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New Russian Air Strikes in Syria; New Details of Foiled Plots to Smuggle Nuclear Material out of Eastern Europe. Aired 3-4a ET.
Aired October 08, 2015 - 03:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[03:00:01] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN INTERNATIONAL HOST: New air strikes and a warning from NATO as Moscow flexes its military might in Syria.
ERROL BARNETT, CNN INTERNATIONAL HOST: High alert. Israel braces for another day of violence after multiple stabbings and heavy clashes in the West Bank.
CHURCH: Also ahead, the U.S. Head of Volkswagen makes a startling admission about the company's cheating scandal just hours before facing lawmakers. Hello, and welcome to our viewers here in the United States and all around the world. I'm Rosemary Church.
BARNETT: And I'm Errol Barnett. This is CNN Newsroom.
CHURCH: And we will have those stories in just a moment, but we begin with this breaking news. At least 30 people are dead after air strikes hit a wedding ceremony in Yemen. That is according to local security officials.
BARNETT: Now, we understand this attack happened in the southwestern province of Demarre. We want to get the latest now from journalist Hakim Halmasmari who joins us on the phone from Sana'a, the capital of Yemen. Hakim, just tell us what we know about this attack and why a wedding would even be a target.
HAKIM HALMASMARI, CNN JOURNALIST: It's unbelievably shocking right now. Over 100 were killed or injured, 30 killed and over 75 injured. Most of them children or women. This wedding, most of the killed were not even Houthis. Yes, the area where the attack took place, is controlled by the Houthis. But this is a wedding where women and children and innocent civilians were the casualties of this attack. There were six air strikes that were conducted at the ceremony area of the wedding. So, very drastic right now and sad for Yemen. Especially, since this is the fourth time that a wedding has been targeted in the last two months by Saudi air strikes.
BARNETT: Alright. Very disturbing development. We are seeing the first images into CNN from those injured from this attack. Hakim Halmasmari, our journalist there in Yemen, telling us more than 100 killed or injured. Mostly women and children. And we will continue to gather more information on this in the hours ahead. Hakim, thanks so much for your time. CHURCH: Alright. Now, we turn to another story. Russia's Defense
Ministry says its cruise missiles have hit ISIS infrastructure in Raqqa, Idlib, and Aleppo, Syria. And Russia launched dozens of the precision missiles from ships in the Caspian Sea on Wednesday.
BARNETT: Now, the U.S. State Department says more than 90 percent of Russian air strikes have not targeted ISIS or Al-Qaeda. You can see on this map, most of it hit Western Syria. That's where rebel forces are fighting the government and only a few hit ISIS-controlled areas.
CHURCH: And the Pentagon says it diverted two of its military aircraft over Syria so they could keep a safe distance from a Russian fighter jet in the same area. Well, NATO leaders meeting in Brussels are expressing their growing concern over Russia's military campaign in Syria. British Defense Minister Michael Fallon is calling on Russia to use its influence on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to stop bombing civilians.
BARNETT: Also, NATO's Secretary General says he is prepared to send troops to Turkey, if necessary, to defend against any threats.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JENS STOLTENBERG, NATO SECRETARY GENERAL: In Syria, we have seen a troubling escalation of Russian military activities. We will assess the latest developments and the implications for the security of the alliance. NATO is able and ready to defend all allies, including Turkey, against any threats.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHURCH: And meanwhile, Russia appears to be coordinating air strikes with a ground offensive by Syrian government troops. Senior International Correspondent Ben Wedeman joins us now live from Beirut with more on this. So, Ben, what impact has these Russian air strikes had on the moderate rebels? We know they've been targeting them. But also, Russian officials suggest they are spending just as much time on ISIS targets, but that hasn't been shown, has it?
[03:04:52] BEN WEDEMAN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: No. When you look at the videos coming out of Syria, and we speak to rebel commanders, inside it's very much focused on the Russian effort on non-ISIS, anti-regime rebels. And it was well-understood that when this campaign, this Russian air campaign began, that really the point was to rescue the Assad regime. Which, certainly, going back to the early Spring, was losing critical areas to the rebels. Rebels who are anti-ISIS in this instance. Now, these Russian air strikes have been going on now for nine days. And as we've heard from officials, 90 percent of them seem to be focused on non-ISIS targets. And of course, after nine days, it's clear that the next step is what we are seeing now. A ground defensive.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
Syrian rebels fire a U.S. made tow anti-tank missile, hitting the Syrian army troop carrier. The army was on the move in northern Hama province in central Syria. The video posted by the Free Syrian army. Following a week of intense Russian and Syrian air force strikes, it appears a ground offensive is under way in the area. An area far away from the zone controlled by the Islamic state. But it's not easygoing.
