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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

ISIS Repelled After Major Attack; White House Summit on Violent Extremism Copenhagen Terror; Inside the Search for MH370

Aired February 18, 2015 - 04:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking overnight: ISIS repelled after launching an intense attack near a major city in Iraq. What happens if they strike again? A live report in moments.

New details this morning about the accused gunman in the Copenhagen terror attacks. What officials now say about his state of mind the night of those attacks? And were concerns he was being radicalized ignored?

A bone-chilling rescue caught on video. The incredible moments three people were pulled from icy waters. How did they end up trapped in the first place?

Good morning. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans. John has the morning off. It is Wednesday, February 18th. It's 4:00 a.m. in the East.

Breaking overnight, ISIS fighters launching a major attack in Iraq near the Kurdish city of Irbil. Kurdish officials say Peshmerga troops have succeeded in pushing ISIS forces back far enough to let airstrikes begin.

I want to bring in CNN's Tim Lister joining us from Irbil for the very latest.

Tim, and ISIS forces, for some weeks now, have really been probing those lines, but the Peshmerga have been able to hold them back. Tell us what's happening.

TIM LISTER, CNN JOURNALIST: Yes, so far, Christine, they've been able to hold them back. But the generals on the front lines you speak to say, we can't go on doing this forever. We're stretched across a 1,000-kilometer front. ISIS is better armed than we are because they stole all these weapons from Iraqi bases. And you only have to visit the progress we have over the last 10 days to see just how thin the defenses are.

So, ISIS tries periodically almost daily to try to probe those defenses, to try to break through those defenses, to draw Peshmerga forces away from its crown jewel, which is Mosul. That's what it's interested in, holding on to Mosul, Christine.

ROMANS: Tell us more about how organized ISIS is. You mentioned the stolen weapons that they have. Tell us a little bit about how organized they are, what kind of a fighting force they are and what the Peshmerga are saying about them.

LISTER: Yes, despite six months of airstrikes, this is an organization that can still launch complex attacks. Last night's attack on three different fronts. They have discipline, they have a chain of command, and they still have a lot of weapons.

We were over Mount Sinjar a little while ago, few days back, and that is the main highway to Syria, overlooks it. All the time, tankers, trucks, pickups racing up that road trying to avoid coalition airstrikes to resupply ISIS positions.

So, periodically ISIS is striking at Kurdish positions, most recently Kirkuk, and this is a way of keeping all the enemies that they have in Iraq, and there are plenty of them, off balance.

ROMANS: Tim, where are these fighters coming from, these ISIS fighters? Who are these fighting forces? Because you talk about how complex they've been able to attack on multiple fronts. These are people with real military training.

LISTER: Absolutely, they are. A lot of them are former officers in Saddam's army, Baathist officers who have joined ISIS. So that's where the military brain is coming from.

They still have foreign fighters coming in. A Kurdish official told me this morning there was a surprise last night monitoring radio communications how many foreigners were there this force that attacked Kurdish positions.

So, they have a flow of fighters. There are plenty of Iraqis who are still fighting for ISIS inside Mosul. We have that on good evidence from listening into their conversations.

So, ISIS is under pressure for sure, it's still a very resilient organization, Christine.

ROMANS: All right. Tim Lister for us Irbil this morning -- thank you so much for that, Tim.

This morning, the U.S. is working its way down a list of top ISIS operatives it wants to kill. CNN has learned there is a secret list of ISIS leaders in Syria and Iraq targeted for killing. At the top of the list, ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

CNN's Barbara Starr is at the Pentagon with more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Christine, the U.S. is maintaining a secret kill list of the top ISIS operatives it would like to get. CNN has learned this list of about two dozen operatives is growing because the U.S. is struggling to figure out what the best intelligence is, who is out there, who do they really want to put on the list, who can they get to, where if they can take them off the battlefield by killing them, it would make a significant difference in ISIS' capability?

Look, they still want to get people like Jihadi John, that British accented speaker who has appeared in multiple execution videos. But killing him, does that really change ISIS' capability on the ground? Nobody is sure.

So, a lot more intelligence is needed. The estimate now is that they have taken about a dozen, killed about a dozen top operatives, but ISIS is replacing people in the battlefield in the command structure almost as fast as the U.S. is killing them.

