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NEW DAY SUNDAY

ISIS Beheads British Aid Worker; U.S. Detainee Sentenced in North Korea; Clinton Headlines Iowa Steak Fry; State Troopers Killed in Pennsylvania Ambush; Ray Rice and Wife Attend Football Game; U.S. Striking ISIS from the Air; Building International Coalition against ISIS; More Dangerous Weather for California; Healing Soldiers' Souls with Music

Aired September 14, 2014 - 06:00   ET

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


CHRISTI PAUL, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Six o'clock on a Sunday. We're so grateful for your company today.

I'm Christi Paul.

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Victor Blackwell.

We'd like to welcome our viewers here in the U.S. and around the world.

This is NEW DAY SUNDAY and there is a lot going on in the world.

PAUL: My goodness, is there ever. We (ph) are (ph) waking up.

And I hate to have to tell you this. I know some of you are just starting this morning but waking up to another horrifying execution by ISIS. You just feel for this family and what they must be going through.

BLACKWELL: Yes, the world is responding. Through shock, outrage as well. Here's what we know.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL (voice-over): This brutal militant group has released a video purportedly showing the execution of British aid worker David Haines. He's 44 years old, father of two girls, had gone to Syria to help war refugees when he was taken captive.

We're not showing the video of his killing, of course. It is just too gruesome to show on television. You can see Haines here, he's kneeling as his masked killer stands next to him. Now, before he takes Haines' life, he threatens Britain with even more bloodshed.

UNIDENTIFIELD MALE: "Your evil alliance of America, which continues to strike the Muslims of Iraq and most recently bomb the Haditha Dam, will only accelerate more destruction and claim the role of the obedient lap dog. Cameron will only drag you and your people into another bloody and unwinnable war."

PAUL: The executioner also threatened to kill another captive.

ISIS claims it has abducted British aid worker Alan Henning. President Obama, we know, has released a statement saying quote, "The United States strongly condemns the barbaric murder of U.K. citizen David Haines. We will work with the United Kingdom and a broad coalition of nations from the region and around the world to bring the perpetrators of this outrageous act to justice."

BLACKWELL: Well, David Haines is the third western hostage to be killed by ISIS.

In recent weeks the militants also beheaded American journalist Steven Sotloff and James Foley. Now, we're covering this from all angles.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CNN military analyst Lieutenant Colonel Rick Francona is in New York with us.

PAUL: Thank you, sir, and terrorism and security expert Peter Neumann with us in London, along with CNN correspondent Atika Shubert.

Atika, we do want to come to you first. Wondering how British Prime Minister David Cameron is responding Haines' execution. We understand he had an emergency session with the Cobra committee?

ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, the Cobra is the emergency cabinet meeting that he has with his security and intelligence chiefs.

We are expecting a statement to come in any minute now. So we'll bring that to you as soon as we get it. What we do have as well is a tweet that was put out by David Cameron. As soon as this videotape was revealed, in it he said, quote, "This is a despicable and appalling murder of an innocent aid worker. It's an act of pure evil. My heart goes out to the family of David Haines who has shown extraordinary courage and fortitude throughout this ordeal. We will do everything in our power to hunt down these murders and ensure they face justice, however long it takes."

Now, the family of David Haines as can you imagine is going through a traumatic time right now. And they've been holding this information for about a year. Not much was known about David Haines because they didn't want to make his hostage taking public for fear of the worst. And now that appears to have happened.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SHUBERT (voice-over): David Haines was a father and a husband but he was also hostage of ISIS, the Islamic state in Iraq and Syria.

Captured in March 2013, working at a Syrian refugee camp for French aid group, ACTED. Haines had more than a decade of experience doing aid work providing logistics to Handicap International and working at as an unarmed peacekeeper with Nonviolence Peaceforce. He grew up in Scotland (INAUDIBLE) wearing a kilt for his wedding. His wife, Dragana, waits with their 4-year-old daughter in Croatia where they live.

His teenage daughter from his first marriage makes it clear online how much she misses her father by answering just three questions. What's missing in your life that would make you very happy? My dad being at home, she answers. As his family waited, David Haines had become a pawn in the game of hostages now played by ISIS.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SHUBERT: Now, understandably the family wants some privacy, but they did put out a brief statement saying, that his joy and anticipation for the work he went to do in Syria is for the family the most important element of this whole sad affair.

