right now on the "andrea mitchell reports", is the united states caving in to russia, or is this the right way to go to get russia on board to try to contain iran? >> this decision was not about russia. it was about iran and the threat that its ballistic missile program poses. >> the secretary says there's no connection, but today russian prime minister vladimir putin is

applauding president obama's decision to move missile defense out of the czech republic and poland, calling it brave and correct. and if iran does not halt its nuclear program, what will israel do? straight ahead, an exclusive interview on "andrea mitchell reports" with u.s. ambassador to israel, michael orrin. plus, clashes erupting today in tehran. thousands of opposition supporters protesting again in tehran. the first major street demonstrations since mid-july after june's disputed elections. >> good day. i'm andrea mitchell in washington. in an exclusive interview, nbc's ann curry sat down with iranian president mahmoud ahmadinejad the first interview that any news organization has had with him in the west since those disputesed elections. she asked him about claims that he fixed the election. >> reporter: did you steal this election, sir? >> translator: i don't know what you mean by that. >> reporter: did you create

conditions so that you would win no matter the vote? >> translator: it's very clear whoever becomes a candidate will start a campaign and will do his utmost to win. i think we should be courageous enough to accept the vote of the people. it's more courageous than participating in the vote itself. >> nbc's ann curry joins us live on the phone from tehran. and first of all, congratulations. an extraordinary interview. and we topped ask you about what happened today after ahmadinejad had a news briefing, and again denied the holocaust. the white house has now condemned that within minutes. robert gibbs at the white house. what is the atmosphere there? you've also seen the protests in the streets today.

>> reporter: there is a tense atmosphere in iran. there has been one ever since the june 2nd -- excuse me, june 12th elections. today was widely reported on the state television and also in other news organizations the situation on the ground and it's a very tense situation. >> now one of the other things that came up during your amazing interview and we're going to of course be able to see all of that interview on sunday on msnbc at 1:00, but one of the other things that you asked him about was his willingness to partake in negotiations. let's watch a bit of that. >> reporter: what do you want from the united states? >> translator: a new arrangement should be put in place based on new principles so that the war is directed towards peace and tranquillity. we have always believed in talking, in negotiating. that is our logic.

nothing has changed. >> now we were able to ask about all of this as she heads to the united nations and of course mahmoud ahmadinejad in new york at the u.n. next week. he has said he does not want to talk about the nuclear issues but once he sits down with the six countries, is it likely that he's going to have to deal with that, ann? >> reporter: well, the united states has made it very clear, as you well know, andrea, that they want this topic discussed. it is topic "a" for the united states and for many nations around the world. president ahmadinejad is insisting of course that he's only working for civil uses for nuclear power and that he's not going to weaponize. that it's not all weaponizing. we've asked him in our interview, is there a scenario where he could imagine under which he would weaponize? and on that point, i gave him several chances to say, no. and he did not take that opportunity. it is a major issue for the

world. president ahmadinejad believes that iran has a right to nuclear power. the problem is that iran now has by president ahmadinejad's assertion, 5,000 centrifuges, 6,000 are required for iran to be at capacity, to have to be considered to be a nuclear nation. and the question of course is it doesn't take very much to go from having nuclear power to then if you decide to having a nuclear weapon. the question is really about trust. do -- does the world trust with president ahmadinejad true to his word on this issue? the international autonomic international agency has come out with a letter just last week expressing concerns that iran has not answered all of its questions on its intentions regarding weapons. and on that point, president ahmadinejad essentially said that it is answering and cooperating with the iaea. so this is going to be -- this is all coming to a head because for the first time now we are seeing that there is an

agreement by iran to negotiate where the u.s. at these talks that you're talking about. the day's been set for october 1st. they could lead to the first significant discussions between the u.s. and iran in 30 years. so this is a critical point in relations. a critical point regarding nuclear -- the nuclear program in iran. and so this meeting, this united nations general assembly meeting at which we will hear from president ahmadinejad is a very important moment. >> very important, indeed. and you were also able to press ahmadinejad on those three american hikers who got too close to the border and have been stuck in an iranian prison ever since. this is how that exchange went >> translator: under an equal condition, we are ready to engage in reciprickal action. the family of the u.s. citizens