So, still a very long way to go to get the crucial intelligence about who the really critical players are and even more tough to get the critical intelligence about where they are located. Months later, the U.S. still looking for number one on that list, a man named al Baghdadi, the leader of ISIS, and right now, they do not even know where he is -- Christine.

ROMANS: All right. Barbara Starr at the Pentagon, thank you for that.

Now, the Pentagon is considering a plan this morning that would give moderate Syrian rebels the ability to call in American airstrikes. A defense official tells CNN the U.S. would not conduct the airstrikes without additional confirming intelligence. A more definite part of the plan is to give some teams of moderate Syrian rebels U.S. military gear, including pickup trucks, machine guns, mortars and communications equipment.

With terror attacks and the battle against ISIS topping the headlines, President Obama set to address a White House summit on combating violent extremism later today. Now, the White House has carefully, carefully avoided labeling it a summit on Islamic extremism. That's drawing criticism from some who say violence by Islamic radicals should be dealt with head on.

Senior White House correspondent Jim Acosta has the latest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Christine, the White House opened up its countering violent extremism summit just as ISIS appears to be growing stronger, whether it's in Libya, where those Egypt Christians were beheaded, or in Denmark where a radical inspired by the group went on a violent rampage. But administration officials caution the summit is not about the military campaign to defeat ISIS. It's also about finding ways to address the root causes of violent extremism in communities and then sharing those ideas around the world.

Here's how the president put it in the Oval Office with his new defense secretary, Ash Carter.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Everything from making sure that we are dismantling ISIL and not only stabilizing the situation in Iraq but addressing the foreign fighter issue and countering the narrative of violent extremism that has been turbocharged through the Internet.

ACOSTA: The Obama administration is hoping to combat that potent terrorist message from ISIS by beefing up its own social media presence. The State Department is adding staffers to a little-known agency called the Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications which will be on Twitter and Facebook with its own propaganda aimed at young Muslims with the slogan "Think again, turn away."

But the Obama administration is finding its own message under fire. A GOP and even a few Democratic critics asked why the summit does not use the term Islamic extremism or terrorism.

And later on in the day, President Obama will be addressing this summit. It will be one of two speaking appearances for the president at this summit this week -- Christine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: All right, thanks for that, Jim.

Attorney General Eric Holder under fire for saying the U.S. is not in a time of war. Critics are now calling him out, asking about the war on ISIS.

Listen to what Holder told reporters when talking about national security and freedom of the press.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ERIC HOLDER, U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL: In World War IL, if a reporter had found out about the existence of the Manhattan Project, is that something that should have been disclosed? Now, we're not in a time of war, I understand, and I said it's an extreme example.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Holder spokesman later tweeted that the attorney general does believe the U.S. is at war with ISIS.

We're learning more this morning about the accused gunman in the deadly terror attacks in Denmark -- his actions on the day of the shooting, his state of mind, and advanced warnings that this man was at risk for radicalization.

Senior international correspondent Nic Robertson following the story for us in Copenhagen.

And, Nic, what are we learning about this ex-con?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The intelligence services here were tipped off while he was in jail, he was appeared to be becoming radicalized. His attitudes were changing. They assessed, though, that he wasn't an immediate danger when he left jail, but you only have to look at his actions to realize that somebody in jail or outside of jail or himself in the space of two short weeks decided he should come out and target this free speech event with the cartoonist Lars Vilks.

What we've learned is very, very chilling. The police now say when he approached the cafe, he tried some of the doors on the outside to get in. And then, he went in with an automatic weapon -- he would have gone in with an automatic weapon, rather. He sprayed 28 bullets from the outside. If he would have been able to do that on the inside, the outcome would have been far more devastating. Then he changes weapons for the attack on the synagogue.

And in that case, we've learned new details that he was acting drunk to get close to the guard and a policeman who were outside the synagogue, firing nine shots from pistols at them.

We're also told today that the guard who was outside the synagogue Dan Uzan, will be buried, a 37-year-old very respected member of the Jewish community, very active in the synagogue there, a well-loved man. He'll be buried later today.

