Marco Rubio holds the keys to global peace. Why isn’t he using them? | Simon Tisdall

From the vantage point of the State Department

From the vantage point of the State Department, the world is ablaze—though not from summer heat. The unresolved confrontation with Iran has left Donald Trump scorched. His military approach ended in failure, fuel and food costs keep climbing, and a Republican defeat in November’s midterms appears increasingly likely. Adding to the embarrassment, Israel this week dismissed his latest Gaza peace initiative outright, just days after Trump touted it as a "historic breakthrough." Meanwhile, in Europe, Russian provocations against NATO allies are growing bolder, raising fears of a broader conflict. The war in Ukraine, which Trump pledged to settle, has now dragged into its fifth year, with civilians on both sides trapped in the crossfire. And those are merely the largest conflagrations; countless smaller crises simmer below.

Seldom has the case for shrewd, principled diplomacy been more urgent. Enter Marco Rubio, the secretary of state and America’s foremost diplomat. These are exactly the kind of challenges that, if managed wisely, could vault the 55-year-old son of Cuban exiles and former Florida senator into the front-runner’s spot for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination. This is Rubio’s chance to silence naysayers who label him a sycophant and Trump’s errand boy—and to recast himself as a respected figure on the world stage. His own boss once taunted him as "little Marco" and a "loser" during their 2016 primary clash, to which Rubio fired back by calling Trump a con artist. Now, Rubio has the opening to aim higher, show courage, and demonstrate he can deliver.

Yet so far, that promise has gone unfulfilled. Rather than seizing the moment, Rubio has appeared content to echo the president’s talking points, offering flattery where independent judgment is needed. His public statements on Iran have been noncommittal, his response to the Gaza setback muted, and his engagement with European allies perfunctory at best. The world’s crises demand a steady hand and a clear voice, but Rubio has offered neither, leaving many to wonder if he is merely biding time or genuinely out of his depth.

The cost of this inaction is not abstract

The cost of this inaction is not abstract. Every week of drift allows conflicts to deepen, alliances to fray, and adversaries to test boundaries. A secretary of state with Rubio’s background—a sharp legal mind, foreign policy experience from his Senate years, and a compelling personal story—could cut through the noise. He could press for a realistic Iran strategy, push back on Israeli hardliners with a credible peace plan, and rally NATO with a firm stand against Russian aggression. Instead, he has chosen quiet compliance, a path that may please his boss but serves neither the nation nor his own ambitions.

If Rubio genuinely aspires to the presidency, he should recognize that history rewards those who act boldly in times of trial. The next two years offer a rare window to build a legacy. But that requires stepping out from the shadows and taking risks—something he has yet to demonstrate. The world is watching, and so are Republican voters. Should he continue to equivocate, he risks becoming a footnote in a turbulent era, remembered less for what he did than for what he failed to attempt.