which are imprisoned here in iran, i sympathize with them. they need to know that these individuals have trampled, have violated the law. however, i'm going to do my best for the iranians who are in u.s. prisons to be set free and for these individuals, u.s. citizens here, to be set free as well. >> now, ann, this was not terribly hopeful because he did not give at all on the three hikers, their families as you know were on "the today" program this week. desperate for any indications that he might be more flexible about releasing them. >> reporter: in fact, that's absolutely true. they have written a letter and they're sending it through all the channels directed to president ahmadinejad asking for compassion, asking in fact if he would bring their children to new york when he comes to meet

and speak before the united nations general assembly. while the president did not outright reject that notion, when i asked him would he consider that as an option as a humanitarian gesture his immediate response nadvery clear that he is looking to change the paradigm regarding the u.s. holding iranians. now he talked about these five iranian diplomats in iraq. these -- it was unclear if he was talking about the same diplomats who were released earlier this year. but the bottom line is that he was indicating some idea about parity. some idea possibly about an exchange and it will be up to i think the united states to read the tea leaves on his answer to see what hope there is for the families of these three young people who say they strayed across the border just having a hike. >> ann curry in tehran. and safe travels, ann, this sunday on msnbc there will be a special. we'll air all of ann's entire

interview with president ahmadinejad. 1:00 eastern only right here on msnbc. and thanks to ann. and now secretary of state hillary clinton is defending the white house decisions to restructure its missile defense system plans. now the head of nato wants to link its missile defense to washington's and russia's. nbc news white house correspondent savannah guthrie joins us now from the white house. savannah, let's get right to the whole issue of missile defense. because right now, hillary clinton has said, well another, not about russia. but you had putin today saying that this was a brave and correct move by the president. it does have to be about russia. >> reporter: yeah, i mean, the white house really resists that analysis but it's pretty clear that the russians are delighted about this. not only putin's comments but medvedev says the fact that they are listening to us is an obvious signal that we should also attentatively listen to our partners, our american partners. so the stage is set for russia

to cooperate more fully on iran. as i said, the white house will say that is not the reason why they decided to abandon these missile defense bases in eastern europe in favor of a different kind of missile defense strategy. but there's no question that that is one by-product of it. the russians have made no secret. they were furious about this idea. it was a bush administration idea. one that we should mention, defense secretary robert gates recommended three years ago. he now has changed his mind. because, a, he says the military technology has advanced now. and, b, they say their intelligence tells them that the threat from iran is less about intercontinental ballisticmisms, those long-range missile, more about short and medium-range once but in looking at what medvedev and putin have said this move is already paying some dividends at least in terms of rhetoric from russia. we will see if they can put their money with where their mouth is sort of speak. >> the question is what they do in the security council, whether they have exercised their veto or threatened to exercise their

veto and block said a lot of progress that the united states wants, in terms of pressuring iran. let me ask you about the domestic points right now on health care. they've now seen the baucus plan. it's been widely criticized. there were no republicans on board. yet, it is t still could be the start starting.as olympia snowe is indicating that she could eventually come on board. there could be movement even from, let's say jay rockefeller, who has been demanding the public option. all of these things are negorable, right? >> reporter: it really seems like that look, on the one hand, it's clear behind the scenes here at the white house is people aren't in love with the baucus bill. okay, they're not lammenating it, putting it in the hard binder thing. a bill that wouldn't charchl a thing but i think that they look at it as the template. they think that is probably the starting point. and now we're hearing beyond the gang of six but other senators who are on the finance committee and beyond coming in and starting to say, all right, this is what i want to change. that is what i want to change. the democrats are really caucusing now, getting together, what amendments will be offered.

a main consideration for all democrats and certainly moderate republicans, too, is whether or not this puts an extra burden on the middle class. the president has made this pledge not to raise taxes on the middle class. the baucus bill has an individual mandate requiring people to purchase insurance. has subsidies for those who cannot afford it, but many people are concerned the subsidies do not go far enough and that middle-class families will be stuck holding a larger share of of the bills than congress intends. >> savannah guthrie, we'll have to leave it there, thank you so much. more to come. >> reporter: yes. and still to come, massachusetts republicans are now moving to block -- or at least delay the appointments of a temparily replacement to ted kennedy's seat. plus, what are israel's options if iran does not halt its nuclear program? >> i exclusive interview coming up with israel's ambassador to the united states, straight a head on "andrea mitchell reports." troducing new tide stain release. it helps get the toughest stains out the first time. whoa, that's a first. [ female announcer ] that's because new tide stain release

