under secretary of affairs wendy sherman joins me fresh from the testimony. thank you for joining us. give me your best shot. what you told the committee as to why this deal while not perfect is much better than all of the alternatives? >> well, andrea, thank you for having me on today. i would say the joint plan of action which was agreed to by the all but permanent members of the security council, germany and the european union with iran is a first step towards a comprehensive solution to ensure that iran will not obtain a nuclear weapon. and this first step in fact stops the advance of iran's nuclear program and even rolls it back in significant ways and puts in place a monitoring verification, we never had before so that we have some more insight into what's going on with iran's nuclear program. but on february 18th, we will begin the negotiations in vienna with iran to try to see if we can't get that elusive tough but crucial comprehensive agreement. >> i know you believe that the administration believes hillary clinton former secretary has weighed in on

wendy sherman is the state department's top negotiator with iran.as just completed the first tox on a permanent deal in iran. first, let's talk about ukraine. you've been with the european officials, negotiating. surely, ukraine came up and you know the state of play. what can europe and the united states do by banning travel from government leaders and freezing assets? will that have any impact on the decisions made by the government? >> well, i think the possibility of those sanctions got at least the attempt at a cease-fire and a meeting between the opposition and the government. that quickly dissolved, as you know, into great tragedy today. and that great tragedy included a government that used automatic weapons against its own citizens. so we've had many, many deaths and a great deal of violence in kiev today. and throughout ukraine there is continued violence. so what i think the european union was looking at today and its foreign affairs council and lady ashton who coord mads the p5 plus 1 talks with iran here in vienna left this morning to g

is saying whoa hold on a minute ok hold your horses we've got wendy sherman she was quite still in her was as to what she had to say we're going to have a quick listen iran is not open for business because our sanctions relief is quite temporary quite limited and quite targeted doesn't matter whether the countries are friend or foe if they have read our sanctions we will sanction them but surely they should have expected that international companies would move in as soon as they announced exactly where it is margin so wouldn't you because we know the reserves in iran are huge incredibly vast one if not one of the biggest oil and gas reserves in the world are talking about the top they fall over in terms of both oil and gas world exactly right it's a people want to drum into that and also you go to remember europe is still dealing with stagnate grows it's no wonder that they want to drum up business and product to these sanctions a lot of these countries including what active in the region and they want to get in those oil fields and get them like here again i think that that stands to

in the words of wendy sherman who is the u.s. principal negotiator, before the senate foreign relations committee earlier this week, she said that this joint plan is sequenced over the next six months to explicitly block near-term iranian pathways to nuclear weapon, while creating space for further negotiations to reach a long-term comprehensive solution. the goal of course is to downsize iran's nuclear program with the ultimate goal of preventing iran from building nuclear weapons. the election of president rouhani on the first ballot last june with a mandate to fix the economy, together with a strong impact of the international sanctions on the iranian economy, of what is possible. after 34 years of no official talks we have now, the joint plan of action, and follow-on talks through the p5+1 process on comprehensive agreement by the parties that is scheduled to restart those talks later this month. let me say a few words, a little promo for the partnership for a secure america so you know who we are. we are a nonprofit ngo whic

again that it gets you off scheduled to meet later on thursday with u s undersecretary of state wendy sherman. us officials have made in minutes with the opposition leaders the russians are longtime allies of the syrian governments. it's an out the latest in business news people at the u s treasury department. i'm drinking the sign of relief they were worried that they were going to run out of money to pay back that i achieve that genesis now from the ms is as good morning i'd tell us more about this morning cafe and we can be sure that it's not just treasury officials who are bottom of the turn of events or how the us defaulted on it would have global mikey implications for u s lawmakers avoided the potential default on national tests. the democrat led senate on wednesday approved a bill that lets the government borrow money through mid march next year the senate endorsement comes two weeks the fluoride deadline when the treasury department would exhaust day to day emergency measures to finance the federal government. some republican senators broke ranks and voted with the democrats earlier

the fact that wendy sherman, our undersecretary, has had this opportunity to engage the iranians, the fact that secretary kerry has had the opportunity, it is good for us. it does not give us anything away. it makes us have smarter, better negotiations. i do want to give public advice to the administration. i do not know if the iranians will accept it. it is a paranoid regime. they do not tell the truth about us. that is why we need voice of america and cnn to be broadcasting in tehran, because the iranian government distorts who we are. i trust the obama administration to figure out when is the best time, but the idea that you have constant communications makes perfect sense to me. >> i completely agree with nick on that. interestingly, at this munich security conference last week, secretary kerry sat down with the iranian foreign minister. it hardly made the newspapers. this is a good thing because we need to have this dialogue. we need to understand what they are thinking. even if we have serious differences, and i think it is good that americans and iranians sit down and talk. >>

