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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

U.S. to Review Syria-ISIS Strategy; NATO Observes Russian Hardware Entering Crimea; Stocks in Record Territory; Arctic Chill Breaking Records; Mexican Protests Turning Violent; The First Pictures from a Comet

Aired November 13, 2014 - 05:30   ET

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

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JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: A possible new strategy in the fight against ISIS where President Obama wants to take the fight now, we'll explain ahead.

Russia flexing its military muscle pouring tanks and troops into Ukraine, is Vladimir Putin preparing for an invasion? We're live.

And then the polar plunge deepens, if you think it is cold now, just wait. Indra Petersons with the news and all the low temperatures that's coming up.

Welcome back to EARLY START, everyone. I'm John Berman. It's 30 minutes past the hour. Christine Romans is on assignment.

New developments this morning in the battle against ISIS, senior administration officials tell CNN that President Obama has ordered a review of U.S. policy towards Syria.

They say the president has realized that it may not be possible to defeat ISIS with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad still in power. This morning, a House panel hears testimony on the U.S. ISIS strategy. CNN global affairs correspondent, Elise Labott, has the story now from Washington -- Elise.

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 towards Syria.

Now the president and his advisors coming to the realization 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's seems that initial strategy to confront ISIS in Iraq first then take on Syria needs some reexamination. The administration had hoped this would give U.S. time to vet, train, and arm a moderate Syrian rebel force to 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 in 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 is talk about expanding and accelerating the train and equipped program. They are also talking about a political transition. When Secretary Kerry and General John Allen, the coalition envoy meets with allies, they hear that there is not a coherent strategy against Syria. Only way to defeat ISIS is if is there a more coherent plan for Syria's future -- John.

BERMAN: Elise Labott, thanks so much. Shocking new revelations about how three Denver area teenage girls were recruited to join ISIS fighters in Syria. Law enforcement officials tell CNN that hardened jihadists and westerners who've already joined ISIS had direct contact with the girls on the internet.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RITA KATZ, SITE INTELLIGENCE GROUP: The girls were in direct contact with the ISIS sisters online, women that are dedicated to recruit women.

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

(END VIDEO CLIP)

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

New this morning, Russian forces on the move into Eastern Ukraine and is stirring new fears about potential war. Ukrainian officials tell CNN the incursion is in preparation for a new offensive by pro-Russian separatists.

At the U.N. Security Council meeting, the United States criticized Russia for violating the 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: In addition to this, NATO says it has observed something even more alarming. Russian war planes capable of carrying nuclear weapons deployed to Crimea. Matthew Chance is live in Moscow with the latest on this this morning. Matthew, what is the Russian response? MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the Russians, all along, John, have been categorically denying that they are taking part in this fighting that's underway inside Eastern Ukraine. They've called it propaganda.

The deputy representative to the United Nations after those remarks that you just mentioned by Samantha Power saying, that it is propaganda. It doesn't reflect the reality on the ground.

Despite the fact that international observers as well as NATO have been observing large columns of military vehicles coming in the direction from Russia towards cities like Donetsk in Eastern Ukraine.

Five of the 43 trucks observed yesterday so we are talking about large movements of military vehicles, large volumes of equipment. Five of the trucks with towing artillery pieces behind them and other five of the trucks according to international monitors were towing multiple rocket launch systems.

So we are talking about significant bits of hardware, which is Russian by origin at the very least. According to NATO is actually from the country of Russia as well as its combat troops so very significant maneuvers going on or movements going on.

Also fighting going on as well, all fuelling these concerns that the whole region of Eastern Ukraine is on the brink once again of full- scale hostility so watching it very closely indeed.

BERMAN: In some places, the fighting has never really stopped and now with the presence of these heavy weapons, that perhaps Russian personnel, it could make the situation even more tense. Matthew Chance for us in Moscow this morning thanks so much.

The President Obama is in Myanmar this morning where we are hearing that he briefly spoke with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. With him there is senior international correspondent, Ivan Watson. So what went in this meeting, Ivan?

IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, we're still trying to get details from it. It seems like it was a brief encounter on the sidelines of this summit and a meeting with the Dmitry Medvedev, a discussion with him now.

We have gotten some more details from the Russian Interfax News Agency in which Medvedev says that he mentioned for relations to improve, to work on the situation like the conflict in Ukraine then the economic sanctions have to be removed from Russia that have been imposed by the U.S. and allies in protest to Russia's alleged support of separatists in Eastern Ukraine.

