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Army Blocking Ebola-Hit Areas; White House Considers Air Strikes in Iraq; ISIS Quickly Became Dangerous; Specific Message from Hamas/Palestinian Negotiating Team.

Aired August 07, 2014 - 14:30   ET

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

DR. OLIVER JOHNSON, TREATING EBOLA PATIENTS IN SIERRA LEONE: But I think in our minds, and certainly even as a doctor, in my mind when I was training, I imagined Ebola to be a very graphic disease of a lot of bleeding and so on. It's been this hemorrhagic fever, very little bleeding. It's been a disease that looks like malaria with headaches and fever. It might look like diarrhea and vomiting. Might look like tuberculosis with a cough. What we're seeing sometimes, a hidden presentation, making it hard to identify and often very healthy patients initially sick. So I'm used to seeing us not many young patients. And if they are young and is sick, because they had cancer or something else. What we're seeing with Ebola is young, strong people being hit quite hard and really going downhill quite quickly from sometimes being a walk-around and so then by the next day pass away.

I think what's surprising to me is people have been so healthy in the response. Perhaps also what we should remember is how many people are surviving. So over 150 people have survived this disease. And particularly surviving because they're coming to hospital early, we're able to give them good treatments, fluids, that significantly increase their chances of survival. And I think the fears of a 90 percent fatality, that's not what we're seeing with good treatment. So that's why we're going door to door in Sierra Leone, in houses and communities, why we're going on the media, the press, to tell people, if you're sick, come to hospital, we have treatments that can save your life if you come early and, and a good chance of survival.

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Thank goodness. A lot of us are hearing this 90 percent morality rate, but you can survive with good treatment from doctors such as yourself.

Dr. Oliver Johnson, thank you so much.

JOHNSON: Thank you.

BALDWIN: And best of luck to everything you're doing there in Sierra Leone.

Let's get you back to breaking news. The jihadist group ISIS has seized control of Iraq's largest Christian city and now the Obama administration is considering air strikes in Iraq. Is the White House willing to go that far? We'll talk with Candy Crowley after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

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

Back to breaking news. Incredibly busy Thursday. Let's talk about Iraq. We now have, from our chief national security correspondent, Jim Sciutto, that the United States is considering military options, including possible air strikes to stop this growing threat of ISIS in Iraq.

And just a pause to look at these pictures. This is just into us at CNN. There you have it. There's the White House. Crowds are gathering in front of the White House, and they are protesting what is basically happening with this one religious minority group in northern Iraq, they're called the Yazidis. And some tens of thousands of these Yazidis are basically stuck in a corner, but the corner is the tiptop of a mountain, because of this terrorist organization, ISIS. They have claimed many, many massive cities in Iraq thus far this year. But now this. Tens of thousands of people stuck on top of a mountain, no water, no food, no shelter. They're dying because the choice they have is convert or being killed.

So that's what's happening in Washington. What does the U.S. do?

Let's go to Washington to our chief political correspondent, host of "State of the Union," Candy Crowley.

Candy Crowley, where do we even begin? President Obama -- we know we are at war weary public. Very clearly, no boots on the ground in Iraq. The fact, the United States is considering air strikes is huge.

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT & CNN HOST, STATE OF THE UNION: It is. But there is a difference between a war and a military strike. And here's I think the current dilemma for the White House. And that is that it really didn't want to do anything militarily to try to stop is. That is the use of U.S. forces, air strikes, until there was a new prime minister. They believe that Maliki is, in part, responsible for the circumstances that allowed ISIS to come across from Syria and take over, because he has not had an inclusive government. So the U.S. has been kind of holding off on ISIS, awaiting a new government in Baghdad.

But now comes this phenomenal humanitarian crisis, based on religion, right? I mean, what is more -- the freedom of religion -- there are few things more core to U.S. beliefs than the right not to be persecuted for one's religion. Here are people starving, dying, lacking medication, on a mountaintop, where, perhaps -- and I'm not a military person -- but a quick strike on the ground could move ISIS back or where you could drop humanitarian things. And in the end, I think, when you look at it, sometimes you do something because it's the right thing to do. And the U.S. has done things before in humanitarian crises. So we'll see. I'm sure they want to know, first of all, would it work. Before they use air strikes. There certainly won't be troops on the ground. But the fact of the matter is, that these are people that are being

told, if you don't convert, we're going to kill you. And that's not something that anybody in the U.S. -- the administration or elsewhere wants to see happen.

BALDWIN: No. Not OK at all. And listening to the White House briefing and Jim Acosta sort of pressing Josh Earnest, you understand why Josh Earnest didn't want to say, yes, they're considering air strikes, didn't want to get ahead of the president. But if and when we do finally see President Barack Obama come out, speak to the American public on what's happening, this humanitarian catastrophe in Iraq, what should he say?