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efforts to name an interim senator to fill senator ted kennedy's open seat in massachusetts. massachusetts republicans temporarily blocked senate debate there on the bill. saying that they need formal notice. that's under massachusetts state senate rules. the bill now can't be debated until the next formal session. senators have adjourned, at least for the weekend. the statehouse has already approved the proposal allowing governor deval patrick to make an interim appointment obviously ahead of the january special elections at the delegation here and the u.s. senate, democrats as well as the obama white house very much want to fill that seat. the obama administration says it's planned to restructure the bush administration's missile defense strategy in eastern europe will create a stronger

and smarter approach and deploy the strategy sooner. but what implications are there for iran and for israel? here with us now is israel's ambassador to the united states, michael orrin. ambassador, thank you very much. let's first talk about ahmadinejad today, again, at a news briefing, denying the holocaust. how does that set the stage for his arrival in new york at the general assembly, and the likely reaction to him here in new york. >> one would hope that the reaction would be fitting. that he would be shunned. he would be condemned. he's called for wiping israel off of the map. denied the 6 million jews died during world war ii and threatened the continued existence in the jews in the state of israel today by supporting terrorist groups such as hamas and hezbollah. and by trying, he's striving to acquire nuclear military capabilities. >> also today the secretary of state reasserted that the united

states is willing to engage. that these talks will proceed. she set some very informal deadlines, but she's indicating and this move on missile defense certainly indicates with putin praising it now that russia might engage and not stop negotiations from proceeding with iran and might be willing to go forward with further sanctions, but what if the sanctions don't work? the question that everybody's wanting to ask is, what will israel do? what is the threat? where is the muscle. >> well, israel expects the international community, led by the united states, to appreciate iran from acquiring nuclear military capabilities. and we support the president's program of engaging ways the iranians during a period that's just limited. we have insurances that that period will be limited. that by the end of this year, the united states will have a better idea of whether iran is willing to suspend iranian enrichment on its territory and failing that, the american, the

administration is determined to proceed with a package of crippling sanctions. and we're cooperating very, very closely with the administration in preparing these sanctions and identifying which types of sanctions are most likely to bring about a moderation of iranian behavior and to bring about the suspension of uranium enrichment that all of us want and need. >> i asked hillary clinton today at her session at brookings, what are the consequences? let's say the talks don't work. and frankly, we've not gotten an answer from any secretary of state as to what the consequences are. what are the consequences if the u.s. failed? and if you and israel decide that according to your intelligence, iran is getting close enough to developing a nuclear weapon. that it could not be turned back. >> that we expect international community to intervene -- >> they never have. >> -- crippling sanctions. well, we are determined, i think that everyone involved in this issue are determined, the united states, the p-5 plus one.

the countries most concerned about it uranium nuclear program to proceed with these sanctions and i think, first of all, we have to see whether these sanctions can be mounted, whether the russians will cooperate, and there are perhaps better signs now that they might cooperate. and then to judge, to reassess shortly whether these sanctions have had the desire impact of persuading and dissuading the iranians from nuclearizing. >> ambassador, what does shortly mean? because initially the administration said we wanted to know by september 15th. now that has come and gone and now talking about by the g-20 and talked about at brookings, hillary clinton says, want to know by the end of the year. what is the deadline here? how long is israwilling to wait >> excuse me. when presidebenjamin netanyahu may. that there would be a decision made by the end of the year. so that hasn't changed, that

deadline. >> and if by the end of the year, we do not see some progress, some sign that iran is in meaningful negotiations, and is willing to disclose what its intentions are and what its nuclear program's really all about, what are the options? >> the options then are to impose a package of crippling sanctions. that will bring the pain. >> what about a military option? >> military option is far down the road still. >> is it on the table? >> the administration has repeated that all options remain on the table. israel is an independent sovereign state and has both the right and the duty to defend itself. but well before that israel expects the international community to intervene, to prevent the nuclearization of iran. >> if the international community does not, would israel react on its own? >> again, we're far from that. israel, is a sovereign state and has that right and duty to defends. >> so you're not ruling it out? >> i'm saying first of all, let's see how these sanctions work. let's see how the iranians

