Newsroom
According to Lena Argiri of Kathimerini Greece, in early 2019, Marco Rubio, U.S. Senator from Florida, was approached by Gus Bilirakis, a fellow Republican U.S. Congressman, and members of the Greek-American lobby. Their goal: to gain Rubio’s support for the East Med Act, a bill aimed at deepening U.S. ties with Greece and Cyprus while addressing growing geopolitical concerns in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Rubio, who had long been concerned about the influence of global powers like China and Russia, saw the bill as a way to bolster America’s strategic position in a critical region. The bill, co-sponsored by Rubio and Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, laid the foundation for stronger U.S.-Greece-Cyprus cooperation. While Menendez viewed it as an opportunity to enhance American interests, Rubio’s perspective focused on reducing risks in a region where adversaries like Russia and Iran were gaining influence.
Rubio has consistently advocated for sanctions on Turkey, especially given its growing ties with Beijing and its support for Hamas, which he sees as a critical issue in U.S. foreign policy.
For Rubio, the future of U.S. foreign policy lies in countering China’s increasing presence in strategic regions. He often discusses the need to shift American foreign policy to confront China’s growing global footprint. As U.S. Secretary of State, Rubio would likely focus on limiting Chinese influence on U.S. allies, especially in Europe and the Mediterranean, which would pose significant challenges for Turkey, a country that continues to strengthen its relationship with China, including recent moves like joining the BRICS group and partnering with Chinese tech giant Huawei.
Rubio’s support for Greece and Cyprus has been unwavering, particularly in response to Turkey's provocative actions, including the 2020 reopening of the Varosha beach in Cyprus’ Turkish-occupied region. Rubio has consistently advocated for sanctions on Turkey, especially given its growing ties with Beijing and its support for Hamas, which he sees as a critical issue in U.S. foreign policy. His hardline stance on Turkey, coupled with his military and strategic expertise, positions him to influence U.S. relations with both Turkey and its regional neighbors, particularly Greece and Cyprus.
Rubio’s alliance with other influential figures, like Michael Waltz, Trump’s likely national security adviser, and Tulsi Gabbard, a potential head of U.S. intelligence, further strengthens the potential for a more assertive U.S. foreign policy toward Turkey and the broader Middle East. Both Waltz and Gabbard share Rubio’s concerns about Turkey’s growing authoritarianism under President Erdogan and its increasingly close relationship with China.
In addition to his foreign policy focus, Rubio’s background as a Cuban-American politician who rose through the ranks of Florida politics has shaped his approach to global diplomacy. His connections with the Greek-American community, long-standing support for Greece and Cyprus, and his staunch opposition to authoritarian regimes globally, have made him a key ally for these countries as they navigate complex regional challenges.
As tensions rise in the Eastern Mediterranean and the U.S. redefines its foreign policy priorities, Rubio’s influence in shaping America’s relationship with Greece, Cyprus, and Turkey will be crucial. The stakes are high as the region becomes an increasingly vital battleground for U.S. interests, especially in countering China and addressing Turkey’s shifting alliances. Rubio’s actions and alliances could have a lasting impact on the strategic balance in this critical part of the world.
