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Militants Close In; Iraq Army; USA Stunned By Portugal; New Search Area

Aired June 23, 2014 - 14:00   ET

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

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Wolf, thank you so much.

Great to be with all of you at the start of the week here on this Monday afternoon. I'm Brooke Baldwin.

And as I come to you, at this moment, more Iraqi cities are falling, seized by radical Sunni militants and their bloody march toward Baghdad. Here's the map. Secretary of State John Kerry today in Iraq's capital on this mission to help the Iraqi government regain control of the country. Secretary Kerry calling for a new Iraq government that rises above sectarian motivations, stopping short of calling for the ouster of Iraq's prime minister, Nuri al Maliki, but did call for this new government.

Now, for the people of Iraq, Secretary Kerry's visit promises change for the better.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): America will not accept the presence of al Qaeda and ISIL in the region because that will impact the Middle East region and the Arab states. It will have an effect on America, too. Therefore, I think there is a solution in Kerry's bag to solve the crisis and he will suggest solutions enabling Iraqi politicians to reach national accord.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: We can't emphasize this enough. I mean just looking at this on the ground. The situation is dire. Right now the U.S. believes there are about 10,000 people now fighting under that ISIS flag. And these militants here today capturing at least four more towns in the western desert. They are also in control of critical Iraqi border crossings with Syria there and neighboring Jordan and have a direct line to the western outskirts of Baghdad. Jim Sciutto, our chief national security correspondent, is in Bagdad, traveling with Secretary Kerry.

Jim, to you.

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well, Brooke, John Kerry came here at a time, say U.S. officials, of extreme anxiety among Iraqi leaders. They're fearful for the survival of their country. They're fearful for their own lives. I have to tell you, having come here for more than 10 years, it is the worst I've ever seen it here. John Kerry delivering two messages, one that the U.S. stands with Iraq, but also that Iraq needs to get its political house in order first to solve this problem.

Before leaving, he spoke to reporters. Here's what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN KERRY, SECRETARY OF STATE: Iraq is a strategic partner of the United States with shared interests encountering the scourge of terrorism, maintaining stability of the global energy markets and easing the sectarian polarization that plagues this region. That's how we have to understand the stakes here in Iraq. And that's why we have to understand the serious threat that ISIL poses to Iraq and the urgent need for Iraq's security forces to therefore be well supplied, well equipped and well trained. That is why President Obama has prepared a range of options for Iraq, including enhanced intelligence, joint operations centers, steady supplies of munitions and advisers to work with and support some of Iraq's best units. With this support, we are living up to our strategic framework agreement. The support will be intense, sustained, and if Iraq's leaders take the necessary steps to bring the country together, it will be effective.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCIUTTO: U.S. officials emphasize that not only are their divisions among the various groups here, the Sunnis, the Shias, the Kurds, but even within them. That there are multiple Shia candidates for leadership, multiple Sunni candidates for leadership. And that that political process has to work its way out to develop that government that U.S. officials believe Iraq needs, one that is truly representative of all its groups.

Another problem though as well, the Iraqi military. Can it not only defend Baghdad, as it has managed to do so far, but can it gain back the ground that it has already lost to ISIS. And that is an open question. U.S. analysis shows that they are not good, not capable of counter offenses. So defense is one thing, but going on offense, getting back that territory, is very much another.

Brooke.

BALDWIN: OK. Jim Sciutto for us on the ground there in Baghdad. Jim, thank you so much.

We have also just learned Iraqi forces have laid down their arms in the face of ISIS fighters, withdrawing from this town called Haditha (ph). It's just a couple hours' drive northwest of Baghdad. But Iraq's military spokesman insists that they are not simply cutting and running. That there was this, quote, strategic withdraw of these troops. I want to bring in Colonel Peter Mansoor, retired U.S. Army and former aid to General David Petraeus.

Colonel, welcome back.

COL. PETER MANSOOR, U.S. ARMY (RET.): Thank you. BALDWIN: So, I read this piece in "The Washington Post" that really

just jumped out at me today, talking about how the Iraqi army is reeling from, to quote this piece, this psychological collapse. And I'm curious if you think that has more to do with their just inability to defend themselves or now this lack of desire to fight a government that clearly disenfranchises them.

