. >> the united states is not simply going to involve itself in a military action in the absence of aolitical plan by the iraqis that gives us some assurance that they are prepared to work together. we're not allowing to allow ourselves to be dragged back into a situation in which, while we're there, we're keeping a lid on things, and after enormous sacrifices by us, as soon as we're not there, suddenly, people end up acting in ways that are not conducive to the long term stability of the country. >> when united states military action take place? the president says they are still in consultation with the iraqs. he says it is not going to be happening within the next couple of days. it will take until after the weekend for the united states to initiate what he called selective military actions, michael. >> in the wake of these latest moves. we have heard republican pressure on capitol hill towards president obama, but as far as bomb -- obama is concerned, he got the troops out, and now some say they need to go back in there. how will that influence his decision here? >> a war that simp

military or serious action. let's assess what we just heard from the president. fareed zakaria is standing by. the president says this this will take us a few days before the united states decides what military action to take if it takes any. >> wolf, i think the president was using what he sees as his moment of maximum leverage with the iraqis. this is when the iraqis need the united states. we got a fascinating window into some of the past negotiations when he said the iraqi government was resistant to accept u.s. offers of any kind of help military training and thip things like that. when they have now face this d crisis, they actively seek american help. so the president is saying we now have leverage, so we'll ask you to make some of the political deals and political compromises that you have not been willing to make. unless you you make those, don't expect major american assistance. it feels as though he is putting the pressure on maliki and staying pretty cool in the face of this very turbulent situation. >> and achristiane amanpour, he expressed concern that these terrorists, he call it is the isil, islamic state in iraq and lavant, others call it the isis. it's

united states to choose iraq's leaders. but only leaders who can deal with the agenda can bring the iraqi people together. moenl, the united states will not pursue military action sect at the expense of the other. there is no military led by the united states. there is a urge for a political process and capable iraqi security force and counter terrorism to deny isil a safe haven. in closing. recent days and reminders of the deep scars left. alongside the loss of 4500 american patriots, many veterans carry the wounds of that war and will for the rest of their lives. here at home, iraq has sparked vigorous debates and intense emotions in the past and we have seen those debates resurface, but what is clear in the last decade is the need for the united states to ask hard questions before we take military action abroad. the most important question we should ask, the issue that we have to keep front and center and i keep front and center, what is in the national security interest of the united states of america? as commander in chief i stay focused. and going forward, we'll continue to consult closely with congress and keep the american people informed and we'll rema

united states. >> it's not the place for the united states to choose iraq's leaders. the united states will not pursue military actionside 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 gone. >> well, i'm not sure. i mean, we won't put t

united states will protect its national security interests even if iraqis cannot bridge their divides." that sounds like we won't wait for a unity government before the united states takes military action. the article in the washington post said the administration has left open the door for strikes -- air strikes -- on both sides of the border, the iraqi and syrian side. kerry said launching air strikes at this moment would be an act of irresponsibility. there is nothing to provide the capacity for success. again kerry's words. is kerry teasing us with the possibility of u.s. military involvement? a new nbc news wall street journal poll shows that by a margin of 50% to 43% americans say the u.s. doesn't have a responsibility to assist the iraqi government against insurgent troops. catch this number, a whopping 71% of americans now say the iraq war which george w. brought us to was not worth it. w.'s war. that's up from 59% in january of 2013. joining me now is the managing editor of quartz and ed ren dell. i want the governor to get in here in a moment about the politics. i want to talk to bobby about what's going on now. if you look at the map it's dramatic. how much isis has been abl

as iraq fractures once again. >> the united states is not simply going to involve itself in a military actionsence of a political plan by the iraqis. that gives us some assurance that they're prepared to work together. >> the united states has and will continue to have vital national interest in iraq. the progress made there is clearly in jeopardy. gwen: but what will what can the u.s. do? back home a surprise defeat shakes up the republican party. >> obviously we