BLACKWELL: All right. I'll get back you to, Atika Shubert. Thank you so much for joining us with the latest on that.

Now the British government released a statement on behalf of David Haines' family.

PAUL: Yes. It gives us a glimpse into the very (INAUDIBLE) and really generous life that he lived. And obviously that was stolen so quickly by ISIS so brutally.

It was written by his brother Mike and we do want to read that for you in its entirety right now.

BLACKWELL: Yes.

It begins, "My name is Mike Haines. I'm the brother to David Haines who was recently murdered in cold blood."

PAUL: "David was like so very many of us, just another bloke. Born in 1970 to parents who loved us both, our childhood was centered around our family. Holidays in caravans and tents, days away as a family which we remembered fondly.

David and I were brought up to know right from wrong, although we might not with the innocence of youth have always chosen right."

BLACKWELL: "David was a good brother, there when I needed him and absent when I didn't. I hope that he felt the same way about me.

He was, in the right mood the life and soul of the party and on other time the most stubborn, irritating pain in the ass. He would probably say the same about me.

After leaving school he world with the Royal Mail before joining the RAF as an aircraft engineer. He married his childhood sweetheart Louise and in the due process of time had a wee lass Bethany. He was -- and no doubt wherever he is -- exceptionally proud of Bethany."

PAUL: "David served with the U.N. in the Balkans, helping people in real need. There are many accolades from people in that region that David helped. He helped whoever needed help regardless of race, creed, or religion. During that time David began to decide that humanitarian work was the field that he wanted to work in."

BLACKWELL: "David left the RAF, the Royal Air Force, and was employed by Scotrail. As with every job, David entered into it with enthusiasm. David met and married his second wife Dragana and they have 4-year-old daughter Athea."

PAUL: "David was most alive and enthusiastic in his humanitarian roles. His joy and anticipation for the work he went to do in Syria is for family - is for myself and the family the most important element of this whole sad affair.

He was and is loved by all his family and will be missed terribly."

And we certainly send out our thoughts and prayers to that family and those children, especially, you know, the 4-year-old who will never really know her father in the way that she should have.

Word of this execution came just three days after President Obama unveiled his plan (INAUDIBLE). And just as (ph) the Secretary of State John Kerry is touring the region to rally support for the U.S. mission.

BLACKWELL: All right. Joining us now, Peter Neumann, director of the International Center for the Study of Radicalization. And CNN military analyst, retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Rick Francona. Good to have both of you with us this morning.

Peter, I want to start with you. Your reaction to this latest video and what now seems to be a developing pattern?

PETER NEUMANN, DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF RADICALIZATION: Absolutely. It seems to be the same, the exact same choreography, the same background, the same killer and the same kind of message that is being sent now not to President Obama but to Prime Minister Cameron. And as the video says, "The allies of America."

I think the video has two audiences. It is the partitions in the west who are, you know, they're trying to deter them from becoming more involved in this conflict. But it is also directed at an internal audience, a want to be foreign fighters in western countries, trying to motivate them to come down there. Showing them that it is one of them who is part of this and that they are needed down there. So, that is really problematic development.

PAUL: Lieutenant (ph) Colonel Rick Francona, I heard you say that ISIS releases these videos and has this tactic as a recruiting tool. Is there any evidence that it is working as such?

LT. COL. RICK FRANCONA (RET.), CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Well, we've seen the numbers in ISIS swell over the past several months. And it began as success breeds success. Right after they took Mosul, we saw their numbers swell greatly. And as you saw the CIA revised their estimate upward from near 10,000 to almost 30,000. And a lot of that is recruitment. A lot of that was probably just the - not a good counting of the numbers.

But, yes, as Peter said, this is an effective recruiting tool in the West and they're going after these Muslims that are disaffected because they want them to come join the fight.

BLACKWELL: So, Peter, is this what we're going to see for the duration of this war depending on which department in (ph) the Obama administration you ask if it's a war. But the U.S. hits a dam. They execute or behead one person. They hit a weapons cache, another person. Is this going to be a tit for tat for weeks and months on end?