At dawn, says this rebel field commander, there was an intense bombardment with rockets, artillery, tanks and Russian planes trying to smash our defensive lines. But we held our ground. He claims the Syrian army was trying to advance on three fronts. Also, in Hama province, Russia-made hidden attack helicopters were in action. Though it's not clear if the pilots are Syrian or Russian.
Further north, in Aleppo province, rebels say war planes bombed a warehouse filled with weapons and ammunition belonging to a unit of the Free Syrian army known to have links with the United States. Thank god we escaped alive, says this man, vowing to fight the regime of Bashar al-Assad without weapons or ammunition. Just knives and swords. On Wednesday, Russia let loose with even more fire power, launching 26 medium-range cruise missiles from war ships in the Caspian Sea, at ISIS targets almost 1,000 miles away, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The sound and fury of this brutal war, quickly growing ever more intense.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
And what we're seeing, actually, is Russian-backed ground offensive hasn't really made a lot of progress until now. We understand that more than a dozen Syrian tanks and armored personnel carriers have been destroyed or captured by the rebels. But, of course, the rebels are using tow missiles, anti-tank missiles, believed to be supplied by the CIA. But, their supply is limited and as this fighting, as this ground offensive continues, it could run out and things could dramatically change on the ground. Rosemary?
CHURCH: Alright. Ben Wedeman reporting there live from Beirut. Many thanks to you. And we will have much more on the Russian military campaign in Syria, including an in-depth look at the close encounters between U.S. and Russian planes. That's coming up in about 25 minutes from now.
BARNETT: And we do have just one additional note from Russia. The country's President Vladimir Putin celebrated his 63rd birthday on ice.
CHURCH: Yeah. Mr. Putin scored seven goals in an exhibition hockey game at the Olympic ice arena in Sochi. His team, which included Russia's Defense Minister, won the game 15 to 10.
BARNETT: Now, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is urging Israelis to be on maximum alert after another day of escalating violence in the west bank. Three separate stabbings happened on Wednesday alone. In one incident, police said an Israeli soldier was wounded after a male Palestinian suspect stabbed him and grabbed his weapon near Tel Aviv.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) CHURCH: This video has emerged from a riot in the west bank. It appears to show Israeli security forces disguised as Palestinian militants. They suddenly turned on Palestinian stone-throwers, beating and then arresting them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BARNETT: Erin McLaughlin joins us live from Jerusalem to talk about what's happening there. Erin, just what's the latest reaction to all this violence?
[03:09:56] ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Errol, violence that persists overnight clashes in east Jerusalem, west bank, as well as Jaffa, near Tel Aviv, after what was a brutal day yesterday. Violence occurring to have spread from east Jerusalem and the west bank, to areas of central Israel and southern Israel. At least three stabbings yesterday. And clashes, really intense clashes, unfolding in the west bank.
Red Crescent putting the number of 170, at least a 170 Palestinians wounded despite additional security presence there. Israeli military sending in four additional battalions. And people are bracing for what could come next.
BARNETT: And just detail for us how the Israeli government's adjusting the security positioning and response to all of this violence because the fear is that violence in response to violence will only lead to more violence and everyone is just wondering where this all leads.
MCLAUGHLIN: Violence, despite a range of measures, on the part of the Israeli government. Government officials, having lifted restrictions on the Noble Sanctuary, or the Temple Mount, age restrictions that had been in place over the Jewish holiday period. An Israeli official saying that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked that members of the Knesset, as well as Israeli ministers, not visit the holy site and increased security presence in Jerusalem and the west bank. They also announced a range of extreme measures, including administrative detention holding rioters without charge or trial. We also heard from the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas calling for the situation to de-escalate. But, so far, violence persisting, some people here are preparing for what may be the new norm.
BARNETT: Alright. The latest information for us out of Jerusalem, just past 10:00 in the morning there. Erin, thanks.
CHURCH: Well, football's governing body isn't commenting on whether it's president, Sepp Blatter, is actually facing a 90-day provisional suspension.
BARNETT: Yeah. Initial reports indicated he was suspended. Swiss Authorities opened criminal proceedings against Blatter last month and FIFA's Ethics Committee is also investigating him.
CHURCH: Well, CNN's Sports Correspondent, Christina McFarlane, joins us now from London with more on this developing story. So, Christina, what are we to make of all this back and forth and the different stories coming out, except from Blatter's own camp?
