jobs i said, it is not our to choose iraq's leaders. what our patriots fought for during many years in iraq was the right and the opportunity for iraqis to determine their own destiny and choose their own leaders. but i don't ping there is any least,that right now, at -- i don't think there is any secret that right now, at least, there are deep divisions between sunni, shia, and kurd leaders. divisions those deep continue or worsen, it will be very hard for an iraqi central government to elect an aero -- an iraqi military to deal with the crisis. we have consulted with prime minister maliki and have said that to him privately, and we said it publicly. whether he is premised her or -- prime minister or any other leader who aspires to lead the country, it has to be an agenda in which sunni, shia, and kurd all feel they have the opportunity to advance their interests through the political process. and we have seen over the last two years, actually dating back 2008 and 2009, but worse over , a sensetwo years among sunnis that their interests

>> it is not our job to choose iraq's leaders. r patriots fought for in the many years in iraq was the right and opportunity for the iraqis to determine their own destiny and chose their own leaders. i don't think there is any secret that right now, at least there is deep divisions between the sunni, shiite and kurdish leaders. as long as that deepens, it is hard to deal with the threats. we consulted prime minister maliki and said it privately and publicly that whether he is prime minister or any other leader aspires to lead the country, that it has to be an agenda in which sunni and shiite and kurd all feel they have the opportunity to advance their interest in the political process. we have seen in the last two years and dating back to 2008 and nine, and i think worse over the last two years the defense among sunni that their interest were not served and legislations that had been promised around had been stalled and you can hear similar complaints that the government in baghdad has not sufficiently reached out to the tribes and

. >> it's not our job to choose iraq's leaders. there's no secret that right now, at least, there is deep divisions between sunni, shia and kurdish leaders. as long as those deep divisions continue or worsen, it's going to be very hard for an iraqi central government to direct an iraqi government. >> senior international correspondent nic robertson is live. are iraqis saying the same thing as the white house about their prime minister? >> reporter: it depends on who you talk to. a lot of them answer the call to step up and join the fight, join the iraqi army which means joining shia militias here. he has a certain amount of supporters. that said, across the sectarian divide and sort of more moderate circles, no, they say he's not the man, he isn't inclusive, he's exclusive of sunnis and the divisions we see now are the divisions he's created. the actions he's taken this week and the actions that distanced him further from making the political compromises. it's made it impossible even though sunnis on the opposite side to deal with

. >> it's not the place for the united states to choose iraq's leaders. it is clear, though, only leaders that can govern with an inclusive agenda are going to be able to truly bring the iraqi people together and help them through the crisis. >> john kerry will lead a diplomatic mission to iraq soon. meantime speculation maliki might be forced aside was hyped today when iraq's top called for new parliament and government. in washington republicans have been mostly supportive of the president's new strategy. john mccain issued a statement. echoed by florida senator marco rubio. >> i hope it's not the only thing he intends to do. my hope it's the first accept in a multistep process to take seriously and nut place a significant counter terrorism response to this risk. >>> nbc amonois joman is joinin. kristin walker joins us from the white house. good morning to you both. kristin, you've learned more what can you tell us? >> we've learn initially a few dozen u.s. troops will go into iraq. they'll have two main missions. the first is setting up two joint opera

>> as i said, it's not our job to choose iraq's leaders. part of what our patriots fought for during many years in iraq was the right and the opportunity for iraqis to determine their own destiny and choose their own leaders. but i don't think there's any secret that right now, at least, there is deep divisions between sunni, shia and kurdish leaders. and as long as those deep divisions continue or worsen, it's going to be very hard for an iraqi central government to direct an iraqi military to deal with these threats. and so we've consulted with prime minister maliki, and we've said that to him privately. we've said it publicly. that whether he is prime minister or any other leader aspires to lead the country, that it has to be an agenda in which sunni, shia and kurd all feel that they have the opportunity to advance their interests through the political process. and we've seen, over the last two years, actually dating back to 2008, 2009, but i think worse over the last two years, the sense among sunnis that their interests were not being s

