Newly appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio wastes so much time, energy, and of course, millions of dollars of AIPAC money. He holds a position that is SUPPOSED to be about advancing global “diplomacy” only for the world’s Doomsday Clock to move further and further away from peace.
Let's give Marco some tips that can be learned from Valentine’s day! Sign onto these teaching points now!
Here are some things that Marco should know about diplomacy:
1. Approach from a place of basic respect.
Do you expect to get to any real place of diplomacy and negotiation by parading around the world pretending we’re the best? Instead of approaching the negotiating table with racist, imperialist mindsets by calling the people of Gaza, including those who have been orphaned by Israeli bombing, “human animals,” backing up Trump’s claim that Immigrants from countries you’re negotiating with are “poisoning the blood of America,” and fear-mongering about the threat of China, how about approaching from a place of basic respect?
2. Understand that we’re always learning.
Curiosity never hurts. From rhetoric about Cuba and Venezuela to the growing cold war with China to false narratives about Gaza and October 7th, the media drums up a lot. To discuss policies related to them, Marco should be curious to understand what life in these places are actually like, and learn about their history and context. Believe it or not, it’s pretty crucial to know these things in order to discuss policies related to them. At least, it’s pretty crucial if you’re sincere about the well-being of people there.
3. Respect boundaries.
I know this is a hard one when the existence of the country you carry the flag of was created by a lack of respect for the existence of an entire people. Of course, it’s only natural then that the only country that you have not suspended the aid of is one that is also trying to wipe out an Indigenous population. It’s generally a good practice to respect boundaries and not be too pushy. We’ve learned this in Ukraine, where your administration has just confirmed that the proxy war will not be advanced by having Ukraine join NATO and overstep on the continent. Why not also take this lesson by adhering to current US policy in Taiwan, Canada, Panama, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Colombia, Haiti, and across the continent, where we’ve consistently overstepped and meddled in our neighbors’ affairs across the region?
4. You don’t always get your way by being overbearing.
Escalation solves nothing. It didn’t help in the proxy war with Ukraine. Repressive sanctions on Cuba and continuous sanctions on Venezuela and Nicaragua have not overthrown the government. The resolve of the Palestinian people has only been strengthened through a literal genocide, and they are more determined to resist occupation. If anything, it has strengthened international solidarity globally.
5. Work towards a place of collective good.
This is a common-sense point. Cooperation with China when it comes to green technology could push the world forward amidst an increasingly alarming climate crisis. Cooperation with China in green technology, or even respecting the sovereignty of Bolivia’s lithium production, could push the world forward amidst an increasingly alarming climate crisis. I know you deny its existence, but the further you escalate around the world, the more military emissions will be released, the more climate refugees will be created, and the more we will be moving toward full climate collapse, the political and economic implications of which will be disastrous.
6. Don’t make decisions for others.
From the proxy war in Ukraine to having US troops in Taiwan to attempting to broker a displacement deal in Gaza, US, and Western “diplomatic” practices for decades have centered around making decisions for people whose lives we destroy. This is also true in the context of the sanctions you place on the people of Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, whose lives are not made better or freer but instead more miserable. Of course, it's also true in our history of assassinations and complete destabilization of governments around the world. From local climate resilience to food supply, these sanctions and interventions only force the decision for people around the world to migrate to the US and get criminalized by your administration.
7. Sharing is caring!
You recently made an important point that we live in a multipolar world. This is something that you should recognize in your diplomatic practices as well. We share the world with so many people around the world, so many nations, and a natural environment that our existence also depends on. Kindergarten ethics are one of the first things we learn for a reason: our existence depends on sharing, returning what we’ve stolen, and respect.