Our own Jim Acosta encountered Dmitry Medvedev, who we have to repeat, he is not the number one man in Russia. He is the prime minister and has often been considered basically a number two even when he in fact was president to Vladimir Putin.

Jim Acosta managed to ask Medvedev while he was feeding elephants at the Pagoda if he thought there was any hope for kind of reconciliation between the U.S. and Russia especially about the Ukraine conflict and the answer was time will show.

So we will be looking to hear more about the contents of what's reported to be a brief encounter between the U.S. president and the Russian prime minister here on the sidelines of the Southeast Asia Association meeting -- John.

BERMAN: Quite a morning, feeding elephants in Myanmar. Ivan Watson for us, thanks so much.

Time to get an Early Start on your money right now, Cristina Alesci here with a look at the markets. Good morning.

CRISTINA ALESCI, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. It looks like a good day for stocks around the world. First off, European stocks are up now. Asia shares ended the day mostly higher as well.

U.S. stock futures are following that lead and it could be another record day if that holds because stocks only pulled back slightly yesterday. The S&P 500 closed lower for the first time in six trading days.

Here is a fun story breaking overnight. Toymaker, Hasbro is reportedly in talks to buy Dreamworks Animation. Yes, the same Dreamworks Behind "Shrek" and "Kung Fu Panda."

The "New York Times" says Hasbro wants a new outlet for its brands like Transformers and My Little Pony. Dreamworks Animation stock has had a tough year. It has fallen 37 percent so far thanks to a few movie flops and weak DVD sales.

BERMAN: I like to say what is good for My Little Pony is good for America.

ALESCI: Yes, this deal would be good for Dreamworks as well because they've had a really tough year.

BERMAN: All right, Cristina, thanks so much.

It's 39 minutes after the hour. The protests turning violent on the streets of Mexico, demonstrators are demanding answers in the presumed massacre of dozens of students. We are live.

Plus, if you think it is cold now, just wait. That is the message that Indra Petersons will be delivering. Stay with us.

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BERMAN: Happening now, Mexico looking more and more like a war zone. Protesters clashing with police torching a government building. The violence is in response to the mystery around the apparent massacre of dozens of students. Rafael Romo live for us on the ground in Southern Mexico. What's the latest there, Rafael?

RAFAEL ROMO, CNN SENIOR LATIN AFFAIRS EDITOR: Good morning, John. Many of our American viewers are familiar with the Mexican beach resorts of Acapulco. Just to give you an idea of what's happening here yesterday.

The road connecting Acapulco with Mexico City was blocked by protesters and so were two other major roads in this part of the country. Meanwhile, very intense, very chaotic and violent protests are still happening here in the Guerrero State.

And the case has not been solved 43 students from a rural teachers college still missing. The government says they have circumstantial evidence and also interrogations with some suspects alleging that these students were all executed by a gang and were disposed of at a river.

But the parents of the students are refusing to believe that side of the event, and they will continue to protest, and demand justice until they see confirmation that their children are either dead because they see scientific evidence or they appear alive somewhere.

In the meantime, like I said before protests all over the place, very chaotic and very violent -- John.

BERMAN: How do these parents know who to believe at this point? Rafael Romo for us in Southern Mexico, thanks so much.

It's 44 minutes after the hour. The arctic chill across the country breaking records in Denver. That city set not one but two cold weather records. A high of 6 degrees shattered a record that stood for 98 years. Then the low dropped to minus 13.

That was a record low for the day. That's nuts. It's about to get nuttier. Indra Petersons has an early look at the forecast. Good morning.

INDRA PETERSONS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: It seems like we have been talking about this for so long, but that's the problem. The cold air has been here this long and it is only expected to get worse if you are in the northeast.

Today is the day that -- I don't know if I want to say finally -- but look at New York City, about a 20-degree drop, your highs into 40s even out towards New England today. We could be talking about some snowshowers. That's not to say the cold air is gone from the Midwest.

Take a look at temperatures. Sioux Falls with the windchill at zero. Let's talk about Denver, we keep saying that record of 13 below. With the windchill, you factor that in, it feels like 35 below. There is a huge bite in the air. It is staying for a while.

Temperatures expected to be a good 30 degrees below normal even as far south as the south itself. But there is that low that will develop, bring some rain showers and even some snowshowers in through New England today.