. >> his message also clear, the united states will not choose iraq's next leaders.actions need to put sectarian differences aside to save a country very much on the brink. karen travers joining us live from washington with the latest development the on this today. hi, karen. >> good evening, brian. isis fighters taking control of key territories along the border with jordan and syria. u.s. officials say the big concern is holding together a nation that is plunging into chaos. second of state, john kerry, did not sugar coat it. >> this is clearly a moment where the stakes for iraq's future could not be clearer. >> kerry making a quick, unannounced visit to baghdad to meet with a range of political leaders saying the growing threat from isis extremists calls for urgency. >> the very future of iraq depends on choices that will be made in the next days and weeks. and the future of iraq depends primarily on the

it is not the place for the united states to choose iraq's leaders. it is clear only leaders that can govern with an inclusive agenda are going to be able to truly bring the iraqi people together and help them through the crisis. >> barack obama offered up to 300 u.s. military advisers to help train iraqi forces. washington has been firm about not sending ground troops into iraq to directly stop isis. the sunni radical group has seized several key cities in iraq and is setting its sights on baghdad. for the moment, isis has halted ay but thes' drive aw capital is fearing the worst. >> calm in baghdad as the city lies in wait, covered in u.s. equipment. iraqi soldiers in the capital have their fingers resting on triggers. around the city, these are everywhere. rumors circulating the jihadist advance feed a nervous atmosphere. people fear of conflict as his authority sneaked into the city and could be waiting to act from within. for everyone here, war has been waged. >> we will crush them. recruits are sorted into groups. these men have never held a wea

>> as i said, it's not our job to choose iraq's leaders. part of what our patriots fought for during many years in iraq was the right and the opportunity for iraqis to determine their own destiny and choose their own leaders. but i don't think there's any secret that right now, at least, there is deep divisions between sunni, shia and kurdish leaders. and as long as those deep divisions continue or worsen, it's going to be very hard for an iraqi central government to direct an iraqi military to deal with these threats. we've consulted with maliki and we've said to him privately, we've said it publicly that whether he is prime minister or any other leader, aspires to lead the country, that it has to be an agenda in which sunni, shia and kurd all feel that they have the opportunity to advance their interests through the political process. and we've seen over the last two years, actually dating back to 2008, 2009, but i think worse over the last two years, the sense among sunnis that their interests were not being served. that legislation that

can't choose iraq's political leaders for it. secretary kerry's mission is extremely difficult. the united states doesn't have nearly the amount of leverage it did a few years ago. the iraqi army is still collapsing and prime minister maliki shows no signs he's willing to step down. richard engel, nbc news, baghdad. >>> meanwhile, it appears syria is clear of chemical weapons. this morning authorities with the united nations announced the last of the 1300-ton stockpile is now on a ship headed out of the syrian port. the ship is carrying the weapons to the uss cape ray which will destroy many of the chemicals. the rest will be taken to sites in finland, britain and the united states. syria's government agreed to surrender its arsenal last fall when the u.s. threatened missile strikes following syria's deadly chemical attacks the on rebel-held suburbs in damascus. >>> convicted child abuser jerry sandusky allegedly abused two more victims less than a year after the attorney general's office got the case. they revealed that this morning at the presentation of a year-long audit of t

>> it's not the place for the united states to choose iraq's leaders. is clear, though, that only leaders that can govern within inclusive agenda are going to be able to truly bring the iraq people together and help them through this crisis. war-wearywhere he -- washington, iraq always unleashes tense announcements. opponents on capitol hill have accused the president of being feeble. hille president on capitol goes for fund raising and golfing and now is fiddling while iraq burns. >> veterans, leafing through this outcome is to recall comrades who never returned. >> i would say if the u.s. can go back, boots on the ground in full force, what with the united states expect to get out of it -- what would the united states expect to get out of it? >> i don't think we should get involved at all. it has not worked in eight years. i don't know what would be different now. >> this is a president who won election partly because of his promise to end the iraq war, but even if military advisers do not fire their weapons, they will still be in the thick of the fig

