let's touch more on that idea of — euphrates river.ck— euphrates river. let's touch more on that idea of a power back room, - euphrates river. let's touch more on that idea of a power back room, a - that idea of a power back room, a conversation that's been going on with the regards to syria. —— vacuum. do you expect any meaningful action from the us with that question about the potential for a power vacuum emerging in syria? who could fill it, essentially, and what would that mean?— would that mean? that's a great cuestion. would that mean? that's a great question- i _ would that mean? that's a great question. i think— would that mean? that's a great question. i think there _ would that mean? that's a great question. i think there is - would that mean? that's a great question. i think there is a - would that mean? that's a great question. i think there is a lot i would that mean? that's a great| question. i think there is a lot for the united states to do. first, they need to assert their presence in the northeast. the united states i

this is all based on the turkish pressure to keep them on the eastern side of the euphrates river.hink, is undermining the political situation in syria, what is happening with the fall of the bashar al-assad regime. everyone should just make sure there is no fighting anywhere in syria, to secure the syrian people. it is something that is needed for everyone after 15 years of war. everyone should just focus on the political situation, attempting to reach a political solution, rather than fighting for the interest of the turkish state, working for the turkish agenda in syria. christian: really interesting. good to talk to you. thank you for your thoughts this evening. we will take a short break. you are watching bbc around the world and here in the u.k. ♪ christian: the u.k. government has set out sweeping changes to the planning system in england to build 1.5 million new homes during this parliament. some councils have expressed concerns that the targets are unachievable. our correspondent alex forsyth has the latest. >> how are you? >> this might look a bit familiar. politicians in

euphrates. they're obviously in partnership with the s.d.f. when it comes to the enduring defeat of isis mission. we do communicate with the s.d.f. we are aware in many cases of their operations to ensure that our forces know who is doing what. in this particular case, i'm not going to talk about s.d.f. operations, i'm not an s.d.f. spokesperson. and so i'm just not going to do that. u.s. forces are in that region, are they communicating with the s.d.f.? of course. were u.s. forces threatened when the elements that i highlighted earlier started threatening our forces? we took appropriate action to mitigate that threat, protect our forces. again, our mission in syria has not changed. it's the enduring defeat of isis. and again, i'll leave it there. let me go to jeff, defense news. all right. howard from the war zone. reporter: hey, thanks. completely different vein. i wanted to ask about -- can you tell me why the program was punted over to the trump administration and also, are there any other big programs on the chopping block like maybe sent

just to get what you showed on the map and the radio is everything west of the euphrates river, which is now under the control of turkey bike fights, as he's told the euphrates river on the north preston auto. cynthia is still under the control of us back. curtis fights is known as the secret and democratic forces are as the that is the group that still remains out of the i'm but often ministry of defense. i think united umbrella, which has been announced by amber. they shut off after his meeting with all of the factions, and this has been if study of meetings that you've seen in the last few days that he's been having with fractions from the east, fractions from the south and fractions from the northwest as well. now it is welcome by many parties here because they want to keep syria under a united front, and that is only possible if these small pockets of control become a united city. so that is the idea behind this. we still have not heard from the city and democratic forces themselves and why have they not decided via the decided not to join this and why are this the admin on keepi

, i get it to the euphrates and into iraq. and that then conflicts with, with turkey, because turkey has designs on areas that, that are in northern, syria and into iraq as well. not to mention the, the cottages and central asia. and so what obviously, central asia doing some operational stuff. you can see the target to pull them it's, it's been there for hundreds and hundreds of years. so this, this, this uh, the turmoil is just beginning. this is not going to be selling what one way or the one, whatsoever. yeah, with larry, that's the intent. i mean, it's already been mentioned that us is not one or more since the 2nd world war. chaos is the intention. that's the plan. larry. well, well, i'm not sure it's the plan, but it certainly is the outcome. ok. let's re, let's remember that the central intelligence agency, along with the m i 6, have been working strenuously since at least 2011, to promote the overthrow of of bosher alo side. and they've been doing so in concert with the turks. that just because you've got a c i a and

