Transcripts For CNNW Situation Room With Wolf Blitzer 20160909

We want to welcome our viewers in the United States and around the world. Im wolf blitzer. Youre in the situation room. Breaking news tonight, the United States says its ready to do whatever it takes to defend against the grave threat from north koreas rapidly expanding nuclear program. North korea claims it has the abilities to produce weapons with a higher strike power that it could use against the United States and its allies. Hillary clinton says the world must stop north koreas dangerous game. She pet with a group of experts a while ago. Clinton says the Nuclear Threats are a reminder that americans must choose a Commander In Chief that can respond with steadiness and strength. Donald trump is responding by trying to cast blame on clinton. Hes calling the nuclear test one more massive failure from a failed Secretary Of State. Also tonight, russia holds massive war games in crimea. Experts say putin is sending a message to the u. S. And the world that hes in control of krimea and forces are ready to fight to keep him. Ill talk about these Global Threats with the House Democratic on top Arms Services committee. Lets begin this hour with north Koreas Nuclear defiance. Will ripley is standing by. First, lets go to Barbara Starr with the latest. Tonight north Koreas Nuclear Weapons Program increasingly appears to be successful. The question is what is kim really up to . Does he really want to attack the United States . North korean tv announcing the states fifth nuclear test, the second test this year. Potentially its most powerful yet. They claim they tested a Nuclear Warhead that would be mounted on a missile that could someday hit the u. S. The international community, United Nation Security Council and especially the other sixparty powers must hold north korea accountable for this latest act and heighten the pressure on north korea. Reporter a u. S. Officials tells cnn north korea has emb k embarked on a rapidly and increasingly successful Nuclear Missile test program. This time more than just worldwide condemnation. In tokyo patriot missiles continue to sit outside ready to shoot down any possible north korean missile. The south korean government gathered as President Park called kim jonguns regime reckless. Translator this is a significant threat to world piece a peace and puts the Korean Peninsula into a crisis. Reporter President Obama called it a grave threat and with a precise warning that the u. S. Maintains the commitment to provide extended deterrents guaranteed by the full spectrum of u. S. Defense capabilities. That full spectrum language is reminding kim that the u. S. Has its weapons to protect japan and south korea. If north korea did successfully test warhead, the regime is on the path to a Nuclear Attack capability. They clearly have a Nuclear Weapon. Its a question of how many missiles they have been able to make it to. Reporter the world will not accept a Nuclear North Korea but even as the United Nations met to discuss new sanctions, theres no agreement what would stop kim short of military attack. The pentagon may decide to send ships and aircraft to the region but the sheer size of this nuclear test has unsettled governments around the world. Another nuclear test by north korea is worrisome and quite dangerous. Some experts are saying it could have been 10 to 20 kilitons. Thats significantly larger than previous tests. Part of the goal is to make sure he understands not to attack the United States and the asian allies, japan and south korea and he understands it would would lead to such a massive retaliation, he and his regime would not survive. Its not clear what its going to take to get him to stop his nuclear efforts. Thank you very much. I want to bring in will ripley right now. Will is joining us live tonight from tokyo. Whats the calculation for kim jongun in doing this right now . Reporter he came to power about five years ago. Hes believed to be in his early 30s. He was trying to find a message and this Rapid Development of the Nuclear Arsenal and the Missile Capables is his platform. I was there in may when he laid out his reshuffle party leadership. He has now fulfilled that plan. We have seen all these launches in the last two weeks. Four Missile Launches and now this nuclear test. The second in a year. Is there any reason to believe that more sanctions against north korea will have any impact at all . Reporter not from my vant age point. I was asking what about sanctions and isolation. They said its not our concern. Well tighten our belts. Well go hungry if we have to. We will develop these weapons because thats what our leader wants to do. He can convince this country its the only way to stay a sovereign state. Pst leader to hardship for a lot of people there. Thanks very mump. Will is watching that situation very closely. Lets bring in the top democrat on the House Armed Services. Donald trump says north korea is chinas problem. They should fix it. Do you agree . I think china is in the best position but i think its naive to say its just chinas problem. Its south koreas problem, japan and ours. We have a country