'This Week' Transcript: Sen. Ted Cruz

— -- This is a rough transcript for "This Week" on February 8, 2015. It may contain errors and will be updated.

ANNOUNCER: Now, on ABC's THIS WEEK, war against ISIS -- the urgent questions this morning -- what happened to that last American hostage and how will the U.S. respond?

Martha Raddatz in Jordan with the American general leading the coalition against the terror group.

Then, the race for 2016 is on. Our interview with Ted Cruz -- why he's overseas meeting world leaders this morning.

Is he closer to jumping in?

And Clinton countdown -- is her campaign ready to launch?

From ABC News, THIS WEEK WITH GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS begins now.

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS, HOST: Good morning.

Was this the week that turned the tide in the fight against ISIS?

That's our big question this morning.

With the Arab world rising up in revulsion and resolve after that barbaric execution of the Jordanian pilot.

Martha Raddatz is live in Jordan this morning, as she brings us an exclusive interview with the man leading the coalition against ISIS, retired general, John Allen -- good morning, Martha.

MARTHA RADDATZ, ABC NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, George.

General Allen says the coalition against ISIS is strengthening every day. The horrific murder of the young pilot has backfired on the terrorist group.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RADDATZ (voice-over): With shocking atrocities in the headlines this week, ISIS has redefined barbarity, after the slaying of the Jordanian pilot. And now the group claims 26-year-old American aid worker Kayla Mueller, the last known American hostage, was killed in a retaliatory airstrike by the Jordanians.

(on camera): Would you call this a tipping point?

GEN. JOHN ALLEN (RET.), SPECIAL ENVOY: It's a very important moment for our Arab allies within the coalition, and I think more broadly within the coalition, it will be one of those moments that creates additional unity.

RADDATZ (voice-over): The man behind the unified fight against ISIS is retired Marine Corps general, John Allen, appointed as President Obama's special envoy.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We will degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL.

RADDATZ: The appalling events of this week underscore the urgency of the fight.

On Tuesday, ISIS released video showing Jordanian pilot, Moaz al-Kasasbeh, burned alive while trapped in a cage, triggering outrage around the world.

(VIDEO CLIP)

RADDATZ (on camera): Do you believe the murder of Lieutenant Kasasbeh backfired on ISIS?

ALLEN: Absolutely it did.

RADDATZ (voice-over): Jordan's King Abdullah urging his people to fight back against ISIS.

The first move, the execution of two al Qaeda prisoners on Jordan's death row.

Then, on Thursday, a wave of crushing Jordanian airstrikes. A video released to drive home the point...

(VIDEO CLIP)

RADDATZ: -- the missiles with inscriptions calling ISIS the enemy of Islam.

ALLEN: His Majesty, the King, King Abdullah, has indicated a desire to do more.

RADDATZ (on camera): What effect has this had on the rest of the coalition?

ALLEN: Well, I think it's galvanized the -- the coalition, unified the coalition.

RADDATZ: The importance of coalitionism is a lesson General Allen knows well. In Iraq, he helped unite Sunni tribes in the fight against al Qaeda and forged relationships with Middle Eastern leaders involved in the fight against ISIS now.

ALLEN: The Arab states within this coalition are really providing important leadership in this regard.