CHRISTINA MCFARLANE, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, it's a very confused picture, Rosemary. And it has been for the past 10 to 12 hours. What we know is that we've been waiting for a decision from the FIFA Ethics Committee following the fact that they opened an investigation into Sepp Blatter after those criminal Swiss investigations into the 79-year-old. What we heard last night, on Wednesday evening, was that one of Blatter's close advisors sent a message saying that a 90-day suspension had been handed down.
No sooner had we heard that, than just an hour later, Sepp Blatter's own legal team, his own lawyers, disputed that. They said President Sepp Blatter has not been notified of any action taken by the FIFA Ethics Committee. We would expect the Ethics Committee would want to hear from the president and his counsel, and conduct a thorough review of the evidence before making any recommendation to take disciplinary action. So, where does this leave us? Well, what we know is that President Sepp Blatter will continue as president today. His lawyers, his team say he is planning to be in office in Zurich today. And the FIFA Ethics Committee will continue their investigations following their own official process.
CHURCH: Yeah. So, Christina, given what we know right now in reality, how long can Blatter hang on to power and when will we likely hear the ethics committee's final verdict on this?
MCFARLANE: Well, Rosemary, we understand that this will be, potentially, within the next 24 hours. But, let's make no mistake. It's quite a complicated process. It's a two-pronged process for the ethics committee. The first stage is the investigatory chamber look into allegations and make recommendations over sanctions. But, it's actually the adjudicatory chamber who are the ones that make decisions over any suspensions. And this is what we're waiting on to hear. So, as I say, we expect to hear something within the next 24 hours.
CHURCH: Alright. We will, of course, bring that to our viewers as soon as we hear. Christina McFarlane joining us there from London. Thanks for that.
BARNETT: Now, negotiators say they've cut a last minute deal that could avert a strike at Fiat Chrysler. The United Auto Workers Union and auto maker had hours to spare before 40,000 workers walked off their jobs. Union officials haven't revealed the details of the tentative agreement at this point, but they say the union council will vote on it Friday.
[03:14:55] CHURCH: Two Chinese internet startups have announced they are merging in a multibillion dollar deal. Meituan.com is similar to Groupon. It is half-owned by internet giant, Alibaba. Dianping.com is similar to Yelp. It's backed by Tencent, China's largest internet service portal.
BARNETT: Now, the FBI and former Soviet Republic have teamed to stop nuclear materials from reaching the black market. What could have happened is chilling. And that story we have coming up for you. CHURCH: Plus, a look at how the Volkswagen emissions scandal may impact the entire car manufacturing industry moving forward. We'll be back in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PEDRAM JAVAHERI, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Let's talk a little weather on this Thursday morning. Start you off across America, where a disturbance is expected to cruise through across the Midwest. If your travel plans take you towards places like Chicago, eventually, around New York City, we will have wet weather across this region over the next several days, with severe storms possible around southern Texas and southern New Mexico. And also, wet weather across southern British Columbia over the next 24 so hours.
But, the temperature trend not too bad. Chicago, mid-20s. It should be about 33 degrees in Dallas. Los Angeles heating up with San Francisco around 23 degrees with partly cloudy skies over this region. Also, watch for this disturbance we have in the way of hurricane Oho, that is sitting just east of the Hawaiian islands, screaming to the north over the last couple of hours here. And here, we will begin to lose the tropical characteristics, but it's doing something we have not seen for a late season storm since 1949.
For a hurricane to form south of the Hawaiian islands after October, this has not happened for over 50 years, where the track is taking it well to the north. This actually could come in as a very strong wind and rain maker. Although, it would not be tropical in nature, remnants of it could impact southern portions of Alaska on Friday afternoon. So, this is certainly a story worth following there. And take you out to the Caribbean. Nassau and the Bahamas, 31 degrees. Managua, 34 degrees with some thunderstorms possible across that area. And while we work your way towards Bogota, a few showers, into the mid-20s. And Brazil will make it to about 32 degrees.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BARNETT: New details are emerging about foiled plots to smuggle nuclear and radioactive material out of Eastern Europe with the frightening prospect of it landing in terrorist hands.
CHURCH: A U.S. official says no one from Jihadist groups was involved, but the fear is who the buyers would be.
BARNETT: Yeah. Pamela Brown has details of the joint operation by the FBI and authorities in Moldova.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[03:19:55] PAMELA BROWN, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: If the alleged plots were had been carried the out, the results could have been devastating. Terrorists buying a radioactive substance on the black market that could be used to make a dirty bomb. Instead, the police and the former Soviet Republic of Moldova say earlier this year, they broke up the operation and arrested this man, along with others, in a carefully orchestrated sting as dealers allegedly tried to sell radioactive cesium to men they believed were associated with terrorists. The video of the sting was first obtained by the Associated Press. Cesium is so dangerous because even a small amount could contaminate several city blocks and cost billions in clean up.