west of the euphrates river. i know that was a long time being, so it is concerned about the presence of the certain democratic forces there in the us as been involved in deployments in that area. so it will then it could risk coming to a full front, both of us as to why need to do to stick to stay. all i also did pull back and really is anyone's guess about what happened is a good from good ministration is in things withdrawal. this is advise is telling him to stay runs very quickly. the us went that because of all i. so do you see any possibility that this could help a resurgence of ice so very briefly, please by sizes the thrives and situations of uncertainty volatility? so absolutely, if you see a renewal of conflict, if there was an expanded conflict over the coming days, weeks and months, then the ice as will that will thrive. and i think that has implications for how the trump administration in gauges, syria that will have a bearing on his counter terrorism campaign in both syria and iraq, where the could

river so that they have complete control best of all locations of the euphrates river from could reach back because it's kind of according to the size of the a number of networks of tenants that are under the city of men beach. and that is why they have a populating portion sleep. and seeing that they, the people who are here are reluctant to come back because they are not sure what they will find from that to the beach is strategically important for the credit courses. who have helped this area since the defeat of items. and that is something that is being a boat of contention between those good. in fact, forces that took the sees as the total risk. and the, the fight is we're here on the ground turkey. once out of it, it is to be under the control of that apply does. so it can create a so called buckboard is going on it's border. but now it seems to be, since the fall of the assad government seems to be closer to making that zone secure, this is going to be an ongoing operation. we are heading from combining from the outskirts of my beach towards the down of the screen and other area

the euphrates river divides the territory that is being controlled by either side, turkey bacteria, and actually army phi does us back. curtis, if the fight is the flash point being ma'am page. uh and the, the stream diamond particular where both sides of the uh, trying to take control over without damaging the damages and lifeline for water and electricity for thousands of people. so it feels that it is going to escalate further because as the effort, it means the only group which is so far, not under the hood of a united front, under the ministry of defense. and i'll just by discover as we mentioned, these really forces opened fire on siri and protest as internet through the crowds were demanding. these randy ministry withdrawal from the lands. israel began expanding its own completion of the syrian golden hive. also by shot aside was told on december the 8th, the you and says israel is in violation of a 1974 agreement between israel and syria to disengage forces. earlier we spoke to leo, the former director general of israel's foreign ministry. he says, israel sees it's seizure of si

they want even they even what parts of the euphrates, i get it to the euphrates and into iraq. and that then conflicts with, with turkey. because turkey has designs on areas that, that are in northern, syria and into iraq as well. not to mention that the cottages and central asia, and so what obviously, central asia doing some operational stuff. you can see the target to pull them it's, it's been there for hundreds and hundreds of years. so this, this, this uh, the turmoil is just beginning. this is not going to be selling what one way or the one, whatsoever. yeah, with larry. that's the intent. i mean, it's already been mentioned that us is not one or more since the 2nd world war. chaos is the intention. that's the plan. larry. well, well, i'm not sure it's the plan, but it certainly is the outcome. ok. let's re, let's remember that the central intelligence agency, along with the m i 6, have been working strenuously since at least 2011, to promote the overthrow of of bosher alo side. and they've been doing so in concert with the turks. now just because you've got a c, i a and

military cannot protect them if they do not withdraw from that area and relocate east of euphrates.that true? sabrina: i can't confirm that. i'm not going to speak to an unanimous official's quote. reporter: i want to circle back to the missile. when u.s. officials discuss the potential launching earlier today, you just discussed at the podium, is that based on an intelligence assessment or what's prompting kind of this early warning? sabrina: this was based on an intelligence assessment that it's possible that russia could use this missile in the coming days. they have used this type of capability before. i know you reported on it then. i think the point of us getting out this information is to also ensure that this is not going to be a silver bullet, change the battlefield. the war is going to continue. and our support for ukraine is going to continue. reporter: does that intelligence include any assessment where it might -- what targets it might strike? sabrina: i'm not going to be able to give you more details on that. reporter: so commercial satellite photos came out yesterday

