President-elect Donald Trump continues to assemble his cabinet, recently filling two critical posts: Secretary of State and National Security Advisor.
Florida Senator Marco Rubio has been appointed U.S. Secretary of State. Known for his tough stance on China, Iran, Cuba, and Venezuela and as a staunch supporter of Israel, Rubio’s appointment highlights a foreign policy direction aligned with Trump’s hardline approach on international issues.
Rubio, who has previously questioned U.S. aid to Ukraine, recently suggested that the war has reached a stalemate and should be “brought to an end”:
“I think the Ukrainians have been incredibly brave and strong in standing up to Russia, but at the end of the day, what we’re funding here is a stalemated war, and it needs to be brought to a conclusion. I think there should be some common sense here,” he added.
Rubio also argued that “you don’t have to be a fan of Vladimir Putin to end the war,” indicating a pragmatic view of the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
Rubio’s ‘axis of evil’: China, Iran, Cuba, Venezuela
Rubio, a prominent China hawk sanctioned by Beijing in 2020 for his stance on Hong Kong protests, has consistently advocated for a firm U.S. stance against Chinese influence. In 2019, he called on the Treasury Department to launch a national security review of TikTok’s acquisition of Musical.ly, leading to an investigation and eventual divestment order.
As the ranking Republican member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Rubio has also pressured the administration on Huawei, calling for a complete sales block after the sanctioned Chinese tech giant released a new laptop powered by Intel’s AI processor chip.
Waltz: A decorated Green Beret advocating for strong U.S. global role
Mike Waltz, a decorated Green Beret and Army veteran, brings extensive experience to his role as National Security Advisor. Waltz’s military service and work at the Pentagon are detailed in his book, The Warrior Diplomat: The Wars of a Green Beret from Washington to Afghanistan.
Since his election to Congress in 2018, Waltz has served on Armed Services, Foreign Relations, and Intelligence Committees. His views on U.S. national security and foreign policy align with Republican perspectives, affirming the key role of the United States in global affairs.
While Waltz has encouraged NATO allies to increase defense spending, he has refrained from endorsing Trump’s occasional calls for the U.S. to withdraw from NATO. “Look, we can be allies and friends and have tough negotiations,” he stated recently.
Waltz: China hawk and advocate for stronger sanctions on Russia
Waltz believes the U.S. should continue supporting Ukraine, though he recently recommended a reassessment of financial support. Known for his tough stance on China, he has argued that the U.S. should prepare for potential conflict in the Pacific and sponsored legislation to reduce dependence on critical minerals from China and protect American universities from Chinese espionage.
Following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, Waltz frequently criticized President Joe Biden and the White House. In a recent NPR interview, he argued that it is “perfectly reasonable” to seek a diplomatic resolution to the war in Ukraine.
Waltz suggested that the U.S. could gain leverage over Russian President Vladimir Putin by imposing energy sanctions on Russia and increasing U.S. energy exports. “His economy and his war machine will dry up very quickly. I think that would bring Putin to the table,” he remarked, hinting that long-range weapons supplied to Ukraine could be used for strikes deeper into Russian territory.
Waltz: Bridging the gap between the Pentagon and Silicon Valley
Waltz’s new role as National Security Advisor could lead to stronger collaborations between the Pentagon and Silicon Valley. He advocates for a cultural shift in defense procurement and innovation, saying, “There are a lot of new technologies coming out of Silicon Valley and elsewhere that are really itching to help with our defense and security problems, and they can’t get through the bureaucracy.”
He concluded, “New leadership is essential, and a cultural change is needed.”