thats dangerous. They dont care whether their people starve or not. They possess Nuclear Weapons. Its a global threat. Trump also says hed be willing to negotiate directly with kim jongun, maybe even invite him, if he were president , to the United States. Would that be smart . I dont think there would be any point at that at this point. We have negotiated with him multiple times. The Clinton Administration did. The Bush Administration did. What they have made clear is what you said in your report. Theyre going to build these weapons. They dont care about their people. They dont care if they starve. We have to make it clear that if they engage in any military activity, they will be destroyed. We have to have a credible deterrent. That seems to be the only thing that will stop them from engaging in military action. We have sanctioned them but its not going to stop them from developing the Nuclear Weapon. The u. S. Still has 30,000 troops along the demilitarized zone. Also there to show that we are ready to stand with the region, with south korea, with japan to defend them against north korea. Its worth noting thats one of the many alliances that donald trump called into question, whether or not she should be supporting countries like South Korea And Japan. I think it would be a dangerous mistake to show were not going to stand up. That would likely provoke him to act. If he thought he could get away with it, hed do it. Were the ones that can make sure he doesnt. You want to keep the troops there . Absolutely. Donald trump says if you have to keep them there, get South Korea And Japan to pay for it. First of all, donald trump is probably unaware of this but they do pay. They dont pay for all of it. A substantial portion. Should they pay for all of it . We have our interest there too. Its not in our interest if north korea goes rolling into south korea or bombs japan. Let me read a statement the Trump Campaign put out today. North koreas Fourth Nuclear test, the fourth since hooern became Secretary Of State. Clinton promised to work to end north Koreas Nuclear program as Secretary Of State. The program has not only grown in strength and sophistication. You support her for president. I think that statement from the Trump Campaign is naive bordering on idiotic. The clinton presidency, the bush presidency, the Obama Presidency all have tried their best to contain north korea. If donald trump is blaming any administrations for how crazy north korea is, he doesnt understand. North yee doesnt care. North korea, by some accounts, as many as a million or two Million People have starved to death in a given year. They dont care. Do you think theyre afraid . No. Heres what i think. Hopefully weve got to control them and hope that something changes at some point. Theres nothing wrong with trying. We have to make clear thats in place. I remember back in 1994, and im sure you remember as well. I was cnns White House Correspondent when bill clinton negotiated a nuclear deal with the north korean regime. It looked very upbeat. How did that deal work out . It worked out terribly but it was worth the effort. It was worth trying because the alternative, if we said were not going to negotiate, they would have gone forward any way. It was worth the effort. What that attempt and what the 20 years since have shown us, i wont say it a fourth time but north korea doesnt care. We have got to deter them from a guaranteed response. Let me get your thought on these allegations that the russian government is hacking the Democratic Party here in the United States with the impact being to try to help donald trump, supposedly, be elected president. Do you buy any of that . It seems fairly clear. Why does it seem so clear . Most report have traced back the hacks of the dnc to the russians. Theyre not hacking in to give us Donald Trumps tax returns. It would seem that the russians would prefer to have donald trump as president. When you hear him talk, when you hear him praise putin and attack our nato allies, you can see why putin would think thats a good thing. He said whats wrong with letting russia with the United States. I totally agree with him. Theres nothing wrong with having a Good Relationship with russia. Theres everything wrong with saying we will abandon our nato allies to get that Good Relationship. Our relationship with our nato allies is pretty darn important too. To sacrifice a relationship with Democratic Institutions that have been our allies for decades that are also fighting isis. Im still waiting for russia to start fighting isis instead of bombing the Freedom Fighters who are going against assad in syria. The sacrifice nato for the sake of putin you agree with trump when he says the russians want to destroy isis just as much as the United States does . I hope we can get them to that point. Thus far the evidence doesnt show that. I would love to have a better relationship with russia. I think it was a horrible missed opportunity after the wall came down that russia went the way it did with putin. We should work back to that. We shouldnt sacrifice our allies and our Vital National security interests. I need you to stand by. Dont go away. We have more questions for you. Were getting Breaking News coming into the situation room. John kerry and his russian counter part are announcing a new deal attempting to reach peace in syria. Its designed to try to bring assad to the table. Well have much more on the Breaking News right after this. Remember here at ally, nothing stops us from doing right by our customers. Whos with me . Im in. Im in. Im in. Im in. One, two, wait, wait. Wait wheres tina . Doing the hand thing . Yep we are all in for our customers. Ally. Do it right. The first paint that kills bacteria. Sherwinwilliams paint shield continuously kills 99. 