it is not the place for the united states to choose iraq's leaders. lp them through this crisis. meanwhile the united states will not pursue military options at the expense of another. there is no military solution inside of iraq certainly not one that is led by the united states. there is a need for a more capable iraqi force and one that denies groups like isil a safe haven. alongside the loss of nearly 4,500 american patriots many veterans carry the wounds of that war and will for the rest of their life. here at home, iraq sparked intense emotions but what is clear from the last decade is the need for the united states to ask hard questions before we take action abroad. particularly military action. the most important question we should all be asking is the issue that we have to keep front and center is what is in the national security interest that is what i stay focused on. in going forward we will continue to consult closely with congress and keep the american people informed and remain vigilant and continue to do everything in our power to prote

. >> now it's not the place for the united states to choose iraq's leaders.t is clear, though, that only leaders that can govern with an inclusive agenda are going to be able to truly bring the iraqi people together and help them through this crisis. >> let's bring in amin who's live in iraq with the latest. >> reporter: good morning. the situation on the ground remains tense as isis fighters continue their push into areas where they have gained control. but really more strategically on their way towards baghdad. according to several sources we have been speaking to. we spent the day with curkurdis fighters yesterday. they have been fighting isis militants, saying that the fighters themselves, although they are somewhat underequipped, they are determined, well-organized. and now they have access to some of the american fire power, they have been able to seize on military bases, they are determined to be make their way too baghdad. it give you a sense of the growing violence in this part of the country. but the iraqi army has been able to regroup. there are re

is not choosing iraq leaders >> we're not making any preconditions with respect to who can, or can't ke part. it's up to iraq. kerry met with iraq foreign minister. >> we need to do >> it could come in a critical time the president said if the leaders fail to set aside political difference nose amount of u.s. military action will hold the nation together. >> pennsylvania state attorney general says crucial missteps hampered this investigation of convicted of convicted child molester. the state ag released details today and found fault with police and prosecutors citing a lack of urgency in charging and stopping sandusky but found no evidence politics may have delayed the investigation. >> no statement from anyone they're told to slow this down. >> police and child welfare agencies saying this case is to weak to stand alone in criminal court >> a woman's decision to go for a jog may have saved a baby's live. she is visiting from vietnam. she took on a different route. she passed by bushes and found this. a crying 8-year-old child, the subject of an amber alert the baby strapped into he

>> as i said, it's not our job to choose iraq's leaders. part of what our patriots fought for during many years in iraq was the right and the opportunity for iraqis to determine their own destiny and choose their own leaders. but i don't think there's any secret that right now at least there is deep divisions between sunni, shia, and kurdish leaders. and as long as those deep divisions continue or worsen, it's going to be very hard for an iraqi central government to direct an iraqi military to deal with these threats. and so we've consulted with prime minister maliki, and we've said that to him privately. we've said it publicly that whether he is prime minister, or any other leader aspires to lead the country, that it has to be an agenda in which sunni, shia, and kurd all feel that they have the opportunity to advance their interests through the political process. and we've seen over the last two years, actually dating back to 2008, 2009 -- but i think worse over the last two years -- the sense among sunnis that their interests were not bein

particularly when president obama said it is not up to choose iraq's leaders and maliki is under a tremendous amount of criticism here in iraq and now in the u.s. and u.s. politics are calling for his resignation. >> what about the iraqi's in general and what are they making of the new crisis that the country is facing and the solution is to the crisis? >> if you ask iraqi's general speaking, the way that it is being spined in the media, a lot of people are nervous about what they call the government inaction. they are worried that the government is not doing enough. it is releasing statements and giving interviews but not putting forward a concrete plan, particularly to take places like mosul. i found that people didn't want to speak about politics publicly, that means they want don't to speak about the state of iraq or iran or the other a rebels. this is what i found. a man who knows how sensitive that the situation in iraq is. on friday at the mosque, he understands that the worshippers here are concerned about what the future might hold and he says that the holy book is the only a guide.

