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New Day Sunday

ISIS Parades Captured Soldiers in Cages; Malls in U.S., U.K. and Canada on Target List; Why the "Best" Movie Doesn't Always Win

Aired February 22, 2015 - 08:00   ET

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

CHRISTI PAUL, CNN ANCHOR: There's also a new threat and a new video from ISIS this morning. The terror group has released a propaganda video. You see it here, at least a still image of it. That's at least 21 captured Kurdish Peshmerga fighters in cages.

At one point, they were in those cages atop pickup trucks paraded across a private city street. Ben Wedeman has more from us from Irbil, Iraq.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Christi, another video put out by ISIS. This one seems to show 21 Peshmerga fighters, Kurdish fighters. It appears they are south of Kirkuk itself.

You see them in these orange jumpsuits. Their hands are chained. They are being led by what appear to be ISIS fighters. They are in cages at one point being interviewed by a militant, a bearded militant who is holding a microphone with an ISIS logo on it, and they are asked what their names are, where they are from, and they are basically prompted to say that they regret fighting for the Peshmerga and they call upon their comrades to put down their arms and switch sides.

Now, obviously, these are statements made under duress. We don't know the fate of these fighters, although later in this nine-minute video, we do see them in cages on the back of pickup trucks, paraded through, we believe, the streets of the town of Hawija.

Now, at one point during the video, you do see flashes showing the beheading of Egyptian Christians in Libya last week, but there's no indication these fighters are actually killed. Now, the question is this going to have any impact on Kurdish morale?

From my experience on the front line with Peshmerga fighters, I don't think so. In fact, what we are hearing overnight is that despite their propaganda efforts, ISIS isn't doing very well on the battlefield. Overnight, we are told at least 50 of their fighters, including some foreign fighters, were killed when they tried unsuccessfully to break through Kurdish lines. Apparently, there were coalition aircraft in action over the area as well. So, propaganda has one effect but it actually finding and being able to repeal ISIS fighters seems to have more impact on Kurdish morale than a propaganda video -- Christi.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PAUL: All righty. Ben Wedeman, we appreciate it as always. Thank you.

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN ANCHOR: All right. Let's put that question now to Lieutenant Colonel Bob Maginnis. He's currently serving as a senior strategist for the Pentagon.

Ben Wedeman gave his thoughts on whether it will impact Kurdish morale? What do you think it will do for the tactical fighting element of Peshmerga and the morale of the Kurds?

LT. COL. ROBERT MAGINNIS, U.S. ARMY (RET.): Well, Victor, I think it will help the Peshmerga because it will motivate them to understand that getting captured by ISIL is not a good idea. Clearly, they're facing ongoing incursions by the ISIS terrorists. Of course, we've heard about the upcoming major operation in which they will be, you know, involved.

So, you know, I just think that it's -- you know, it's what ISIS does. They try to instill fear. They try to promise to kill people. It's getting old. These Peshmerga people are defending their homeland. They're patriotic. They're going to do whatever neglects to include die in defending their homeland. They're going to kill as many ISIL terrorists as they can.

BLACKWELL: Just hours after this they showed their capture of the Iraqi post in Anbar, taking the M16s, the AK-47s, Humvees, armored vehicles, and then we have this video of these 21 Peshmerga fighters. Obviously, there's been some skepticism about the strength of the Iraqi military. Does this degrade the confidence of the U.S. in the Peshmerga force?

MAGINNIS: Well, not the Peshmerga, Victor. I am concerned about the Iraqi security forces because as everyone's heard, the U.S. Central Command's announcement the other day is there's going to be a major operation against Mosul in April or May.

I talked to a very senior current serving Iraqi official who said, look, we're not really sure our Iraqi security forces are ready for a major operation. In fact, U.S. Central Command said that they're going to train in the next few weeks a few of those brigades. Having been an infantry trainer for many, many years, three, four weeks is insufficient to train people for a Fallujah-like battle. And keep in mind, Mosul, they've taken down the bridges, they've put trenches, they booby trapped every house. They're going to stand behind every civilian and they're going to have remotely activated IEDs all over the place.