ANDREW BIENIAWSKI, NUCLEAR THREAT INITIATIVE VICE PRESIDENT: We have to be concerned about this region of the world. It really is a transit and a gateway by which smugglers can transit material through Moldova
BROWN: Tonight, Moldovan authorities tell CNN they worked with the American agents from the FBI to foil at least three plots to smuggle radioactive material since 2010.
JOHN KIRBY, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON: The proliferation, the smuggling, the movement of this material around, obviously, has grave consequences. We're going to continue to work internationally, as this demonstrated, to try to stem that.
BROWN: Moldova's close proximity to Russia where vulnerable nuclear and radioactive material can be obtained makes the selling of this material big business for criminal organizations.
JOSEPH CIRINCIONE, PLOUGHSHARES FUND PRESIDENT: A terrorist group that's got billions is certainly willing to pay that for material that could terrorize or shut down a city.
BROWN: In 2014, seven people were arrested in Moldova for allegedly smuggling uranium. But, tonight, counter-terrorism experts say the newly revealed sting operation show a potentially more dangerous vulnerability.
BIENIAWSKI: If ISIS were to acquire radiological material, then they could use it in the region. They could use it in the theater, or they could use it for other purposes if they wanted to transport it and bring it here to the United States.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BROWN: Officials I spoke with say there is no indication ISIS has successfully bought these radioactive materials from eastern European criminals. And officials say these materials would be very difficult to transport outside of that area because of all the protections at the border. Pamela Brown, CNN, New York.
BARNETT: U.S. President Barack Obama is offering his personal apology and condolences to Doctors without Borders. This for the air strikes in northern Afghanistan on Saturday. The Pentagon admitted the sustained strikes on the group's hospital in Kunduz were a mistake.
CHURCH: Twenty-two people were killed, 37 others were wounded. The U.S., NATO, and Afghanistan are conducting investigations.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOSH EARNEST, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY OF THE UNITED STATES: The United States, when we make a mistake, we are honest about it and own up to it. We apologize, when necessary, as the president did in this case. And we implement the kind of changes that make it less likely those kind of mistakes will occur in the future.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BARNETT: The medical charity says that apology just isn't enough.
CHURCH: Yeah. The group wants an independent inquiry conducted by the Geneva Convention's International Humanitarian Fact Finding Commission.
BARNETT: Now, we're learning about a new revelation from the Volkswagen emission scandal. It just continues to get worse. The company's U.S. chief says he knew about the problem last year.
CHURCH: But, Michael Horn says he was told engineers were working with regulators on a solution. Volkswagen admitted last month it installed hidden software that allowed 11 million cars to cheat emissions tests. Horn faces questions from U.S. lawmakers about the scandal Thursday on Capitol Hill.
BARNETT: Now, the scandal has certainly damaged the auto maker's reputation. Reports say, Volkswagen's estimated to have lost $10 billion. And that's just in brand value since this emissions issue emerged.
CHURCH: CNN's Isa Soares looks at the damage this has caused to Volkswagen and what it could cause to the car industry as a whole.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ISA SOARES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Scathing and damning.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There is an unprecedented crisis.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This really does cast a negative light on a company like Volkswagen.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Put the spotlight on the industry and the industry has to respond to reassure the public.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There is a big price to pay if you don't get it right as an industry.
DAVID HAIGH, BRAND FINANCE CEO AND FOUNDER: It is catastrophic to the reputation.
[03:24:26] SOARES: The verdict on Volkswagen's credibility. As the company admits, 11 million of its cars worldwide could have cheated emission tests, the manufacturers set aside $7.3 billion to deal with the fallout. But some are placing the true cost near to $87 billion. The scandal, though, is just the latest in the series of incidents damaging the credibility of the car industry.
General motors had to pay $900 million to settle criminal charges related to its flawed ignition switches which cause at least 124 deaths. Fourteen million vehicles were recalled by 11 manufacturers after exploding air bags made by Japanese firm, Takata, were linked to the deaths of eight people. In 2012, Toyota agreed to pay a $1.2 billion fine. That's the largest for a car manufacturer for problems with the accelerator pedals.
While it was revealed that Toyota and General Motors knew about their vehicle defects for years before acting, Volkswagen, on the other hand, admitted to deliberately installing and covering up illegal software in its cars. As more discrepancies and fuel consumption and emission testing emerge, consumers remain suspicious that other car companies may also be cutting corners.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, up until the scandal with Volkswagen, I would have said yes. Now, I suspect they're all asses.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, obviously, it does reflect badly on them. But I don't know enough about whether it's the auto industry, generally, or Volkswagen.