NEUMANN: If you want to be cynical you could say, it works for them. Because at relatively low cost to them, they can have major impact.

They don't have to bring down two towers in New York anymore in order to capture the world's attention. All they need to do is to take a hostage, take him to the desert and behead him and (INAUDIBLE) and disseminate that video. They capture the world's attention. And they are energizing their base.

The important thing up is that up until the fall of Mosul this was a conflict between Sunnis and Shiites in Syria. Now it is a conflict between the West and what they consider to be Islam. And that is certainly energizing a lot of jihadists around the world who are more interested in fighting America than they were interested in fighting Shiites in Iraq or Syria.

PAUL: Well, Colonel Francona, speaking of energizing, people we know Australia just this morning announced that its going to send aircraft including war planes to support the U.S. led coalition. We know that obviously, you know, Prime Minister Cameron is meeting with his intelligence people to decide what their next step is.

Do you think that a coalition is being formed more -- in a more solid way now that we have seen the third beheading and they paraded a poor fourth man out threatening him?

FRANCONA: I do. I had an interesting e-mail last night from one of my intelligence field colleagues. And she said it looks like ISIS is helping us build the coalition.

Acts like this, although they are great recruiting tool, also tend to galvanize people in the West. And I think it comes a very interesting time when British are having this debate over what their role in the coalition is going to be. At one point they said, well, we're going to participate but you're not going see British aircraft operating against Syria. And then David Cameron walked that back a little bit he said, well, we have not really decided that.

So, I'm sure that the decisions on going in that Cobra meeting are revolving around just what the British are going to do about this. And ISIS may have just pushed the British more into the coalition rather than out of the coalition.

BLACKWELL: All right. Peter Neumann and Colonel Rick Francona, thank you so much for joining us this morning.

PAUL: Appreciate it gentlemen.

FRANCONA: Thank you.

BLACKWELL: A reminder, Christi just brought up the Prime Minister Cameron and we're waiting for Mr. Cameron's comments. Meanwhile, two state troopers ambushed in Pennsylvania. One of them did not survive.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL (voice-over): Now we're learning more about the two law enforcement officers as police search for the person who shot them.

PAUL: Plus, did you see it?

The big Mayweather fight last night. He won but not without some controversy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLACKWELL: Welcome back to NEW DAY. Fifteen minutes after the hour.

Now, let's get you caught up with your morning read.

PAUL: Yes. First, ISIS has executed another hostage, a video posted online appears to show the beheading of British aid worker David Haines. He was abducted last year near a Syrian refugee camp and had only been at the camp 10 days. He's the third Westerner to be killed by ISIS in recent weeks. (INAUDIBLE) is responsible (ph) British Prime Minister David Cameron calls the execution, "An act of pure evil."

BLACKWELL: American detainee Matthew Miller has been sentenced to six years of hard labor in North Korea.

We just received these images out of that country. Unfortunately these are images from the interview with Will Ripley some time ago. The state media report say, North Korean Supreme Court today found Miller guilty of committing acts hostile to the country. He's 24 years old. He was arrested back in April after he tore up his visa (INAUDIBLE) seeking asylum.

PAUL: In politics, Hillary Clinton is in Iowa today.

Her first trip to the battleground state since 2008 when she (ph) ran (ph) for (ph) president. Clinton's expected to headline the Harkin steak fry hosted by the long time state's longtime Democratic Senator Tom Harkin.

Political analyst say, the former first lady's trip to Iowa is pretty good indicator that she has presidential aspirations to 2016.

BLACKWELL: In sports, it was a big night for boxing champion Floyd "Money" Mayweather. He beats Marcos Maidana in a match that went for all 12 rounds. The fight was put on hold during the eighth round after Mayweather said he Maidana bit him on the wrist. Both athletes were issued a warning. Last night's win means that Mayweather is 47- 0.

PAUL: What's with the biting?

BLACKWELL: I don't know.

PAUL: Anyway, in weather -- I'm just saying'. If you live in the northeast, are you in for a treat today.

New Yorkers, if you're in the mid-Atlantic, expect sunshine, 70 degrees weather. The rest of the country, we have to wait it out. Lingering showers, scattered thunderstorms expected to hang around the south and parts of the Midwest today. So, in case you're looking out the window and it's dark still at this hour, now you know what to expect later on.