These people are ready to die. Unfortunately, you have to have hardened fighters like our marines to take back Mosul and that's going to be a tough fight.

BLACKWELL: I want to stay on this question. If there are five brigades being sent in initially, that's the number we're getting from officials, is the bench deep enough, to use a sports metaphor, if those five brigades don't get it done?

MAGINNIS: No, it's not. And we've acknowledged that, Victor. The reality is we've committed to training 12 Iraqi brigades and three Peshmerga, and, of course, that takes time. And, oh, by the way, the Syrians aren't going to be ready any time soon to join that fight.

So, you know, just like the Iraqi official told me two nights ago, I don't believe that this timing, though it evades the terrible heat of the summer in Mosul, I don't believe this rush to the battle is well- advised given, you know, the inexperience of some of these fighters.

BLACKWELL: Let me go back to the Peshmerga because that's initially what prompted this conversation. Do you believe that the U.S. has effectively and sufficiently equipped them with the tools they'll need to hold on to that region?

MAGINNIS: No. I think they need modern weapons, more ammunition, and, you know, the communications equipment. Of course, embedding our people with access to airstrikes is absolutely essential, but these people need a lot more than we've given them, and I hope that before any battle against Mosul and ISIL, that we'll equip them and do it in a hurry.

BLACKWELL: All right. Thank you so much, Lieutenant Colonel Bob Maginnis. Always good to have you as part of the conversation.

MAGINNIS: Thank you, Victor.

PAUL: Secretary of State John Kerry is in Geneva, Switzerland, today for another round of Iran talks. He's meeting with his Iranian counterpart today and tomorrow. They're joining other world powers that have been in talks since Friday, this as next month's deadline approaches for an agreement, of course.

A deal could bring an end to tough sanctions against Tehran and possibly a warming of relations with the West.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Ash Carter on his second and final day of a surprise visit to Afghanistan. He's seeing troops in Kandahar and headed to Kuwait. Just days after his confirmation, he says he made the trip to Afghanistan to assess the security situation personally. And he said yesterday, the United States is considering slowing a planned withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country to ensure that progress sticks.

BLACKWELL: Homeland Security Jeh Johnson is speaking with CNN about the concerns that have been raised by this new video that's been released by al Shabaab about attacks potentially in the U.S. You're going to hear his conversation with Gloria Borger later this morning.

PAUL: And when it comes to the Academy Awards, being the best doesn't always guarantee gold. What is this long-standing art of Oscar campaigning? And does it work?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLACKWELL: Eleven minutes after the hour.

Let's take a look at some developing stories. Police say now at least 29 people, including many women and children have died after passenger ferry capsized on a river in Bangladesh. His boat was packed with at least 100 people when it overturned in the river north of the capitol. Police say the ferry collided with a cargo ship and it's feared that the toll will rise because people who are in the ferry are still missing. Rescue and search attempts are clearly still underway.

Minneapolis police officer who was shot after responding to a burglary is doing well this morning. This is breaking news yesterday. The police chief says he's now in fair condition. Officials say the officer was not targeted personally but he says that this person was shot simply because he's a police officer.

A suspect has been arrested in connection with the burglary and authorities are investigating whether there is a link to the shooting.

Federal authorities are moving about 3,000 Texas inmates from the county facility to a prison after a riot broke out leaving the facility uninhabitable. Prisoners busted out of their housing unit setting fire to three of them and then made their way to the prison yard. No one breached the gate, so no one left the perimeter. Officers used nonlethal force to regain control of the facility and only minor injuries were reported.

Nick Gordon, the boyfriend of Bobbi Kristina Brown, lashes out after he says he has not been able to visit her. The Brown family fired back. They said Gordon could visit but he had to meet certain conditions. They did not say what those conditions were.

The 21-year-old Bobbi Kristina is being treated at an Atlanta hospital. She's been in that coma since being found face down in her bathtub last month.

