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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Obama's New Syria-ISIS Strategy; Ukraine in Crisis: Russian Troops Move In; President Obama Facing Challenges in Asia; Window Washers Rescued; Jameis Winston Hearing Pushed Back to Dec. 1

Aired November 13, 2014 - 05:00   ET

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

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: A possible new strategy in the war against ISIS. Why President Obama may now be focused on battling Syrian President Bashar al Assad.

Happening now, Russia pouring tanks and troops in Ukraine. Does the Kremlin preparing to invade? We are live in Moscow with the new provocative moves.

And then a daring rescue caught on camera. Window washers dangling in the air outside the new World Trade Center. What they had to say when this was all over.

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm John Berman.

It is Thursday, November 13, 5:00 a.m. in the East. Christine Romans is on assignment this morning.

New developments to tell you about in the battle against ISIS. Senior officials tell CNN that President Obama has ordered a review of U.S. policy toward Syria. They say that President Obama has realized it may not be possible to defeat ISIS with Syrian President Bashar al Assad still in power.

Later this morning, a House panel will hear testimony on the U.S. strategy to deal with ISIS. CNN global affairs correspondent Elise Labott has the story from Washington -- Elise.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ELISE LABOTT, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, John, you know that many of the president's top national security advisors, including Secretary of State John Kerry, have been calling for a more robust strategy toward Syria.

Now, the president and his advisors coming to the realization that you are not going to defeat ISIS without a plan to get rid of President Assad in Syria who the U.S. and many allies see as the reason ISIS was able to gain strength. It seems the initial strategy to confront ISIS in Iraq first, then take on Syria needs some reexamination, because the administration had hope this would give U.S. time to vet, arm and train the Syrian rebel forces who would then go after ISIS and eventually Assad's regime. But, officials now realized they do not have that kind of time. The opposition is battling two fronts, the regime and ISIS. And this

could be obliterated by the time the U.S. pivots from Iraq to Syria.

So, just the past week, the national security team has met four times to discuss how the strategy in Syria fits into the overall strategy in ISIS, one of those meetings chaired by President Obama. There's talk about expanding and accelerating the train and equip program. But they are also talking about a political transition.

When Secretary Kerry and General John Allen, the coalition envoy, meet with allies, they hear there is not a coherent strategy towards Syria, and the only way to defeat ISIS is if there's a more coherent plan for Syria's future -- John.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BERMAN: All right. Elise Labott for us in Washington.

Shocking new revelations this morning about three Denver area teenage girls were recruited to join ISIS fighters in Syria. Law enforcement officials tell CNN that hardened jihadists and Westerners who already joined ISIS had direct contact with these girls on the Internet.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RITA KATZ, SITE INTELLIGENCE GROUP: The girls were in communication with ISIS Sisters Online, women that are dedicated to recruit women.

DAVEED GARTENSTEIN-ROSS, FOUNDATION FOR DEFENSE OF DEMOCRACIES: These were role models to them and people they can be in contact with. Then social media, which is both more immediate and allows to you immerse yourself in an extremist environment, being used as a recruiting platform.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: The girls were stopped in Germany before they can make it Syria. FBI officials say they are homing in now on specific online recruiters thought to be in Turkey, Syria, and also in Iraq.

New this morning: Russia forces on the move in Eastern Ukraine. It is stirring fears of a renewed potential war there. Ukrainian officials tell CNN the excursion is in preparation for a new offensive by pro- Russian separatists.

At a U.N. Security Council meeting, the U.S. criticized Russia for violating a peace deal and escalating the violence.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SAMANTHA POWER, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: Russia has negotiated a peace plan and then systematically undermined it at every step. It talks of peace but it keeps fueling war.

(END VIDEO CLIP) BERMAN: NATO says that it has observed even something more alarming, Russian war planes capable of carrying nuclear weapons deployed to Crimea.

Matthew Chance is live in Moscow with the latest to all of this.

And, Russians really don't have much to say, do they, Matthew?

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, they are saying that this is propaganda. They are rejecting all these allegations that Russian combat troops and Russian military equipments are making their way from Russian into Eastern Ukraine to support the rebels. That's exactly what they've been saying all along. They always categorically denied that they give anything but political and moral support to the pro-Russian separatists in Eastern Ukraine, despite reports to the contrary, particularly from international monitors on the ground. The OSCE is the organization that's taking care of that.