BLACKWELL: Yes. It's coming up.

So this morning, a story we're covering this weekend, police are still trying to track down the shooter, a person who ambushed two state troopers in Pennsylvania.

Now, one officer is dead. Another is in critical condition.

PAUL: CNN national reporter, Nick Valencia, has been following this for us.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Emergency traffic, go ahead.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Under fire! We are moving the landing zone to the middle school.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Emergency. Report you're under fire.

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: 911 audio from Pike County in eastern Pennsylvania.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Route 6 to 402. Front road closure. Nobody is to go down south of 402.

VALENCIA: After two Pennsylvania state troopers are ambushed just outside of police barracks in Blooming Grove.

FRANK NOONAN, STATE POLICE COMMISSIONER: This attack was an ambush. Our troopers were leaving the barracks and were shot without warning. And really had no chance to defend themselves.

VALENCIA: One trooper, Corporal Brian Dixon, was killed in the Friday night attack. Another trooper, Alex Douglass, is hospitalized in stable but critical condition.

NOONAN: It's a cowardly attack. It's an attack upon all of us in society and the people of Pennsylvania.

VALENCIA: This morning, a manhunt is under way for the person or persons involved in the attack. And it's not just Pennsylvania officers involved in the search. Hundreds of officers from multiple agencies including New York and New Jersey are involved in the hunt. On the ground, and in the air.

NOONAN: We do not believe any particular person is specifically at risk. This attack was directed specifically at law enforcement.

VALENCIA: So far, no arrests have been made but police say they are interviewing hundreds of people. There's a $20,000 reward.

NOONAN: We're looking for the cooperation of the public, whether it's money that would motivate you or just outrage at this terrible act. Because I can tell you, the Pennsylvania State Police and law enforcement in general will not rest until this individual is apprehended.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: Our Nick Valencia is with us now.

Police have been searching the wooded area around there.

VALENCIA: Yes.

BLACKWELL: How are the local people reacting to this?

VALENCIA: You know, they're scared. This is a township of about 5,000 people. It's not an area that tends to get this kind of attention. In fact, in the local newspaper, they said a gallery they (ph) usually (ph) - (INAUDIBLE) gallery of the town and every Saturday night and that crowd was noticeably thinner. Could it be because the weather but also people were quoted saying, there's a cop killer on the loose. They're very terrified about this.

We're expected to get more information about 10:00 a.m. eastern today from police officials. So, we'll work to see if they've uncovered anything more in the last 24 hours.

PAUL: All right. Nick Valencia, thank you...

VALENCIA: Thank you.

PAUL: ...so much. Appreciate it.

BLACKWELL: So Ray Rice, he may be out of the NFL indefinitely while facing a domestic abuse scandal.

But it did not stop the controversial running back from checking out a football game at his former high school. Whether hugs, boos, handshakes, see how fans reacted when he walked out on the field with his wife.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) PAUL: That was different. If your (INAUDIBLE) different (INAUDIBLE).

BLACKWELL: I know, it's the same side (ph). I'm sitting the same way.

PAUL: I am, too. Just getting comfortable. That's all.

BLACKWELL: Yes and we are tweeting now.

PAUL: We are, yes. That is true, we are tweeting.

Running back Ray Rice, I mean, he's got to stay low profile obviously since being dropped from the NFL indefinitely.

BLACKWELL: Yes. He returned though to the spotlight yesterday. It's his first public appearance since being cut from the Baltimore Ravens.

Rashan Ali from CNN sports joins us now with more.

I wonder, what was the reaction when he showed up at his high school?

RASHAN ALI, CNN SPORTS: Mostly positive. But there were some boos in the mix.

And as you stated earlier, even though he's no longer playing, Ray Rice is still staying close to the game. The former Raider showed up to a high school football game in his hometown New Rochelle, New York, along with his wife and young daughter.

He has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL after a video surfaced showing him knocking his wife unconscious in a casino elevator. Now, the reaction from fans at his alma mater was mixed. He was greeted by hugs and handshakes and a few boos. The high school has removed Ray Rice's jersey from the wall of fame but the coach is still standing by his old player.

