Marco Rubio predicted on Sunday that ISIS would carry out a 'major operation' in Turkey

Marco Rubio.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

While it is still uncertain which terrorist organization targeted Istanbul's Ataturk Airport on Tuesday, killing at least 41 when three suicide bombers detonated at a security checkpoint, many current indications point to the Islamic State. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio might agree: After all, he predicted such a large-scale ISIS attack in Turkey just two days before the bombings.

On Sunday, appearing on Face the Nation, Rubio stressed the importance of NATO in the face of Islamic terrorism. "We've seen already the attacks in Belgium. We've seen the attacks in France. We've seen attempted and thwarted attacks elsewhere, so because of all of that I think NATO takes on a special purpose," he said.

Then Rubio added his forboding prediction. "One of our NATO allies, right now, that faces the greatest threat of ISIS is Turkey," he said. "I would not be surprised over the next few weeks to see major ISIS operations within Turkey, itself."

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It might not have been as brilliant a prediction as it first appears — ISIS has already launched deadly attacks in Turkey over the past year. However, Rubio's words just days before the bombings are undeniably ominous. Watch the interview below. Jeva Lange

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.