PAUL: Take a look at this video from the Xfinity race yesterday. NASCAR driver Kyle Busch slamming into an interior concrete wall. He suffered a compound fracture on his right leg, which means he will not be able to race in today's season opening 500. The president of the track took partial responsibility saying the speedway failed by not having soft walls and starting next week he's going to have them installed on every inch of the property.

Kurt Busch, Kyle's brother, will also miss the race after NASCAR suspended him indefinitely for the accusation -- for being accused of domestic violence against his girlfriend.

All right. Look at this. You might be able to look out your window and see something like this for heaven's sakes. This arctic blast is pounding cities across the country and the death toll is climbing. At least 26 people now have died as a result of this winter weather, and we've just learned nearly 600 flights are canceled just for today. So, make a call if you are heading to the airport before you head out. The bad weather isn't affecting the skies either. The road conditions

are so terrible. Snow is contributing to treacherous conditions particularly in Maryland. Some drivers were just plain stuck. The cold is causing a large crack to form on a highway near Nashville, too. Tennessee really felt the brunt of this winter weather right now. More than half of the 26 deaths from this state

So, let's bring in CNN's Ivan Cabrera.

I mean, good heavens, when is this going to end for them?

IVAN CABRERA, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes. Well, you know, this is why we tell people not to drive out there when things are treacherous out there. Most of the deaths occur really on roads when they you get to traffic pressures. Of course, we do have the deep freeze and that's also why we tell people to check on the elderly and other folks that may need a little extra help this winter season. It's been unbelievable.

This is one storm that is now continuing to move on to the East Coast. This is not a nor'easter. This is not a coastal low. This is a frontal boundary pushing in. Boston will see light snow. That will be done by the time we get into evening hours.

But then, our transition towards the West, because this is where the action is, a lot of snow falling across Kansas and heading into Denver as well. Colorado getting the bull's eye here of some terrific amount of snowfall. That is welcome news for them because they've been in a snow drought so far this season. The ski resorts are going to love this over the next 24 to 48 hours.

The folks that are not going to love the forecast are across north Texas and northern Louisiana, because we're going to have an area of rain that's going to be moving in. It's going to be below freezing right at the surface. What that means for you and me as we get in the car, frozen highways and roads that are not treated out there. So, be careful, some black ice likely to greet you on your Monday morning commute. It's still dark out there.

And then we'll pull this low out of the way and we'll be done as far as that storm system. It is not going to head up to the Northeast. What will are the current temperatures you're seeing, my goodness, still at this hour between minus 25 and minus 35 degrees. That cold air, that arctic air, that plunge, will head off to the East. And by the time we get to Monday and into Tuesday, once again the Northeast, Christi, will be talking about temperatures anywhere from 15 to 20 below zero.

I will leave you with that good news. There are no snowstorms on the way for the Northeast. So, what you will deal with is sunshine but you have to contend with arctic air.

PAUL: Obviously, 20 below. Good heavens.

CABRERA: Yes.

PAUL: All right. Hey, Ivan. Thank you so much.

And we'll be right back. Stay close.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLACKWELL: Let's push forward now on the developing story this morning. This new threat that's raising concerns across the country. The group al Shabaab calling on people here in the U.S. to attack malls here in the U.S., also across other areas of the West. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson just spoke about that with CNN chief political analyst, Gloria Borger.

And she's hosting "STATE OF THE UNION" today. We have her with us now.

So, Gloria, what did the Secretary Johnson tell you?

GLORIA BORGER, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, it's very clear that they're taking this threat quite seriously. Take a listen to what he said at the very top of our show.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEH JOHNSON, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: This latest statement from al Shabaab reflects the new phase we've evolved to in global terrorist threat in that you have groups such as al Shabaab, ISIL, publicly calling for independent actors in their home lands to carry out attacks. We're beyond the phase now where these groups would send foreign operatives into countries after being trained someplace. We're now at a stage where it is all the more important in our counterterrorism efforts that we have a whole government approach.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BORGER: So, Victor, what he's effectively saying is you don't need people to travel into this country anymore, that there's sort of a call to arms to do what you can if you already live here. And I went on to ask him then particularly about the Mall of America. I said, what do people do who plan on taking their families to the Mall of America today? And he said to me, and I quote, "I would say that any -- if anyone was planning on going to the Mall of America today, they have to be particularly careful." So, that's kind of chilling.