i also want to advance to other cities east of the euphrates river that are still under cody control to do a coffee at o is a middle east analyst and ceo of golf state analytics in washington. we asked him for his read on the intentions of h. t, as in syria is definitely an important development. as i'm sure your viewers are aware of this city is of immense strategic importance. not only is it culturally importance to syria, but it's also an economic hub. and i think h t s taking there's or taking control of the city is important for the sort of new authorities, the h t us authorities and their quest to seize power in the resource ridge parts of the country. you know, it was just 2 days before aside this government fell when uh the cf dominated by the us back to the y, p g took control of the city. i think obviously there was a lot of resistance for many of the local airbus there who definitely reject the sort of the ideology of y p g. you're very suspicious of the group seeing it as a for, and orchestrated organization. so definitely a lot of local resistance in for h t s. this was

for oil reduction, h t s fighters and say they also want to advance to other cities east of the euphrates river that are still under curtis control. georgio capielo is a middle east analysts, the ceo of gulf state analytics in washington d. c. i asked him whether capturing the oil rich city means h t s intends to take control of serious resources. so yeah, thank you for having me on your program. good to be with you. definitely an important development. as i'm sure your viewers are aware of this city is of immense strategic importance. and not only is it culturally importance to syria, but it's also an economic hub. and i think h t s. teaching there's or on taking control of the city is important for the sort of new authorities, the h d, us authorities and their quest to seize power in the resource rich parts of the country. you know, it was just 2 days before aside this government fell when uh the cf dominated by the us back to group the y, p g took control of the city. i think obviously there was a lot of resistance for many of the local airbus there who definitely reject sort of the id

each tiers fighters is say they also want to advance to other cities east of the euphrates river that are still under kurdish control or, or the bringing. now giorgio html, he is a little nice analyst and ceo and founder of golf state analytics in washington, dc towards you. it's good to have you with this. may i ask you the syrian rebels taking control over the oil rich town of deer resort from the kurdish forces? is this in your opinion, is this a part of the plan by h t. s to take control of the countries resources? yeah, thank you for having me on your program. good to be with you. definitely an important development as i'm sure your viewers are aware of this city is of immense strategic importance. and not only is it culturally importance to syria, but it's also an economic hub. and i think h t s taking there's or on taking control of the city is important for the sort of new authorities, the h d us authorities and their quest to seize power in the resource rich parts of the country. you know, it was just 2 days before aside this government fell when uh the cf dominated by the us

that includes things like the degree to which they try to bolster the troop presence east of the euphratescially to counter islamic state group there, and in fact we have seen a lot of big american air strikes in central syria against ias positions today, the pentagon said as a warning against iis, so that gives you a sense that another battlefield is already erupting. they are telling i asked not to take advantage of the current situation. everyone is trying to take control and shore up their minds as they have them at the moment, and that includes the americans in syria. so that matters. but as you allude to in the long term, president trump coming in, he has been talking about this on social media over the last 2a hours, basically saying it is all obama's fault, the problem in syria, russia is right to get out of the country is a mess, it's not our problem, and i suspect we will see him continue that sort of position on this. the reality on the ground is honestly a lot more complicated. his own officials had to undo the announcement for withdrawal of american troops during his first ter

we just launched 75 missiles on their positions in the desert south of the euphrates river yesterday.ssion and we have to play a role in shaping the political development along with our partners and allies. syria cannot be rebuilt without hundreds of billions of dollars of assistance and aid from humanitarians for reconstruction. that is not going to flow, if there is chaos, if the rise terrorist elements running around the country. elements running around the count . ., ., ., , , country. you have also been yes ambassador— country. you have also been yes ambassador to _ country. you have also been yes ambassador to iraq _ country. you have also been yes ambassador to iraq and - country. you have also been yes ambassador to iraq and turkey, | ambassador to iraq and turkey, looking a bit more at the region, what does this mean for the balance of power? i5 region, what does this mean for the balance of power? is a dramatic _ the balance of power? is a dramatic. on _ the balance of power? is a dramatic. on a _ the balance of power? is a dramatic. on a par- the balance of power? is a dram