>> as i said, it's not our job to choose iraq's leaders. of what our patriots fought for during many years in iraq was the right and the opportunity for iraqis to determine their own destiny and choose their own leaders. but i don't think there's any secret that right now at least there is deep divisions between sunni, shia, and kurdish leaders. and as long as those deep divisions continue or worsen, it's going to be very hard for an iraqi central government to direct an iraqi military to deal with these threats. and so we've consulted with prime minister maliki and said to him privately, we've said it publicly, that whether he is prime minister orlead leader aspires to lead the country, it has to be an agenda in which sunni, shia, and kurd all feel they have the opportunity to advance their interests through the political process. and we've seen over the last two years -- actually, dating back to 2008, 2009. but i think worse over the last two years the sense among sunnis that their interests were not being served, that legislation that ha

. >> it's not the place for the united states to choose iraq's leaders. ot pursue military actions to support one sect inside of iraq at the expense of another. there's no military solution inside of iraq, certainly not one that is led by the united states. we've got to make sure that we do what's right for the iraqi people and that's a challenge. that's not something that the united states can do for them. >> the president announced he would be sending secretary of state john kerry to the region this weekend. joining me now from washington is washington post columnist and senior fellow of governance studies at the brookings institute e.j. deion and michael scherer, this week's cover piece focuses on the underlying factors influencing the current upheaval in iraq and it is an awesome, awesome piece. michael, let me start with you. the president is a very reluctant wartime president and he opened the door to possible greater military engagement, but i got the sense that he is going to do everything to make sure we don't go any further than we already have g

is not choosing iraq's leaders. >> we are not making any preconditions with respect to who can or can'ts up to iraq. >> reporter: it was rapid-fire diplomacy, kerry met with maliki, the sunni head of iraq's parliament and later iraq's foreign minister who called kerry's visit very very important. >> we need to do our work as iraqis. but this is most welcome support from the united states. >> reporter: it couldn't come at a more critical time. president obama said if iraq's leaders cannot set aside their political differences, no amount of military action will keep the nation together. matt, reena. >> thanks, karen. >>> americans continue to pay more for gas because of the crisis in iraq. the average price for a gallon of gas nationwide is now $3.68. that's the highest price for nearly -- for this early summer in six years. gas prices have gone up for 12 days in a row and analysts predict the trend will continue. >>> aftershocks are rattling alas ka after a major earthquake near the aleutian islands. the 7.9 quake struck deep under the ocean floor yesterday afternoon, shaking buildings a

. >> it's not our job to choose iraq's leaders part of what our patriots fought for during many years in iraq was the right and the opportunity for iraqis to determine their own destiny and choose their own leaders. >> the u.s. troops will start arriving in the coming days. first a very small group, several dozen. so why? orally we heard 100 troops. now they're talking 300 troops. what's the difference? what we're learning is that actually they built in an automatic plusup. they may not get all the way to 300, may not need them all. but by plussing up, what they don't have to do is come back in a few days or weeks and announce even more troops are going to iraq. >> barbara starr, thank you so much. coming up, 300 american troops to advise, can they help hold baghdad and save iraq? a top general will weigh in. >>> in politics, factions of the gop facing off as the party tries to fill one of the most powerful seats in congressman. can a conservative congressman from the most liberal state in the union bring everyone together? into the air... and polluting the airwaves with lies. they're

has no plans to choose iraq leaders at this time is essential that 3 major faction, sunni shi'a and kurdshave a voice in the government. >> woman decision to good for a jog this morning may have saved a baby's life. she's visiting huh stop from native vietnam this morning her run took her along a different route and she passed some bushes where she found a crying 8 month old child the subject of amber alert. baby was strapped natural back seat of her mother car when a thief jumped in the driver seat and then took off. the thief abandoned the child in the weeds. she was alone for nearly 6 hours when win finally found her and called 911. the baby was taken to the hospital. said to be in good condition. >> mormon church ex communicated the prominent founder of a mormon women group. kelly founded the group called ordained women which argue for a broader role for women in the mormon church including ordination as breast. the decision was made by 3 male church officials last night. kelly called ate tragic day for her family and herself but said she would not give up the cause because in god's e

