house as the president fine-tunes his strategy for dealing with isis. >> we have it all covered. this is "happening now". >> the fragile ceasefire in ukraine very much threatened as fighting sparks fears of a new civil war. putin is winning. >> the question in washington about vladimar putin's next move. >> nato and allies send russia

a smart message. >> we are getting them out quickly as possible. >> a wild fire mushrooms in yosemite national park. they get aboard choppers to get away from the raging flames. and the danger is not over. >> plus a sensational twist in amanda knox. why the woman is threatening legal action over a crime she said she never committed, it is all happening now. >> but first our top story, the number of u.s. troops in iraq rises above 1,000 first time. mission creep is entering into the conversation. welcome to the success hour of "happening now". i am jon scott. >> i am sheena in for jenna lee.

american fighter jets and bombers widening operations against isis in iraq and hitting targets near the dam and near the western border with syria jennifer griffin is live in the pentagon. >> reporter: hi, shannon. the pentagon deny its is mission creep. they expanded military operations to a fourth location. the strikes started as a way to help the yazidis and then the mosul dam and then helping to retake the towns. so far the u.s. carried out 143 air strikes as of today and flying air support for the iraqi army that does not have a functioning air force. >> it is a new strike around the dam, but it is not different from what the president said in

his guidance to the military and what our perimeters are, protect the interest of american ands infrastructure that would protect americans. >> and the number of u.s. troops in iraq rose to 11 nofor the first time since the u.s. returned to iraq since the war ended in 2011. >> i ran to the office and welcome the troops home. i will not allow the united states be dragged in to fighting another war in iraq. >> secretary of state john kerry raised eyebrows when he suggested that 350 u.s. troops to protect the baghdad were military will advisors. that's not what they were requested to do. we put 350 people on the ground in an effort to build up advisor

capacity and building up our isr platform. and kinetic capacity and that is different than humanitarian relief and protecting american personnel. expect the president to outline this new mission on wednesday. we'll be watching, thank you. >> we are awaiting the white house briefing on iraq, the administration is facing new questions about executive power. he will not seek congressional approval on the fight with isis. but he will meet with them and keep them in the loop to defeat and destroy the terrorist group. does the president have the authority to go it alone? a b to dord, and rich lowery, what about it a b? is this constitutional and legal what the president is proposing here? >> well, so far, the president

has been going after terrorist in different parts of the world for years using drone strikes under the existing authority from the authorization for use of military force that congress passed after 9/11, in september 2, 0001, and it was broad enough because they were related or affiliated with al-qaeda or taction or those who sought to harm us on 9/11. things has changed. isis is not connected to al-qaeda anymore. but many in congress are arguing that there should be a new authorization for a new use of force that clearly goes and defines what the isis threat is and how we are going to go after it. those forces for the minority, john. you are not looking at a maj a majority of people in both parties. they are not wanting to go to

a big debate about proving. is that electoral politics? >> i think the president has the enherrent authority of commander in chief to undertake the action. i think it is authorized in the 2001 authorization of the fight against al-qaeda. this could be a year's long undertaking. this is a big deal. we should get congress on the record one way or the other. if congress votes for it, it is a bigger statement. they don't want to. at least a lot of them. if you are of the average congress person. you consider it your job to carp from the sidelines without taking accountability yourself. >> i think they should vote yeah

or nay. >> a b, what does the president get acting unlaterally. does he avoid putting democrats on a vote. and why would he want to do it on his own? >> i think he said in an interview that he thinks that congress should act. and congress represents the american people and if the american people are engaged about the new unprecedented threat and our need to respond we'll be a unified country and be more effective. he wants a buy in from congress. it is not that he doesn't want it, but it could be a huge distraction if it gets bogged down in a huge debate where he doesn't succeed. he is talking about coping our nation safe without going to congress under the existing authority. that is not ideal but he could