actions there, that they are targeted, precise and have an effect. as i indicated before. i want to make sure everybody understands the united states will not involve itself in a military action in the absence i've political plan by the iraqis that gives us some assurance that they are prepared to work together. we are not going to allow ourselves to be dragged back in to a situation in which, while we are there, we are keeping a lid on things and after enormous sacrifices by us as soon as we are not there, suddenly people end up acting in ways that are not conducive to the long-term stability and prosperity of the country. all right? thank you very much, everybody. >>> we have been listening to the u.s. president barack obama making an address at the white house on the lawn there. it seems like he was warming up and preparing the u.s. public to some possible military action in the near future. he says that will only happen obviously if it's coupled with a political plan. he was talking about the chaos dramatically unfolding in iraq. confirming that the u.s. will do its part, but that it will pursue intens intensive diploma. let's join patty from d.c. is that correct, laying

military. >> the united states will not pursue military action to support one sector inside of iraq at the expense of another. there is no military solution inside of iraq certainly not one that has led by the the united states. >> reporter: despite calls for leader of iraq to step down for his role in coaxing sectarian divisions obama says it is not his job to pull the plug on nor i al-maliki, republicans are blasting the the obama administration for failing to take action and want to see mow help than what the president has outlined. >> my hope is it is a first step in the multi step process. >> i'm convinced that the national security of the united states of america is at risk here. >> reporter: president the vowed he will consult with congress, iraq and regional leaders if the need arises for more precise military action. at the white house doug mcill way, "fox news". >>> cdc, monitoring 75 people at atlanta center for possible anthrax exposure. agency officials say bacteria samples not completely inactive were transferred from a high level bio safety lab to another low level lab that was not

the united states is prepared to take military action. kerry arrived in baghdad today. he made the point that any action taken by the u.s. would be against the sunni insurgency but not in support of al-maliki that must bring piecin factionse future. >> it depends on the ability of iraq's leaders to come together. >> it's cancer that the obama administration think that is the insurgency is threat to the u.s. interest. >>> the sizzle war in iraq is driving up gas prices in the united states. triple-a says that gas prices increased for nine straight days. the national average is expected to go up further. >> word from washington that president obama and vladimir putin talked on the phoned too. obama asked to spot stopping the prevent separatists and stop the flow of arms from russia into ukraine. there must be direct talks between the ukrainian government and insurgents. >>> women that live within a mile of farms treated with pesticides have 60% of a risk of having bases born with autism. the study failed to provide a link between pesticides and autism. >> the reconstructi

in the absence of accommodation among the various factions inside of iraq, various military actions by the united states by any outside nation are not going to solve those problems over the long-term and not going to deliver the kind of stability that we need. >> anybody else? >> mr. president is the syrian civil war spilling over the iraq border? >> i think that's been happening for some time. isil has been able to gain a foothold in syria. that's part of the reason we've been so concerned about it. that's part of the reason why we've been supporting the syrian opposition there. but it's a challenging problem. in iraq, the iraqi government which was initially resistant to some of our offers of help has come around now to recognize that cooperation on some of these issues can be useful. obviously that's not the case in syria where president assad has no interest in seeing us involved there and where some of the governments that are supporting us have been able to block, for example, un efforts even at humanitarian aid. but this is a regional problem, and it is going to be a long- term problem. and what

united states to choose iraq's leaders. it 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 actionssupport 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 responsibility? this is where the american people are and this is where the majority of congress is, although house foreign affairs chairman ed royce said the president of the united states says his plan