SOARES: So, how does a car industry restore its credibility?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The way forward is A, to have more transparency. That's going to be increasingly critical. But B, in this case in particular, a real look at the emissions regulations.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: In the same way the Libor scandal reveals further malpractices in the banking sector here in London, the fear is that the VW crisis has a potential to do the same to the auto industry. So, for the time being, expect further regulation and more scrutiny. Isa Soares, CNN, London.
CHURCH: Okay, now an incredible story. An Australian toddler is learning to walk again after his spine was severed from his head in a car crash. Sixteen month-old Jackson suffered what is known as an internal decapitation when his mother's car collided with another vehicle going 100 kilometers, or 70 miles per hour.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARNETT: Just look at his tiny body there and a big smile. Jackson's injuries were so severe he had to be airlifted to a hospital. That's where surgeons grafted his spine back into place.
GEOFF ASKIN, SURGEON: A lot of children wouldn't survive that injury in the first place. And if they did, and they were resuscitated, they may never move or breathe again.
ANDREW TAYLOR, FATHER OF PATIENT: They've taken two broken kids and put them all back together, so, I'm very, very thankful.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BARNETT: Just amazing.
CHURCH: Wow. He's adorable.
BARNETT: I've never even heard of internal decapitation before.
(CROSSTALK)
CHURCH: Absolutely.
BARNETT: Doctors say Jackson will have to wear a brace for eight weeks to allow his head and spine to heal. But, they expect him to make a full recovery. Best of luck to Jackson and the family.
CHURCH: What a great ending to that story.
BARNETT: We'll be right back.
[03:27:45] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BARNETT: Welcome back to the viewers in the U.S. and those of you watching from around the world. We appreciate it. This is CNN Newsroom. I'm Errol Barnett.
CHURCH: And I'm Rosemary Church. Let's check the headlines for you. In Syria, Russia said its cruise missiles have kicked ISIS infrastructure targets in Raqqa, Idlib and Aleppo. Russian warships launched dozens of the precision rockets from ships in the Caspian Sea.
BARNETT: NATO's Secretary General says he is prepared to send troops to Turkey to defend the country against any threat. NATO leaders meeting in Brussels are expressing concern over the growing Russian military campaign in Syria. Britain's Defense Minister says Moscow is making a dangerous situation worse.
CHURCH: (inaudible) violence in Israel led to three stabbings and one shooting in just 24 hours. Palestinian officials have accused Israeli police of preventing Muslims from attending prayers at a holy site in Jerusalem. Jerusalem's mayor says Arab leaders are using lies to incite violence.
BARNETT: Get you more information on the Russian military offensive in Syria. There is a new sense of urgency for the U.S. and Russia to cooperate in the skies over the region.
CHURCH: CNN's Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr has that story.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: For the first time, U.S. pilots had to divert over Syria because a Russian fighter jet came within 20 nautical miles, according to U.S. officials. Two F-16s flying out of Incirlik Air Base were in north eastern Syria attempting to bomb an ISIS target when the incident occurred. U.S. officials tell CNN that American pilots are under new strict rules. If Russian aircraft come within the 20-mile limit, for their own safety, the Americans must move away. The U.S. doesn't think the Russians will shoot them down, but
commanders don't trust Russia not to make a mistake, officials tell CNN. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter pressing for another round of talks with Moscow about managing the skies.
ASHTON CARTER, UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: To protect our aircrews and to continue as the coalition intends to do, its air campaign, unchanged.
STARR: The incident happened after this. The first meeting between the two sides to discuss air safety. The Russians secretly videotaped it all and posted it on YouTube. U.S. commanders say they were shocked. Carter, adamant the U.S. will go no further than technical talks.
CARTER: We are not prepared to cooperate in a strategy which is, we've explained is, flawed. Tragically flawed on the Russians' part.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STARR: Russia also launched naval strikes. Four war ships in the Caspian Sea, firing 26 missiles into Syria, hitting 11 targets according to Moscow. U.S. officials say this was the first time the Russians fired this highly accurate missile in combat. Pentagon officials believe it is a direct message to them from Moscow. We can fire at you from long distances.
And in western Syria, Russia now in ground combat. Artillery and rocket launchers pounded targets to back up regime forces of Bashar al-Assad. According to the U.S. and Turkey, Russia has hit few, if any, ISIS targets in Syria. And as for that missed U.S. air strike, no word yet on whether U.S. war planes were able to circle back. Barbara Starr, CNN, the Pentagon.
[03:34:55] CHURCH: Russia's increased aggressiveness in Syria and the lack of coordination with the U.S.-led coalition, has many in Washington criticizing Moscow's strategy.