moments, including things like to degree which they try to bolster the trade presence east of the euphrateste group there, and we�*ve seen a lot of big american air strikes in central syria against those positions today, the pentagon seen it is the warning against iis. it gives a sense of the battlefield is erupting, telling iis not to take advantage of the current situation. everyone is trying to take control and shore up the lines as they have them at the moments, and that includes the americans in syria, so that matters. as you allude to, in the longer term, president trump coming in, he has been talking and i bolted on social media over the last 24 bolted on social media over the last 2a hours, basically saying it is all the 0bama�*s faults, they syrian syria, russia is right to get out, the country is a mess, and it is not their problem, and i expect we would see him continue that position on this. the reality on the ground is a lot more complicated, his own officials had to undo his announcement of for the withdrawal of american troops during his first term. would he try and do the sa

why they, if there is going to be a p, why the state it should definitely be beyond the eastern euphrates river and it down a 30 kilometers south within a syria. this is the true case. understanding of the s, the f and p. while i do, okay, thank you so much. send them send in costio to from hot type near the syrian border . a couple, a still head here on the island, is there a south korea's justice ministry vice president june from travelling abroad following his attempt to impose marshal the mama uprising in um 3 to movements that takes place in can you time being up against the british to monday, with tunnel fill on me because if i don't come in, so in the nights on presents colonial past, there is this domestic torture of reign of terror. and these count major human rights abuse. how was this happening? the very bridges way of to whichever 110 don't need to deny on. i'll just say around the latest news i did. it has more than 50000000 flor titles portfolio. and also 1000000 were just a couple years in this country. it's less than 200000 with detailed coverage for itself, like this top

first, ensure they're safe, suppress the islamic state elements that still are active below the euphrates. we need to work again with turkey, with israel, with the syrian democratic forces, the kurds in the northeast those all have. if you will, uh, skin in the game we need to push for a ceasefire we need to push for protection of civilians and turn to the un under un security council resolution 2254, that everybody still accepts. that calls for reconciliation. a new constitution, elections and a countrywide cease fire. that's the path forward. the un is ready to move out on that. we should support it james jeffrey really appreciate the perspective. >> thank you for being here thank you of course. and stay with cnn for more on the breaking news happening in syria. we're still trying to confirm a lot of details in this fast moving story. as rebels appear to have entered damascus, and they are claiming damascus is free. we'll be right back tomorrow on cnn it's a night that's good for the soul join anderson cooper and laura coates for cnn heroes on all star tribune. >> thank you guys. meet t

f and code is controlled east of the euphrates river. the americans will probably have a very different message and tommy, they want to see cuz you're telling me preserved. yes, they want to make some concessions to, to, to de escalate things. but it's good. completely different and gave to turkey as vision, the serial. and i think it's not me too long until we see those 2 different visions clash ones took you escalates its actions against the yeah, this is a matter of, of course, as you say, robot of different visions. and it was an interesting question about the incoming, of course president trump, the president, to elect a student take off as soon present don't present his elect. donald trump, there was a question about how that might have implications for syria as well. what did you read into that? yeah, i was actually quite surprised by see dot saying that no was the the i so the problem is taken care of us will have no excuse the roommates. this was very, very similar to the ones previous message to trump. when from was president b

and they continue to go towards the euphrates river so that they have complete control. best of all locations of the euphrates river from could reach back because it's kind of according to the fi, did the a number of nic books of tunnels either under the city of men beach. and that is why they are populating cautiously and saying that they, the people who are here are reluctant to come back because they are not sure what they will find from that to them. that my beach is strategically important for dakota discourses who have helped this area since the defeat of icy. and that is something that has been a boat of contention between those good is that courses that took the sees as the terrorist and the, the fight is what here on the ground turkey ones out of it, it is to be under the control of that apply does so it can create a so called buckboard is going on it's border, but now it seems to be since the fall of the assad government seems to be closer to making that zone secure. this is going to be an ongoing operation. we're heading from bonnie, from the outskirts of my b

as at their it's rather, and he was alluding to us back city and democratic forces right now the euphrates river divides the territory that is being controlled by either side, turkey bacteria and actually if i just do a spect kurdish s t a fight is the flash point being ma'am page. uh and the, the stream diamond particular where both sides have been uh, trying to take control over without damaging the damages and lifeline for water and electricity for thousands of people. so it feels that it is going to escalate further because as the effort, it means the only group which is so far, not under the output of a united front, under the ministry of defense. and i'll, just by this got our re hearing anything official from the syrian administration on the, is really incursions into the occupied goal on heights and then, and i'm firing on demonstrators there. i believe the last 17 days you saw this. it means this administration walking on that shows not trying to open up any friends. busy regarding this, this escalation that has been happening along it's been, has been cutting out strikes, hundred