stating that the u.s. would not be placing boots on the ground and confirmed that other options are on the table but he didn't rule out military action completely take a listen. the united states is not simply going to involve itself in a military action in the absence of a political plan. by the iraqis that gives us some assurance that they're prepared to work together we're not going to allow ourselves to be dragged back into a situation in which while we're there we're keeping a lid on things and after enormous sacrifices by us as soon as we're not there suddenly people end up acting in ways that are not conducive to the long term stability and prosperity of the country and critics of iraqi prime minister nouri al maliki have said he has driven the sunni's into the arms of military policies against them on the flip side though they are rocky security forces have abandoned their post and droves as pundits claim the prime minister has not garnered enough loyalty from these men not enough for them to die for him and with iraq close to buckling under extreme violence from insurgents and what appears to be the threat of a very bloody civil war fragmenting the country into

president obama continues to weigh possible military action despite a loss of faith in iraq's leadership. >> any direct military action by the united states needs to be done when we see that the iraqi government has pulled itself together politically. >> reporter: the iraqi government is calling for new recruits. many republicans argue that they need help now to protect the city that so many americans died fighting for lish -- liberate. >> my son died in fallujah, he believed what he feels doing, i want to count tore something, what i am seeing today makes me sick. i don't want to have to question that. >> reporter: three warships and aircraft carrier have been deployed to the persian gulf. the aircraft carrier is one option president obama is weighing. >>> last night world cup protesters battled with police outside the stadium where argentina played bosnia. officers did fire tear gas in order to disburse the crowds. residents are anger over the government spending all the money on the prep for the world cup saying it should have been spent on the people and hospitals. >> a house fire killed 6 people including a teen on a father's day vis

in the absence of accommodation among the various factions inside of iraq, various military actions by the united states, by any outside nation, are not going to solve those problems over the long-term and not going to deliver the kind of stability that we need. anybody else? >> mr. president is the syrian civil war spilling over border? >> i think it has been happening for some time. and they have gained a foothold there and that's why we are concerned about it. and part of why we are supporting the syrian operation there. it is a challenging problem. in iraq, the iraqi government which was initially resistant to some of our offers of help, has come around now to recognize that cooperation with us on some of these issues can be useful. obviously that's not the indication in syria where the ht has no interest in seeing us involved there, and where some of the governments that are supporting us on have been able to block u.n. efforts, humanitarian aid. it is a long-term problem and what we have to do is combine selective actions by our military to make sure that we're going after terrorists who could har

the one thing i know is if they fail to do that, then no amount of military action by the united states can hold that country together. >> kerry diplomatic's offense comes as isis takes control of four more iraqi cities and border crossings with jordan and syria. the video obtained by reuters but not independently verified shows a border controlled by sis. nbc chief foreign affairs correspondent is traveling with secretary of state kerry. andrea, good morning. >> reporter: we're at the u.s. embassy. john kerry arrived to meet with all the players on all sides of the iraqi political debate. because they believe there is very little time before the insurgents are going to take and hold more ground. there's a real threat of iraq falling apart. a real civil war again. and parentally not -- partly because of prime minister maliki. his inability to reform a government, the refusal to include sunnis and kurds. they're trying to build pressure from other leaders in the region. kerry was in cairo yesterday meeting with the new egyptian president on a lot of issues but also on the fact that they

actions target,hat their precise, and will have an effect. i want to make sure that everybody understands this message. the united states is not simply going to involve itself in a military action in the absence of a political plan by the iraqis that gives us some assurance that they are prepared to work together. we are not going to allow ourselves to be dragged back , whilesituation in which we're there, we are keeping a lid on things and then after enormous sacrifices by us, as soon as we are not there, suddenly people in the past thing -- acting in ways that are not conducive to long-term prosperity and stability of the country. right? thank you very much, everybody. >> the president greeting well-wishers and wishing happy father's day after making this statement on the situation in iraq. our moment, we will open phone lines and get your reaction. again, the president making a statement on iraq as violence continues to escalate in that country. reporting that iran has deployed three revolutionaries argument to iraq -- revolutionary guard units to iraq. the president saying here that no u.s. troops will be sent, but other options for a response are being considered, a