engage. not much hope for that. but we are confident in the administration's determination, and not just the determination of the administration, but of this -- the european allies as well to proceed down the road of a very painful, crippling sanctions against iran. >> the early word is that george mitchell's negotiations failed to reach agreement on the key issue of settlements. that israel offered a freeze nine months. the palestinians say they wanted a complete freeze on any settlement expansion. so there's no bridging that gap right now. >> well, israel has made some very significant concessions to the administration, the obama administration. and we've both come a long way away where we were everyone is months ago. made absolute demands. freezes not only in the territories but also in jerusalem. and the demands about language of the resumption of talks. israel is willing to resume talks with the palestinians yesterday. today. never mind next week, without

any preconditions. willing to sit down. >> the well the administration's made it very clear that israel's positions on settlements is not acceptable. that it views the expansion, natural growth, whatever you want to call it, within jerusalem as well as the west bank territories. it's not an acceptable posture because it would encroach on, you know, final issues. >> well, the administration and israel, we've been engaged for many months now, in very ernest and constructive negotiations about the settlement issue. and we are close to an agreement on it that will allow for the resumption of negotiations on one side, but also on the other, provide for the normal life needs of the many tens of thousands of people living in these communities. they have to be able to build a nursery school, build a clinic, build an extra room for a baby, should one be born. so we are close to finding a middle ground on that agreement. the major, i think obstruction

that the point, are coming for these preconditions, in which the palestinians are demanding. >> well, to be continued. but do you think there's any possibility of an agreement by next week in new york when everyone's together. >> one should be hopeful that we can continue to move toward a situation where we can resume negotiations shortly. certainly, everyone in israel wants that to happen. the government is committed toward it and i think that we have some serious partners. of course not only on the palestinian's side and the american's side as well, of course. >> ambassador michael oren, it's a pleasure and i would not be remiscent had i not wished your family a happy new year. thank you very much. thanks for joining us. and coming up, are your kids trying to tell you something? dr. bill cosby talks about the important message that parents may be missing. plus, why republican senator olympia snowe is the best shot for democrats hoping to pass health care on capitol hill. you're watching "andrea mitchell reports" only on msnbc.

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welcome back. joining us now peter baker, white house correspondent for "the new york times." peter, we've been talking about missile defense and initial reaction from vladimir putin is that it's brave and correct even though the white house and hillary clinton again today saying this isn't about russia. it is about russia. >> well, you know, whether the decision was made about russia or not, the ramifications are about russia. and the fact that vladimir putin came out today, as you said, and used some effusive language about this decision probable causes more problem for president obama both here at home and in eastern europe. the idea that the russians are so pleased only fuels the criticism that this was done to cave in to russian pressure, even president obama and the white house insists that's not case. >> what do they actually get from russia? can you imagine the scenario where russia would not be vetoing or threatening to veto tough sanctions against iran in

the near term? >> you know, russians say they're not going to engage in a quick prid quid proand then the white house says by the way, they have not sought one in that regard. so it may be that this is one off. a lot of the russians i know think of this as payment for past debts, rather than you know, some sort of quid pro quo for a future cooperation. >> speaking of delegates, diplomatic dances, bill clinton went on with jon stewart last night on "the daily show" and jon stewart right away hit him with that interesting trip to pyongyang. let's watch. >> i think we have a still of -- they have your -- the look, but here's what's so great about that is it's almost as though -- it's almost as though a in your mind you were thinking to yourself, you look on your face, i can't believe that i'm sitting next to this guy. what were -- what was going on? what are the negotiations like with a kim jong-il?

was someone who is, i don't want to say insane, but a crazy person. how do you -- >> well, actually if you go back to that picture -- >> yeah. >> -- you guys, you remember the second james bond movie starring pierce brosnan. the guy had plastic surgery and looks like an english lord. i was auditions for a sequel there. >> your expressions were purposeful. >> yes. what i was trying to do is not smile and now scoul. i was sort of trying to look like an empty suit. >> i guess that's the rule 10 bonof diplomacy, don't smile and don't skowd. >> well in certain situation us don't want to. remember president clinton remembers quite well when al gore went to china and got maneuvered into a social situation left with a glass of

champagne with the chinese prime minister. that picture got used against him. president clinton did not want a picture where it looked like he was happy or in any way conveying some sort of convivial message, you know atmosphere with kim jong-il. >> and peter, that also reminded me it was another instance in the republican administration with the national security adadviser scowcroft, went to tiananmen and went to china as well. here's the rules of the vote. the fact that former president clinton was also walking a very narrow line because of course his wife is the secretary of state and he doesn't have the warmest relationship with this president, but then there we were in greenwich village, an italian restaurant, having lunch this week. this is what he had to say about that. >> you also recently had lunch with barack obama. >> i did. >> you guys sat down. and i assume he wanted to talk health care a little bit. he wanted to maybe -- what's that type of meeting like now? and what's the expression that you have to put on your face for that meeting?