do. it >> he feels burned by last year's experience. he was going to go for a limited strike against syria and had a meltdown and erosion of support in congress and ended up taking a step back. i think he doesn't want to bother and no one in congress wants to be bothered and he will do it under our own power. >> and being the president getting us out of iraq he doesn't want to be getting us back in to iraq. >> thank you, jon. >> a weather shift causing a wildfires near yosemite national park to explode. fire crews were caught off guard by a sudden wind changed that pushed the 4 to 700 acre. 100 park visitors had to be air lifted out for safety. hello, william. >> reporter: as of a few

minutes ago, that fire burned 2500 acre, but the initial decision to let it burn turned out to be a bad one. this fire took off on sunday and prompting the evacuation of hundred park visitors by helicopter. most of the 75 wildfires are allowed to burn because they are in remote areas. but in this case. a wind shift caused the meadow fire to explode and cross the river and closing the park entrance and multiple trails and prompting the evacuation of the half dome. the fire is moving quickly and we are not sure what the fire behavior is going to do. in an effort to keep everybody safe that may be back there. we are getting them out soon as possible. >> seven helicopters and a tanker and hot shot crews were

able to slow the fire. until they were at safety. >> good news weather is partly cloudy and mid80s and humidity at 62 percent. despite the doir protections. it has been tame with fewer than 3 million acre burned down from 7 million in 2011 and 12. sta >> we do. thank you. record breaking rainfall in arizona causing flash floods. throw feet of water flooded the freeways. the rising water caught many by surprise. stranded commuters were pulled out of their cars. most of arizona is covered with a flash flood warning.

nato drills taking on a new urgency in the wake of russian ark gregz. but vladimar putin is unimpressed with military muscle and sanks. what will it take to stop him? >> and what about a gappingcrator. it may have something to do with the the asteroid. and hundreds of children falling ill. the doctor is in with where it is happen anything what cipes to watch out for. and we want to hear from you. do you think that schools are equipped to prevent the illness from spreading in the u.s. go to fox news.com/"happening now" and click on america's asking to join the conversation. and leave your questions for the doctor or we'll read them later on in the show.

>> an eerie explanation for

a explosion. awe meterite struck near the airport over the weekend leaving a crater 40 feet wide. no one was hurt and flights were not affected. the space rock is believed to be a piece of the asteroid that passed close to the earth yesterday. >> i bet they will dig down and get that. >> new information on the upcoming vote for independence in scotland. a majority favor splitting from the uk, just ten days before voting began. both sides making a final push. and british leaders hope to persuade the people there to vote no. what is behind the referendum. >> reporter: there is just one question.

should scotland be an independent country and on september 'th scottish voters will be able to answer that question yes or no. ten days to go, many are shocked at the latest poll and shoes that the scotts may vote for independence and that is a huge change and the yes campaign was heading for the beach. and now according to one vote yes campaign is two votes ahead. yes voters said scotland would be better off and they believe it would create a stronger economy and control over social policy. and nos think a split from england could damage. there was a second tv debate and yes observe are ares believe they won it convincingly. they believe they have the momentum. but the no campaign said they

are confident. the government is offering for on tax and welfare. if scotland is voting yes it is a failure seen for freedom prime cameron. and it would raise fores for other pushes of independence in europe. no campaign is forcing. but even the queen is said to be certained. and even if scotland votes independence that process would take up to spring 2016 to complete, jon. nkitty, astounding stuff. >> new respects of mitt romney's policy time is not idell. and how he is making his presence felt in the 2016 race.

>> new film about the amanda knox case. why her attorneys are threatening to sue. s charlie.

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now you could have done it twice. this is awkward. go to comcastbusiness.com/ checkyourspeed. if we can't offer faster speeds or save you money we'll give you $150. comcast business built for business. a six year old in colorado is recovered after being attacked by a mountain lion. it was in the santa cruz mountains. one witness said she saw the boy's father carrying the boydown the trail. >> it was a rear thing. but he seemed calm and the parents were calm. and they were just sitting there and tending to him and making sure everything was okay. >> the boy, expected to recover. wild life officials are combing

