Former Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida) has been confirmed as Secretary of State, becoming the first nominee of President Donald Trump’s administration to win Senate approval. The unanimous Senate vote came on the same day as Trump’s inauguration.

Rubio, 53, brings significant experience to the role, having served in the Senate since 2011, where he was a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Known for his pro-Kurdish stance, Rubio has long advocated for strong U.S.-Kurdish relations.

In May 2016, Rubio visited Erbil as part of the anti-ISIS Coalition efforts and met with Masrour Barzani, then Security Council Advisor for the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). During his Senate tenure, Rubio frequently underscored the importance of Kurdish representation in Iraq’s government, notably after the May 2018 parliamentary elections.

“The Kurds have been good allies and partners,” Rubio remarked in 2018, urging fair inclusion of Kurds in Iraq’s political framework.

During his confirmation hearings, Rubio reiterated the necessity of maintaining U.S. military support for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to prevent ISIS resurgence. He also pledged a firm stance against Iran and expressed cautious optimism about Syria's future following the overthrow of the Baathist regime by the Turkish-backed Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

Rubio’s confirmation marks him as the second senior Trump foreign policy advisor with strong ties to the Kurds, alongside National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani recently affirmed the commitment to enhancing U.S.-Kurdistan relations during discussions with Waltz.

Rubio’s appointment is expected to solidify U.S. foreign policy in the region, particularly in support of Kurdish allies and broader Middle Eastern stability.