. >> now, it's not the place for the united states to choose iraq's leaders.it is clear though that only leaders that can govern with an inclusive agenda is going to be able to truly bring the iraqi people together and help them through this crisis. >> president obama has not directly said prime minister al maliki shall step down but the shiite-run government needs to be more inclusive of the minority sunnis and kurds for any chance of peace. as for military force, the president made it clear, if it is used it won't be used to take sides in iraq's sectarian complex. it's still on the table. republicans are calling for air strikes now. janel wang, nba bay area news. >>> a big move in washington, d.c. today that stretches to bake bakersfield. house republicans elected a new majority leader, kevin mccarthy of bakersfield. the 49d-year-old elected to congress eight years ago. he's the first californian and the youngest person to ever be given -- to ever hold the second most powerful job in the house. >> we elected a guy who is the grandson of a cattle rancher, the

he said it is not his job to choose iraq's leaders. >>> with all that country in turmoil he will send 300 military advisors to iraq. the president will work with the iraqi army to coordinate intelligence and training. >> the best most effective response to a threat like isil will ultimately involve partner ships where local forces, like iraqis, take the lead. >> republicans, reportedly want to see more help, then the president has outline. >>> represent kevin mccarthey of callus gearing up to be the house majority leader, he will assume that role at the end of july after representative eric cantor of virginia was defeated in that primary, stunning people, he decided to resign his leadership role, congressman steve deweeze of louisiana will replace mccarthey as a majority whip. >>> scott walker is accused of taking part in the criminal scene to coordinate fund raising with conservative groups. walker is not charged with anything and prosecutors, and walkers are arguing in court over whether the activity are covered by election laws walker dismissed allegations as a partisan investigati

to choose iraq's leaders, that has been seen as a thinly veiled threat towards prime minister malachiing the americans don't have enough confidence in his leadership. he has been criticized, malachi, by key sunni tribes here and they have said that he believes the crisis can only be solved if prime minister malachi steps down and there are increasing calls for him to step down. so there has been muted reaction to his speech as i say. but the iraqis here are looking at their own military strengths and trying to deal with this crisis but many in the opposition including tribal checks have criticized openly prime minister malachi. >> influential leader from the province is warning against u.s. intervention and says the real problem is maliki. >> translator: islamic state of iraq is a small group, fighting them is inevitable, fighting them has been delayed. our probably problem is with maliki and we don't want to over throw the regime and don't want to come back with sudam or rule on agenda, we want dignity for all iraqis, we are not isil. isil tribes will push them out once they are fini

. >> it's not our job to choose iraq's leaders, but i don't think there's any secret that right now, at least, there is deep divisions between sunni, shia, and kurdish leaders. i think the test is before him and other iraqi leaders as we speak. right now, they can make a series of decisions. regardless of what's happened in the past, right now is a moment where the fate of iraq hangs in the balance. >> it is worth noting amid calls for the u.s. to push maliki out that maliki was our guy. dexter filkins of the "new yorker" describes a 2006 video conference between president george w. bush and advisers like this. "american ambassador in baghdad zahyayl turned to the cia analyst assigned to his office, can it be in this country of 30 million people the choice of prime minister is ibraham al jaafari or ali adeeb? i have a name for you, the cia officer said, maliki." while extremists call for a form of re-invasion, the sensible centrist position is to use american leverage to get maliki to step down and get someone else in there. what reasons to we have to believe someone else would work

it is not the place for the united states to choose iraq's leader. it is clear that only leaders who can govern with an inclusive agenda can truly bring the iraqi people together and help them through this crisis. >> after listening to the president -- and i generally support the president and i'm generally with him in terms of restraint. i'm not sure he showed restraint. why are we going over there and picking out bombing targets? why are we bringing in aides with no preconditions about changing the nature of the war? >> he tried to straddle the line because he feels pressure mainly from the right about do something -- >> screw them. >> i'm with you. what he the didn't do was accurately describe the crisis. this is not malaki versus isil or isis, this band of people too extreme for al qaeda. it's a growing sunni coalition including people from the old government and the military that we disbanded who are baathist, sunni and secularists banning together with isis and taking over part of the towns that isis conquers as it moves on. it's easy to say if