we understand that wendy sherman will meet the opposition in the coming hours. request these two powers the u.s. and russia that started this process, force those two sides in the conflict, who have been sitting around the same table to start negotiating, because 24 has been going on for some time, we in the second round of these talks and yet they haven't enganged each other yet. >> absolutely. >> one of the few break throughs was a cease fire. allowing people to leave the city. that operation is on going, be uh the 5ing elsewhere continues. mo hamed reports. >> the city and government forces have resumed the bombardment of the group town, the last rebel strong hold in the mountains near the boarder with lebanon. war prints have been cutting out air strikes as city and ground portions pounded the ground. there's been a surge in fighting across syria, with both sides apparently frying to gain territory, to strengthen their hunt and peace talks. this is the institute. >> video posted on the internet by activistses claim to show the moment of one of several bombs

until the negotiations over the last six months that it is ably handled under secretary of state wendy sherman for secretary kerry, we have not had a consistent, sustained, strategic dialogue with the iranian government since the jimmy carter administration. and if there is a probability that the united states at some point could theoretically have to consider the use of force against iran, it does make sense to exhaust diplomacy first. and entered into the negotiations the president has committed himself to. so i support the idea of negotiation. it's entirely consistent in my view with what the bush administration was trying to do. i also believe that the president was right to negotiate the interview. and bob can speak with far greater authority on that and i can because he was part of the team that led the obama administration's efforts in the first four years. but that deal essentially freezes in place, as you know, the major elements that iran's nuclear program still provides the time for diplomacy to act and to operate. this problem will not be overcome simply or quickly. you need a time

from one of the entrances to this building and there, just before the top of the hour, we saw wendy sherman, the assistant secretary of state and deputy foreign minister arrive here. sitting around the table with the man with the task of chairing these talks in the second session, talks making no progress and talks where the two sides seem further apart than they have at any stage during this process. during all this process, as you heard from stephanie on the ground, the violence is just intense filing. they may be talking piece but actually on the ground, the fighting is getting worse. very hard task. i think what they're hoping might come from this is the russians have some sway over the government, some sway, the opposition have in some way, the u.s. have some sway over them. they're hoping that those two big players coming here will bang some heads together and force people who actually engage in negotiations, because that's not happened yet. >> james, what about the u.n., quite a few sessions happening there, closed door sessions, as well, what's the plan for that today? >> well, with

we'll ask a top state department official, wendy sherman, about what the u.s.tuation that happened in ukraine has to do with whether or not the people of ukraine can determine their own destiny. i personally have to expressed to president yanukovych the need for him to recognize the spirit of the ukrainian people and work with that. >> and as the violence escalates in ukraine, a protest video from there goes viral. >> reporter: we want to be free from it. we want to be free from the politicians who work only for themselves. who are ready to shoot, to beat be to injure people. >> hazards ahead as new jersey governor chris christie holds his first town hall today since the bridgegate scandal. another potential republican contender is under the microscope today. did wisconsin governor's sco

undersecretary of state, wendy sherman. she is the undersecretary of state for political affairs.-known for her international negotiating roles, including nuclear talks with north korean regime. i asked her to respond to criticism from senator john mccain, who called u.s. policy in syria an abyss mal failure. >> what i like to say is to the syrian people having just been in geneva for talks between -- with russia, with the opposition and the opposition having talks with the regime, with special joint representative lock did your ber heene, that the real failure here is the syrian regime's failure to care about its own people. i agree with senator mccain the people of syria are suffering horribly, terribly, even since the geneva ii talks began nearly 5,000 syrians have died. and as we heard from the people coming out of homes, many of them have survived only on twigs and plants and leaves. so it is a horrible, horrible situation where people are being barrel-bombed by their own government, so the failure here is the failure of the syrian regime to take care of, protect and honor it