LOU DIRIENZO, NEW ROCHELLE FOOTBALL COACH: Twenty seconds or 30 seconds of a bad decision has affected this young man's life forever. And they need to think before they act.

So I think my kids are getting great lessons in terms of making a mistake, admitting it, not repeating it and learning from it. So what better lesson to learn from an NFL superstar?

ALI: And there you have it. Defensive end Greg Hardy will start for the Carolina Panthers in today's game against the Detroit Lions despite being convicted of domestic violence back in July.

He has not been suspended by the NFL or the Panthers following an altercation with his ex-girlfriend in March. Hardy is appealing the judge's ruling and the league says it's waiting to see what happens in a jury trial set for November.

And trending on bleacher report.com, Floyd Mayweather does what he is used to doing and that is winning. He put his perfect record on the line and a rematch with Marco Maidana last night. And gets the victory by unanimous decision. But it did not come without controversy.

In the eighth round, Mayweather accused Maidana of biting him on his hand. But with the $32 million he won last night, I'm sure he'll be just fine. Maidana walks away with $3 million in earning. That's a big difference.

BLACKWELL: Three?

ALI: Three, 32-3.

BLACKWELL: Oh, no.

ALI: Yes.

BLACKWELL: That's not fair.

ALI: He agreed to that, though. It's not even fair on any level.

BLACKWELL: I'm sure it's a big come up from what he probably made from the last fight.

ALI: Yes.

BLACKWELL: But $3 million versus $32 million?

ALI: Even if Maidana would have won, I think Mayweather would have walked away with probably as much or maybe just a little less.

BLACKWELL: You know, I read a report that Maidana was so out of wits that he walked to one of the wrong corner after one of the rounds.

ALI: Yes. It's just bad. It was a beating. It was a beating, yes.

PAUL: All right. Rashan Ali...

(CROSSTALK)

PAUL: ...so glad to have you here. Thank you.

ALI: Thank you.

PAUL: Obviously, we're going to be having much more on our top story the beheading of British aid worker, David Haines. And now the third Westerner, obviously, killed by ISIS. What is this going to mean for the U.S. fight against this extremist group?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PAUL: So grateful for your company. It's half past the hour here. I'm Christi Paul.

BLACKWELL: I'm Victor Blackwell. Thanks for staying with us. PAUL: Yeah. Boy, horror and rage are just gripping the world again this morning as another video has emerged now showing an ISIS executioner beheading a third Western captive. President Obama condemned the murder of British aid worker David Haines as barbaric and British Prime Minister David Cameron called it an act of pure evil.

BLACKWELL: As Haines' family praised him as a husband and father of two of who reveled in his humanitarian work. The latest video is horrifyingly similar to previous ones that touted the slayings of American journalist Steven Sotloff and James Foley. And as in those videos, ISIS threatens the life of yet another captive, this time British aid worker Alan Henning. We're expecting a statement from Prime Minister Cameron shortly. So we'll bring that to you as soon as we get it.

PAUL: But in the meantime, the Australian government we know says it is preparing to deploy aircraft including warplanes to the U.S.-led coalition battling ISIS.

BLACKWELL: President Obama last week laid out his plan to send more U.S. military advisors to Iraq and possibly expand U.S. airstrikes into Syria.

PAUL: Our Anna Coren is in Irbil, Iraq. Anna, thank you so much for being with us. What - well, curious, what are Iraqis saying about the president's plan?

ANNA COREN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, certainly they welcomed the news of President Obama expanding the airstrikes here in Iraq. He mentioned that there would be a strategic campaign or systematic campaign, I should say, which really means that there will be an expansion and an escalation if you like of those U.S. airstrikes. There've been 160 today according to U.S. Central Command, very much focused on the Mosul dam area. Of course, you remember, that that was seized by the Peshmerga several weeks ago, has been under their control ever since then, but it's the surrounding areas, it's the towns and villages where the fighting is still extremely intense.

We understand according to senior officials that's been in the Kurdish government that they are now within 17 kilometers of the city of Mosul. That is the closest point. They won't be making a push on the city of Mosul. Iraq's second largest city and ISIS stronghold, but certainly, they're trying to get the villages and the townships on the way to Mosul back - liberated, I should say. That is the current plan.