BARNETT: But, Russian officials say the U.S. has no strategy. Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Mr. Putin had to go into Syria, not out of strength, but out of weakness. Because his client, Mr. Assad, was crumbling.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We heard him saying that the Russian strategy is mistaken. Maybe. But, what the American strategy is, we cannot understand.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BARNETT: Bob Baer joins us from Newport Beach, California, to talk about all of this. He is our CNN Intelligence Security Analyst and a former CIA Operative with extensive experience in contacts in Syria. Bob, thanks so much for your time. The U.S. having learned and taking this last approach in Syria, but that has allowed Russia to fill the power vacuum. Add into it the talk now of this possible technical agreement. Russia could be coordinating, in some ways, with the U.S. and the Syrian government. What do you make of Russia's Syria intervention so far?
ROBERT BAER, CNN INTELLIGENCE SECURITY ANALYST: Well, Errol, there is a couple of things. One is, the President's right that the Assad regime is crumbling and the Russians couldn't let Damascus fall. It had to send its air force in and now there's even troops going in. Russia's propping up Bashar al-Assad, leader of Syria. At the same time, you're absolutely right about a vacuum is because we have done, essentially, nothing in Syria or Iraq since the Islamic state's offensive. And the Russians are looking at this as an opportunity.
Secondly, they're very worried about the existence of a caliphate in the Middle East. When a successful caliphate that takes ground, holds ground. Because Russia has a large Muslim population. It doesn't want an Islamic state to cause problems in the caucuses in particular.
BARNETT: So, then how long, though, can this really last? Because as economically weak as Russia is, it was able to establish an intel- sharing policy with Iran, Iraq and Syria. (Inaudible) and now, as we see, continues to fight evidence. Most of these attacks are on rebels strong holds. Right or wrong, Russia appears to be able to do what it wants in Syria, but will that last?
BAER: Errol, I don't think it's going to last. The Pentagon tells me that Russia does not have the logistics set up for a heavy lift. In that part of the world, they can do a couple of air strikes here and there. They could put some troops on the ground. But, they cannot have a sustained engagement in the Middle East. And what the Russians are also not counting on, is the reaction of Saudi Arabia.
For every bomb that Russia drops, there is going to be money going into the Islamic top theory groups. Saudi Arabia looks at this as an existential threat and the Russians, in the middle of this, in Iran, they will react by dumping money on these groups. They are not going to care to whom. And you know, this will end up, I'm quite sure and it could even spread the conflict to Iraq as well.
BARNETT: In the meantime, you just hope that there is some kind of change of policy somewhere. But at the moment, it seems to be getting more dangerous and the fear of overlapping clashes increases with each day. But we appreciate Bob Baer, joining us from Newport Beach in California. A former CIA Operative and CNN Intelligence Security Analyst. Thanks, Bob.
BAER: Thanks.
CHURCH: As Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton backed the Trans- Pacific partnership. Well, now a big flip flop. The presidential candidate says she's changed her mind. The reason, just ahead.
[03:38:50] (COMMERCIAL BREAK) CHURCH: Ben Carson is refusing to back away from controversial remarks about how he would handle a mass shooting. The Republican presidential candidate said if he were in that situation, he would do more to prevent a gunman from going on a killing spree.
BARNETT: And just to be clear, here's what he said less than a week after the mass shooting at that community college in Oregon.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BENJAMIN CARSON, 2016 U.S. REPUBLIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Not only would I probably not cooperate with them, I would not just stand there and let them shoot me. I would say hey, guys. Everybody attack him. He may shoot me, but he can't get us all.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BARNETT: Okay. Well, now Carson is defending against accusations that he was criticizing the Oregon victims.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CARSON: We are living in a culture now, where you have a group of people who just sit there. They don't try to listen to what you are saying. They are just trying to find a defect so they can cause more division.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHURCH: And this latest controversy has not hurt Carson. The latest poll show him surging to second place in the Republican field in Ohio and Florida. Key battle ground States.
BARNETT: And as you can see there, though, Donald Trump is still number one.
CHURCH: And democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton is now speaking out about Barack Obama's landmark trade deal, the transpacific partnership.
BARNETT: Now, her opposition comes despite advocating for the TPP some 45 times as Secretary of State. CNN's Brianna Keilar has more.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRIANNA KEILER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Hillary Clinton breaking with President Obama and breaking big. Opposing his signature trade agreement that she once heralded.
HILLARY CLINTON, 2016 U.S. DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: As of today, I am not in favor of what I have learned about it. I don't believe it's going to meet the high bar I have set.