>> well, you know we only had one president at a time so i put on whatever expression he thinks i should. i think besides -- you know given hilary's job i think you should always suck up to the boss. >> if he had been following the program that strictly back during the south carolina primary, who knows who would had gotten the nomination. >> that's right. the truth of the fact no matter what he was trying to do bill clinton is never an empty suit whether it's with kim jong-il or barack obama or anyone else. so you know it's not a comfortable position for him to play second fiddle to everyone. he always has something to say and something interesting to talk about. so it's -- it requires a certain discipline for him. >> it's going to be very interesting in new york next week because we're going to have the president of the united states at the u.n., the secretary of state playing second fiddle, and then bill clinton with the clinton global initiative. this is his big week with all of

the superstars of international diplomacy and heads of state and philanthropy all gathered in one city. so gridlock new york. new yorkers, beware. peter baker, thank you very much from "the new york times." >> thanks for having me. >> good to see you. and meanwhile, there are nearly 13 million american children who are living now below the poverty level. 39% of the nation's children live in low-income home. dr. bill cosby and a live panel will be talking about parenting, education and health issues. all of these issues facings nation's poor. and a live msnbc special this sunday. cosby says he hopes sunday's town hall -- a live town hall meeting will inspire change in communities across the country. >> the first thing that happened when i was going around, i had had enough of this. and i kept saying to groups of people, our children are trying to tell us something and we're not listening.

>> and tune in "about our children" this sunday at 7:00 to 9:00 eastern right here on msnbc. and straight ahead, first lady michelle obama urges women to step up to the plate as she weighs into the fight of health care. all of that next on "andrea mitchell reports." [ thud ] [ woman sighs ] [ horn honks ] [ sigh ] a lot goes through your mind after an accident. but with liberty mutual, insurance issues won't, because we offer unlimited rental coverage, new car replacement, and accident forgiveness to help ease your mind. and that's our policy. liberty mutual insurance.

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today's first lady michelle obama stepped into the health care debate taking on a public role pushing for reform for the first time. she's calling on women to help change health care in this country. >> it's not surprising that so many millions of women around this country are simply going without insurance at all. see the thing that we all know is that the current state, this

current situation, is unacceptable. >> steve mcmahon, democratic strategist joins us, and pat buchanan, republican. you are a republican still, are you not? >> in virginia, we do. >> i don't think that anyone would know, pat. >> so what about the first lady, pat, coming out and -- have we ever heard of a first lady getting involved in a political debate over health care? how does that work? >> well, we had a first lady -- i think we did, '93, '94. >> a great question, pat. >> i think this is helpful, it's atmospherics but what it's going to get down, to andrea. it's olympia snowe, it's rockefeller, could he be brought aboard? will caucus be appointed. get 60 senators in the budget commity? i think it's a deeply inside game and i think that the president of the united states is working these senators almost daily. and i think that's how it's going to come about. they've got the horses to do it, but they've got to bring virtually every single one aboard. >> well, here's what senator

rockefeller had to say about this last night. >> there was some -- quite a good deal of consensus that came out pretty good. but the point was we have to be together. we have to be together. you can't get everything you want but you can't -- you also can't bring to the floor, our bring on to the committee, something that is not a good bill. >> so he's saying, steve, he's clearly willing to compromise. nancy pelosi, after she saw the president, was already beginning to hint at compromise on the public option. yes, she has to say certain things placate the house caucus. he has now talked to the president. one by one he's going to be able to twist arms and make them all believe that they've got enough political cover. >> what he sees so clearly. >> exactly. isn't that what president's do? >> i think what the president is looking at is a senate where it