and they continue to go to birds the euphrates river so that they have complete control. best of all locations of the euphrates river from could reach back because it's kind of according to the fi, did they have a number of networks of tenants that are under the city of men beach. and that is why they have a populating portion sleep. and seeing that the, the people who are here are reluctant to come back because they are not sure what they will find from that to them. that black men beach is strategically important for the credit courses. who have helped this area since the defeat of icy, and that is something that is being a boat of contention between those good. in fact, forces that turkey sees as the terrorist and the, the fight is we're here on the ground. turkey ones out of it. it is to be under the control of that apply does. so it can create a so called buckboard zone on its border. but now it seems to be, since the fall of the assad government seems to be closer to making that zone secure. this is going to be an ongoing operation. we are hearing from bonnie, from

command forces successfully destroyed several weapon systems in the vicinity of military supports that euphrates in syria . that included 3 truck mounted multiple rocket launchers, a t $64.00 tank and mortars that presented a clear and imminent threat to us and coalition forces. there also siri and military forces that operate in the area. to be clear, the self defense actions successfully eliminated. imminent threats to us personnel, and we're not linked to any broader activities in northwest syria by other groups. well, here's more from the russian foreign minister who broke down the way washington is funding militants in the region. the rules of the game used to help the syrians to come to terms with each other and the to prevent a separate disturbance from, from, you know, getting strong. that's what the americans are doing in the east of syria when they grow. some code is a separate use using the profits from oil and the green the so we just a of the resources, the reason they ok, but farmer, us army and c o thomas pen told us, washington undermines those in syria who don't follow as agenda

say euphrates in syria, that included 3 truck mounted multiple rocket launchers, a t $64.00 tank and mortars that presented a clear and imminent threat to us and coalition forces. there also siri and military forces that operate in the area. to be clear, the self defense actions successfully eliminated immune and threats to us personnel and we're not linked to any broader activities in northwest syria by other groups. here is more from the russian foreign minister is interview. and the question of us forces in syria, you know that how it has finance to separate us using profits from washington occupied territory in the region. the rules of the game used to fail to syrians to come to terms with each other and the to prevent a separate disturbance from, from, you know, getting strong. that's what the americans are doing in the east of syria when they grow some code to show a separate use using the profits from oil and the green. so we just a of the resources to reach the occupied former us army and ceo thomas penn told us at washington undermines those in syria who don't follow its age

among them are curtis lead sirian democratic forces, the sds hotel, large parts of syria, east the euphrates river scene here in yellow and government troops withdrew. they pushed westward, but the victorious is luminous. rebels have pushed back, leaving curtis forces and the people they protect. fearing the worst. a syrian kid's wasted no time and destroying remnants of a subs room there among the many syrian minorities to have something that under his link, the regime we'd been waiting for 13 years and today is our day. it's the codes incurred the stones day. and god willing, it will be full of joy and happiness. this is, nick could make up about 10 percent of serious population along with sizable minorities in iran, iraq, and took a cit, protest have long baffled for an independent state, making them a target from various governments during syria's civil war. the kurdish lead democratic forces for to create a c, me, or tournaments area in the countries north, east. the us troops faxed them, and slicing the rise of use in the region. and in controlling the oil rich areas. but neighboring t

move east afy euphrates river. marco canal there is a full motel in diplomats who is now independent to your political consultants. he says iran and russia will have an important say and how the situation in syria and falls in the city and the women surrounded us, completed the meltdown that old sewing additional fighting around the hama we faced the most important a line of defense, pulled us out now, at the moment we have to remember that the best buy the moment we should receive them, but i see they can count on audius' ball. let me show us which of the blo be not, i'm not really sure. i've never been withdrawn from the cd during the last 12 months of conflict between the israel and 11 on the i know authority besides saying there's, i'm one of the things the communist demand will be around to support cd. because after the week getting the visible line live by noon from the attention point of view tad and cannot afford to have uh uh, set back in the city of to but the, even most of them are in mind. well, this opinion is what our friends are going to do in the next, the days and we