9 of bacteria. Totally breakthrough. Surprisingly the same. And its only avaiblble at sherwinwilliams. I know more about isis then the apprgenerals do. Age. John mccain, a war hero. Hes not a war hero, hes a war hero because he was captured. I like people that werent captured ok. Donald trump compared his sacrifices to the sacrifices of two parents who lost their son in war. How would you answer that father . What sacrifice have you made for your country . I think ive made a lot of sacrifices, built great structures. Ive had tremendous success, i think. Those are sacrifices . Wont replace the full value of your totaled new car. The guy says you picked the wrong insurance plan. No, i picked the wrong Insurance Company. With Liberty Mutual new car replacement™, you wont have to worry about replacing your car because youll get the full value back including depreciation. And if you have more than one Liberty Mutual policy, you qualify for a multipolicy discount, saving you money on your car and home coverage. Call for a free quote today. Liberty stands with you™. Liberty mutual insurance. Moments ago Secretary Of State john kerry and his russian counterpart announced a new attempting to reach peace in syria. Were being told its designed to bring assad, the syrian dictator to the table. Nick, what do we know . What do we know about the specifics . Reporter yeah, wolf, 18 hours marathon session of talks comes on the back of three meetings over the past two weeks. Many, many weeks of work and ground work have been put in place here over that time. What were learning now here is that this deal is something that Secretary Of State john kerry said he and President Obama feel that there is enough in this deal and theyve got enough confidence in the russian side that theres something here that can hold that will keep russia to account. Russia requires to put pressure on president bashar assad. This is how secretary kerry began to lay out the first steps in the process. Today, the United States and russia are announcing a plan which we hope will reduce violence, ease suffering and resume Movement Towards a negotiated peace and a political transition in syria. The Obama Administration, the United States is going the extra mile here because we believe that russia and my colleague have the capability to press the assad regime to stop this conflict and come to the table and make peace. Reporter assad forces have to stop their fighter flying where civilians have been killed. Assad jet fighters to stop flying in areas that the United States has worked with russians. They are also saying there must be a very clear access for humanitarian aid and key areas in aleppo. This will open the road for the rebel areas to get much needed humanitarian aid. 300,000 People Living in that area. Theres another area in aleppo that will have to be allowed to get free passage to aid work. Secretary kerry says there be a sevenday test period for both sides. Both sides, he said must follow that commitment here. The success of this, he said, will defend precisely on the actions of both the government and the opposition. A sevenday test period to see if this cessation holds. That means the potential to move forward on more political talks in the coming weeks, wolf. Clearly its not a done deal by any means yet. Well check in with her. Congressman adam smith, ranking democratic, Ranking Member of the House Armed Services committee is with us. You trust the russians in a deal like this . No, in a word. I think its good. I applaud secretary kerry. I think the effort needs to be made. The only way to stop the carnage is get some transition away from assad. Syria will not make a Successful Transition to a Regional Government until assad decides to leave. We know hes not leaving. Right. The russians want him to go. Right. Thats the problem. There will be no peace in syria until he does go. He has become such a reviled figure for so many syrians and for so many others in the arab world and turkey that the fighting wont stop until he goes. Its not ultimately going to solve the problem. Its not the first time they have had this kind of a deal. The slaughter continues in syria. Thanks for joining us. Thank you. Just ahead, well have more on donald trump, Hillary Clinton, their war of words over National Security. Is trump sending mixed messages on north korea . Were also taking look at the Muscle Flexing of korea. Right now were getting Breaking News from trumps campaign. Sundlin, mike pence has just released his tax returns. Reporter thats