. >> my fellow americans, hostile actions against united states shipment on the high seas have today ruired me to order the military of the united states to take action in reply. >> that was the beginning of the american air assault on north vietnam. >> president johnson has asked for and will soon get a congressional resolution authorizing the president to act as he is. >> the tonkin gulf resolution said johnson had all out power to use american military strength to defend american interests as he deemed necessary. >> and that is the beginning of the slippery slope. >> lyndon baynes johnson has been elected president of the united states and the landslide has carried him in for his first term in office on his own right by his own election. >> communists killed seven americans and wounded 109 yesterday in a sneak nighttime attack on the american helicopter base. >> i don't wish to speculate on action we may take in the future. i don't believe it will ever be possible to protect our forces against sneak attacks of that kind. >> vietnam keeps creeping into the oval office but johnson is stuck. he refuses to be the am

action for the united states? >> i think the crisis initiated by i.s.i.s. in iraq and syria forced the international community and obviously the united states to take action. the military advances that i.s.i.s. achieved in iraq is stunning. in terms of action, the first thing that obviously has to be done is to stem the military advances. so what the president of the united states has decided is to send approximately 300 military advisors, special force, experts, who embed themselves with the various iraqi hair units, in order to give the iraqi military the capabilities though stem the advances. >> do you believe that will work? sending 300 special force, advisors, whatever they are. this is an army that cut and ran when the - these guys came up against them. will that have a meaningful impact. that's a good point. nobody knows. the honest answer is nobody knows if this will work. the iraqi army has not honoured itself in the way it folded in front of this - again, this international terrorist organization that according to the statistics. it doesn't number more than 10,000 people. >> let's talk about where the group gets the support from, not just other sunni groups,

and that raises the prospects that the united states may take military action alongside one of its sworn enemies to save iraq. rebecca? >> big and important decisions ahead. terry moran, thank you so much. >>> now, to new details about the condition of sergeant bowe bergdahl, freed in a controversial prisoner swap with the taliban two weeks ago. he's back in america. but not yet seen or talking to his parents, who pushed so hard for his release. abc's jeff zeleny has more from washington. good morning to you, jeff. >> reporter: good morning, rebecca. you're right. he is back in the u.s., in what army doctors call a good physical state. but it was a quiet, american homecoming for sergeant bowe bergdahl, whose release is still steeped in controversy. this morning, sergeant bowe bergdahl is waking up on american soil for the first time after returning from five years of captivity as a prisoner of war in afghanistan. at a medical center in texas, bergdahl is talking. but so far, not to his mother or father. >> and i believe the family understands this process at this point in time. >> report

do you think the united states did the right thing in taking military action against iraq? should the united states have stayed out? 54% say we should have stayed out. and in the most recent poll comes from pugh/"usa today" conducted in january. do you think the united states has mostly succeeded in failed in achieving its goals in iraq. 52% say failed. given that set of data, let's listen to andrea mitchell ask senator john mccain about selling americans now on any sort of military involvement in iraq. >> given the state of -- the facts on the ground right now, how do you persuade americans that there's any military option they ought to embrace to try to bail maliki out and restore a country that's coming apart at the seams. >> first of all, i think you have to explain to the american people what kind of a threat that isis takeover of iraq would pose to the united states of america. can you imagine a caliphate or a center of violent muslim extremism dedicated to attacking the united states, the consequences of that. that has to be explained to the american people. >> joini

president obama says there is no military solution in iraq not one led by the united states, instead -- >> we are prepared to take targeted and divisive military action if and when the situation on the ground requires it. >> the u.s. will lead a diplomatic effort to lead to stability in iraq. >> the threat like to isil will develop partnerships for local forces like iraqi, take the lead. >> u.s. fighter jets are flying servers missions across iraq and searching for armed militants but this morning republican senators blasted the president. >> president obama has always been a reluctant commander and chief, the president of the united states goes for fundraising and golfing and now is fiddling while iraq burns. >> they say there is gaps in intelligence and launching air strikes without civilian casualtys challenging. this illustrates why, determining the isis militants is difficult nearly improbable. >> it's not like looking at a convoy and immediately striking it. >> president obama said that the u.s. will coordinate diplomatic efforts to stabilize iraq but the best response from extremists will be one where the iraqis take the lead. reporting live f

