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# Rubio is the Signal, Ignore the Noise
- URL: https://otherwise.ghost.io/rubio-is-signal-ignore-the-noise/
- Published: 2025-10-26T06:51:55.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-17T13:43:12.000Z
- Author: Khaled Salih
- Tags: Newsletter, #Migrated-1792244264359, #Import 2026-10-17 14:38

*By Khaled Salih*

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d6/2c/d62cdd13-a476-41c5-8f2c-29270c99d95d/content/images/2026/10/c91ba54f-ced8-4857-8528-a16a3a0e5f87_1584x896-heic.jpg)

*Marco Rubio and Benjamin Netanyahu at the press conference in Israel*

**The True Trajectory**

President Donald Trump’s unconventional approach to diplomacy frequently generates a storm of public and media confusion, a phenomenon best described as “noise.” His penchant for performative statecraft—whether through off-the-cuff remarks, theatrical handshakes, or calculated snubs—often leaves allies and adversaries alike struggling to discern coherent policy from chaotic spectacle. This constant stream of disruptive behaviors creates the perception of an administration adrift, making it difficult for observers to identify a stable strategic direction.

However, to understand the true, unwavering nature of the Trump administration’s policy toward Israel, one must look past the performative “noise” and focus on the clear, consistent “signal” projected by his top diplomat, Secretary of State Marco Rubio. While the President’s theatrical diplomacy commands the world’s attention, it is Secretary Rubio who articulates and executes the administration’s unwavering doctrine. Rubio’s systematic implementation of policy on the ground and his unambiguous public statements provide definitive proof of a solid, stable, and deeply committed U.S. policy aimed at securing Israel’s security and fostering a new architecture for regional peace.

**The Foundation of Victory**

Before analysing its execution, it is essential to understand the foundational principles of the Trump Doctrine. The administration’s actions are not random; they are guided by a consistent and deeply held “Peace Through Strength” approach. This doctrine posits that genuine, lasting peace is not the product of compromise or appeasement but a direct consequence of victory. The administration’s view, as articulated in a message from the President, is uncompromising:

> “Peace is born from victory, power, and the will to defend what is right.”

This principle—that security is the indispensable foundation of peace—was celebrated with remarkable unity during a special session of the Israeli Knesset. Leaders from across the political spectrum offered unified praise for President Trump, crediting his strength with ending a brutal two-year war and securing the return of all hostages. Speaker Amir Ohana drew a historic parallel, comparing Trump to a “giant of Jewish history... Cyrus the Great.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, drawing on his decades of experience with American leaders, was even more direct in his assessment, declaring,

> “No American president has ever done more for Israel — it’s not even close.”

This outpouring of unified praise from Israel’s political establishment served as the ultimate validation of the “Peace Through Strength” doctrine, framing the administration’s uncompromising approach not as reckless, but as the essential precondition for the victory that followed.

This foundation of unwavering resolve is the clear starting point for any serious policy analysis. Yet, while the policy’s foundation is clear, its execution is often misunderstood, largely due to the President’s unique and theatrical diplomatic style.

**The Noise**

It is strategically important to acknowledge the “noise” that surrounds President Trump’s diplomacy. This noise should not be mistaken for a lack of policy, but rather as a series of deliberate, unconventional tactics that critics often misinterpret as chaos. A more accurate framework for understanding this behaviour is what analysts have termed the “Art of Humiliation as Statecraft.”

The Sharm el-Sheikh peace summit provided a masterclass in this approach, generating a series of memorable and disorienting moments that served as diplomatic “noise”:

The Boeing 747 Quip. A joke delivered to the Knesset that the Arab leaders waiting for him in Egypt might have already “taken their Boeing 747s and left”—a subtle but powerful reminder of who controlled the diplomatic timeline and whose presence was essential.

The Dominance Handshake. His public handshake with French President Emmanuel Macron was a competitive test of strength, a physical assertion of dominance designed for the cameras.

The Calculated Snub and Praise. Trump’s public humiliation of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whom he left stranded at the podium, stood in stark contrast to his effusive praise for Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, creating a clear and public hierarchy of favour.

While these actions create confusion and dominate headlines, analysts Halperin and Morton interpret them as core components of a coherent system they call “Post-Modern Realpolitik.” This reframes the “noise” not as a sign of instability, but as a deliberate and methodical tactic for establishing hierarchy and leverage—a form of realpolitik concerned less with traditional statecraft and more with the performance of dominance itself. This confusing but systematic “noise,” however, stands in stark contrast to the profound clarity of the policy’s official articulation by Secretary of State Rubio.

**The Signal**

If President Trump’s summit performances represent the “noise,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s press conference in Southern Israel represents the definitive “signal” that cuts through it. His calm, methodical, and direct statements reveal the underlying stability, seriousness, and systematic nature of the U.S. commitment to Israel and the peace process. A few reflections of Rubio’s remarks offer a clear guide to the administration’s true policy.

