ICYMI: Marco Rubio Pulled a Nostradamus on Russia at GOP Debate

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., discusses Russian aggression during the CNN Republican presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015, in Simi Valley, Calif. (PHOTO: AP)

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., predicted exactly what Russia and, more specifically, President Vladimir Putin intended to do in Syria weeks ago at the CNN debate.

“Well, first of all, I have an understanding of exactly what it is Russia and Putin are doing, and it’s pretty straightforward. He wants to reposition Russia, once again, as a geopolitical force,” Rubio said. “Here’s what you’re gonna see in the next few weeks: the Russians will begin to fly — fly combat missions in that region, not just targeting ISIS, but in order to prop up [Bashar al-] 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.'”

And that is exactly what came to fruition on Wednesday when Russian warplanes began pounding anti-Assad (but not ISIS) targets in Homs, which came as a complete shock to the Obama administration and the Pentagon, unbelievably. Here is the full transcript of what Rubio said, sounding awfully close to what 2012 Republican nominee Mitt Romney warned about during the second presidential debate with President Obama.

Well, first of all, I have an understanding of exactly what it is Russia and Putin are doing, and it’s pretty straightforward. He wants to reposition Russia, once again, as a geopolitical force.

He himself said that the destruction of the Soviet Union — the fall of the Soviet Union was the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century, and now he’s trying to reverse that.

He’s trying to destroy NATO. And this is what this is a part of. He is exploiting a vacuum that this administration has left in the Middle East.

Here’s what you’re gonna see in the next few weeks: the Russians will begin to fly — 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. That is what is happening in the Middle East. That’s what’s happening with Russia.

Worth noting, for labeling Russia America’s “No. 1 geopolitical foe,” Gov. Romney was chastised by the Editorial Board at The New York Times.

“His comments display either a shocking lack of knowledge about international affairs or just craven politics,” Andy Rosenthal & Co. wrote. “Either way, they are reckless and unworthy of a major presidential contender.”

It would appear that he and Sen. Rubio, the latter a presidential hopeful who is oft-criticized for being too young and inexperienced, clearly demonstrated they have a far greater depth and understanding of foreign policy issues and events, than the current president.