all this as president obama weighs possible military action despite a loss of faith in iraq's leadership. >> a direct military action by the nooits united states needs to be done when question see that the iraqi government has pulled itself together politically. >> reporter: the iraqi government is calling for recruits, and they joined the fight. many republicans argue they need help from the u.s. now to protect the city that so many americans died to liberate. congressman mike mccall recalled one mother's plea. >> my son died in fallujah. he believed in what he was doing. and i just want to count for something, and what i'm seeing today makes me sick. i don't want to have to question that. >> reporter: now three u.s. warships, including an aircraft carrier have been deployed to the persian golf. air strikes are from that carrier are just one of the options that president obama is considering. back to you. >> we're hearing that the leader of the islamists may have been injured in an air strike. do you have an update? >> reporter: we can't confirm if he was hit. but just to put it in perspective, he has a $10 million bounty on his head. he was

do you think the united states did the right thing in taking military action against iraq? or should the united states have stayed out? 54% say we should have stayed out. and in the most recent poll comes from pugh/"usa today" conducted in january. do you think the united states has mostly succeeded in failed in achieving its goals in iraq. 52% say failed. given that set of data, let's listen to andrea mitchell ask senator john mccain about selling americans now on any sort of military involvement in iraq. >> given the state of -- the facts on the ground right now, how do you persuade americans that there's any military option they ought to embrace to try to bail maliki out and restore a country that's coming apart at the seams. >> first of all, i think you have to explain to the american people what kind of a threat that isis takeover of iraq would pose to the united states of america. can you imagine a caliphate or a center of violent muslim extremism dedicated to attacking the united states, the consequences of that. that has to be explained to the american people. >> joi

a long-term threat to the united states, is not the kind of conflict where the president can or should act unilaterally. if the united states is to contemplate military action in iraq, the president must seek congressional authorization. let me point out that the white house has been in significant consultation with congressional leadership and members in the past weeks and that consultation is important and it's appreciated, but it's not the same thing as seek congressional authority. that has yet to be done and it must be done if the u.s. intends to engage in any combat activity in iraq. madam president, a word about the law. the framers of the constitution had a clear understanding regarding decisions about war. congress must act to initiate war. a war, once initiated, is then managed by the president as commander in chief. the principal drafter of the constitution, virginian james madison, often explained why the allocation of power was drawn in this way. quote -- "the constitution supposes what the history of all governments demonstrates, that the executive is the branch of power most interested in war and most prone to it. it has accordingly, with stu

united states shed blood and worked hard for years to provide iraqis the opportunity to have their own governance and have their own government. >> if they fail to do that, then no amount of military actionunited states can hold that country together. >> we'll discuss the politics of keeping iraq together and how it's driving one political party in this country apart. >>> then, my colleague chris hayes joins me with a closer look behind the color lines. 60 years after brown versus board of the education. and my interview with reverend al sharpton on the central park five and whether the huge settlement recently awarded is justice enough. >>> but we start in iraq where secretary of state john kerry made a surprise appearance in baghdad today in an attempt to convince that country's political leaders to pull together just as its various sectarian elements appear to be pulling the country into a permanent trip

united states shed blood and worked hard for years to provide iraqis the opportunity to have their own governance and have their own government. >> if they fail to do that, then no amount of military action by the united states can hold that country together. >> we'll discuss the politics of keeping iraq together and how it's driving one political party in this country apart. >>> then, my colleague chris hayes joins me with a closer look behind the color lines. 60 years after brown versus board of the education. and my interview with reverend al sharpton on the central park five and whether the huge settlement recently awarded is justice enough. >>> but we start in iraq where secretary of state john kerry made a surprise appearance in baghdad today in an attempt to convince that country's political leaders to pull together just as its various sectarian elements appear to be pulling the country into a permanent tripar tide state. the surprise visit this morning with the shia-led government comes as prime minister maliki made a vague promise to begin forming a national government after last month's elections. >> i emphasize that defending iraq against isil depends largely on their ability,