**Unwavering Commitment to Israel’s Security**

Rubio left no room for interpretation regarding the core of the U.S.-Israel alliance. He affirmed the partnership with a simple, powerful statement:

> “No nation has contributed more to Israel’s security than the United States.”

To translate that commitment from action into explicit policy, he pointed to President Trump’s past willingness to strike Iran during the 12-day war as concrete evidence of an unbreakable commitment to Israel’s defense.

**The Inflexible Red Lines**

Beyond broad affirmations, Rubio laid out the administration’s non-negotiable red lines for the future of Gaza. These points are not abstract goals but inflexible conditions for the peace deal’s success. They represent the hard-edged “signal” of U.S. policy:

No Role for Hamas. “Hamas will have no role in governing Gaza.”

No Role for UNRWA. “UNRWA will have no role in this—it became a subsidiary of Hamas.”

Mandatory De-militarisation. “If Hamas refuses to de-militarise, it would violate the agreement, and that will have to be enforced.”

These three points constitute the core, unchangeable pillars of the American position, communicated without spectacle or ambiguity.

**Systematic Implementation Amidst the Spectacle**

Rubio’s remarks directly countered the perception of chaos created by Trump’s diplomatic style. He described a diligent, structured, and systematic process unfolding on the ground. He highlighted the establishment of the **Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC)** by U.S. Central Command and the detailed, ongoing planning for an international stabilisation force. This description of a complex logistical and diplomatic machine at work serves as definitive proof of a systematic, not erratic, implementation of policy.

**Acknowledging Reality, Affirming the Path**

Finally, Rubio’s “signal” was characterised by a pragmatic realism that adds to its credibility. He openly acknowledged that the path forward “will not be linear” and that there would be “bumps in the road.” This clear-eyed assessment is not a sign of a fragile or failing policy, but rather one that is confident enough to recognize challenges without wavering in its objective. This resolve was captured in his definitive statement on the administration’s commitment:

> “There is no Plan B—this is the best and only plan, and we believe it’s on the path to success.”

This combination of unwavering commitment, clear red lines, systematic implementation, and pragmatic resolve is the true signal of U.S. policy. Rubio’s clarity provides the ultimate evidence of the administration’s steadfast and sober approach.

**Trust the Signal**

To conclude that the Trump administration’s Israel policy is unstable is to fundamentally misread theatrical tactics for strategic intent. The diplomatic spectacles, the disruptive rhetoric, and the calculated provocations are the “noise”—a deliberate methodology of Post-Modern Realpolitik designed to create leverage and establish dominance. This noise, while captivating, is not the policy itself.

The calm, consistent, and systematic pronouncements of Secretary of State Marco Rubio represent the true and reliable “signal” of U.S. policy. His clear articulation of non-negotiable red lines, his detailed descriptions of on-the-ground implementation, and his sober acknowledgement of the challenges ahead confirm a solid and unwavering U.S. commitment to Israel’s security and a new regional order. To truly understand the administration’s trajectory, observers must learn to focus on the clear policy articulations of its chief diplomat rather than being distracted by the President’s performative and unconventional persona, as well as media speculation.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed the unbreakable bond between the two nations, characterizing the relationship as a “circle of trust and partnership” and emphasizing that “no nation has contributed more to Israel’s security than the United States.” This unwavering commitment to Israel’s long-term safety, aimed at achieving a Gaza “free of threats to Israel” and ensuring that terrorist infrastructure will be confronted “together with Israel,” drove Rubio’s dismissal of internal political distractions. When a reporter sought to engage him in a discussion over the political term “Judea and Samaria” and the meaning of a recent Knesset vote on annexation, Rubio forcefully rejected the focus on semantics and internal democratic debates, declaring, **“On the terminology, I don’t play games with words.”** He characterized the Knesset vote as an internal attempt “to embarrass Prime Minister Netanyahu,” and warned that any move toward annexation “would threaten this peace process.” The powerful, singular message from the U.S. was crystallised in his statement that they are committed to substantive issues, asserting the US focus is on “peace and security, *not Israeli politics* **.**” \[emphasis added)

Let me finish this article with the strongest Marco Rubio signal, as I detect it:

> “There will never be peace as long as there’s an area or a territory that’s being used as a launch pad to threaten Israel’s security. Everyone understands that, and everyone that signed on to this deal understands that.”

**Sources:**

Defense New, 20251024, “Marco Rubio Reveals CRUCIAL Details About Gaza Peace Deal After Touring New Center.” [www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3qs6v3-GKo&t=1223s](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3qs6v3-GKo&t=1223s&ref=otherwise.ghost.io)

Khaled Salih, 20251017, “Dominance: Donald Trump’s Art of Humiliation as Statecraft.” [https://substack.com/home/post/p-176432039](https://substack.com/home/post/p-176432039?ref=otherwise.ghost.io)

— 20251016, “‘I, Donald J. Trump,’ Love Israel and the Middle East.” [https://substack.com/home/post/p-176367071](https://substack.com/home/post/p-176367071?ref=otherwise.ghost.io)