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The Situation Room

Berlin Pride Attack Still Being Investigated. 2 Jewish-Owned Bakeries Damaged in Toronto Hate Crimes. New Wearable AI Gear Brings Into Question Ethics of Prviacy. Aired 11:30-12p ET

Aired July 27, 2026 - 11:30   ET

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

[11:30:00] WESLEY CLARK, RETIRED U.S. ARMY OFFICER: -- what you're telling the enemy is, I need your help. Please, get me out of this fix. If they wanted to negotiate, they would have come to us and there would be no reason to have a bombing pause. But this is an indication to the Iranians that we're weak. It's an indication to China and Russia that we're weak. And Wolf, what we learned about the American people during the Vietnam War and -- is -- is they will tell you this. Either get in or get out.

You may not be able to find a middle ground, and I know we're searching for that, but the fact is that the Iranians still have their missiles. The Chinese and Russians or supporting them. We have not isolated Iran from outside assistance. The IRGC feels that they're winning. We have not opened the Strait of Hormuz. And so from their perspective, they're on top. We're the demandeur, we're asking for them to sort of help us, help us out of this fix.

And they're pretty angry. We've killed their top leadership and they've had a 47 year campaign to go after America and Israel. They think they're winning. So, I think we have to really pose this in the starkest terms to the American people. It's a get in or get out time. It's -- It's really not about the munitions. It really isn't.

WOLF BLITZER, CO-ANCHOR, CNN THE SITUATION ROOM: Is President Trump a general running out of good options as far as Iran is concerned?

CLARK: Well, he's running out of -- he's certainly running out of easy options. There are always options in something like this. But there's certainly a cost. If you stop right now, there's a big cost. That cost is our relationships in the Gulf, our support of Israel. It's certainly a cost politically in the United States for doing this, and a cost to the U.S. economy because these nations in the Gulf put a lot of money and trust in the United States. If we don't support them and don't defend them, as we promised, that money, that influence is going to a different direction. And obviously China and Russia will read this. So, it has global implications.

So, it's really consequential if you say okay, we're getting out, but if you go forward and you start putting ground troops in there and you can't handle those missile cities and you're not prepared to go all the way and it's -- it's -- it's you don't tell Russia and China to back off. You're just creating a morass, a real quagmire. Because they are enjoying seeing the United States embroiled in this right now. They're feeding information in, rocket fuel in, technology and drone motors in. They like it. So this is a real decision point for the United States and there aren't any easy options at this point.

BLITZER: Alright, General Wesley Clark, excellent analysis. Thank you very much. Just ahead, businesses targeted in Toronto months after a deadly shooting. Why police have referred the investigation now to a hate crime unit.

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[11:35:00]

PAMELA BROWN, CO-ANCHOR, CNN THE SITUATION ROOM: Happening now, an investigation is underway in Germany after what authorities call an Islamist terror attack Saturday in Berlin. Officials say the attacker drove a van into a crowd and then started stabbing people. At least one person was killed and 29 others injured. Police say they shot and killed the suspect after an intense manhunt. CNN senior international correspondent Frederick Pleitgen is in Berlin. What more are you learning, Fred?

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Pam. Well, we're actually on the scene where all of this happened. And this is inside a public park, one of the main parks in Berlin called the Tiergarten. This is actually a footpath and -- and bike path here in this park. It's not a public road. Nevertheless, the attacker drove the car down this footpath, ramming into lots of people. I want to show you something here because it's actually this tree that the vehicle rammed into, which then stopped that driving rampage.

If the attacker hadn't driven into this tree, potentially even more people would have been injured and potentially killed. As it stands, the authorities are saying 29 people were injured, one person was killed, and afterwards the apparent -- the attacker apparently left the vehicle and as he made his getaway started stabbing people along the way. Now, there's several questions that the authorities here are answering. First of all, they say that this is an Islamist motivated terrorist attack, as they put it. They've named the attacker as a man named Abdul B., who was born in Berlin, is 21 years old, is of Lebanese descent, and apparently tried to go to Syria to join ISIS in the past.

So he had already been convicted by a juvenile court here in Germany and was on probation actually when all of this happened. Now the authorities are also questioning how the vehicle managed to get into this park because of course there was that big Pride event going on. There were a lot of barriers that were actually set up in the days prior to this event. So, that's one of the things the authorities are looking into. And one of the other things they're also still looking into is whether or not there might have been others who are also involved in this plot. They say right now that's still very much up for investigation. But as you can imagine here, city of Berlin very much in shock.

Of course, the Pride community also very much in shock as well.

[11:40:00]

The German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, he came out and he urged people to stay strong in the face of acts like this. Pamela.