. >> ire teetering closer to the brink of collapse and military action the united states will take to stop the >>> live from the kgo-tv broadcast center this is abc7 news. >> good friday the 13th. >>> i am matt keller here for eric thomas. a lot of people have superstitions. the weather is heating up. >> if you like that, you are lucky. leyla gulen is here for mike. >>> good morning, everyone, at 5:00, we have patchy clouds along the coast. we are look at warmer conditions with live doppler 7 hd radar showing no cloud cover that will bring in any kind of moisture for us. from our exploritorium camera it is looking nice but

. >> the united states is not simply going to involve itself in a military action in the absence of a political plan by the iraqis. that gives us some assurance that they're prepared to work together. >> the united states has and will continue to have vital national interest in iraq. the progress made there is clearly in jeopardy. gwen: but what will what can the u.s. do? back home a surprise defeat

military plan, need to be coordinated with direct efforts most importantly any direct military action by united states needs to be done when we see that the iraqi government has actually pulled itself together politically. when you have a situation where you have mosul where 8 0 fighters and troops that's bigger problem than supply issues, logistical issues. it's morale issue, a management your military issue that is political issue. reason that the sunnis and western part of iraq have allowed this happen. i think over time this is not how the iraqi people want to live but this rellly is -- really is testament to the fact haven't had political inclusiveness that you need. any direct military action that i would recommend to the president needs to be confin dent -- contingent have inclusive government, bring in some of the confident military leaders that have been pushed out for political reasons and working for ground force. >> schieffer: we have 20 seconds here, is malaki just better if he resigned? >> not clear that he can pull this off at this point. we'll have to see. there is government formation

in the absence of accommodation among the various factions inside of iraq, various military actions by the united states, by any outside nation, are not going to solve those problems over the long term and deliver the stability that we need. anybody else? >> mr. president, is the syrian civil war spilling over the iraq border? >> i think that's been happening for some time. isil has been able to gain a foothold in syria. that's part of the reason why we have been so concerned about it. that's part of the reason why we have been supporting the syrian opposition there but it's a challenging problem. in iraq, the iraqi government, which was initially resistant to some of our offers of help, has come around now to recognize that cooperation with us on some of these issues can be useful. obviously that's not the case in syria where president assad has no interest in seeing us involved there and where some of the governments that are supporting aside have been able to block, for example, u.n. efforts even at humanitarian aid but this is a regional problem and it is going to be a long-term problem. and what we

united states with deep divide as to the level of the u.s. involvement. one former national security advisor says the u.s. cannot go ate loan. >> any direct military actione united states needs to be done when we see that the iraqi government has actually pulled itself politically. >> reporter: president obama says he is considering a number of options and refuses to rule out direct military action but says it is iraqis themselves who must spearhead efforts to keep their country from civil war n new york, leland vetter, "fox news". >>> fire fighters in central california are trying to get the upper hand in the wild fire in and around the sequoia national forest. this fire doubled insides over the weekend and split evening a community 30 miles northeast of baker field. sequoia national forest says the fire has spread to 2,000 acres and only 10 percent contained. american 500 homes evacuated. case casey kasem has tied. his daughter released a statement saying legendary dj passed away surrounded by family and friend. back in 1970 kasem introduced the whole nation to the american top 406789 he pioneered count down group telling store business the artist and