wendy sherman said monday right now things are on track. >> so far, everyone of both iran and all ofmited targets sanctions relief have kept their commitments. >> we'll see, talks could take up to a year. next up, at least two, that's the number of years and how long folks in california will have to wait for an initiative that would legalize pot to be put on the state ballot. a group that pushed marijuana legalization in colorado and washington decided to delay going after 2014 after determining they need more time to raise money and reach out to elected officials. translation, they want to put the recreational use pot initiative on a presidential year, folks. finally, one, show number one for the tonight show's new host, jimmy fallon, who debuted last night with guests u2 and will smith in his first tonight show monologue. here's a quick taste. >> the u.s. men's hockey team beat russia on saturday in a very dramatic shootout. that was exciting. that was great. the american team said they are thrilled with the win, while the russian team is missing. pleasu we take them to different t

tomorrow wendy sherman, a key point person on iran. follow the show online and on twitter.ok at what's next. >> great to see you. developing news, the first of three major winter storms bearing down on the i-95 corridor from washington, d.c. to new york. more than two dozen states will be affected. we're tracking all three of these storms that are expected this week. plus, breaking news on the manhunt for an escaped inmate convicted of murdering four people. officials have located a car putting an indiana school district on lockdown. all in the search for this man. new information coming in on how much heroin law enforcement officials tell nbc news they found in the home of actor philip seymour hoffman a day after he was found dead in an apartment. all coming up next. worried shag might damage your hair? don't be. ♪ [ female announcer ] new pantene brings new repair & protect. first ever pro-v antioxidant systems. clinically proven to make hair healthier. healthier with every wash. healthier looking hair every day? i want that. ♪ [ female announcer ] new hair, new you. new

making these statements the same time we have wendy sherman was the lead negotiator saying that it's up to that side of european businessmen going to iran because it sends the message that this is the true blood that this will convince them to to all the parent of the bargain to spread its message coming from washington. if i'm honest i don't think the message comes in washington. it is mixed the kid. going to complain about the french delegation friend to you. perfect each time basis to conduct discussions with the winning counterparts within the framework of international law. number one number two. as far as the united states can simply keep their season in ten do you. greens have got six months to reach the final agreement with the group of five plus one to gossip or members plus germany. and by that date if the lakers tensions may be granted. but that being said the message coming out of americans accept country or to her. of course has been some talk from the same menendez about putting up additional sanctions on iraq not today sanctions are proposed to take effect after six mo

the state department's lead negotiator with iran, wendy sherman, will go before the senate foreign relations committee to talk about the status of the talks. she is also expected to again warn congress that putting any new sanctions in place could set back the discussions aimed at ending iran's nuclear programs. >>> big meeting at the white house today. president obama set to talk with military leaders about the war in afghanistan, including top u.s. commander there, general joseph does not frey. cnn has learned discussions will focus on plans to draw down the remaining u.s. troops to just 10,000 by july, unless afghanistan agrees to deal with the u.s. those remaining forces, even those 10,000, will have to leave by the end of 2014. all right, ten minutes after the hour. >>> the winter olympics kick off in about three days, and today in russia, president vladimir putin and top international officials are scheduled to put final touches on the games that russia is pledging will be the safest ever. nick paton walsh is live in sochi this morning. nick, i've been reading unbelievable stories abou

undersecretary of state, wendy sherman will be here. the idea is that the russians and the u.s. will try to kick start the press. they are the only people with some sway over the parties. the u.s. over the opposition, the russians over the government side forcing them to negotiates. they haven't been able to agree on an agenda. were there might have been progress is on the humanitarian front. russia says it will veto a u.n. resolution in its counter form. why is russia denouncing that draft? >> well you have this whole idea that u.s. and russia are the only people that can kick start the process. in new york. they were divided. russia says they considered vetoing the resolution. president obama weighed in saying if that happens russia will share the blame for the humanitarian stress on the ground in syria. >> they are concerned about the wellbeing of the people when there are starving civilians. it is not just the syrians, the russians as well, if they are blocking this kind of resolution. that is an example of the the kinds of diplomatic work that we are engaging in right now.