>> it's not the place for the united states to choose iraq's leaders. it is clear, though, that only leaders that can govern with an inclusive agenda are going to be able to truly bring the iraqi people together and help them through this crisis. >>> meanwhile, the fierce fighting continues for control north of baghdad again today. we'll get the latest on the ground from nbc's richard engel as the u.s. military personnel begin to arrive. >> our military personnel who are going to be looking for targets. these are hammers looking for nails. >>> and an american hero. meet the young medal of honor recipient inspiring generations. >> i've been given a second chance to do good things and enjoy the life, the second chance that i've been blessed with. >>> good friday. i'm peter alexander in washington filling in for andrea mitchell. president obama announced his strategy to deal with the violence and instability that's erupted in iraq. up to 300 military advisers will be working alongside iraqi forces to hold off isis militants. as the battle for control rages

. >> it's not the place for the united states to choose iraq's leaders. it is clear, though, that only leaders that can govern with an inclusive agenda are going to be able to truly bring the iraqi people together and help them through this crisis. >> he had about four chances to totally pull the rug out from under maliki and he didn't do it but he came close. the administration has gone out of its way to make it clear that the goal here is about saving iraq, not saving the maliki government. secretary of state john kerry plans to lead a diplomatic mission to iraq soon. essentially he's going to deliver the message to iraq's leaders, lead or leave. >> that will require diplomacy and it will require willpower, leadership, decisions, by those who really hold iraq's future in their hands. >> the question now is the pressure isn't just coming from the united states. this morning, iraq's grand ayatollah called for a new parliament and a new government. back in the united states, the criticism the president was facing before making his announcement is mostly me

now it's not the place for the united states to choose iraq's leaders.is clear though that only leaders that can govern with an inclusive agenda will prubl truly bring the, rack i people together. meanwhile, the united states will not pursue military actions to support one sect inside of iraq at the expense of another. there's no military solution inside of iraq, certainly not one that is led by the united states, but there is an urgent need for an inclusive political process, a more coinable iraqi security force and counter terrorism effort that deny groups like isil a safe haven. >> there is no military solution in iraq. does that make you feel a little bit easier about the situation? not if you're a conservative. see, the president also made it very clear that there would be no u.s. combat troops on the ground probably because we can'ta, ford it. iraq is a sovereign country. it is up to them. the question is how do you get somebody to fight for themselves? and what if they don't fight for themselves what is your responsibility, meaning our responsibil

. >> it's not our job to choose iraq's leaders. rt of what our patriots fought for during many years in iraq was the right and the opportunity for iraqis to determine their own destiny and choose their own leaders. >> now, this all start off with something around 100 u.s. troops going into iraq in the coming days. but you'll recall, the president said up top 300. officials are telling us one of the things going on behind the scenes is that gives the president a little cushion sort of automatic plusup, if you will, so he doesn't have to come back out in public in a few days and say he's sending even more. brianna. >> giving himself wiggle room but maybe raising some eyebrows doing that, as well. barbara, thank you. >>> the president himself warned today against mission creep in iraq. this is a phrase, of course, that hasek cos of past wars. let's take a closer look at why many are concerned. let's bringing in cnn chief national security correspondent jim sciutto here once again with this. >> as you and i and others know this is an ad

>> we don't choose iraq's leaders. we encourage all of the leaders of iraq, in this government and in the future government that has to be formed as a result of the recent elections, to pursue non-sectarian governance. that is the way that iraq can successfully maintain its security -- >> -- is maliki the optimal figure to do that? >> again, it is not for us to make that decision on behalf of the iraqi people. >> do you have an opinion? >> the iraqi people will have to decide the make-up of the next coalition government and who is the prime minister. whether it's the current prime minister or another leader, we will aggressively attempt to impress upon that leader the absolute necessity of rejecting sectarian governance, rejecting an approach to iraq's security that has sectarian goals in mind. but rather, governing and pursuing security in an inclusive, non-sectarian way. that's the only way the divisions within iraq are managed and healed in a manner that will allow for iraq to prosper in the future. that has always b