BROWN: Alright, Fred Pleitgen, live for us from Berlin. Thanks so much. Wolf? BLITZER: And happening now, investigators in Toronto are searching for suspects after two possible hate attacks targeting Jewish owned businesses. Thankfully, no one was injured. These are just the latest incidents putting Toronto's Jewish community on edge. In March, several area Toronto synagogues were damaged by gunfire right at the start of the Jewish holiday Purim.

And just last month, a gunman police say had anti Semitic writings open fire in Montreal, killing a police officer and an Israeli citizen. Joining us now from Toronto is Noah Shack. He's the CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs there in Toronto. To have these two businesses, Noah, targeted on a Sunday morning, one with a gun, is certainly terrifying. What are you hearing from families and business owners in the area? Do people actually feel safe right now going to work?

NOAH SHACK, CEO, THE CENTRE FOR ISRAEL AND JEWISH AFFAIRS: Well, it's -- it's shattered the sense of safety that many have here in what has been an incredibly safe city for so many years. We're witnessing an incredibly alarming trajectory. A dangerous escalation in Canada. For the last two years, incidents targeting our community have become increasingly violent. And just last month, a Canadian National Security Report acknowledged that Canadian authorities disrupted at least four terror attacks inspired by ISIS targeting Jewish Canadians.

In addition to this radicalization problem, reports also indicate that some of the attacks on our community and beyond have been gun for hire plots orchestrated by the Iranian regime. And these recent attacks seem to follow the similar pattern of those previous ones that were linked to the Iranian regime. It's a multifaceted threat that's ultimately changing Canada in dangerous ways.

BLITZER: How concerned are you -- How concerned are you about the rise in these anti Semitic incidents in Toronto and indeed elsewhere in Canada?

SHACK: I'm very concerned. I'm here in Toronto, Wolf, not far from where my own synagogue was one of several that have been shot at in recent months. And I never thought that I would see heavily armed anti terror police units patrolling in my neighborhood. That's not the Canada I grew up in, but it is the Canada that my children are growing up in. And to be clear, it's not only my community that's in the crosshairs. The same anti terror police units are also being deployed at subway stations and at the Blue Jays games.

So, when I take my kid to the Jays game and I see a heavily armed police anti terror unit that wasn't there a year ago, but now is standing outside the stadium because they're worried about a potential suicide bomber, is that a Jewish community problem? More and more Canadians are realizing that this is a threat to their children just as much as it is to mine. And it's not only confronted -- this isn't just confronting Canada and Canadians.

When I talk to my counterparts in the U.S., in the UK, in Australia, virtually any European country, it's clear that no country has been able to solve this issue yet. And you only have to look at what happened in Berlin over the weekend to realize that this isn't just a danger to Jews, it's not just a danger to Canadians. It's a danger to everyone who wants to live in a safe and free country.

BLITZER: As you know, Noah, last month, the Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, admitted that Canada is, quote, failing Jewish citizens and promised millions for security at various houses of worship. But businesses were targeted on Sunday. Jewish owned businesses, bagel shops. Is the government's response enough?

SHACK: Well, there has been some important progress in strengthening community security and the criminal laws that we have on the books. But we can't be playing defense as a country. Our authorities need to go on the offense. We're grateful that agencies have stopped four attacks. And we know that authorities are working to identify and disrupt further plots, but they need the resources to get the job done. And it's imperative that our national security agencies are working hand in glove with their American counterparts in doing so because both our countries are facing the same threat. Australia experienced a national trauma from the worst terrorist attack in their history.

And I don't want that for my country, just as I'm sure you don't want that for yours. We need to decisively hold accountable not just those who are perpetrating these attacks. We need to not just prevent them from taking place in the first place, but there's also those who are fanning the flames of radicalization here in Canada and around the world. Last week, one of the pro Palestinian protest leaders here in Toronto was arrested and charged with acting for the benefit of and in association with Hamas.

[11:45:00]

That's an important arrest, but we've seen hundreds of examples at these protests of open calls for violence, the celebration of terrorist organizations and the burning of Canadian flags. This isn't protest, it's open air radicalization and the consequences are life and death.

BLITZER: I grew up in not too far away --

SHACK: We've seen it in (ph) New (ph) York), in (ph) a (ph) couple (ph) cities --

BLITZER: I grew up not too far away in Buffalo. I used to go to Toronto all the time when I was living in Buffalo. And I know right now there's almost 200,000 members of the Jewish community who live in the Toronto area. So, you guys have an issue there. And we'll stay in very close touch with you. Noah Shack, thanks very much for joining us.

SHACK: Thank you.

BLITZER: Pamela.

BROWN: An important conversation. Well, coming up, wearable AI tech companies are adding new gadgets to your wardrobe to make life easier. But what does this mean for your privacy? We're taking a look up next.