right. He released ten years of his tax returns from 2006 to 2015. This is significant because it does shine a spotlight on the fact that the man at the top of the ticket still refuses to release his own top returns. This is almost certain this issue will remain front and center for their campaign. Trump is also facing questions on how he would handle north koreas latest provocations and what hes doing is trying to place blame on Hillary Clinton saying she is responsible as a former Secretary Of State but as of tonight, donald trump is still not outlining what his strategy would be. Donald trump is trying to blame Hillary Clinton for the rise of north Koreas Nuclear capabilitie capabilities. It was announced that north korea performed its fifth nuclear test since Hillary Clinton became Secretary Of State. Its just one more massive failure from a failed Secretary Of State. Reporter trump did not say what he would do to respond to the provocations if he were president and his campaign refused to provide details. China, this is your baby. This is your problem. You solve the problem. China can solve that problem. Reporter in march the gop nominee suggested that japan should acquire Nuclear Weapons to guard against threats. Wouldnt you rather, in a certain sense, have japan have Nuclear Weapons when north korea have Nuclear Weapons. They do have them. They have no Carrier System but they will soon. Reporter trump is facing more fall out on another Foreign Policy front. He is really very much of a leader. Reporter after his praise of russian president Vladimir Putin. What about invading other countries is leadership . What about running your economy into the ground is leadership. What about persecuting lgbt russians is leadership . Reporter trump appeared on russia today, a russia state funded tv propaganda channel. The Trump Campaign is trying to down play it calling it a favor to the interviewer, larry king. Larry king has a podcast. Mr. Trump went on his pod cast. Nobody said it was going to be on russian tv. Reporter the substance of the tv is what is raising eyebrows with trump blasting the u. S. Media on russian tv. An odd context giving the lack of Press Freedom In Russia but the epidemic of assassinations of journalists in russia who challenge the kremlin. The media has been dishonest. They will take a statement thats perfect and cut it up and chop it up. Reporter he down played concerns about Russia Meddling in u. S. Politics, dismissing reports that russia hacked the Democratic National committee despite officials saying theres little doubt the country was behind the hack. I think its probably unlikely. I think maybe the democrats are putting that out. Who knows . I think its pretty unlikely. Reporter the Trump Campaign is trying to clean up another controversy. Trumps refusal to disavow his birther past questioning if President Obama was born in the u. S. He believes president was born here. I was born in camden, new jersey. Reporter trumps surrogates are out in full force saying trump accepts that President Obama was born in the u. S. Donald trump believes now that he was born in the United States. I believe it. He believes it. We all believe it. Reporter donald trump has not backed off those accusations publicly himself. Even though he did have a chance earlier in the week to do so. He was asked by reporters and he did not disavow them. He said this is something he doesnt talk about anymore. Thanks very much. Lets get in our political experts. His strategy is that she is a former failed Secretary Of State and that the only reason were having problems in north korea right now is because the Obama Administration with her at the helm of the State Department did not properly deal with the problem. Now, i would also point out that today, hillary spoke and he spoke. Both of them talked about china and the need for china to get involved to solve this problem which was kind of interesting to me. They both seem to be, at least, sort of on the same page. China has the most influence over north korea right now. He said they can handle it. On the other hand, he often trashes china. What is it . The other thing about what Hillary Clinton and donald trump said about china, yes, Hillary Clinton did say that. Donald trump has said its chinas problem. Hillary clinton was a little more saying u. S. And allies should pressure china. Donald trump in 1999, said that north korea should be preemptively bombed if negotiations failed. Hes been all over the place on that. He suggests that if china doesnt do anything, that we could cut off trade with them. At the very least would hurt u. S. Manufacturing that would hurt his economic plan. He doesnt think four steps ahead. Its more like whatever he thinks. That 1999 interview, you know who was interviewing him . That would be many. Lets talk about what hes saying about putin and russia. Hows that playing out there among republicans . This has got to be the most Surprising Development in the campaign. Arguably, the biggest misstep in the campaign. How can the republican president ial nominee go out and heap praise on one of the United States biggest adversaries. Thats perplexing. Thats what