probably the most interesting part about obama's speech was his claim that iraq is a sovereign nation that has the right to choose its own leaders seriously when did iraq become a sovereign nation the minute the us if you know western powers have done nothing but violate iraq's autonomy by dismantling its government launching depleted uranium and white phosphorous attacks an occupied its people for the last decade this is all news to me the latest reports from iraq she just al-qaeda linked isis militants have taken over a vital oil facilities in the city of basra wherever their final target is baghdad with the reportedly planning to create a new islamist state within the ruins of the country. is already falling apart as ortiz guy in h.s. you can reports. iraq is on the verge of erupting isis is controlling a predominantly sunni part of the bach shia sphere there further onslaught kurds could split off at any moment isak tarion war is brewing now the government will have to make a strategic choice putting the entire army to attack and take back that city and risk a much wider sectarian fight or i have this as you

. >> now, it's not the place for the united states to choose iraq's leaders.is clear, though, that only leaders that can govern with an inclusive agenda will be able to bring the iraqi people together and help them through this crisis. >> you know, gene, last night i think it was, i retweeted a john lennor quote. life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans. i think maureen dowd wrote a clem that applied that principle without mentioning lennon. the republicans come in and have clear ideas. george w. bush promised a humble restrained foreign policy and then 9/11 happened. this president, you know, his political dream was to get us out of iraq and get us out of afghanistan, but now i know the left won't be happy and the right won't be happy because they want more, but does president obama have any other choice than to take the step he is taking right now with this region on fire? >> the step he is tag right now, sending 300 military advisers and, more important, he is getting involved once again politically as the sort of --, you know, as th

. >> it's not our job to choose iraq's leaders, as i said. s, and as long as those deep divisions continue or worsen, it's going to be very hard for an iraqi central government to direct an iraqi military to deal with these threats. and so we've consulted with prime minister maliki and we've said that to him privately. we've said it publicly, that whether he is prime minister or any other leader aspires to lead the country, that it has to be an agenda in which sunni, shia and kurd all feel that they have the opportunity to advance their interests through the political process, and the we've seen over the last two years actually dating back to 2008, 2009, but i think worse over the last two years, the sense amongst sunnis their interests were not being served. that legislation that had been promised around, for example, de-baathification had been stalled. that you hear similar complaints, that the government in baghdad has not sufficiently reached out to some of the tribes, and been able to bring them in to a process that, you know, gives them

it is up to the people of iraq to choose their future leadership. >> there have been a lot of speculationpart of secretary's intention was to go to iraq and tell prime minister malaki it's time to go, we need another leader to develop this more includive, representative government. he's pushing back against that. listening to his other public statements, and not just from secretary kerry, but even from ayatollah sistani, the most revered cleric in iraq, no one's expressing public support for malaki saying that he's the man for the job. no one is saying time to move on, no one is endorsing him oort. i think that in the background, when you speak to officials privately, they don't have much confidence in him that he's the man to do it. certainly secretary kerry, president obama's going to say we're going to make the choice for the iraqi people. the iraqi parties involved in this have to make the choice themselves. >> iran's supreme leader coming out today, saying to the u.s. or in response to the u.s. potential intervention, that iraq can take care of itself but it's iraq who actually asked

the president is also right to say that it is not our place to choose iraq's leaders. that would be wrong on principle and bad policy to boot. picking and choosing iraqi politicians would only be likely to feed distrust and suspicion and there's already too much of that in iraq. what we can do is promote moves toward the political unity that is absolutely essential for iraq to weather the crisis and to make progress towards a stable society. the problem in iraq has not been a lack of direct u.s. military involvement. but rather a lack of inclusiveness on the part of iraq's leaders. and that's why i believe that air strikes on our part should only be considered if three very specific conditions have been met. first we should only consider such action if our military leaders tell us that we have effective options that can change the momentum on the ground in iraq. in other words, only if our military leaders believe that we can identify high value targets, that striking them could have a measurable impact on the situation on the ground, and that we can strike them with m