CROWLEY: We can't allow this to stand. You know, in the end, look, this is a president who campaigned on getting us out of two wars. He got us out of Iraq. You know, the American public knows the difference between reentering with troops on the ground, et cetera, et cetera, and going in to save a population of, you know, up to 40,000 people who are being starved to death on a mountaintop by religious zealots. So, you know, I think there is a way that the president -- I mean, that's why they call it the bully pulpit, you say here's what I have decided to do and here's why. And I think it's the right thing to do.

The president's approval rating right now is at 40 percent. So I'm not sure his approval rating is upper most in his mind right now as they weigh. I think probably the military question here is, will it work.

BALDWIN: Right.

CROWLEY: Can we strike there, and --

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: Will it be effective?

CROWLEY: Will it be effective, because why do it and have it not be effective, because then you do get drawn in deeper.

BALDWIN: Great question.

Candy Crowley, thank you so much, in Washington for me.

CROWLEY: Thanks, Brooke.

BALDWIN: We're going to stay on this story and talk live with former CIA operative, Bob Baer, about this group, about ISIS, who some experts have called worse than al Qaeda.

Stay with me.

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BALDWIN: You're watching CNN. I'm Brooke Baldwin. Back with breaking news that the U.S. is considering military options

in Iraq. A U.S. official tells CNN they have been discussing air strikes in Iraq for some time. And today's developments might meet the threshold for those air strikes. This follows the takeover of Iraq's largest Christian city by ISIS, the savage Islamic jihadist group. Thousands of Christians are fleeing, afraid for their lives. This one city located near Mosul, which ISIS controls. And Christians are not the only targets. We're hearing reports that thousands of other religious minorities are recently slaughtered. The White House says any military operations would be limited, emphasizing no combat boots on the ground.

And Anderson Cooper tracked how ISIS quickly became the world's most dangerous jihadist organization.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN HOST, A.C. 360 (voice-over): Brutal, well- organized, and well-financed, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, also known as ISIS, is rapidly morphed into the world's most dangerous jihadist organization. Its methods so extreme, al Qaeda itself has disavowed any relationship with it.

(SHOUTING)

COOPER: The group seized on the power vacuum left by the U.S. withdrawal in Iraq, the continuing Syrian civil war, and the hostility between different Muslim groups to grow and influence and bolster its ranks, becoming a magnet for battle-hardened jihadists from around the world. Its goal is synonymous with its name, to set up a caliphate in the Middle East. And with recent advances in northern Iraq, that goal appears to be closer.

ISIS now controls crucial swaths of territory stretching from the Syrian city of Aleppo all the way to the outskirts of Baghdad. And has threatened to advance on the capital itself.

Formed by al Zawahiri (ph), ISIS was originally known as the Islamic State of Iraq, al Qaeda's affiliate there. It was tasked with creating a sectarian civil war to destabilize the country during the U.S.-led occupation.

But its current leader, al Baghdadi, has a larger vision for the group. Al Baghdadi assumed control of ISIS in 2010 at the age of 39, a religious scholar who claims to be a direct descendent of the prophet, Mohammad. His tactics have inspired thousands and many call him the new Osama bin Laden.

As ISIS has grown, it's assumed the responsibility not just of a terrorist group, but of a governing power, often providing food and services to the residents in the areas it controls.

(GUNFIRE)

COOPER: ISIS rules through fear, imposing Sharia Law, and public floggings and executions to keep people in check. And with each city it conquers, it seems its power and influence grows.

Anderson Cooper, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BALDWIN: So the real question? Can ISIS be stopped? The White House emphasizes combat troops, not an option. No boots on the ground. But, yes, air strikes might be a possibility. A U.S. official tells CNN, the White House has been talking about possible air strikes for a while.

Let me bring in CNN intelligence and security analyst, Bob Baer, a former CIA operative.

Bob Baer, when you hear possible air strikes, what would that even look like?

BOB BAER, CNN INTELLIGENCE & SECURITY ANALYST: You know, the question is how effective they would be. Hitting ISIS is very difficult. They're spread out. It's a guerilla force, largely. Yes, you could hit them. You could do damage. But the problem is the down sides. There have been reports the last couple days, and I think they have been confirmed today, that they have taken the Mosul dam, for instance. You can expect them to react by letting the water out, which would flood southern Iraq. There's also the question of what sort of support does ISIS have clandestine cells inside the United States? Homeland Security people have told me that they're everywhere and it's a major concern in Washington. So it's not going to be as simple as using pinpoint strikes to drive this group back.