Just few days ago, they reported seeing 43 unmarked military trucks heading in the direction of Donetsk, which is the main industrial city in that separatist held Eastern Ukraine. Five of those trucks carrying artillery pieces and other five carrying multiple rocket launchers. That came before the NATO warning that they sighted Russian troops coming across the border as well.

So, a lot of evidence on one side. But on the other side, on the Russia's side, we are just getting complete denials again that they've got anything to do with this.

BERMAN: They say you're simply not seeing what you are seeing and what we are seeing pictures of.

Matthew Chance in Moscow for us -- thanks so much, Matthew.

Secretary of State John Kerry is in the Middle East this morning set to hold talks aimed at easing tensions between Palestinians and Israelis. Tensions have been flaring in Jerusalem. The secretary's job is being made tougher by an Israeli government decision to give preliminary approval to the expansion of the Jewish neighborhood in traditionally Arab East Jerusalem.

On addition to this, Israel announced Wednesday that it will not cooperate with the United Nations probe into the summer's conflict in Gaza. That leaves United Nations investigators in Jordan without entry visas.

A huge cyber attack originating from China forcing the National Weather Service to shutdown critical data systems. Officials say that hackers breached the U.S. weather network for several days in September and October, forcing cyber security teams to seal off data vital to disaster planning, aviation and shipping. Officials say the agency did not notify the public when it learned of this attack.

This morning, the president is in Myanmar where he just accused the government of backsliding on the reforms that began there with such high hopes in 2010. That is when government there ended 50 years of military rule. President Obama traveled to Myanmar as part of the week-long trip in the East Asia summit.

With him there, our senior international correspondent Ivan Watson.

Good morning, Ivan.

IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, John.

Earlier today, President Obama met with really a leader of the former enemy, the prime minister of Vietnam, bilateral talks. And, of course, a big part of this trip is coming back to Myanmar. President Obama was the first U.S. president to ever visit this country two years ago. That was in a bit of a honeymoon period when Myanmar and its ruling military junta had agreed to step down and pave the way towards civilian rule and democratic elections.

Well, the White House today has reiterated concerns about what they've said are a certain amount of stalling of some of these democratic reforms that the government had pledged to carry out and in some cases, back sliding. The White House saying, John, that it wants to see movement towards amending and reforming a constitution that was written by the military junta in the dark days of 2008 when the country was a pariah state when it was facing U.S. sanctions and really isolated internationally.

It also wants to prevent what it called backsliding in the government and its treatment of the Rohingya. That's an ethnic and religious minority in the country, about a million members of which are denied full citizenship rights. In fact, the Myanmar government refuses to even recognize the term Rohingya, referring to them pretty much as illegal immigrants, although we've met some of them who have been living here for generations.

So, these are some of the concerns and the White House is making clear that it's willing to offer some carrots in the form of more U.S. humanitarian assistance, more U.S. investment and more military-to- military contact if the Myanmar government restarts its reform process -- John.

BERMAN: It's interesting to see that relationship develop over the last few years. Ivan Watson for us in Myanmar -- thanks so much, Ivan.

Time to get an EARLY START on our money right now. Cristina Alesci is right here.

Good morning.

CRISTINA ALESCI, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: A party on Wall Street because stocks are still in record territory. At least futures are indicating the market will open higher. And it could be another record day if that holds because stocks only pulled back slightly yesterday. Still, investors are pointing to the fact that S&P 500 closed lower for the first time in six trading days. Now, bank stocks were hit particularly hard. They fell after

regulators announced a $4.3 billion settlement for currency manipulation.

And, bad news for SeaWorld. Attendance keeps falling. Visitors were down 5 percent from a year ago and admission prices fell by just as much. That's forcing the company to cut costs.

SeaWorld is blaming CNN's documentary "Blackfish" that raised questions over how the animals are treated -- John.

BERMAN: All right. Thanks so much.

Happening right now: protests turning violent in Mexico. Demonstrators furious over the massacre of dozens and dozens of students. We'll break down the latest developments, live.

Plus, a dangerous rescue. Two window washers dangling in the air nearly 70 stories up. The dramatic moments and how they are doing this morning.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: New this morning, Mexico looking like a war zone. Protesters clashing with police and torching a government building there.

