During the second Republican debate on Sept. 16, Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) predicted that Russia would conduct airstrikes in Syria, not targeting only Islamic State militants, but also targets that would help “prop up” Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
On Wednesday, that prediction came true.
(Scroll down for update)
The Wall Street Journal reported that one of the Russian airstrikes targeted an area held by U.S.-backed rebels. In a formal announcement, Russian President Vladimir Putin said his nation was conducting a pre-emptive strike against Islamic State militants.
Sen. Marco Rubio R-Fla., gestures as he speaks during the Values Voter Summit, held by the Family Research Council Action, Friday, Oct. 11, 2013, in Washington. Credit: AP
Here’s Rubio’s prediction from weeks ago, including what he said would come after the airstrikes:
“Here’s what you’re going to see in the next few weeks: the Russians will begin to fly combat missions in that region, not just targeting ISIS, but in order to prop up Assad. He will also, then, turn to other countries in the region and say, ‘America is no longer a reliable ally, Egypt. America is no longer a reliable ally, Saudi Arabia. Begin to rely on us.’”“What he is doing is he is trying to replace us as the single most important power broker in the Middle East, and this president is allowing it.”
Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
The “Morning Joe” panel on MSNBC reacted to the prediction come true on Thursday morning, discussing the increasingly tense relationship between the U.S. and Russia with Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.)
Watch the segment via MSNBC below:
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UPDATE: Hours after the publication of this article, a new report emerged that could possibly mean another part of Marco Rubio's prediction could come to fruition.
BREAKING: Iraqi PM Abadi says would welcome Russian airstrikes in Iraq, expresses disappointment with U.S.-led coalition - FR24
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