BLACKWELL: Yes, it is to hear that from the secretary.

We heard from our chief CNN law enforcement analyst that these soft targets, there are no guarantees, that you do whatever you can. But the freedom that comes with being able to go to the mall, you have to be ready for just what the secretary said.

BORGER: Yes. And, you know, the secretary also makes the point that what we're in the middle of now is essentially a competition between these terror groups like ISIL, for example, or al Shabaab for recruits. And so, the groups that look like they're performing the best, i.e., killing more people, will get more recruits. So, this thing seems to be ratcheting up as they each try and get more

members inside this country. So, there's a very, very troubling situation, Victor.

BLACKWELL: All right. Gloria, thank you so much. We look forward to seeing more of that interview.

BORGER: Thanks.

BLACKWELL: "STATE OF THE UNION" starts at the top of the hour at 9:00 a.m. Eastern right here on CNN.

Quick break. We'll be back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PAUL: OK, movie lovers, ready for the glitz and glamour of tonight?

Well, final preps this morning for 87th Annual Academy Awards are in place. Don't get too disappointed if your favorite films don't win, because you know the best picture doesn't always win Best Picture.

Now, that, of course, is subjective, but the simple reason some say is because of Oscar campaigning.

CNN's Brian Stelter joining me now for this.

OK, what is this -- what is this campaigning and does it really work?

BRIAN STELTER, CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: Well, the studios spend millions of dollars, tens of millions of dollars on ads, trying to make sure Oscar voters actually see the movie they're supposed to be voting.

And my colleague, Frank Pallotta, on CNN Money, wrote a great piece about how some movies we now think of as being the best never actually won the prize. "Wizard of Oz," "Star Wars", "Raging Bull", "Psycho." None of them actually ever won the Best prize. So, we can tell that to ourselves, we think our favorite movie is snubbed tonight.

I talked to Janice Min, earlier, she's the editor of "The Hollywood Reporter". And we talked about what the surprises might be tonight. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JANICE MIN, HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: This will be a tough Oscar because a lot of independent films are in this. The only big studio film is "American Sniper."

So, my prediction is that Americans are going to be watching this saying, what movie is this? Who is that? Who is that Cumberbatch person?

STELTER: Does that help "American Sniper" that so many people have seen it and know it, they can help with the voters? MIN: No, voters here don't care. Voters here are voting purely on artistic merit. So, you know, you might think -- you might think everyone in your world has seen "Imitation Game," but most people have not.

STELTER: Right, right.

MIN: So, that's when you get into that echo chamber of media and Hollywood.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STELTER: So that's a good reality check there. I'm going to have more from Janice on "RELIABLE SOURCES" later this morning.

They did an interview actually in "The Hollywood Reporter" recently with Monique, the actress who won the Oscar a number of years ago for "Precious." And she talked about how she didn't campaign and she feels it hurt her in the industry.

Here's what she said. She talked about how the director Lee Daniels said to her a number of months ago, Monique, you've been blackballed. And I said, I've been blackballed? Why have I been blackballed? He said, because you didn't play the game. And I said, well, what game is that? And he gave me no response.

Well, one of these games, Christie, is that, you know, people are expected to go to the parties, expected to show up for all the Oscar affairs. If they don't, sometimes as she's saying, they get hurt by that in their futures. That's just some of the drama involving the Oscars that's always there every year. It wouldn't be the Oscars without some drama.

PAUL: Isn't that the truth? Thank you so much, Brian Stelter. We appreciate it.

STELTER: Thank you.

PAUL: And thank you for sharing your morning with us.

BLACKWELL: "INSIDE POLITICS WITH JOHN KING" starts right now.