The violence in response to the mystery surrounding the apparent massacre of dozens of students.

Rafael Romo is live for us on the ground in Southern Mexico.

Rafael, you've been covering this for so many weeks now. What's the latest?

RAFAEL ROMO, CNN SENIOR LATIN AMERICAN AFFAIRS EDITOR: John, good morning.

The protests seem to be getting more frequent and more intense. And let me tell you why. For example, just yesterday, the congressional building here in the state of Guerrero where we are was torched and vandalized, and seemingly, authorities were unable to do anything to contain the protesters. Also, an adjacent government building was vandalized as well, and then protesters proceeded to march away from there without any police being able to stop them.

Just yesterday, the same thing happened to the PRI party headquarters here in the state capital of Chilpancingo where about 60 employees were temporarily detained by the protesters. Then, there was a contingent of about 200 riot police that showed up. But they were facing a force of 2,000 protesters. It was a very tense and chaotic situation.

In the meantime, people seem to be for getting that there are still 43 students from rural teachers college who are missing. And even though the government says that everything seems to indicate that they were murdered by a local gang, there is no DNA evidence, no scientific evidence as to what happened to them.

And the parents of the students are refusing to believe the government's version that they were killed. So, a very chaotic situation, and no real solution seems to be happening anytime soon, John.

BERMAN: It's outrageous. I can't imagine being those parents.

Rafael Romo for us in Southern Mexico -- thanks so much, Rafael.

High drama this morning to tell you about at the World Trade Center in New York City. A scaffolding malfunction left two window washers dangling 68 stories, up there for more than hour. Firefighters raced to the rescue. They had to cut thick glass from inside the building to reach them.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIPS)

DAN NIGRO, FDNY COMMISSIONER: There are three layers of glass. Two inner layers were cut first with diamond saws. When they were finished with that, they cut the outer layer of glass.

GERARD MCENEANEY, NYC WINDOW WASHERS UNION: They were shaken, obviously. I mean, it's a harrowing experience. Anyone would be frightened. But they were good. They weren't injured that I saw. And I asked them both, you know, you guys OK? How are you doing? They said, no, we're fine. A little shaky.

(END VIDEO CLIPS)

BERMAN: Just a little shaky. Look at that. That's unbelievable. The two men did have mild hypothermia but they are otherwise OK.

For the first time, we are hearing the 911 calls from the scene of deadly scene of Marysville Pilchuck High School, north of Seattle. One of them, one of the calls, from heroic teacher Megan Silberberger. She told the dispatcher that she tried to keep the teen shooter from killing himself.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

MEGAN SILBERBERGER, TEACHER: I do not see the gun. I'm looking at him. I need help. I need help now.

He's right here. He is wearing all black. I'm sitting at him right now, sitting next to him. I need staff now right here. Black pants, black shoes -- black pants, black shoes, black jacket.

He is a high school student. I do not know how old he is. I tried to stop him before he shot himself.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

BERMAN: Just horrifying. Four teens who were gunned later died from injuries who was seriously

hurt was released from hospital last week.

The slow burn on Hawaii's big island continues. The lava from the Kilauea volcano keeps advancing towards the village of Pahoa. Civil defense officials say there are three active lava flow breakouts, none are currently a threat to lives or property. Earlier this week, the molten rock destroyed a home on the outskirts of that town.

So, we have been telling about the early blast of snow and freezing temperatures that sent shivers across the Midwest. So, just how cold was it in Denver on Wednesday?

The city set not one, but two cold weather records, the high of 6 degrees. Are you kidding me? A high of 6 degrees shattered a record that stood for 98 years. Then it fell to minus 13 at night. That was a record low for the date. That is just unfair.

So, the University of Minnesota turned To twitter for help shoveling the football stadium that was covered in snow. Officials offers $10 an hour, that is pretty good -- I don't pay my kids that much -- to clear the seats and aisles. Lots of people came out.

The big clean up is in preparation for the Gophers game on Saturday against the Ohio State Buckeyes.

The deep freeze is about to get deeper.

Indra Petersons, with an early start on our forecast.

Good morning.

INDRA PETERSONS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Good morning.

