordan, Saud Arabia, UAE, and Egypt are convincing the US not to displace Palestinians. While Qatar and Iran are coming together in the new West Asian geopolitics.

The Gulf’s closeness with the US may recede the Arab influence and embolden Iran’s position in the entire region.

Dr. Devender Kumar is Assistant Professor at the Center of Excellence for Geopolitics and International Studies (CEGIS), REVA University.