the parallel of course here is to the agreed framework that north korea which which wendy sherman act actually helped to negotiate us nineties. will we on the door that led to north korea today has been their weapons and i think this is why you see the worries here today in washington cnn among congressional lawmakers both are on the right in on them at sentencing on the question holds the center city. this is of course. i watched that iran needs this is what iran wants to be in that country before and more recently at pd is at pressure on his summer auntie stephanie from the state of physical he'll be coming under intense pressure over the next few days weeks months to live among these negotiations take to get to a situation where sanctions are lifted on her on stage and tasty. and back breaks this time it is the fact that the country's economy as i mentioned the idea and as she was ruled iran to meet you she said table in the fastest this is not an option. iran has already into some hot tea businesses with its classy counterparts as recently in the infantry. at the negation of the r

so the fact that wendy sherman, our undersecretary of state, has had this opportunity to engage the iranians, the fact that secretary kerry has had the opportunity is good for us. it doesn't get -- it doesn't give anything away. it makes us better at negotiation. i do want to get public advice to the administration. i would trust the nsa should decide when the right time is to establish an intersection. i'm iranians would accept a. it's a paranoid regime. they have a distorted view of the united states. they don't tell the truth about us. that's why we need voice of america and bbc and cnn to be broadcasting into iran because the iranian government distorts we are, but i trust the obama intersection to forget when the best time is. but the idea the jeff coston temptations and diplomatic representation makes perfect sense to me. >> just add, i completely agree with nick on that. interestingly, at this munich security conference last week, secretary kerry sat down with iranian foreign minister zarif. it hardly made the newspaper anymore. and i think that's a good thing because we need to have

wendy sherman will go before the senate's foreign relations committee to talk about the talks.set back discussions ending nooek programs. >>> this one is straight out of dr. evil's play book. look lockheed martin has tested what it says is the highest powered laser. it is a first step towards developing a system for the military. >> that is very -- >> isn't that a big -- that's a big advancement. >>> time now for our political gut check of the morning as i have another frog in my throat. chris east unequivocally denied knowing anything about the scheme that has tied the new jersey governor to scandal. this has new polls show christie took a huge hit by 14 points. joining us now, chief national correspondent and host of inside politics, john king with no frog in his throat hopefully this morning. what do you make of the radio interview? he said, no, he knew nothing about the bridge closures. >> not really, unfortunately. he's standing his ground. the problem is, the investigations are going to take quite some time. david wildstein says there's evidence to prove the governor's no

on the first panel is wendy sherman, undersecretary of state more political affairs. undersecretary sherman is joined this morning by david cohen, the undersecretary of treasury for terrorism and financing, and we thank you both for being here. let me say at the outset that i support the administration's diplomatic efforts. i have always supported a two-track policy of diplomacy and sanctions. at the same time, i am convinced that we should only relieve pressure on iran in exchange for verifiable concessions that will fundamentally dismantle iran's nuclear program. not by a month or two, but by a year or more. and that it be done in such a way that alarm bells will sound from vienna to washington should iran restart its program anytime in the next 20-30 years. any deal must be verifiable, effective and prevent iran from ever developing even one nuclear weapon. in my view based on the parameters described in the joint plan of action, an iranian comment from the days that have followed, i am very concerned about iran's willingness to reach such an agreement. this is not

a russian mediator has been here 24 hours, the american counterpart wendy sherman arrived in the last few minutes. they will sit down in a couple hours time with the chair of these talks to try to restart this process, because at the moment, it's stalled and going nowhere. >> james bays in geneva, switzerland. >> high level talks between north and south korea taking place, the talks coming ahead of planned reunions for families separated since the korean war. north korea threatening to cancel those reunions if joint military drills with the u.s. take place this month. there is no time line for the next round of talks. >> secretary of state john kerry is in soul, south korea this morning. the u.s. is also trying to defuse tension between south korea and japan. >> enrollment in healthcare.gov is now 75% of its target. it saw a coverage of sign ups in january. millions signed up through healthcare.gov, a quarter coming from young people age 18-34, bringing the total number of sign ups to just blow 3.3 million people, but that is still far short of the 4.4 million sign ups the government

particularly the president, secretary kerry and my dear friend, assistant secretary of state, wendy sherman. i commend them for the steps they have taken to enforce these sanctions and penalize those who seek to violate them. it ought to be clear to nations and companies around the world that iran is not open for business. there must also be no doubt that if iran violates its current commitments or fails to reach an acceptable final agreement the temporary sanctions relief will be canceled. all sanctions will be restored, and the congress will act to put additional sanctions in place. it will either comply with u.n. security council and iaea determinations and foreclose any pathway to a nuclear weapon or it will face economic decline and increasingly painful consequences. that is not our objective, for eye -- iranian people. the united states does not seek war, but we will not take any option off the table to prevent iran from acquiring the most dangerous implements of war. while i remain skeptical, i support the administration's efforts to achieve a diplomatic resolution to this threat to