MANSOOR: Yes, I think the latter. You know, any sports coach in the United States knows you can't teach and can't coach motivation. And that's exactly what's happening with the Iraqi army now. They have nothing to fight for and -- especially in these areas like Haditha, it's in the Euphrates River Valley and the Tigris River Valley as well, they are Sunni areas and they're not going to lay down their lives trying to defend areas that they don't believe are the core areas of their community.

BALDWIN: So with this lack of motivation, and now you have ISIS seizing these borders, these key locations, essentially opening up the lines of weapon transportation, how much more dangerous here looking at the map, Syria, Iraq. We knew the border was porous, but how much more dangerous did that just take the situation?

MANSOOR: Well, it makes it much easier for the insurgents of the Islamic state of Iraq and the lavant (ph) to cross weapons and people and money back and forth between Syria and Iraq. They can do it now through the border post of al-Qaim. They could do it up through the Mosul corridor. And so they now have basically free flow of arms and troops across the two sides of this border, which really, in effect, no longer exists.

BALDWIN: Then, as you look at the map, they're creeping closer and closer toward Baghdad. And maybe instead of this full frontal assault, and, listen, there have been rumors and speculation that there are already ISIS sleeper cells in the capital city, maybe surrounding the city instead. What might their strategy be there?

MANSOOR: Well, they cannot take Baghdad through a frontal assault. There's just too many Shiite militia men roaming the streets. What they can try to do is encircle the capital and cut off its arteries from the outside world. And if they could do that, then they would have the upper hand strategically for sure. But that would be a tall order for this group, which numbers fewer than 10,000 fighters. But that clearly is the path ahead for them.

BALDWIN: Let me just ask you, looping all the way back to the words from Secretary Kerry there in Iraq today, calling for this new government. He says this as he's just stepped out of this meeting with the leader, with Prime Minister Nuri al Maliki. What's he really saying there?

MANSOOR: I think he's saying exactly what he means, that Iraq needs a new government. They need a new government anyway. They just had elections and they have to form a new government. But I think it's basically saying that it probably will not include the person that he just had a meeting with, Prime Minister Nuri al Maliki, even the Shiite cleric Ayatollah Ali al Sistani has called for a new government, an inclusive government, and by availed inference, a government without Nuri al Maliki.

BALDWIN: My goodness, how can you guarantee that inclusive unifying force in a leader? Lots of questions beyond that. But we have to wait to see if that happens. Colonel Peter Mansoor, thank you so much for coming on here.

As we continue pushing forward on Iraq and the crisis there, more than 1 million Iraqis have had to flee their homes because of what we've been watching on the ground. And if you're looking for ways that you can help, you can. Just go to cnn.com/impact and check out the page for responses to the crisis from UNICEF and from great groups like Save the Children. Again, cnn.com/impact.

Coming up, a huge development in the search for the missing plane, the missing Malaysian Airlines Flight 370. Here's the deal. Investigators have reanalyzed the data. They've come up with new results. And that means a major shift in the search area. We'll talk about that.

And I think I'm still half deaf from sitting in a bar last night hearing the screams over this painful ending, the last-second goal by Portugal to snatched the clear win from the U.S. But have you heard about this theory today? The U.S. and Germany, that's who they take on this Thursday, agreeing for maybe a tie in the game, helping both teams? We'll discuss that.

Also ahead, former NFL star Aaron Hernandez facing a first degree murder charge and CNN has learned new information about this theory that prosecutors have in the case against him. Stay right here. You are watching CNN.

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BALDWIN: Here we go. I'm Brooke Baldwin. You're watching CNN.

You know, they call soccer the beautiful game, but, boy, it can be pretty cruel as well. U.S.-Portugal ending in a tie. But for those watching at home, it felt more like a loss. It was a disastrous start for the men's team. Five minutes in, Portugal is on the board, here you go, after this terrible misplay in front of their own net. But the U.S. team, these guys played strong. Sixty minutes in, the game is tied. Jermaine Jones doing it himself with this. Gorgeous goal. And then captain Clint Dempsey put - there he goes - puts the U.S. in the lead with a beautiful deflection off his chest. Thousands attending these watch parties all across the country could taste victory chanting "I believe that we could win." And then, in the last minute - I mean I think there was like 20 seconds left, this happened.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CROWD (chanting): I believe that we will win! I believe that we will win! I believe that we will win! I believe that we will win! I believe that we will win! I believe that we will win!