BLACKWELL: Anna, you mentioned those two recent airstrikes at the Mosul dam. It looks like the count is up to 160, somewhere around that now. Any indication that these are effectively weakening ISIS?

COREN: Look, I think they're definitely containing ISIS. They're stopping the advance. Obviously, we saw that, you know, rapid push across the country over the last several months. They were able to do that in this large convoys, these armed vehicles. And really were able to just drive through these cities and townships occupying now one-third of Iraq. But those airstrikes, which have been under way now for five weeks and have really stopped them from further taking any more ground. They have managed to contain them, stop them and look, it also provides that critical cover for the ground forces, the Iraqis as well as the Peshmerga, the Kurdish forces, to launch those ground operations. Certainly not defeating ISIS, but stopping any further advance, Victor.

PAUL: All right. Anna Coren in Iraq there. Anna, thank you so much.

BLACKWELL: All right, joining us now from London to discuss the Western campaign to stop ISIS, Will Geddes. He is the managing director of International Corporate Protection, rather. And Sajjan Gohel, International Security Director for the Asia Pacific Foundation. Gentlemen, thank you for joining us. I want to start with you, Sajjan. We just heard from Anna Coren that these airstrikes are effectively containing ISIS. But as we discuss a move into Syria, these rebel forces will have to be trained and armed. That will take some time. Is there that -- does the world have that good fortune? Does it have the benefit of time to train these rebels?

SAJJAN GOHEL, INTL. SECURITY DIRECTOR, ASIA-PACIFIC FOUNDATION: Well, training is, of course, a very important security sector reform has been done in Iraq. It has been done in Afghanistan. But then you also need the political will on the ground. You need the new Iraqi government by Haider al-Abadi to be able to work together with all the different factions that operate in Iraq, the Sunnis, the Shias, getting the Kurdish Pesmerga onboard and then we also have to remember that we're entering, in effect, a third Iraq war.

But this time, Syria is also being brought into the mix. So, it means that whatever cooperation takes place, you need to get the Free Syrian Army involved as well. They've been taking a lot of hits from the Assad regime as well as ISIS. So, this is a very complicated exercise. And those soldiers on the ground will need air support continuously. And I think unfortunately, at some point there may have to be ground troops from Western countries like the U.S. But I don't think Iraqi and the Free Syrian Army forces can deal with it on their own.

PAUL: Well, you know, we were thinking about this, 30,000 ISIS estimated, ISIS fighters. For those in the U.S., that, wouldn't fill up Wrigley Stadium. And we think about the power that U.S. and the U.K. and Australia has. We know Australia now is sending some backup and some resources as well. Why is it so hard to take these -- to break ISIS up? Why is it so hard to keep them from getting some of these -- from taking some of these hostages, keeping them for a year and a half and then releasing that horrid videos that they're releasing now?

WILL GEDDES, MANAGING DIR., INTERNATIONAL CORPORATE PROTECTION: Well, I think something that we've certainly become increasingly aware of ISIS there, a very sophisticated, well structured and professional terrorist organization. They are considerably more if, you like cohesive in terms of that plans, in terms of their operations and their strategy then say we've seen historically with al Qaeda. That is operated on a far more cellular bases in small groups. They are by proxy in such a position that they can then evidently move hostages in a very professional way, I.E., not necessarily within their strongholds. So, for example, although ISIS have a good control over Mosul right now, it's probably highly unlikely that the hostages are being held there.

And as we know from the disclosure of the previous Special Forces operation to try and rescue those hostages, that by the time they arrive there, the hostages had in fact been moved. So there are very mobile elements. They also have been incredibly careful and clever in some respects in ensuring that they're not concentrating all their assets in one particular area. We know that they've gained a considerable expansive territory. And they will be no doubt strategically moving their pieces, if you like, across the board to make sure that they can't be taken out by any intelligence led drone strikes or Special Forces missions too easily.

BLACKWELL: Gentlemen, I want to ask you about the coalition that Secretary Kerry is traveling the world trying to gather. He said that it would not be appropriate for Iran in many respects to then paraphrasing, to be part of this effort. By considering that the larger Muslim world is overwhelmingly Sunni, but Iran has this -- the lion's share of Muslims in Iran are Shiite, they have a direct interest based on geography and based on that sectarian divide to be involved. I think it defines credulity that Iran would not play some role. It's just that they wouldn't play a public role. Do you think Iran is involved in some way or should be?