So, the details that are emerging about this gunman, calculated, cold- blooded, and the death toll could have been so much higher, Christine.

ROMANS: All right. Nic Robertson for us in Copenhagen -- thank you for that this morning, Nic, as we get new details every day really about this gunman.

New evidence this morning that the massacre at the French magazine "Charlie Hebdo" and the deadly attack on a French kosher supermarket were coordinated. The French newspaper "Le Monde" reporting that less than an hour before the "Charlie Hebdo" attack, one of the gunman, Cherif Kouachi, sent a text message to the man who later attacked the supermarket Amedy Coulibaly. He also said the assault was nearly called off the day before. One of the gunmen was sick with the stomach flu.

President Obama will comply with a federal judge's ruling, temporarily blocking his executive orders on immigration. But he says the administration plans to appeal, and they expect to prevail in the courts. The president's policies could spare as many as 5 million people now in the U.S. illegally could spare up to 5 million people from being deported.

The legal wrangling gives a coalition of 26 states who oppose the president's immigration action -- gives them time to pursue a lawsuit aimed at putting a permanent stop to the Obama plan.

The number of people signing up for Obamacare exceeding expectations. In its second year, 11.4 million people enrolled in the president's signature health care program, beating the target set by the Department of Health and Human Services. The White House did not disclose how many of the enrollees are renewing coverage from last year and how many are new to the Obamacare insurance marketplaces.

The measles outbreak spreading. The Centers for Disease Control says it now has confirmed 141 cases of measles since January 1st. It's also now spread to 17 states and Washington, D.C. Officials say they are also seeing a greater uptick than usual in adult cases of measles during this outbreak.

Alex Rodriguez wants you to know he's sorry. The New York Yankees star suspended for the 2014 season because of using performance enhancing drugs apologizing to his fans in an open handwritten letter. Rodriguez says, quote, "I take full responsibility for the mistakes that led to my suspension, and I regret that my actions made the situation worse than it needed to be.

A-Rod says the Yankees wanted him to apologize publicly at a stadium press conference, but he declined. He says he's ready to play some ball.

Time for an early start on your money this morning. U.S. stock futures up a bit. It could be another record day if that holds. Yesterday, the S&P 500 bounced back from early losses, closed above 2,100 for the first time in history. It was the S&P 500's second record close in a row. It's up 2 percent so far this year.

The White House trying to end costly gridlock at major West Coast ports. At issue, a dispute between shipping companies and union dock workers. There are serious delays. Look at those ships -- those ships are full of goods, goods in some cases that are rotting. These harbors are turning into parking lots. California oranges sitting out there rotting in the sun.

Labor Secretary Tom Perez met with both sides yesterday. He says talks were productive. More meetings are scheduled for today.

The truce in Ukraine deteriorating by the minute amid reports of fighting. Can it even be -- can we even call this a cease-fire anymore with so much fighting? Plus, what Russian president Putin says Ukrainian troops should do now.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROMANS: This morning, the truce between Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists signed just last week, that truce falling apart. Heavy fighting breaking out in the city of Debaltseve, at a crucial rail hub. The U.N. Security Council adopting a resolution drafted by Russia calling on all parties to respect the cease-fire. At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin is urging Ukrainian troops to surrender.

Following events for us from Moscow, CNN's Erin McLaughlin.

Good morning, Erin. This has been a hard-fought truce from the very beginning. It looks very tenuous this morning.

ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Christine. And Russian President Vladimir Putin, as you mentioned there, calling on Kiev to allow the Ukrainian military to surrender to the separatists in Debaltseve. Now, Debaltseve is that key transport hub, the site of intense post-ceasefire fighting. The separatists say they are now in control of around 80 percent of that city, and the fighting continuing there today. Now, meanwhile, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha

Powers, saying it was bitterly ironic that it was Russia was the country to table the resolution that was passed unanimously by the U.N. Security Council, calling for all sides to abide by the cease- fire. Take a listen to what she had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SAMANTHA POWERS, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE U.N.: Stop arming the separatists, stop sending hundreds of heavy weapons across the border in addition to your troops. Stop pretending you're not doing what you are doing, and start calling on and insisting upon the separatists observing the cease-fire around Debaltseve.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MCLAUGHLIN: Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, called the comments deeply offensive. Russia, of course, has long denied any sort of direct involvement in the situation in Eastern Ukraine.