is going to be very difficult, or perhaps impossible, to get 60 votes on a public option. i think the white house has concluded that reconciliation isn't really an option to get all of the insurance reforms and other things they want in health care, and that those things are too important to the public to sacrifice. >> exactly. >> so they want 60 votes. they need 60 votes. they don't believe they can get 60 for the public option. and they're backing the public option folks off of the public option. >> what steve is saying in a convoluted way is exactly what i said. >> it was convoluted. >> rockefeller -- >> what, are you grading him now. >> michael dukakis. >> i was trying to explain this to people who do not follow this as closely what that means. so what pat said -- >> i am so glad they have each of you here. >> i translate pat. >> seriously, guys, i mean steve and pat, i've been fairly critical in the weeks past. because it struck me that having watched bill clinton and ronald reagan and other presidents arm

twist and deliver votes by getting one by one or group by group people on board that when we talked to the student couples here on this friday on this program she'd not been called except 24 hours earlier. for not called susan collins. is he finally getting into this the way he needs to with the 1 on one lobbying? >> yes, how about that. that was pretty fair, wasn't it. >> fair enough. >> pat. >> what he has going for him, he has a democratic party, the 60 and the house that has a will. they want to give him health care. some have things deeply believe in and give them up. it's very painful. in the end i think they're all going to look not only at their self-interest but fact they're all going to get something of what they want and nobody's going to get everything of what they want and so the will is there and the horses are there and i think if obama works it right, he wins something. >> and he is working it right. the fact is he wasn't calling olympia snowe, because max baucus was dealing with a gang of six and olympia snowe was interval to that gang six. and now olympia snowe is out

there and she's a free agent, and i think that the obama administration cease her nota just as a free agent but as the 60 vote. they're on the 3 yard line. olympia snowe is key to that. >> you saw rockefeller there, we have to have this but be together. so see certain weakening on the left there. >> pat, you're a former white house communication's director. >> right. >> you know how this game is played. >> right. >> how about the president of the united states going out and doing five sunday shows? >> i wouldn't do it if i were here. i would put him on one. i would have put home a dated show, it's a top show. five show it's. >> and david's show is the best show. >> right. >> but they will ask him, what do you think of jimmy carter? what do you think of the instability going to? what do you think of this? and all of those things are frankly hotter seubjects for th evening nights for the bites than on barack obama more on the public option, which excuse me, is a bit of a bore by now and all of those are interesting. ahmadinejad, and what is -- about the holocaust and iran and also the afghanistan troops. so i would put him on one show

and get all of your things done and all of the other shows will pick that up. >> is it too scattershot? is he all over the place going into all of these big diplomatic talks? >> call me cynical but i suspect that there were some ground rules that were set and you cannot obviously say as a reporter, you cannot ask any questions. but what you can say is we want to do an interview on health care reform, and if you want to talk about health care reform, ask any questions. >> as a sunday show host you cannot set ground rules, steve. >> no way. >> event president of the united states, he will not take that i don't think. >> don't need all five, pat, as you pointed out. just need one. by the way i'm just suggesting if you take an hour and then 15 minutes for other stuff in some period of time for health care reform, might be appropriate. and i don't know, that's not -- >> what you need is one question on carter. >> one question on health care debate. thank you very much. pat buchanan. thanks, steve mcmahon. and coming up, secretary of state hillary clinton issues new warnings to iran today over the nation's nuclear program. ambassador, former

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your worst mptoms. and works when you need it most. benadryl. you can't pause life. >> since june we have seen the iranian government engaged in a campaign of politically motivated arrests, show trials and suppression of free speech. the iranian government seeks a sense of justice in the world but stands in the way of the justice it seeks. nonetheless, we remain ready to engage with iran. >> hillary clinton at the brookings institution today outlining american foreign policy going into critical meetings at the u.n. general assembly next week. the president will be speaking and of course also will be moammar gadhafi speaking and in fact may be a chair in the general assembly the week that the president is speaking and a

visit of course from ahmadinejad, of iran's president, to new york as well. so a lot going on in foreign policy next week. we already heard from michael oren, the ambassador from israel, that talks will proceed. he hopes that there will be some breakthrough to resume talks between israels and the palestinians. something this something that special envoy george mitchell has been trying to effort, but no progress today, at least during those meetings, meeting up to next week in new york. with all of this going otehran is -- according to -- according to some people suggest that iran is its own worst enemy. joining us now is martin from brookings, fresh from the meeting from hillary clinton. thank you very much, mr. ambassador, for being with us. let's talk about what she said today, because he basically laid out a tough bargaining position with iran, but didn't quite answer the question as to what are the options if negotiations