GOHEL: Well, Victor, Iran very much is playing a role. The Al Quds, force which is part of the Special Forces has been operating inside Iraq aiding those drags of the Iraqi armies. Of course, it's a careful balancing act for the Secretary of State John Kerry because yes, it's important to get the Sunni Arab countries onboard, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE. They've all condemned ISIS, which is a major step forward. They've also promised that they'll try to stop the funding which comes from some of their countries, stop recruits going there. But they also are deeply opposed to Iran getting involved. Because there's that historical rivalry. But Iran has a vested interest in Iraq. It has a significant influence there. It's just probably going to be more likely that they won't be an official coalition partner. But they will definitely play a role behind the scenes.

BLACKWELL: All right, Sajjan Gohel, Will Geddes, thank you so much for joining us this morning.

PAUL: Thank you, gentlemen.

BLACKWELL: So still ahead, a stern warning from the U.S. Embassy in Uganda to all Americans living in that country. Stay out of sight. We'll tell you what's behind that.

PAUL: Plus, Pope Francis is marrying several couples at the Vatican this morning. We're going to tell you what makes this wedding ceremony special.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) BLACKWELL: Welcome back. I want to let you know that we are waiting comments from Prime Minister David Cameron after a meeting with his top intelligence and security officials. Of course, in response to the third video of the beheading, this time of a British aid worker. We'll get that to you as soon as we receive it. But for now, let's get to five things you need to know for your new day. Up first, an American being held in North Korea has been sentenced to six years of hard labor. These are new images here of Matthew Todd Miller. The country's supreme court today ruled that Miller was guilty of hostility toward the country there in North Korea. Miller arrived in the country in April on a tourist visa. State Media says he tore up his visa and said he was seeking asylum.

PAUL: Number, two the U.S. embassy in Uganda is telling Americans in that country avoid crowds and stay indoors. This warning coincides with Ugandan police arresting several terror suspects and recovering explosives. Now, they say the planned terror attack was "imminent." Number three, there is yet another sign of change at the Vatican this morning. Pope Francis is marrying couples who's have been "living in sin." and women who had children out of wedlock. The ceremony comes just ahead of a meeting of catholic bishops where key social issues such as marriage, divorce, and contraception will all be discussed.

BLACKWELL: Number four now, mandatory evacuations in parts of Orange County, California. Firefighters there are racing to control a wildfire that scorched about 1600 acres since Friday. The job has been especially hard for firefighters because they're facing the grueling record setting triple digit temperatures this weekend.

PAUL: Speaking of triple digits, Victor, weekend forecast. CNN's Jennifer Gray has all you need to know. Hi, Jan.

JENNIFER GRAY, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Hi, guys, yes. That's right. We do have heat advisories also heat warnings in effect. Heat indices all in the southern California coast could reach anywhere from 105 to 110. So, it is going to be another very, very hot day there. Temperatures, Huntington Beach, 85. Riverside, 105. And temperatures outwest are going to be in the triple digits. Not doing much for that drought monitor. We're still in severe, severe drought. 95 percent of the state in severe. 82 percent in exceptional historic drought in California. Of course, we're also watching Odile, and this is a category four storm in the Pacific just off the coast of Mexico. And it is expected to travel to the north. Unfortunately, not bringing rain where we need it in California. But it is going to pump a lot of moisture into western portions of southern California and also into Arizona. These are places that don't need it, if you remember earlier in the week we had incredible flooding in these areas. We could see a repeat for today. Also, guys, we could see some rain along the Carolinas as well this afternoon.

PAUL: All right. Jennifer Gray, thank you so much.

BLACKWELL: Thank you.

Hillary Clinton is hitting center stage today at a key political event in Iowa. PAUL: Why some say she's heading to the battleground state to kick off a possible presidential bid.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLACKWELL: Will she? Or won't she? Of course, that's the big question everyone is asking about Hillary Clinton.

PAUL: Yeah, we're talking about whether the former first lady and secretary of state, of course, is going to run for president in 2016. She's in Iowa today healing a key political event even though she hasn't declared she's running, political experts say it sure feels like she is kicking off the campaign.