Oh. (EXPLETIVE DELETED)

(END VIDEO CLIP) BALDWIN: That hurt, didn't it? You heard the bleeping. Seconds to go. Portugal draws even. The U.S. could have advanced out of the group stage with a win, but now they have to digest this stunner and look ahead to Thursday and the match with Germany.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TIM HOWARD, U.S. GOALKEEPER: (INAUDIBLE). You know, had we - had we been down 2-1 and we came back and scored, everybody would be happy. So, it ebbs and flows. It's - it's a draw. It's a point. It keeps us in the hunt and, you know, that's what we always wanted.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Let's talk about this. Let's look ahead. Positivity, guys. Chris Cuomo live for us in Rio de Janeiro and Rachel Nichols in New York.

So, Chris, I'm coming to you in a minute, but, Rachel, just for you first, talking just about what happened. You know, Team USA contained Portugal's, you know, rock star player Ronaldo basically for the whole game until those final 20 seconds. What happened?

RACHEL NICHOLS, HOST, CNN'S "UNGUARDED WITH RACHEL NICHOLS": Well, this is a problem with low-scoring sports, right? You make one mistake, Brooke, and unfortunately the Americans and Michael Bradley did have a turnover there toward the end of the game. And then, as the Portuguese are bringing the ball up, defense not playing as tight on Cristiano Ronaldo, as one might hope for the best player in the world. He was able to make that great cross and, boom, they pop it into the net.

So, obviously, some small disappointments along the way there in that final minute. But everyone has to remember, Americans, were conditioned in our sports to hate ties, right? Think about the NBA, the NFL. We go to these great lengths. NHL shootouts, over times, not to have ties. But a tie in this situation, it's actually OK. They're still right in the hunt to advance. All they need is a tie or a win and they'll definitely advance after their next game. In fact, they could lose their next game to Germany and there's still a bunch of scenarios in which they advance. It was an impressive performance against a long-time power. And despite all those sad people and all that bleeping you heard, it was actually an OK result.

BALDWIN: I mean if you talked to so many people today, and even though it was a tie it felt like a loss. And, Chris Cuomo, I was out with some people. I went straight from the airport to this bar to catch like the last 45 minutes of the match. You were surrounded by just a few thousand other people at Copacabana Beach last night. A massive watch party. What did it feel like being there?

CHRIS CUOMO, ANCHOR, CNN'S "NEW DAY": Well, first of all, you going right from an airport to a bar often has nothing to do with futbol. (INAUDIBLE).

BALDWIN: Cuomo, stop it right there. Talk soccer. CUOMO: So don't make it sound like you're not -- that's why that happened. Just for point of clarity.

But I'll tell you what, what I'm loving about this is the environment. To be in Rio, which is one of the most electric cities in the world ordinarily. To be in Brazil for the World Cup, the country that calls itself the country of futbol, it has been amazing. And the American presence second only to Brazil in tickets sold for the World Cup. So last night it was just amazing. And this was a defining match because they had to find not just a way to advance, but a way to find the confidence that they could play against the best. And they had so much U.S. support, if nothing else, they got a major victory on that level. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CUOMO (voice-over): From the beginning, U.S.-Portugal was bigger than a game.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We were originally supposed to go to Spain. We thought we'd spend the extra money to go to the World Cup.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We went to the game a couple nights ago in Curitiba and there was a whole bunch of, you know, Honduran fans and Ecuador fans. They all wanted pictures with the U.S.

CUOMO: There is a mantra surrounding U.S. soccer.

CROWD: I believe that we will win! I believe that we will win!

CUOMO: Could they really avoid the venomous feet of the great Ronaldo? The answer, yes, until less than a minute to go when another last- second goal would mark a U.S. match. But this time, the U.S. falls victim.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): And here is Cristiano Ronaldo. Oh, it's a great cross. And it is an equalizer!

CUOMO: A tie isn't a win, but it awards the U.S. another valuable point, making its chances of moving on that much better and showing the U.S. can go toe to toe with the best.

CROWD: U.S. (INAUDIBLE) win! U.S. (INAUDIBLE) win! U.S. (INAUDIBLE) win.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CUOMO: I like the point that the American team member made, Brooke, there, that, you know, if they had been down 2-1 and tied the game up at the end, everybody would be so happy about the draw. But because there was a potential victory, you know, people see it a different way. But you know what, it's just perspective, because as Rachel laid out, they needed a point, they got a point, they're in good shape.