Meanwhile, more strong rhetoric coming from the United States. Vice President Joe Biden saying that Russia -- the costs to Russia will rise if it continues to violate the Minsk agreements -- Christine.

ROMANS: All right. Erin McLaughlin for us in Moscow -- thank you for following that for us, Erin.

In New Jersey, a daring rescue effort. Three people pulled from icy waters in Middletown, terrifying. Police say a mother and two teenagers ventured out on a dock-like structure on Sandy Hook Bay and were trapped. One of the teens fell into the water. All three were brought back safely to shore.

It's been nearly one year since Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 disappeared. We go live to Perth for a look at what searchers are doing now.

And the top dog, the top dog has been named. Why this year's best in show winner is especially impressive.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROMANS: It has been nearly a year since Malaysian Airlines MH370 just disappeared. Recovery ships are still scouring the Southern Indian Ocean. They're looking for wreckage from this flight.

The search vessels have been returning to Freemantle Port in Perth, Australia, to resupply.

And CNN's Anna Coren went to get an inside look at this ongoing, almost year-long search now.

Anna joins me now live from Perth, Australia. It sort of took my breath away that it has been almost a year.

And, Anna, still no sign of this ship -- this plane, rather.

ANNA COREN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I know, it is quite extraordinary, Christine, to think that we're almost approaching the one-year anniversary of MH370 disappearing. As you say, the ships are continuing to scour the priority search area. There are four vessels that are working. Two of them are currently here in port. They are resupplying, getting a crew, fixing equipment before heading back out in the next couple of days.

That this is an ongoing operation manned 24 hours a day. The priority search area, you're looking at 60,000 square kilometers. Initially, the initial search zone was half the size of the United States. So, they've narrowed it down. They are confident that if it is there, that they will find it, but they are coming up against a great deal of problems, such as the weather. The crews that have been out there have encountered three cyclones. They've had waves of up to 16 meters.

And then below the surface, you know, the topography of the ocean floor has been described as horrendous, that is how one of the crew members, you know, described it to me. He said that there are volcanoes, underwater mountains, there are troughs, cliffs.

So for the sonar, which if you can imagine, is hovering just 100 meters above the ocean floor, going along, trying to search for some metallic objects, believing to be the debris from MH370. They are just encountering so many problems considering the cliffs and the topography under the water.

But the crews, Christine, they are committed, committed to doing this, because they know that the families of the 239 people on board so desperately want some answers.

ROMANS: Yes. Almost one year on, they do desperately want some answers. And proof again what we've known for a long time. We know more about the surface of the moon than we know about the ocean floor at those depths and in that part of the world.

Anna Coren, thank you so much for that.

The prosecution resting its case in the so-called "American Sniper" murder trial. Before they did, accused killer Eddie Ray Routh's own words were again in the spotlight. In a video, Routh tells police after being captured, "I've been so paranoid schizophrenic all day", and, quote, "I don't know if I'm sane or insane."

Routh is charged with killing Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield. The defense claims temporary insanity.

It was a good day, then a very bad day for some 800 budding computer scientists dreaming of admission to Carnegie Mellon's prestigious graduate program. When they first told they had been accepted. Then hours later the university rescinded their offer in a second e-mail. The problem, would you believe a computer error?

School officials have apologized and admitted serious mistakes in the process for generating acceptance letters. Maybe they should hire some of those aspiring graduates to fix it for them.

And we have a winner.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My choice for the best in show is the beagle.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The beagle!

INIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh! Another beagle! Uno, I hope you're watching, buddy!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Aww, she's cute. Miss P., an adorable 4-year-old beagle won best in show at Westminster. She's only the second of her breed to take the prestigious title. She's related to the 2008 beagle champ Uno.

Today, Miss P. will have a packed day of interviews, lunch at New York's famed Sardi's restaurant. She will even appear in the Broadway musical "Kinky Boots." good luck to her.

Back to our top story, 27 minutes past the hour, ISIS repelled after launching a fierce assault near a major Iraqi city. Can Kurdish forces keep ISIS at bay?

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