KEILAR: Added to the list where Clinton has taken a position against Obama. The no-fly zone in Syria, his deportation policies, and announcement she's against the Keystone XL Pipeline before Obama announces his decision. Clinton's democratic rivals weighed in on her trade reversal. Bernie Sanders saying this.
BERNIE SANDERS, 2016 U.S. DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm glad that she reached that conclusion. This is a conclusion that I reached from day one.
KEILER: And sharper words from Martin O'Malley.
MARTIN O'MALLEY, 2016 U.S. PRESIDENTAL CANDIDATE: Secretary Clinton can justify her own reversal of opinion on this, but I can tell you that I didn't have one opinion eight months ago and switched that opinion on the eve of debates.
KEILAR: A new poll shows Clinton well ahead of Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden in Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania. But, her trade deal switch comes as Sanders challenges her in Iowa and New Hampshire. And a possible Biden run threatens to syphon off her supporters. A Biden spokesperson reiterated his backing of the trade pact as he considers a bid. Sounding a lot like a candidate at a Latino event slamming Republicans.
JOE BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: People are depressed and the message I have for you guys is these guys don't remotely speak for America.
[03:40:05] KEILAR: As he weighs the candidacy, the Draft Biden super pack is out with a new TV ad.
BIDEN: Things can change in a heartbeat. I know. Six weeks after my election, my whole world was altered forever.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KEILER: Josh Alcorn is a Senior Advisor to the pack.
JOSH ALCORN, DRAFT BIDEN 2016 SENIOR ADVISOR: The point of the ad is to tell a story of Joe Biden that many people outside of Delaware may not know. It's a story of his overcoming personal tragedy, gaining this enormous empathy for those who suffered and offers a hopeful and optimistic vision for America.
KEILAR: One source close to the Vice President says there will be a family conversation this weekend that could determine whether he gets in the race. But Biden's pathway to victory is uncertain, at best, with the democratic establishment firmly behind Clinton and the democratic grass roots enthusiasm backing Sanders. Brianna Keilar, CNN, Washington.
CHURCH: And joining me now is CNN Political Analyst Josh Rogan. Thanks for talking with us, Josh. And we saw there a portion of the television advertisements, supporters of Joe Biden released Wednesday, focusing on how tragedy has shaped his political career with the loss of his wife and daughter and more recently, his adult son, Beau. But, some analysts have already criticized it. Does it strike the right tone, do you think? And could it, perhaps, signal that he will indeed run? JOSH ROGAN, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, to your first question.
It's no coincidence that this ad, which was not put out by Biden, but by the draft Biden movement as you point out, came one day after it was reported that Hillary Clinton supporters had correct the record and started an opposition research campaign with actual Biden's records and his position on several issues. So, the proxy war between Clinton and Biden is on. It is happening right now. And this is a reflection of that.
And it also comes one day after there was a report disputed by the Biden campaign, that Joe Biden himself leaked the information that his dying son had asked him to run for president. The debate we can see playing out is an indicator of what would happen if Joe Biden were to run. But, honestly, it is not an indication that he will or will not run. That decision, according to the best information available, has still not been made. It can only be made by one person. That's Joe Biden. And he isn't showing his cards.
CHURCH: Yeah, exactly. We heard the family meeting. We may hear something next week. We don't know at this point. But, meantime, Hillary Clinton has been bashing Republic would-be Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy over his comments regarding the Benghazi house committee. He has clarified his comments on what was set up. Let's listen very quickly to what he says about that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KEVIN MCCARTHY, REPUBLICAN HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER: Let's be very clear. Benghazi's not political. It was created for one purpose and one purpose only. To find the truth on behalf of the families of the four dead Americans. Period.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHURCH: So, Josh, given this back and forth, how is this all shaping Clinton's bid, do you think?
ROGAN: Well, Kevin McCarthy committed a severe, unforced error and gave Hillary Clinton the perfect opportunity to turn what was a very bad narrative, the fact that the assertion that she had was partially responsible for the crisis in Benghazi, into a plus. It allowed her to put it in the camp of what she calls the vast right wing conspiracy. The truth of the matter is, that that the Benghazi committee is both. I covered it closely and they do a lot of work on Benghazi and they do a lot of work on Hillary Clinton issues that have nothing to do with Benghazi.
CHURCH: And Josh, Clinton has also been breaking away from President Obama on a number of issues. Most recently, on that big trade deal in an attempt, presumably, to differentiate herself from him. And new polls show a lot of support for her right now. But, Bernie Sanders certainly tracks these huge numbers of supporters. How much of a threat is he really to Clinton?