BALDWIN: Hearing what you said about the dam, we have talked about this before and it's sort of questionable who has, you know, control of the dam in any given moment. But I mean, the fact is, if they use this hydroelectric dam, right there in Mosul, second-largest city of Iraq, can we just talk about even that potential damage? I mean, what would that do as far as foes you Mosul is concerned, but also Baghdad?

BAER: Well, I talked to somebody today who studied this. He had been CIA and they looked at this. And Saddam built that dam so if it did let its water out, it would largely bypass Mosul and hit the Shia cities, his opponents, especially in southern Iraq. It would take out the religious cities like Carbala (ph) and kill a lot of Shia. This is al Qaeda with a weapon of mass destruction.

BALDWIN: Let's talk about weaponry. I mean, the sophistication on the ground, can you just compare whatever ISIS has in its arsenal compared to, say, Iraqi military forces or the Kurdish forces, the Peshmerga?

BAER: Well, they can pretty much equal the Iraqi army, because they see so many weapons in Mosul and other parts of Iraq. They brought some weapons over from Syria. But more than that, ISIS understands tactics, because a lot of Saddam's former officers have joined ISIS and are fighting alongside. They may not share their beliefs, but they do want to re-establish a Sunni entity in western Iraq and Anbar Province in and around Mosul. You're seeing very qualified and battle-hardened officers leading this offensive against the Kurds and against the Iraqi army.

BALDWIN: And just finally, Bob, when you picture these tens of thousands of men, women and children trapped on top of this mountaintop, this religious minority stuck, dying, if we talk about the U.S. helping, giving humanitarian aid in the form of drops, how is that -- is that possible to do without air strikes or any kind of military intervention?

BAER: You know, we need to take control of the air space. They do have surface-to-air missiles, shoulder-fired. Is has them. But on the other hand, look at it from the White House's point of view. Is looks at these people trapped on the mountain, so-called Yazidis, as devil worshippers, as fallen-away Muslims. It's not a question of force conversion. They will slaughter them if they get their hands on them. And this is -- this is a very, very serious situation. I don't see how we can simply sit back and let them be slaughtered.

BALDWIN: Bob Baer, thank you.

We'll come back to that in just a minute.

I have more breaking news to pass along to you right now on this very last day of the 72-hour cease-fire between Hamas and Israel. As peace talks are under way, we are getting word the military wing of Hamas has urged the Palestinian negotiation team to not extend the cease- fire until a certain demand is met. We will take you live to Cairo where those peace talks are under way, next.

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BALDWIN: Breaking details now on this third, last day of the 72-hour cease-fire between Hamas and Israel. As these peace talks have been under way in Egypt, we are now getting word on a very specific message from the military wing of Hamas to the Palestinian negotiating team.

Let's go to Egypt, to Cairo, to Reza Sayah, live.

They're asking, Reza, saying to this negotiation team, do not extend this cease-fire, unless what?

REZA SAYAH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, Brooke. I think a lot of people look at this state and perceive it as Hamas' military wing raising the threats. This is raising the stakes. This is a statement that a lot of people are going to perceive as a veiled threat.

Let's tell you what they said. This is a statement by the Alcansan (ph) brigade, Hamas' military wing. In a news conference 30 minutes ago, a militant saying that the Palestinian negotiating team in Cairo should not extend the cease-fire unless the Palestinians' initial demands are met, including ending the blockade of Gaza. He went on to say, if there is agreement on this, the cease-fire can be extended. If there is no agreement, the negotiating team will withdraw from talks.

Earlier in the day, we spoke to another senior Palestinian official, who made a similar veiled threat, apparently, saying if Israel doesn't respond to the demands of the Palestinian people, if Israel evades its responsibilities, the resistance can resume its activities, the official said. He wasn't clear on whether once 8:00 a.m. rolls around tomorrow, the end of the cease-fire, he wasn't clear if Hamas would start fighting, if Hamas would start firing rockets. But certainly, when you hear a statement like that, you have to wonder. When Friday comes, if there is no agreement, is the violence, is the rocket firing going to start again?

So a lot of pressure in these remaining hours for these two sides to get something done, and now Hamas seemingly piling on the pressure.

BALDWIN: We'll analyze that pressure with someone in just a moment.

But Reza Sayah with that breaking news in Cairo, hours away from the end of the cease-fire.

Thank you, sir, for that.

Our other breaking story, the U.S. now considering air strikes in Iraq. We'll discuss.

And another part of the world. As Russia is building up its troops along that Ukrainian border, Ukraine says pro-Russian rebels have shot down yet another fighter jet. And we're hearing missile to shoot that jet down came from the very same system that took down that Malaysian Air flight 17.

Stay right with me. This is CNN.

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