im hearing from republicans as well. They are biting their tongue. They are taking a step back. We saw yesterday trying to talk to members on capitol hill. They wouldnt address it. Paul ryan, wouldnt address it. At this point, i think republicans are beside themselves. I was surprised what he agreed with donald trump really kind of back into a corner but decided to agree with him. I think republicans, right now, those who were never sold on trump are really looking at the house and senate races saying how will this affect us. He did address the value voters. A lot of conservatives. He did seem nicely received. He was received but he has to do some courting. You saw him using language that he hasnt used before. They are skeptical of him. What kind of language . He said things like he was dressing Supreme Court appointments. He was going to appoint Supreme Court nominees that would hold up uphold their values. He also said he would protect the Christian Heritage of america. He said he called himself a believer in jesus christ. These are not things, thats not part of his stump speech. He saw him tailoring that. Theyre skeptical of him. He used to support abortion. Hes on his third marriage. Hes had affairs. These are not really Family Values in the way this group looks at them. Given the choice between Hillary Clinton and donald trump, you can imagine this is a demographic thats going to go for donald trump. The issue is what with kind of enthusiasm. Thats the question. Not only is it the voting but this is a demographic to put in the time and work to pick up the phones and knock on the doors. Much more coming in. Well be right back. Its not a banner that goes on a wall. Its not something you do now and then. Or when its convenient. Its using stateoftheart simulators to better prepare for any situation. Its giving offshore teams onshore support. And its empowering anyone to stop a job if something doesnt seem right. At bp, safety is never being satisfied. And always working to be better. At bp, safety is never being satisfied. Farm fresh ingredients, stepbystep recipes, delivered to your door for less than 9 a meal. Get 30 off your first delivery blueapron. Com cook. 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And which aarp Medicare Supplement plan might be best for you. Theres a wide range to choose from. We love to travel and theres so much more to see. So we found a plan that can travel with us. Anywhere in the country. [ male announcer ] join the millions of people who have already enrolled in the only Medicare Supplement insurance plans endorsed by aarp, an Organization Serving the needs of people 50 and over for generations. Remember, all Medicare Supplement insurance plans help cover what medicare doesnt pay. And could save you in outofpocket medical costs. Call now to request your free Decision Guide. And learn more about the kinds of plans that will be here for you now and down the road. I have a lifetime of experience. So i know how important that is. Soon, shell be bingestudying. Get back to great. This week 50 off all backpacks. Office depot officemax. Gear up for school. Gear up for great. Were back with our Political Team as we follow Breaking News tonight. Hillary clinton is condemning north koreas new nuclear test saying the world must stop kim jonguns dangerous game. Brianna keilar is joining us with more. How did it go . This was a whos who of former National Security experts. Democrats and republicans important to note. They talked about defeating isis abroad as well as at home. With National Security taking center stage in the race for the white house, tonight Hillary Clinton is showcasing her Commander In Chief credentials meeting with a Bipartisan Group of prominent National Security experts. I asked them to join me for a candid conversation about some of the most challenging issues facing our country. Reporter among those at the meeting former cia director David Petraeus and michael chertauff. After the meeting in a carefully staged event, clinton came to the microphone to once again blast donald trump. This just becomes more and more of a Reality Television show. Its not a serious president ial campaign. It is beyond once imagination to have a candidate for president praising a russian autocrat like vladmir putin. Reporter with north koreas test of another Nuclear Weapon, clinton is also in a political bind. Trump saying its evidence her time as Secretary Of State was a failure. Clinton condemned the test and said the u. S. Must recalibrate its approach with northkorea. The increasing threat posed by north korea requires not only a rethinking of the strategy but an urgent effort to convince the neighbors, most particularly china, this is not just a u. S. Issue. We are not going to let anyone who is a treaty ally and partner of ours be threatened. Were not going to let north korea pursue a Nuclear Weapon with the capacity to deliver it to a United States territory. Thats absolutely a bottom line. Reporter clintons running mate is accusing trump of showing a shocking level of disrespect for president in praising russias president vladmir putin. Hes been a leader far more than our president