Also some lake-effect snow is expected off the lakes. So the question is how long does all this last? For a while because the next storm is already making its way into the Pacific Northwest so day by day, you can see that cold air and chance for rain and snow spreads in towards New England. The temperatures are going to be chilly for some time.

BERMAN: Unappealing. Thank you very much. I appreciate it, Indra.

So let's look at what is coming up on NEW DAY. Michaela Pereira joins us now. Good morning.

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR, "NEW DAY": Well, hello. You thought you were getting off easy because I was here. Didn't you? Well, hello. Good to see you this morning, John.

Look we have a lot of big stories we are going to be covering this morning. This review of U.S. policy on Syria, the U.S. has been so very focused on ISIS. Little if any progress has been made in removing Bashar al-Assad from power.

Is the president regretting his choice to go down that path? Is it too late to call an audible? We are going to so some analysis this morning from military experts.

Also we have not talked about Ebola is seems for some time because it seems as though it has subsided the concern and fear here in the U.S. However, we very know that the global outbreak is not over. Is there some hope around the corner though?

We are going to have Dr. Sanjay Gupta with us this morning. He will have details on the clinical trials using some of the very same drugs that helped Americans beat the virus. We will talk to Congressman Ed Royce, who is chairing a hearing today on the response. So we have a lot ahead on "NEW DAY," which is in just a few minutes time -- John.

BERMAN: I look forward to seeing you there and later and all day. All right, thanks so much, Michaela.

Here is a question for you. What does it look like on the surface of a comet? Well, we have dramatic new pictures just in sent from 300 million miles away. We're live breaking it all down next.

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BERMAN: All right, so we have been waiting and waiting and waiting and at last we have it. Just minutes ago, the first picture ever from the surface of a comet.

CNN's Frederik Pleitgen is standing by live for us at the European Space Agency, the mission control center in Germany. Fred, the probe landed yesterday. Now we finally see what it is seeing.

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, we see what it is seeing. It is a remarkable image that we saw there, John. What you can see there is the foot of the Philae lander. You see the very, very rocky surface there underneath it. That shows how remarkable this landing was.

If we go back to the model, we can see that the lander touched down here. It bounced twice. One of the bounces lasted for about two hours. The second bounce lasted for about 6 minutes. Yet, it was able to settle down within those very, very sharp rocks that you see there on that image.

Now, of course, the lander is already busy examining its surroundings. We expect the first panoramic picture where we will see more of the surroundings, more of the comet, in a little over two hours. That's going to be interesting to see as well.

But certainly this first image is already one that is absolutely amazing. This is something that human eyes have never seen before. It was beamed to us shortly after I think we spoke the last time about an hour ago.

I think you were the first one to find it actually, John, but truly remarkable images. It shows how hard that landing must have been because that landing zone is very, very rough and very, very rocky -- John.

BERMAN: It is an amazing picture to see. Again, that is coming to us from 300 million miles away, can't wait to see more. Frederik Pleitgen, great to see you this morning, thanks so much.

All right, coming up for us, the answer to this question, what is happening to all of Taylor Swift's money? Stay with us.

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BERMAN: Time now for an EARLY START on your money. Cristina Alesci is here now.

ALESCI: How many records can we set this year?

BERMAN: Not enough.

ALESCI: Stocks still in record territory. At least futures are indicating the market will open higher. It could be another record day because stocks only pulled back slightly yesterday. The S&P 500 closed lower for the first time in six trading days.

One stock I'm excited about this morning, Apple. The stock closed at the highest price ever yesterday. It is up more than 40 percent this year. Everybody wants an iPhone.

Here's one story that kept me up last night. Taylor Swift and Spotify may never ever get back together again. Yesterday, the CEO of her record label said the artist has been paid less than $500,000 from Spotify in the past year.

But Spotify said Swift got that much in the single month before she pulled her music from the service and that was on track to make $6 million this year. So what doesn't add up here?

What most people don't realize is Swift works with two record labels. The one that spoke yesterday is only counting its portion plus that half a million doesn't count for streams around the world. BERMAN: I just hope it works for Taylor Swift because she can't seem to catch a break.

ALESCI: No. Yes, she had a really rough couple of years. You feel badly for her. I can tell.

BERMAN: All right, Cristina, thanks so much. Appreciate you being here.

It's 58 minutes after the hour. A possible new strategy in the fight against ISIS, "NEW DAY" has that starting right now.