We have been talking about it for a while. We know that cold air was somewhere. Well, today, that somewhere happens into the Northeast. It is finally here. It is our big day, right? A 20 degree drop. So, highs expected around Boston in just the 40s.

And notice that chill. It's going to linger for a while.

Just keep in mind, though, just because that cold air is spread to the Northeast doesn't mean it is not lingering back in places it originated from. So, take a look at some of these windchills that were currently dealing with this morning. Rapid City, 20 below.

Poor Denver, setting records. We talked about 13 below. But we didn't factor in the windchill. Currently, they feel like they are 35 below this morning.

So, yes, that cold air is in place. Many places still talking about 30 degrees below average for this time of year, and that looks like 10 to 15 degrees below average in the Northeast.

So, what's going on? The cold blast of air is here. A low actually develop along that. So, now, right across the mid-Atlantic, the low spreads with showers to the mid-Atlantic and snow showers in through New England today. Also, some lake-effect snow is expected.

But the big question is: how long is this cold air going to last?

Well, unfortunately, another storm is out there. You'll actually see some snow showers will be in the Pacific Northwest today. If you want to see it day by day, you can see it for the next week or so. That system will be in play, which means these cold temperatures will also be here for a while.

BERMAN: Boo!

All right. Thanks, Indra. Appreciate it.

So, a scary sounding midair mishap for Bono on Wednesday. The rock star's private jet lost a door some 15,000 feet in the air. The plane was flying from Dublin to Berlin when the door fell off over Germany. Now, as frightening as that sounds, no one on board knew about it until the plane landed safely. The door belonged to the cargo compartment. The only loss was two pieces of luggage.

You might say that plane flies in mysterious ways.

So sad when Christine Romans is not here to laugh at my jokes.

So, it is baseball's award season. And Dodgers' ace Clayton Kershaw has won his third Cy Young. Will he add an MVP trophy to his collection?

Andy Scholes and a big surprise from the American League in the "Bleacher Report", next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: Florida State has agreed to postpone Jameis Winston's code of conduct hearing until after the Seminoles finished the regular season.

Andy Scholes with more on the "Bleacher Report".

Good morning, Andy.

ANDY SCHOLES, BLEACHER REPORT: Yes, good morning, John.

The hearing was supposed to take place next week, but after Winston's attorney asked for more time. They moved it to December 1s. And as to Monday, before Winston and the Seminoles could potentially be playing for the ACC championship.

Now, Winston was accused of rape by a fellow student in December of 2012, but charges were never brought. The retired Florida Supreme Court justice will hear the case and decide whether or not Winston violated FSU's student code of conduct. If found guilty, Winston faces a range of punishments from a written or verbal reprimand to expulsion.

All right. Major League Baseball handing out their Cy Young Award last night. No surprise in the National League. Clayton Kershaw was the unanimous choice. This is the third Cy Young in the past four years for the Dodgers' ace.

Now, in the American League, it was a much closer race. And Indians pitcher Corey Kluber edged out the Mariners' Felix Hernandez. Now, if you haven't heard of Kluber, it's because this is only his second season as a full time starter. Kluber, he made only a little more than $500,000 last season. To put that in perspective, it took Hernandez just six innings to earn that much last season.

The Major League Baseball will announce the league's MVPs later on today.

All right. There is controversy brewing in Seattle. An investigation done by CNN affiliate KOMO revealed that CenturyLink Field may be watering down their beer. Six beers were tested at a local lab, and all of them had a lower alcohol content than was advertised.

This is actually pretty serious because federal law prohibits alcohol providers from selling less than .3 percent below content. Anheuser- Busch, who makes five of the six beers that were tested told KOMO that the beer at CenturyLink field is the same it sells to bars and restaurants and other retail locations. They actually questioned the tests that were done in the lab.

But, John, this is concerning for fans, if you buy a $9 beer, you expect to get real beer.

BERMAN: Andy, I propose that CNN send the two of us to Seattle to do an extensive investigation.

SCHOLES: Extensive investigation. I'm all in for that.

BERMAN: And funded. We will do the expense report and it will be on CNN's dime.

All right. Andy, I appreciate it.

SCHOLES: All right.

BERMAN: Possible new strategy in the fight against ISIS. What President Obama now thinks has to be accomplished to beat the terrorists. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)