Cruz has said that the Islamic State militant group should be bombed back “to the Stone Age.” In the ABC interview, he said President Obama should “take them out” — with congressional approval. Asked whether the situation makes him more likely to run, his response suggested it did.

“The American people in 2014 and also November 2016 are going to be looking for leaders who want to work to restore America’s leadership in the world,” Cruz said. Pressed on whether that means him running for president, he said: “It increases my interest in doing everything I can to change the direction we’re on.”