has been a leader. If you dont know the difference between leadership and dictatorship then where do i start with you. A ticket thats praising a dictator who is hurting his country, hurting his people as some example of leadership is horrible. Reporter the Clinton Campaign is out with a new ad emphasizing the importance of democrats and republicans working together. Thats how we got health care for 8 million kids. Rebuilt New York City after 9 11 and got the treaty cutting russias nuclear arms. Weve got to bring people together. Thats how you solve problems and thats what ill do as president. Reporter clinton land is trying to push out a more positive message in what has become a divisive and even nasty race for the white house. A far cry from 2000 when donald palled around with bill clinton in new york. These old photos, newly public, among about two dozen released from the clinton president ial library. Those were actually photos that the archives official considered personal. Politico put forward this Freedom Of Information Act request and they did get their way on that. Perhaps they would have been considered personal before but in light of the current political circumstances, theyre pertinent. Good point. Stay with us. We have new cnn orc poll numbers out. 53 of the American Public now say the Economic Conditions in the United States are good. Thats the highest number since 2007. I assume thats good news for Hillary Clintons campaign. It is. Nine years, the most positive view americans have had about the economy. We went through with a terrible crash this 2008 and 2009 and the repercussions afterwards. Just in the past year alone, its climbed seven points. Were now seeing a trend, a very good trend here in the United States where americans are having a better view of where they were. Thats only been in the past few months as well as were seeing that 73 of nonhwhites, minorities think the economy is doing well. This is good for Hillary Clinton. Its the right trend, right track at the right time. She does need help is that 66 of nonwhite College Graduates believe the economy is not doing very well. Of course, we have seen that in the poll numbers. We have seen that in a state such as ohio. Overall very good news for Hillary Clinton. President obamas approval number at 51 in our new poll. Thats pretty good at that stage in his second term. Absolutely. For any president in their second term. Thats very good news and good for Hillary Clinton. Shes been pulling him close and it turns out that was a good thing in terms of being the next term of barack obama. Its a good indicator. It would help Hillary Clinton if people liked whats going on right now and approve of the job that the president of the United States has done. Presumably that will spill over in her favor. What we saw in the republican primaries is that voters who were angry and felt betrayed by washington also felt they hadnt had a raise in 15 years. These are the voters that donald trump appealed to and does appeal to. If they start feeling they are getting ahead and these voters may not feel that way, the more voters who feel that they are making progress, the better shot Hillary Clinton has, particularly in rust belt states. It is worth noting that Donald Trumps a businessman. He talked about making the economy better and how he can make America Great again. If theres already a thought that america is great again or getting to be great again, thats going to take a tool out of his weaponry. I dont know that people are there yet but it might be turning. Alert our viewers right now. Hillary clinton is sitting down with cnn for an exclusive interview about the Terror Attacks of september 11th, 2001. You can see it this sunday, the 15th Anniversary of the attacks. Watch cnn state of the union, which begins at a special time sunday morning, 8 30 a. M. Eastern. Vladmir putin sends a message to the u. S. And nato. We have details of the massive war games hes staging in the region. Mplgt adorned in gash from around the world. She stood as an activist. One of us is a victim, were all a victim. Badu was approached by Concert Promotors to make it a benefit for the africanamerican 490 challenge. They hope to finish testing more than 11,000 rape kits found sitting in a police warehouse. In a report last year from the National Institute of justice, police said Budget Constraints and staff cuts let investigators to not follow through on tests of those kits. When i learned about it, i thought it was very important. I thought it was, at this point in my life, my responsibility. Shes one who has always demonstrated a social consciousness. She brings that to her artistry. Reporter they raised more than 50,000 at the detroit benefit. We were surprised that they cared so much about detroit but truly thats they care about these women and these children. Reporter donors were able to see their dollars go to something they could end now. This is a problem where people can see the end of the road. They know that their money is going to a cause thats fixable. Lots of vitamins a c, and, only 50 calories a serving. Good morning, indeed. V8. Veggies for all. Then smash it into a