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[11:50:00]

BROWN: Well, ready or not, here it comes. The age of wearable gadgets that can see or hear the world around you. Meta is already selling millions of its new AI glasses with embedded cameras and microphones. So just how helpful are these devices and how do they affect your privacy and those around you? Let's ask CNN business tech editor Lisa Eadicicco. Hi, Lisa. So, you took some of these devices for a spin. What did you think?

LISA EADICICCO, CNN BUSINESS TECH EDITOR: Yeah, Pamela, thanks for having me. So, exactly. Over the past few months, I've been using a bunch of devices. And really the goal behind these gadgets is there's this belief in the tech industry that as AI agents get better and more sophisticated, we won't have to take out our phone and open apps and scroll as much as we used to.

So now we're seeing this wave of devices like smart glasses where you can just talk to your AI assistant and also wearables that can kind of record the audio around you so that the AI assistant on your phone is more smart and more informed about what's happening in your daily life.

So I've been trying some of these devices out. They can be useful in certain situations, but overall, I didn't find that myself using them as much as I expected because I do think there is still this social norm that people would have to overcome because it's not really considered normal to just be recording a casual conversation with your friends or with your coworkers. And when I did use them, there were some interesting insights.

For example, one of the devices I used is the Amazon Bee Pioneer. I was recording a hangout with friends and I mentioned moving to a new apartment. The next time I opened the Bee app, it reminded me to book movers for the fall when I'm moving. So, you could kind of see how that could be useful. But at the same time, privacy experts have raised a lot of concern about devices like this. And that's mostly because even if, you know, they do have lights on them that indicate while they're recording, they're not recording all the time. You do have to press a button and consciously record.

But even so, there's a lot of potential for misuse. What if people are wearing these devices in an area where there's a reasonable expectation of privacy, like in a dressing room or something like that, or overhearing conversations that maybe we didn't want to have recorded? Right? So, there are a lot of concerns, and especially, you know, with how discreet these devices are, it's harder to tell when someone's recording.

It's not as obvious as holding up your smartphone and taking a video or recording the audio from something. Most people aren't looking at your wrist when they're talking to you or your shirt if you have a recorder clipped to your shirt, like some of these devices out there. So, that was kind of my big takeaway. There's certainly going to be a lot of developments.

This is a space that tons of startups and almost every major tech company is kind of experimenting with right now. So, I do feel like this is just the beginning of a bunch of new devices like this that we're going to be seeing. Pamela.

BROWN: Just really quickly, you said you were at that gathering, you were recording it. Did you tell everyone you were with, hey, I'm recording this.

EADICICCO: Yes.

BROWN: Yeah.

EADICICCO: Yes. And that's part of why it felt so socially awkward. Because it's strange to sit down with a co worker for coffee or with friends during a board game night and say, hey, do you guys mind if I record this? And people, you know, are probably unsure why you would want to do that. Just because it's not something that we do in everyday life today.

BROWN: Yeah. And might adjust their behavior or what they might say accordingly.

EADICICCO: Yes.

BROWN: Alright, Lisa Eadicicco, thank you so much.

EADICICCO: Of course.

BROWN: Wolf?

BLITZER: Alright, Pamela, before -- before we go, I just wanted to share this with our viewers. I had the honor of presenting awards to various journalists at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner Friday night. One of them was my good friend and colleague, Kaitlan Collins. I presented her with the Excellence Under Deadline Pressure Award. Listen to this.

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BLITZER: Now, the Broadcast Award for Excellence Under Deadline Pressure. And this year's winner is my colleague and very good friend, Kaitlan Collins of CNN.

(APPLAUSE) BLITZER: Reporting by CNN's Kaitlan Collins on a historic showdown in the Oval Office between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy launched a memorable day of non stop insight and analysis, including her exclusive interview with the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. Judges were awed by the depth of knowledge, access and context that Kaitlan brought to coverage of a meeting that unraveled before the world's eyes. The WHCA is pleased to honor the deadline reporting of CNN's Kaitlan Collins.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Very nice indeed.

[11:55:00]

And she deserved it, having worked very closely with Kaitlan up the -- over the years. Both Pamela and I can attest to her excellent reporting and deep sourcing within the administration. She is a true professional, a class act, and we are so very proud of her. And despite what President Trump keeps saying, she has a truly beautiful smile. Right?

BROWN: Yes, two sources right here. I also worked with her at the White House during Trump's first term, and she really is one of the best out there.

BLITZER: Totally. You can watch her show The Source with Kaitlan Collins every weeknight here on CNN, 9 p.m. Eastern. Thanks very much for joining us this morning. Can always keep up with us on social media @WolfBlitzer and @PamelaBrownCNN. And we'll see you back here tomorrow morning and every weekday morning at 10 Eastern. Inside Politics with our friend and colleague Dana Bash starts after a quick break.

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