the area looking for that mountain lion. now respects ta mitt romney's 2012 foreign policy team is operating in secret and helping top presidential contenders for a year. and the group is made up of 150 experts and former government officials. and each offering to help democratic contender ares. and governor rom no said he will not run again. but the group is operating ufrnd the prem us his foreign policy ideas are popular as the president's policies seem to be in trouble. >> helen is host of media buzz here on fox news channel. mitt romney said he is not running. nrom no said he's not running and how many ways does he have to say it. but the press needs a front runner and the goff is

splintered. and it is funny. the press was not kind to mitt romney. >> they want him to run again or keep asking the questions about that. >> romney put it, buyer's remorse and president obama is having problems. and mitt talked about russia being a major fore. and there is boredom on the political reporters and the nothing remains secret in washington. you know that and although romney is not running. the fact that some of his advisors are helping help to other candidates means that the romney foreign policy could have a half-life. >> they are named after john hay who was abraham lincoln's private secretary. 150 experts that want to thrust romney's policy front and center. >> i am glad you g didn't ask me

who john hayes is. >> it is interesting, the big speech on isis this week and clearly on many fronts seems to be on the defensive and not on top of it and the romney critique, he wants a voice, jon and why he is doing more shoes and people who advised him on foreign policy and could help shape who ever the next republican nom no. that person will not have a lot of foreign policy experience, that could be experience going up against a former secretary of state. >> and getting a high role with miss hillary clinton and the obama administration. >> we could mitt romney. and i suppose lightning may strike. he will be 69 in the next

election. he's not at the gipper's campaign level skills. howard kurtz host of media buzz. thank you. shannon? >> shocking new revelations on benghazi. three men who were there and offer a whole new perspective on what happened. today we are getting new reaction. and nato flexing its military muscle trying to deter russian aggression. will it stop vladimar putin? fresh insights on that, next.

"happening now", new are action. the story told from three men in the cia annex the night four americans were killed including ambassador stephens. >> reporter: new question as congress is returning from recess. the security contractors were asked to wait 30 minutes. but they said the cia station chief, bob, told them to stand down. >> we are ready to go and bob looks right through me and told the time leader to wait. >> if we left they would be alive. >> we were delayed three types.

>> next week, the benghazi committee led by trey gowdy will hold the first public hearing. gowdy welcomes the opportunity to talk to personnel on the ground. a member of that committee talked about the work ahead. >> we have lots and lots of unanswered questions and conflicting stories and benghazi committee under the leadership gowdy determined to get. to they are telling the story they believe and think that the american people need to know. >> later this week will be the two- year anniversary since ambassador stephen ands three others were killed. mitt romney blasted the obama administration for not giving answers. >> they said they would have open transparency and they are not forth coming in what is happening there.

that doesn't just land in the president but lands in the feet of hillary clinton as well. >> reporter: a lot of people offering reaction after hearing the firsthand testimony hearing from the security operators. it is in the book also. jon. >> thank you, mike. nato backing up commitments in europe with a show of force. 16,000 troops conducting military exercises in germany after a summit wrapped up in wales. they are taking on new urgency in light of vladimar putin's aggression in ow crane. military maneuvers and sanctions are not stopping him as he keeps the military poised.

we'll talk to a former analyst. johnathon thanks for joining us. >> what we have done so far is not impacting the slightest? >> i think there is a couple of sanctions that are levied that have certainly hurt putin and there is some pressure, but clearly not enough. we have not seen the pressure that forced mr. putin to stand down. >> i know you talked about swift. what is that. tell us what it is and why in this case it is a critical tool? >> it is society of worldwide interbait communication. it is an encrypted service that allows bank togs talk to each other and any time you wire money around the world, odds are you will have to use swift. >> we put pressure on iran.

and in my opinion it was this painful maneuver that forced iran come to the table. mark kirk of illinois is considering similar pressure on swift right now to push mr. putin in a corner. >> and so if congress chooses to navigate this and what level of impact would it have on russia and would they be able to work around it with finances and bank transfers that take the teeth out of it? >> there are not many other systems out there. there is target two, that could follow the lead of swift and make it more painful. we are hearing that the russian duma is weighing a pressure for russia to grade their own parallel so they could operate.

