we need to have this confirmed, this story, because we don't want to go down that rabbit hole again. for me the significance would be very carefully and systematically coalition forces have been taking out the next cadre of isis leadership. usually you would think if baghdadi goes, quickly he'll be replaced. it may be that the next ranks have been hurt so badly that that wouldn't happen so automatically, in which case getting rid of him could have a major impact. they're being squeezed, about to lose mosul and about to lose raqqa. >> let's bring in msnbc's ayman mohyeldin. ayman, what do you make of the reports? obviously we take them all with a grain of salt. if, in fact, he was killed, what does that mean. >> you have to put it in two context. one, what this means for u.s. and coalition partners in the