ROGAN: Well, the Trans-Pacific partnership is something that Hillary Clinton, the Secretary of State, worked very hard to advance. So, this reversal is probably the most significant reversal for her during this campaign. There is no political expert, that I talked to, who really believes that Bernie Sanders will be able to amount the votes or the delegates to actually defeat Hillary Clinton in the primary. But, the fact that she is moving so many of her positions to respond to the outpouring of support and popularity for Bernie Sanders shows that he is having an effect on the race even if he ultimately doesn't make it to the general election.
CHURCH: We'll see what happens. Josh Rogan, always a pleasure to talk with you. Many thanks.
ROGAN: Thank you.
[03:49:50] BARNETT: Now, we've been closely monitoring events in Syria these past few hours and we now have this report just in to CNN. Syria's armed forces Chief of Staff says government troops are starting, quote/end quote, a big attack to liberate areas and towns which has suffered from terrorism. This is coming to us via Syrian state television. He also says Russian air strikes have reduced the fighting capacity of ISIS and other terror groups. Now this big attack, or offensive, seems to correspond with a ground offensive which began Wednesday in Hama and Idlib provinces. Russia provided air support for regime forces fighting against the government. We'll continue to watch this closely and be back after this.
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PATRICK SNELL, CNN SPORT NOW HOST: Hi there. I'm Patrick Snell with your CNN World Sport headlines. Starting with more on the future of embattled seat of FIFA President Sepp Batter. Lawyers for the Swiss contradicted earlier reports saying the 79-year-old could be facing a provisional 90-day suspension. Blatter is accused for signing a contract that is unfavorable to football's governing body and making a disloyal payment to UEFA President Michel Platini. Blatter denies any wrong-doing and his lawyers said on Wednesday that he had not been notified of any action.
Turning now to the Rugby World Cup in England. And two-time champion South Africa are now in with a chance of becoming the first country to win the tournament after losing a pool fixture. A resounding 64 points for the spring box over the Americans on Wednesday. A special moment with Bryan Habana running into a hat trick of tries. And that means he now equals New Zealand's Jonah Lomu's record of 15 rugby world cups tricks.
NFL owners have approved the scheduling, a more international regular season game through 2025, including in countries beyond the U.K. The host countries of future games may include Canada, Germany and Mexico where more than 100,000 fans watched the regular season NFL game 10 years ago. And now, as recently as last Sunday, an international NFL game took place at Wembley Stadium with the New York Jets defeating the Miami Dolphins. Thanks for joining us. You're now up to date. I'm Patrick Snell with your World Sport headlines.
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BARNETT: Donald Trump's Make America Great Again hat is as famous as the candidate himself, you could say.
CHURCH: Yeah. But, if his cap is feeling a little old hat, you can make your own version. Jeannie Moos shows us how.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[03:54:35] JEANNIE MOOS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: When Donald Trump starts giving away his famous hats, his people all want it. But some want a different slogan instead of Make America Great Again, how about Make Cheese Great Again, or Make America Crepes again, or Make America British Again. You, too, can make your own Donald Trump hat thanks to this guy. Washington Post Political Writer Phillip Bump.
PHILLIP BUMP, WASHINGTON POST POLITICAL WRITER: We just called it the Donald Trump hat generator.
MOOS: Though one of Bump's colleagues suggested --
BUMP: It should've been called who wants to be a milliner.
MOOS: A milliner. A hat maker. All you have to do is type in your preferred slogan saying Make America A Joke again and presto change-o, you've got yourself a new Trump hat. Philipp Bump got the idea when he saw New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio showing off his new head wear.
BILL DE BLASIO, MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY: I think this hat says it all.
MOOS: De Blasio's progressive slogan, Make America Fair Again. What a thrill it is to sit wearing an original Trump hat, while generating new hat slogans. One guy opted for the Donald's own favorite word.
DONALD TRUMP, BUSINESSMAN/CELEBRITY: They're losers. They're just losers.
MOOS: Even the Hillary campaign jumped in on the bandwagon, generating slogans they said every Republican candidate can wear.
BUMP: It's nice to have something that is, sort of bizarre and weird and it kind of blows up.
MOOS: The slogans range from crafts but catchy to reflections upon the hat itself. This hat is blue and black and refers to the old is this dress white and gold or blue and black? Some suggestions didn't fit and Let Bill Clinton Date Again exceeded the 14-character per line limit. But for both the Donald and the media, this hat fits. Jeannie Moos, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHURCH: And we will leave you with that. Thanks for all your company. I'm Rosemary Church.
BARNETT: And I'm Errol Barnett. Early Start is next for those of you in the U.S.
CHURCH: And for everyone else, stay tuned for CNN Newsroom. Have a great day.
BARNETT: See you next week.