and they are placed on russia. i don't know how long it would take to stand up nor am i convinced it would be thoroughly affective measure. and how about isis and russia there is a isis video directed at vladimar putin and issuing a direct challenge to russia to get involved in what they are now carrying out and saying they have ambitions that involve russian territory. how likely is it that they would get putin's attention with what they are fanning. >> it is one area of possible cooperation. and even the adversaris and enemies of the united states at least considered teaming up to fight the isis phenomenon and one piece of common ground. there is a lot to be worried

about with regard to mr. putin regardless of what happens with isis. >> do you think that mr. putin has going to worry about? and what they are doing to him at this point. >> there is an impact on russia's economy and there are nerves that are rattled and conys are shaken up by the measures of the u.s. treasury. again, i am not convinced that mr. putin is ready to stand down and he appears to convinced he can test the united states and nato and europeans with his venteur in ukraine. >> thank you very much. >> pleasure. >> obama administration will explain what plans it makes for the companies going over seas. it is called corporate inversion. the secretary is pushing

congress to reform the tax code to give businesses an incentive to stay. >> it is clear about the possibility that possibility may not move quickly to it respond to the growing wave of inversions. the treasury department is evaluating what we can do to make these deals less economically appealing. n50 companies have done. it and the most recent is burger king that it acquired tim horton's based in canada. >> and just one of many communities commemorating a tragic day. rick is live in east lake. hi, rick. >> hi, shannon. you picture massive twin reflecting pools in ground 0. but the town of oast lake

thought it was important to build their own and pay tribute. >> east lake, ohio, 500 miles from new york city. but aefr september holds a ceremony to remember 9/11. >> we vow that we would never forget. aim, fire. ♪ >> the ceremony is held behind city hall next to the memorial with pieces of steel from the twin towers and granite from the pentagon and soil and earth from shanksville, pennsylvania. >> there is 500 flags a tribute to those who served. >> we have something that represents what the country is. people step up to the plate and

take on their share. >> 9/11 affected east lake like everywhere else. i remember the day of the tragedy and where i was at. first year my daughter went back to college and trying to contact her and no cell phone was working. i think it is like the day stood still. >> if we don't do something and communities all over the country are not part of the remembrance, then that is how history repeats itself. there are 1400 communities in america that built memorials and serving as reminders of the sacrifices made that day and every day sense. >> rick, always good to remember. >> amanda knox is back in the the news. threatening to sow the makers of a new film about the brutal

murder of her roommate. >> rumors are swirling and we'll go next to the relief date.

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hi, everyone i am gretchen carlson. coming up on the real story, a democrat senator said isis is most vicious and well funded military terrorist organizati that we have never seen. this is former home land security said isis was on everyone's mind and she left a year ago.

and police need your help looking for this missing woman. those details and more after the top of the hour. q amanda knox threatening to sue the makers of the films on the murder of merdearth kercher. they were reconvicted this year and knox is a poling the decision from italy's supreme court. this implies that knocks is guilty. >> and a criminal defense attorney. good to see you. nheather let me start with you. the laws are different here and there and could they be successful with the claim. it doesn't put the knife in her hands. >> it could be more successful there than here.

the burden of proof is different. you here as a plaintiff have to prove that the person said something untrue. there, the movie makers have to prove it is true and that amanda did the murder. and so it is a difficult case to defend there. >> how difficult is it for her? she has another appeal left and you have to think of the public impression it creates? >> if i were amanda knox i would lay low. number one italy is trying to extradite her because she was reconvicted and i don't think the u.s. will let that happen. but the last thing i would want to do is deputy testify at my own defamation trial. we have breaking news, and i will toss to jon for. that fox news alert out of the white house.