there's nobody garbage dfcs on the eastern euphrates. i think there wouldn't be many, many discussions with the americans, especially when some techs office. and this could be some agreement between the city and the tax, and the americans. regarding the situation of the eastern few phrases which, when incorporates for the tradition them is providing that they break away from the big deal, which is not the city and organization by the way. and which is also a did was tokenize ation. so we are in the process of uh, you know, making sure that all the city and the components are together. we are in the process for making sure that none of our ceiling components are linked to a need to this organization. and at the same time, we hope that as soon as possible, we will hold off for the foreign powers to leave the city a and for student people to be responsible for. ready whole security and then home board this. all right. do you see the possibility for cards to have an independent autonomous state, or is there a high danger that will be an arme

uprising begun in 2011 the turkish back fighters if they can, nearly all of the areas rest of the euphrates river side full lot nicknamed a bucket. used to be an intelligence officer using the shot on the sides regime for the defective to the opposition. once the uprising big on, you know, needs a fighting force which spearheaded recent operations in good detail. the rough i am a beach brigade. he needs games to play, i could each by just all the way to the get off the board. a lot of there will be no ceasefire until every p. k. k member is completely removed from syrian territory . we are not fighting on behalf of anyone else. our mission is to eradicate terrorism from syrian soil. the turkish black fight is found an underground city, me and my beach. some of these tunnels are 7 meters high and run for dozens of can i meet this and connect with other tenants networks. this network of done with continuous in either direction for a few kilometers according to the site as they've gone through and cleared these tunnels. as they say, monday was an important stronghold part of the kurdish forces

uh let me far and man page and the east of the euphrates river. but address a creek as an associate professor of the school of security studies at kings college london. he says that while the fact that opposition forces that having resurgence is not a surprise, the speed at which they've made games is i think the strength of h d. s, at the moment of the strength of the position is very much due to the weight is of the process size. they were spread thinly, the front line wasn't properly secured and it's a little bit like a domino effect. once a key frontline is probably, we seen process forces withdrawing, and they probably operationally, was roy quite a, quite a saw south that week as has been explored. obviously weaponry plays a role, but i think they, she has and it takes you guys, this is the way they operate is obviously they don't have support from turkey in the cause. we expect that they get intelligence support from turkey. still, none of this obviously has been concerned but took you, anyone else. but beyond that, i think it's, it's reall

how to redeploy our special forces in syria without destabilizing the kurdish positions across the euphrates our [bleep] treaty with [bleep]. five-star. the journey to recovery starts with one confirmation vote. >> and by the way, if anybody has seen those cones, help. >> michael: when we come back, we'll find out who joe biden will pardon next, so don't go away. [cheers and applause] it's closed. what about my letter? call uncle bryan. to the north pole! grandpa! oh no! the december to remember sales event. he did get my letter! get offers on select models. ♪♪ [cheers and applause] >> michael: welcome back to "the daily show." last month, joe biden pardoned his son, hunter, causing people to ask, "joe biden is still president?" but he is, and he still has pardon power for another month. our own grace kuhlenschmidt hit the streets to ask new yorkers who they think he should use it on. >> president biden parted two turkeys named peach and blossom on thanksgiving, and the human man named hunter biden a few days later. to find out who else he might pardon before leaving office, i decided to ask

also want to know guys and that's these are areas that they have determined to be there from the euphrates, which is in iraq by the way, to the mile. that is their claim. historical, biblical play and be an extremist in their interpretations of biblical interpretations. this is what they're striving for, and because of all the unrest and the confusion, they're taking advantage of that and they're succeeding to a point. now that the now that the h t s, and the as longest groups have moved in, i wouldn't doubt that they could use syria as, as a stepping point to go after israel itself. because yolanda himself is says, the next step is jerusalem. yeah, in date, starting to see, you know, michael, we signed a lot of time, a pleasure talking to you. so as always we will go into this in depth more next 5 of the show. thank you again for joining us. so i'm going to pull up any them cnn security policy. i just thank you a but i would say the now the british officer and the secretary has expressed support for the idea of attacks on the theory says isabel must be able to defend itself from tyrus. i