tree. Your Insurance Company raises your rates. Maybe you shouldve done more research on them. For drivers with accident forgiveness, Liberty Mutual wont raise your rates due to your first accident. Just one of the many features that comes standard with our base policy. Call for a free quote today. Liberty stands with you™. Liberty mutual insurance. Theres more Breaking News just moments ago. Secretary of state john kerry and his russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov announced a new deal to reach peace in syria. Our correspondent elise labott is joining us from geneva. You were there when the announcement was made, elise. Give us the details. Reporter wolf, a long day. 16 hours worth of negotiations, month, really, led up to this day and secretary kerry announced what could be a Turning Point in the civil war in syria. We are talking right now about a cessation of hostilities throughout the country starting on sunday. Thats the beginning of the eid holiday, a very symbolic day and that lasts, wolf, for seven days and we will see an effective grounding of the syrian air force. The russians have talked to president assad and he will commit to a grounding of his air force in areas where the opposition is operating and perhaps some other areas. If that could hold, wolf, were talking about a partnership that the u. S. And russia have been talking about, a very Controversial Partnership to start joint targeting of al Nusra Militants and all this time humanitarian corridors could be in aleppo, this besieged city, where Hundred Of Thousands of people have been starving without access to water, food, medical care. The hope, really is if theres calm in the country there could be some political talks on a transition on really ending the war, but a key question right now, wolf, is that the u. S. And russia can put the pressure on the parties they have influence with. Russia, the assad regime, can they, in effect, ground his air force. Can the u. S. Along with the saudis and others deliver the opposition to stop fighting the regime . Still a very big question, but a big diplomatic breakthrough tonight, wolf. Still not a done deal by any means. Well see what happens, elise. Thanks very much. Russia, meanwhile is putting on a massive show of Military Force in crimea, the region it seized from ukraine two years ago. Cnns brian todd. Its using Military Exercises to send a strong message. This the kind of thing Vladimir Putin absolutely lives for, showing Military Strength in a place he took over and doing it in spectacular fashion and this is a huge show of force by the Russian Military near the border with ukraine and this is called kav 2016 and he was not to be outdone by the south korea Military Exercises. You have multiple Rocket Launchers fired, coordinated Amphibious Assault landings on beachheads, bombing runs, explosions all over the water. Dozens of Flighter Jets flying mach dov flights and tanks and armored personnel carriers all over the place and there were 12,000 soldiers involved in these war games and these are designed to send a clear message and russia is ready to fight at any time. These drills are set to practice for an invasion of crimea and simulate Russian Forces fighting off that invasion and crimea is a province of ukraine that russia invaded in 2014. Putin denied to invading it at the time, and later admitted it and it is a part of russia from now on. The war games at a high tension, and natos expansion and of course, as were looking at crimea, the annexation that prompted heavy western sanctions on rush a wofrl. Hes doing these exercises to counter what the russians perceive as another potential threat emanating from it. It was just three weeks ago that russia accused ukraine of smuggling in operatives into crimea for sabotage. The ukrainians denied those allegations and it is very, very acute tonight. These exercises are evidence of that. He is determined to show his strength. Good point. Very dangerous situation all around on multiple fronts in that region and elsewhere, brian todd reporting. Thank you. This weekend marks 15 years since 9 11. Cnn will be airing an awardwinning film that captures the horror and the heroism of that day. You can see 9 11, 15 years later sunday 8 00 p. M. Eastern only here on cnn, and as american, get ready to pause and remember one of the most painful moments in our history. Our thoughts, of course, are with the families of the nearly 3,000 people who were killed on that day. Among them my cousin, Jeffrey Schryer and he was working in the Cantor Fitzgerald Brokerage Firm on september 11, 2001. He was 48 years old. Thats it for me. Thanks very much for watching. Im wolf blitzer. Erin burnett out front starts right now. Out front next, Breaking News, mike pence releasing his tax returns. Why wont donald trump do the same . More Breaking News, north korea exploding its powerful Nuclear Warhead ever . Can kim jongun launch a Nuclear Attack on the United States . Can what really happened behind the scenes . Hes my guest. Lets go out front. Good evening. Im erin burnett, out front tonight, the Breaking News p taxing news. Mike pence releasing his income tax