the president is also right to say that it is not our place to choose iraq's leaders. ecause doing so is only likely to feed distrust and suspicion, and there is already too much of that in iraq and the middle east. what we can do is promote moves towards the political unity that is so essential for iraq if it is going to weather the crisis and make progress towards a stable democratic society. the problem in iraq has not been a lack of direct u.s. military involvement, but rather a lack of inclusiveness on the part of iraqi leaders. that's why i believe we should not consider any direct action on our part, such as airstrikes, unless three very specific conditions have been met. first, that our military leaders tell us that we have effective options that could help change the momentum on the ground in iraq. in other words, only if our military leaders believe we can identify high-value targets that striking them could have a measurable impact on the ability of the iraqi security forces to stop and reverse the advances of the isil on the ground. and that we can strike th

the american military advisers will reportedly help iraq's military choose targets, but they will not fight. >> that does not foreshadow a larger commitment of troops to actually fight in iraq. that would not be effective. >> foreign military intervention, especially if led by the united states will only harden the resolve of the radicals and unite the motivated. >> president obama decided to hold off on air strikes for now. that is getting mixed reaction on capitol hill. >> once again, he's announced step a without thinking through the consequences of step b. >> there's the beginning of an outline of what i will hope will be a concrete plan we can all rally around. >> the fiercest battles continue at oil refineries raising fears that it will soon affect gas prices here at home. half a million iraqis have been forced out of their homes or left in fear. the u.s. pledged more than $12 million in humanitarian aid. sam. >>>. >> so unsettling, thanks laura. >>> now to a developing story, investigators spent much of the night searching for bullet casings and other clues in the parking lot o

iraq's leaders. that he said is up to the people. here's how he put it earlier today. >> if they want they have the opportunity to choose leadership that represents all of iraq. >> and secretary kerry said in that one-on-one meeting with nouri al-maliki, the broad base agreement that brings in all elements of society of iraq, the last time the iraqi government was on a hiatus, it took them nine months to sort out. >> secretary kerry weighing in on the conviction of our colleagues. three al jazeera journalists peter greste and mohammed fahmy sentenced to seven years and bader mohammed more because of alleged possession of weapons. al jazeera correspondent peter greste and mohammed fahmy and bad er mohammed sentenced to five years behind bars. there are angry reactions from journalists. and disbelief from the families. >> i'll be very interested to hear his reasons for giving that verdict. it doesn't make any sense. >> it clearly is a corrupt and proud lent verdict. everything is wrong with it. the response from the australian government wa. >> this verdict does nothing for egyptian claims to be on the trend of democracy and the australi

probably the most interesting part about obama's speech was his claim that iraq is a sovereign nation that has the right to choose its own leaders seriously when iraq become a sovereign nation the minute the us will realize that it's of war in the country result in the creation of yet another failed state because see no western powers have done nothing but violate iraq's autonomy by dismantling its government wanting depleted uranium and white phosphorous attacks an occupied its people for the last decade this is all news to me. the reparative dance of islamic state in iraq and syria group is a major cause of concern internationally they're targeting the capital baghdad and plotting to establish an islamic order in the ruins of a failed state r.t. is going to chicken reports on how iraq could already be falling apart. iraq is on the verge of erupting isis is controlling a predominantly sunni part of the iraq shia sphere there further onslaught kurds could split off at any moment a secretary of war is brewing now the government would have to make a strategic choice putting the entire army to attack and take back t

they choose to have in iraq right now well first of all you know we borrow the money which is even worse and so if we're going to go back into iraq which we're going to have to do if we want to prevent the country from disintegrating we're going to have to borrow even more money but here's the problem i mean you know you talk about two wrongs maybe making a right we never should have went in there in the first place but if we don't go back in there the whole thing is going to fall apart and our whole foreign policy is going to collapse if we do go back in there to restore order we can never leave it's like a permanent occupancy of iraq how is that going to go over in the middle east and how much money are you have to borrow to pay for that all right peter schiff president of euro pacific capital thanks for joining us. over the past decade iraqi christians have repeatedly fled their homes out of fear of persecution looking to other countries to provide refuge from the violence oftentimes those refugees are able to return home after the danger subsides but with sunni militants now gaining