Rubio has been saber-rattling toward ISIS for a year and has intensified air strikers against them. But ISIS is unmoved by Rubio’s bombastic approach and has continued to consolidate power over failed states of Iraq and Libya. Syria has fallen into further chaos as Rubio has been unwilling to accept any government with President Assad or other Ba’ath party members in it. Much like George W. Bush’s administration a de-baathification policy has led to more trouble in the region. 

TV networks like the saber-rattling of the Rubio devoting more and more on-air time to the crises in the Middle East and retaining several right-wing “experts” on the region as commentators. The cable news channels pull decidedly toward a pro-administration, pro-intervention mode on air as it is of course good for business.

The United States has reversed its detente with Cuba leading liberals and American businesses to unite to against the administration’s policies.  But this gets little coverage outside of Rubio’s home state of Florida. 

Russia’s Vladimir Putin has been able to use the extreme Rubio rhetoric on foreign affairs to collect allies even though the right-wing pro-American dictatorships in the Middle East work to keep oil prices at a mid-level where Russia and Iran cannot take huge profits. Rubio rewards Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait among others while working aggressively to isolate Iran . But the western allies having now resumed intense trading ties with Iran simply ignore Rubio.  

Domestically the impact of the repeal of the Affordable Care Act hasn’t yet kicked in but angst is growing among the populace. Rubio has also proposed a massive tax cut package which most Republicans like but a handful of Senators have bottled up because it does not do enough for deficit reduction. 

On social issues, the President has spoken actively about issues and of “life” and “morality,” but hasn’t done anything legislatively on these matters.