BLACKWELL: Yes, CNN senior political correspondent Brianna Keilar is in Iowa this morning with more for us. Brianna, good morning.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Victor and Christi, even though Hillary Clinton hasn't declared that she's in the race for 2016 and insists that she's still undecided on whether she'll leave and run, this trip here to Iowa is seen as the beginning of a potential campaign.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KEILAR: Hillary Clinton has been the inevitable candidate before.

HILLARY CLINTON: I know that this time ...

KEILAR: Nowadays she is laughing along with the joke. At a Friday service for a poet Maya Angelou.

ELLIOT MATTHEW JONES, MAYA ANGELOU'S GRANDSON: Next, I'd like to thank the amazing speakers and some dignitaries. First and foremost, Madam pre -- excuse me.

(LAUGHTER)

(APPLAUSE)

(CHEERS)

KEILAR: This weekend Clinton returns to Iowa for the first time since her stunning defeat to Barack Obama and John Edwards in the 2008 caucuses.

HILLARY CLINTON: We're going to get up tomorrow and keep pushing as hard as we can.

KEILAR: The Harkin steak fry hosted by the state's long-time Democratic senator is a must on the checklist for any Democrat with presidential aspirations. But for Clinton, Iowa is the state that hobbled her White House ambitions right out of the gate.

RON BROWNSTEIN, EDITORIAL DIR., NATIONAL JOURNAL: She is as commanding a frontrunner as we had in the modern primary system. But there are a lot of Democrats who don't want her to take it for granted. And Iowa certainly from 2008 is a reminder of the risks. If you do seem to take things for granted. So, I think she has to begin to show Democrats that this is not something that she's expecting to be handed to her. That she's going to work for it.

KEILAR: Clinton last spoke at the steak fry in 2007 along with the rest of the Democratic presidential field.

HILLARY CLINTON: And what we're doing today is building a new field of dreams for the country we love.

KEILAR: This time she's headlining with her husband, paying homage to Harkin at his final steak fry after three decades in the Senate. Clinton will likely buck up Bruce Braley, the Democrat locked in a tight race to replace Harkin.

(APPLAUSE)

KEILAR: Clinton began her reintroduction of public life this summer, in a book tour with many stumbles.

HILLARY CLINTON: We came out of the White House not only dead broke but in debt.

KEILAR: The missteps provoked observations that Clinton's political skills are still rusty. But a new CNN/ORC poll has her going into Iowa with a huge lead among registered Democrats.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KEILAR: While Hillary Clinton is so far ahead of the rest of the pack and she's the most in demand surrogate for vulnerable Democrats this midterm cycle, her popularity has dipped as she's re-entered public life. And that's expected to continue as she moves into the political realm which she starts to do here in Iowa. Victor and Christi.

BLACKWELL: All right. Brianna Keilar there for us in Iowa, thank you so much.

PAUL: I want to give you a reminder, we're awaiting to hear from Prime Minister David Cameron as we expect him to make some sort of speech as to what may be next after this third beheading, this time of a British aid worker by ISIS. We'll have that for you coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLACKWELL: Closing in on the top of the hour now. We've all seen the grim combat statistics of the global war on terror. For the first time in U.S. history, an unprecedented number of troops have returned home with these catastrophic injuries.

PAUL: Yeah, well, this week's CNN hero uses his unique talents to help disabled soldiers realize what they can do.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) ARTHUR BLOOM: Music is my earliest memory. I never decided to be a professional musician. It's just what I've always done. It feels great to play music, but it's also a mechanism for healing.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We were on this an early morning patrol, walking down the road. I'd never been hit by an IED before. It felt like I got hit by a wrecking ball. I shot up, my legs were completely gone. What happens if you don't quite get killed, and you don't quite survive, you're somewhere in the middle? I was a shell of a man. Who I was was gone.

BLOOM: Let's take it right before the melody comes in.

Our organization helps wounded warriors play music and recover their lives.

We match the injured troops with professional musicians who come visit at Walter Reed Medical Center and work with them on music projects. Learning music, writing and performing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PAUL: And thank you so much for starting your morning with us.

BLACKWELL: We have got much more ahead on the next hour of your NEW DAY. It starts right now.