don't work? >> hi, andrea. i think that what was interesting about the way she positioned the administration on this was to make it clear that iran has to make a choice but not to clear the pitch. not to create a situation in which they've got into a kind of shouting match before the actual negotiations get under way. so although it was a tough position, it was not designed to react to ahmadinejad's most recent statements today about the holocaust. she avoided that. she didn't want to get into a kind of name-calling. because, i think, that the administration feels that there's a lot going on in tehran. there's a crack in the regime. there are a lot of different positions there and ahmadinejad is not necessarily getting a lot of support within the regime itself at this point or within

the parliament and so i don't think she wanted to give him the opportunity to kind of rally the regime behind him. >> there's always a careful balancing act. you asked the secretary of state today, what is the calculus as to what strategy you can undertake to get ahmadinejad to deal with the nuclear program? she didn't quite answer it. and then tried to follow-up. let's watch. >> i know that you've said that the missile defense decision was not about russia, but is there any indication that russia might take another view toward iran, that there is a time limit? >> it's not that other presidents did not look for ways to engage iran, but for a variety of reasons, it was never carried through in a long-term, consistent manner. so we were on the sidelines. i mean, we were pacing up the

sidelines -- up and down the sidelines extremely agitated. and we were, you know, just trying to figure out how to get other people to go on the field and deal with this problem and look where we are today. we are, you know, really nowhere. >> really nowhere. >> martin, if russia doesn't permit really tough sanctions and despite what they said, favorable things what they said today about the missile defense decision there is no indication that russia will have a different negotiating position regarding iran. so, what if we get to the end of the road and his vale not satisfied that we have made enough progress and have enough clarity about their nuclear intentions? what then? >> well that is one of those hypotheticals and it's very hard to say. at that point, there aren't many options left. if the negotiations lead no where if it's not possible to get what clinton calls crippling

sanctions because the russians and china is unprepared to cooperate, then you're left with a choice between military preventive strike with all of its complications, allowing israel to go ahead and strike, which could be even more complicated, or moving to a containment and deterrence position, which is kind of what which end up doing with rogue states when we can't figure out any better way. so, you are left only with bad options. >> and you're a former ambassador to israel. what if israel goes on its own? >> well, i think that the israelis will have to think long and hard before they do that. interestingly, the defense minister of israel was quoted in a jewish new year interview yesterday, in the press today, saying he doesn't view iran as an existential threat. i'm not sure what that means but it is a new development in

israel's posture. but the consequences of a military -- an israeli military strike could be anything from, you know, an attempt to shut down the straits of who are muse, retaliate against our soldiers in iraq and a afghanistan, hezbollah launching its 40,000 rockets into northern israel and the whole middle east going up in flames. >> some very -- very tough consequences indeed. thank you very much, martin indyk. thanks for joining us today. >> thank you. and what political story will-making headline notice next 24 hours? that is next on "andrea mitchell reports." stay with us. its non-aspirin formula contains phytosterols, which may reduce the risk of heart disease... by lowering bad cholesterol. new heart health advantage from bayer.

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eeeeeeeeeeeeeee. call or click today. what political story will be dominating the next 24 hours? anne kornblut from the "washington post" joins us now. what will you be looking at? >> they hope the president will dominate the headlines in the

next 24 hours in a building over here taping interviews that are going to air on sunday for all five of the sunday shows, anyway, five of the sunday talk shows, so, they are hoping that he will be able to keep pushing out his message on health care. there is a funny exchange in the press briefing with robert gibbs earlier, where he talked about the question of overexposure and how we have all been asking for interviews at the same time that we are asking if the president isn't overexposed. but i think we will certainly be seeing a lot of the president over the weekend. >> okay. anne kornblut from the white house. thank you so much a busy weekend it is going to be. this programming note, on "meet the press," do watch david gregory's interview with president obama this sunday. check your local listings for times. and that does it for me this hour, this edition of "andrea mitchell reports" this week. i'm andrea mitchell live in washington. we will be in new york next week for the u.n. general assembly meeting. and john harwood will be pick up our coverage next, only here on msnbc.

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