we expected the daily briefing to get underway. josh earnest has done so. >> reports that travelled to the region and fight with the isil. there is concern that they may try to travel back the west using passport and engage in acts of violence and terrorism here. as it relates to the principle of concern, the president is concerned about the threat of tefrm term and why, the other counter terrorism operations that the administration carried out are a relevant reference point. one of the other things that the president mentioned in the interview, is that we have seen the united states effectively under the leadership of this president and thanks to the courage and service of men and women in uniform, we worked effectively to defeat terrorist who pose a threat to the united

states. that is true of the success of our efforts to decimate the al-qaeda corps in the border between afghanistan and pakistan. and true in the counter terrorism efforts that you have seen the administration order in yemen and other places. the president is illustrating there is a track record and they are considered differently. but in terms of evaluating what the president's chief concern is, and what our solution looks like, it is similar to some of the other counter terrorism missions that the president ordered and have been successfully executed by the military and with the support and conjunction with allies around the world and support oa >> you mentioned that people

think about it in the context of yemen and somalia and it is shrouded in secrecy and the administration acknowledge. what is the president talking her? >> he is engaged in an effort and gave a speech on this earlier this year, his desire and our collective effort. >> to my point, that is one type of counter terrorism and that's not the the mission he is talking about here though, right? >> each of the situations are different and each has their own unique threat. i am going to guess what i would say the president has been pretty clear about what he is not comtemplating. he is not comtemplating combat boots on the ground in iraq or syria, he's talking about building's coalition and

engageingly regional governments and looking for support in the effective governorance of the iraqi central government to face the threat. is there a possible of clandestine efforts. i am sure i will not be in the position to talk about if they do occur. but the president is talking about something he laid out a couple of times and we'll have the opportunity to talk about on wednesday. >> as he made a decision on air strikes in syria. >> what the president said and he said this in the interview over the weekend, is his willingness to go everywhere is necessary to strike those that are threatening americans. and that is been true in a range of other circumstances and to the ebs tent of the parallels

here. the president went after osama bin laden in pakistan. that was the president fulfilling a campaign promise that he made in the speech in 2007 and he talked about his commitment to deploy american resources where ever necessary to protect the american people. if he is willing to go after groups that threaten americans where ever that you are. has he made a decision. >> it is a decision that rises to the level. and what i am trying to do is provide you insight on the issue. i don't know if i am successful but it was a valient effort. >> josh, the president said in the view that he did not believe

he needed further authorization for the plan but also clear it is a long- term thing, so how does those elements guide. this is more that a couple ofmo. what does he need from congress? >> the administration has demonstrated, i think, in a pretty transparent way our commitment to closely consulting with members of congress as we pursue these kinds of foreign policy national security priorities. the president convened a couple meetings with leaders in congress to discuss these issues before they went away on their august recess six weeks or so ago. the president has invited the four leaders of congress, democratic and republican leaders to discuss these issues following the summit discussion in wales last week. the president is committed to intensive consultation between

the administration and congress as we consider some of these very difficult and very high stakes questions. in addition to that, i think the president has long believed, this is something the president's articulated in different -- as he's confronted different national security questions. the president believed that when we -- when the american people, through their elected representative, can demonstrate a united front across party lines that's beneficial to our foreign policy, sends a clear signal around the world the american people are united in pursuing and accomplishing a specific foreign policy or national security priority. the president ended hin his int with chuck todd of nbc, was clear he does believe he has the authority to quote do what's necessary to protect the american people but went on to say, i do think it's important for congress to know what the

plan is, have buy-in, and debate it and why we've been consulting with congress throughout. there will continue to be an effort to keep an open line of dialogue between the administration and leaders in congress, as we move on this important foreign policy priority. >> dialogue but no need to ask for authorization, is that a correct understanding of that? >> i think the way the president described it he believed it is important for congress to understand what the plan is, have buy-in and debate it and engage in the kinds of consultations this administration is leading right now. >> that does not mean vote on it? i'm just clarifying. >> the president is not in a position he sets the legislative calendar for either the house or senate. >> doesn't need for them to authorize- >> he's not in a position of asking, in a position of consulting to try to be as

transparent as possible with leaders with congress what some of the policies are he's prepared to make. it's important, in the mind of the president, for congress to be a partner in these decisions. they have a solemn responsibility as the elected representative for the american people, to be engaged in this process, but ultimately, it is the responsibility of the commander in chief to make the kind of responsibilities related to our military that rests on the shoulders of the president. >> he also said there might be a need for more resources. can you address what kind of money requests or funding requests he might end up submitting to congress as well? >> i don't have any funding requests to preview at this point. i would remind you in a speech i believe you covered, jeff, when the president traveled to westpoint, he talked about his interest in the creation of this counter-terrorism partnership