united states. but the level of u.s. involvement. one former national security advisor says the u.s. cannot go in alone. >> any direct military action by the united states need to be done when we see that the iraqi government has actually pulled itself together politically. >> reporter: president obama says he is considering a number of options and refuses to rule out direct military action but says if the iraqis themselves who must spearhead efforts to keep their country from civil war. in new york, leland vetter, "fox news". >>> and tens of thousands of iraqi christians are fleeing their homes. christians are fleeing to the largely anonymous region of kurdish stan in hopes of escaping violence in the northern parts of the country being over taken by sunni rebels. christians say kurd is stan is more liberal. >>> benjamin netanyahu is accusing military group hamas in particular for kidnapping three israeli teens including one, who hold a an american citizenship. the trio disappeared last week while heading home from a west bank religious school. the last they heard from them was a call saying they are kidnaped. hamas denied any resp

in the absence of accommodation among the various factions inside of iraq various military actions by the united states, by any outside nation, are not going to solve those problems over the long term and not going to deliver the kind of stability that we need. anybody else? >> mr. president, is the syrian civil war spilling over the iraq border? >> well, i think that's been happening for some time. isil has been able to gain a foot hold in syria. that's part of the reason why we have been supporting the syrian opposition there. but it's challenging problem. in iraq, the iraqi government which was initially resistant to some of our offers of help has come around now to recognize that cooperation with us on some of the issues could be useful. obviously, that's not the case in syria where the president assad has no interest in seeing us involved there and where some of the governments that are supporting assad have been able to block, for example, u.n. efforts even at humanitarian aid. but this is a regional problem and it is going to be a long-term problem. and what we're going to have to do is combine

in the absence of accommodation among the various factions inside of iraq, various military actions by the united states by any outside nation are not going to solve those problems over the long term and not going to deliver the stability that we need. anybody else? >> mr. president, is the syrian civil war stilling over the iraq border? >> i think that's been happening for some time. isil has been able to gain a foothold in syria. that's part of the reason why we've been so concerned about it and why we've been supporting the syrian opposition there. but it's challenging problem. in iraq, the iraqi government which was initially resistant to some of our offers of help has come around now to recognize that cooperation with us on some of these issues can be useful. obviously that's not the case in syria where president assad has no interest in seeing us involved there and where some of the governments that are supporting assad have been able to block, for example, u.n. efforts even at humanitarian aid. but this is a regional problem and it is going to be a long-term problem. and what we're going to have

and the kind of idealism and the propaganda that sometimes is used against the united states when it comes to military actionreactions. but there are some that have also been critical of the united states like kurdish officials who have been telling us, telling nbc, that over the past several months, the united states has been slow to try to stop isis. and now this notion of sending 300 military advisers is too little, too late. it's not enough to change the ground and that iraq really does need the help of the united states. so in all situations here, it's always complicated and mixed depending on who you ask. >> okay. ayman mohyeldin, thank you so much. joining me with his perspective is ambassador joseph wilson who served as deputy chief of mission in iraq during the first gulf war and was later a special assistant to president bill clinton and a senior director on the national security council. welcome back to the broadcast. it's good to see you. >> hi, alex. every ten years we get together. >> yeah, we've got to make it more often than that. i know you've been busy, as have i. here we go with the questi

military action. >> if the united states is to contemplate military action in iraq, the president must seek congressional authorization. it would be the height of public immorality to order service members to risk their lives when the nation's political leadership has not done the work to reach a consensus about the value of a mission. >> virginia democrat tim kane preceded his speech with on op-ed in "the washington post" making him the most vocal member of congress to speak out this week but he is not the only one. we're joining by jim mcdermott, a democrat of washington, who shoated this week that the vietnam war also began as a limited engagement. thank you for joining us this morning. you are one of these members of congress who says if the president wants to take any specific action here militarily, he ought to come to -- he needs to go to congress for that authorization. certainly there's been plenty of reporting and quotes that are out there where the president had this meeting with congressional leaders, democrat and republican, who said the authorization for use of military force that's already