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Heading into that conversation, in part because russia just announced that they disagree with the united states' assessment that assad used chemical weapons. this all comes on the heels of an announcement yesterday by the department of defense. their going to leave f-16 fighter jets as well as patriot missiles in jordan. that move aimed to send a strong message to assad and also to give president obama a little bit more leverage heading into that conversation with putin. mara? >> all right. kristen welker live at the white house. thanks so much. >> reporter: thanks. joining me now, "roll cal...

They're concerned the united states is planning to set up a no-fly zone. >> what strikes me, we make this announce. and then you have the russian foreign minister saying that's a no-go. a no-fly zone is essentially illegal by international law. so it feels like this back and forth. you have the united states trying to create some leverage heading into the g-8 and kind of as i would have expected, the russians pushing back and kind of saying, we're not going to be pushed into a corner. when i read the tea leaves, that's what it feels like is going on. >> first, congratulations on the show. and ...

With new leaders in both chambers when the leaders are still the same? >> well, a couple of changes, melissa, to think about, first of all, there will be fewer republicans in the house. president obama will have a pretty strong bully pulpit, his state of the union address, inauguration address and two huge platforms to make the case to the american people once again, but you also have the debt ceiling hanging out there, so that would give republicans some leverage heading into the new year. this would be a bargaining chip for them, so there certainly would be some new dynamics, but as you poin...