fund. this is a core component of the president's strategy for dealing with this and other issues like it around the globe. that is additional resources that can be used by the united states to build up effective partners so when the united states has to confront threats like this, that we have well trained, well equipped, effective partners we can work with to confront these problems. ultimately, we need to get into a position where the united states is not solely responsible for dealing with these kinds of emerging threats, that we want to be able to work closely with partners around the globe, partners who have better knowledge of the local politics, better knowledge of the local terrain, who in some cases, can prevent some of these situations from becoming so urgent and so severe. and that is one example of a funding request the president has made to members of congress i think that members of congress

have talked about but not voted on and the president would certainly like to see those kinds of resources provided because it would strengthen the hand of this president and future presidents for dealing with ur gechbt situations like -- urgent situations like this. move around to zeeseek. the president's commitment that he doesn't talk a lot about the assassination of al maliki and given he talks about the 100 american citizens fighting alongside isis and potentially could come back and cause a threat here, i wonder if he sought out legal justification as he did in that case considering whether drone strikes or direct air strikes on potentially american citizens? >> i don't have any sort of policy to make along these lines. i would point out the administration has sought, at the president's direction, to provide additional insight to

the american public and working journalists, about the legal justification and decision that was made to to strike threats in somalia and yemen. as it relates to isil more generally, we are concerned about the threat that is posed by these foreign fighters. there are, it is believed by some analysts, that, you know, there are dozens of individuals with american passports who have traveled to the region and taken up arms, to fight alongside isil. there are some reports that indicate that there is a risk that those individuals could return to the west, whether united states or one of our allies using the western american passports to travel either completely unimpeded or relatively unimpeded in a way that poses a threat to the american people. the president will not hesitate to take the actions he believes

are necessary to protect the american people. >> potential legislation on capitol hill in terms of either stripping citizenship or taking action on passports of americans who are fighting alongside isil, is that a measure we can expect to hear from the president on wednesday and will he support that? >> i have read about some proposals and the president hasn't taken a position on them at this point. as we heard from jeff, the administration is interested in working with a partnership with democrats and republicans as we confront this threat. >> the president wants to degrade and destroy isil but he doesn't want to put boots on the ground. >> american combat boots on the ground. >> american combat boots on the ground. yesterday when he responded to chuck todd of nbc news. heard of that guy. >> he asked who will go into

syria, he said the syrian army will occupy that space if they are successful pushing isil back from their stronghold. he has been reluctant to allow count countries like saudi and send them air missiles and some that have reportedly given to them have shown up with fight against the american forces. why is the syrian army more viable than it was previously. >> one aspect of your question i want to quibble with a little bit. we have more than a year now providing both non-military and military support. >> military support? >> we've been providing military support is the term of art. >> and sooner or later you will be providing them lethal support if they're a proxy for this coalition. >> i'll get to that. it's important for people to understand support from the obama administration has been

flowing to the opposition for more than a year now. that includes military support. the president has sought and in context to the speech of jeff's question a little earlier. the administration has been requesting resources pursuant to title 10 authority we have, to ramp up resources. that would, we expect, to improve their capacity and success taking the fight to the assad regime and isil, to essentially or effectively wage that battle on behalf of the citizens of their country to retake their country. so there is an effort that has been under way for some time. we have, as you point out, sought to increase or ramp up that assistance. now, the question you're asking, though, is a somewhat more complicated one. the question is why, why them? >> and why now.

>> and who else? >> and who else. you have three complicated question questions. >> the point is no american boots on the ground. >> it's complicated but not illegitimate. why them? their country. again, the president -- i think the president, again in the interview we're owl sighting prescribe it as a profound mistake to admit combat boots on the ground in syria. this is not a fight the united states can take on for them. the united states is willing to be supportive of the syrian opposition, as they try to put in place a government that reflects the will of the syrian people. we will continue to support them. >> their country three years ago, three years later 163,000 people are dead. millions of refugees all over the region. again, why not then? why didn't -- why