"america tonight's" sheila mcvicker reports why all roads in the political season lead to iowa. >> the iowa state fair. with its corn dogs, butter cow, and wholesome farm-bred competition is a heaping portion of america's star-spanningled and deep fried and gigantics. iowans are the first in the nation to cast votes in the iowa caucuses. it's been that way since 1972. >> why is iowa so important? iowa is not first in the nation because it's important. it's important because it is first in the nation. >> so far at least a dozen presidential hopefuls have made visits to iowa. even though the presidential election is more than two years away. texas governor rick perry is one of them, making an appearance at this year's fair just days before an indictment cast a shad doi on his prospects. >> the speaker is governor rick perry of texas. welcome back to iowa. >> if you want to toss your name into ring to become president of the united states, you have to come to iowa, and you really have to come to the iowa state fair. politicians love to go out to the state fair. you can show how brave you

. >> for more on this, let's join "america tonight's" sheila mcvicker t sounds like a chain of tone.> there was no question if you listened to what the president had to say today, he very clearly said, you know, walks like a duck, talks like a duck. these are russians. russia is responsible for this and very clearly, you could draw a line and say vladimir putin is responsible. >> it's one thing to say all of this but then what actions back up these words? they have had some sanctions. he says the sanctions are having some effect. what else can they do? >> they are also very clearly said that there was no military option for the u.s. in ukraine. the europeans have very clearly said there was no military option for them in ukraine. so what are you left with in your toolbox? you are left with sanctions. the president says sanctions are having an impact. they may be having an impact on the russian economy but they are not on russian behavior. so the goal is to cause pain to those closest to vladimir putin. the peoples have a lot at stake in terms of oil and gas, a financial sent e, a lot

i am sheila mcvickers. joeie chin has the night off. we begin with the islamic state. the question many are wondering here, in washington, is the united states actively involved in syria's civil war? it's a question that was raised again by reports that the u.s. military is now flying surveillance missions over syria on the orders of pompom to identify possible targets. u.s. officials say the president has not yet approved military, inside syria but that additional intelligence on i.s. was necessary fwhif strikes. >> speaking at an american legion convention in north carolina today, the president vowed justice for american journalists james foley executed by the u.n. >> rooting out isil won't be easy. it 20s to be quick. tyrants and murderers before them should recognize that kind of hatefum vision ultimately is no match for the strength and hopes of people who stand together for the security and dignity and freedom that are the being. >> yesterday, the syrian government said it welcomed international support to battle i.s. but refuse to go cede any sovereignty insiste

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america tonight's sheila mcv mcvicker joins us on that. >> reporter: that's right, they have fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the large crowds. thanks so much for joining us, mr. carick, what is your impression of how effective the policing tactics used in ferguson have been? >> i watched a lot of coverage last night, and i think they did a little better last night than they have over the last few days, especially on day one. you know, i'm not one of the commanders on the scene, and i can't see everything based on what i'm watching on the television screen, but from what i saw i don't think that they did too bad of a job last night. >> there's been criticism of the ferguson force and the highway patrol after they moved in to take control of the streets. the response has been an overly militarized with deploying personnel carriers, heavy weap weaponry or threatening people with heavy weaponry. this has antagonized the crowd. >> i've been vocal on this. i do not agree with what i saw on day one. you had what appeared to be several unarmed protesters. standing around with thei