BALDWIN: You and Griff, you enjoy your (INAUDIBLE) as you stay down there and keep working really hard. Rachel, let me end with you. Just kidding because - because I love.

Rachel, looking ahead to Thursday and Germany. Listen, everyone loves a good mystery. The conspiracy theorists are at it already as far as, you know, maybe, if the two teams could get together -- because this U.S. head coach, Jurgen Klinsmann, is like this national hero, played for Germany once upon a time -- get together, have a draw, you know, save up their energy for the next game. Is that just nonsense or what?

NICHOLS: Well, certainly I don't think anyone seriously thinks that's going to happen. But you have - you've got to know why people are talking about this. First of all, he's not just a national soccer hero in Germany, which he is, but he used to coach the German national team and his protege now coaches the German national team. There's five German Americans on the U.S. team. And Germany has a history of doing this.

This happened before in 1982 in the World Cup. What was then West Germany was playing Austria. And it's now pretty well acknowledged the two sides basically colluded so that they could go through and leave some of the other teams in the group out in the cold. So that's where all this is coming from. It's not just rank speculation.

All of that being said, nobody actually thinks that Jurgen Klinsmann is going to go and text his buddy and say, hey, let's hold this off. As he said to the media when this inevitably came up in the post-match press conference, that is not the character of this team and is certainly not the character of anything we have seen thus far.

The Germans, by the way, really want to win the group too. It's going to -- whoever does win this group will influence who they play in the next round, which could influence how they move forward. So there's a lot of other things at stake. We don't necessarily expect colluding by any stretch, but, gee, it's fun to talk about, right? And it has happened before.

BALDWIN: Isn't it? It's a fun story line, but thank you for giving us all the perspective necessary. Rachel Nichols and Chris Cuomo, thank you two very much. Chris, don't go too far. We'll talk to you next hour because also coming up next hour, I will talk to the Cobi Jones. He has played in more World Cup games for the United States than anyone else. So we'll get his take on this upcoming U.S.-Germany match. Do not miss that.

Also ahead here on CNN, reanalyzing the data. Investigators searching for Flight 370 take another look at all that information they have and now say, hmm, they may have miscalculated. We'll tell you about this new search area and compare it to the previous one.

And later, CNN has obtained this new report just released today detailing more problems with the V.A. It says the V.A. found problems but did not act upon them. Drew Griffin, who burst the story wide open, will join me live with that new information today.

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BALDWIN: Almost four months now and really very few answers into the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. But today, word of a big development. Australian authorities are expected to reveal plans this Wednesday for a brand new search in this new area. They re- evaluated that satellite data and they say this could be their best chance yet to find this plane and the remains of those 239 people on board. CNN aviation analyst Rene Marsh is here.

And when we say new location, it's the same ocean, Rene, right, just a different spot?

RENE MARSH, CNN AVIATION AND GOVERNMENT REGULATION CORRESPONDENT: Exactly. Same ocean, different spot. The target area we're told could shift hundreds of miles south of the last search zone, which would pretty much jive with a group of independent experts who analyzed the raw data all by themselves and said that the search should be focused to the southwest of where crews had already spent weeks scouring the ocean floor.

Now, the authorities who have been essentially overseeing the search, they have returned to the data, they are re-examining it, and in hopes of essentially better precision in pinpointing the most likely area where Flight 370 entered the water, they are just crunching those numbers all over again. The hunt in the old search area, we all know, it turned up nothing. But very, very important to highlight that that southern arc is still very much in play. They still believe that the plane is somewhere along that southern arc in the Indian Ocean. The problem is, the arc stretches some 1,600 miles. That's roughly the distance between Washington, D.C. and Mexico City. So that's a lot of ground to cover. And this Wednesday we'll find out exactly where they think the promising area is now, Brooke.

BALDWIN: OK. We'll follow up and talk about it Wednesday. Rene Marsh, thank you so much, in Washington, on that.

Coming up, former NFL star Aaron Hernandez, you know this story, he's charged with first degree murder. Now we know he spent part of the weekend in the hospital.

Also ahead, more shocking allegations against the V.A. If you thought things were bad before, wait until you hear what some of these other allegations entail, what these veterans apparently had to go through. Brand new report revealed today. We have it for you after the break.

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