In berlin. This is the day you know, its the to be allowed to oppose the measures even to deny the obvious. Told us it is and must be possible in a free and open country to try. This is a fake. This is about corona, anyone who doesnt understand that. Im sorry, months of restrictions on fundamental rights are being passed just because your love doesnt make you right. And it certainly doesnt mean you are in the majority. Also coming up mass coronavirus testing in liverpool, england, the British Government hopes that it will help stem the virus, but there are warnings it made lead to the public, letting down their gore. We need to explain to the public that this is not a possible to misbehave this part of the jackson hole of white of public protection. Protesters pushed back by police with Water Cannons near the Brandenburg Gate here in berlin. People violating the laws of social distancing and mask wearing, accusing police and politicians of using the Coronavirus Crisis to deny them of their civil rights. Which you, our viewers on p. B. S. In the United States and to all of our viewers around the world. Welcome, but we begin the day with a clear and controversial message about the current pandemic and the ones yet to come. Today, both houses of the German Parliament passed legislation designed to remove a legal gray area concerning the governments power to protect Public Health. A strong legal underpinning for decision such as requiring face masks in public, were shutting down businesses. And the legislation was debated today and moved through parliament quickly. The reason lawmakers say the government still has work to do before the current pandemic ends. And they say future governments will need the same Legal Backing if and when another pandemic here is what the German Health minister yen spahn said today about the legislation. Protection of health is not absolute. But we have decided that Health Protection will have a relatively greater weight in this pandemic. Since we have decided by a large majority in society until youre in parliament that we do not want to accept an overstraining our Health System that we cannot absolutely avoid suffering through illness, intensive care being on a ventilator and death with us. We want to reduce the suffering to the best of our abilities. And one of the more tonight im joined now by andrew goldman. He is a member of the German Parliament for the business friendly f. T. P. Party. He also happens to be a medical doctor by training dr. Allman, its good to have you on the day again, why was this legislation needed decisions by the government, restricting personal freedoms, closing stores, etc. Are they on the verge of being unconstitutional . I wouldnt go that far yet. We needed this debate in the parliament. It was overdue, and this is help. Democracy works in germany. We have legislation power and also the extent of power and we control each other. And thats why it was important that we had the debate. Didnt happen for a very long time in our parliament. And honestly, i do not really see so far that personal freedom is eroded. The major problem is the acceptance of the rulings. And so far these rulings were done without, without palminteri and power. And that was necessary to do, even though i do not agree with all the laws that were passed today. The legislation that was passed to address is the current situation, the current pandemic. Do you think that it will make it easier for future governments to react when and if another pandemic occurs . I dont think so because there was this law passed very quickly. This was important. It was passed very quickly. However, we from the opposition. A lot of critics on the law and the free democrats also brought in a new motion with a different law that was more thorough. Lee written, clear cut, actually looking at the different stages of a pandemic and how to react to that pandemic. Because the, the situation that were facing here so far is that there is a majority of course accepting those rules. But a lot of those rulings are not very logical and doesnt really make sense. And this has to be debated again and again, of course, im not quite sure if this is going to stand by the constitutional a courts here in germany. So youre saying the legislation passed today may not stand up if its challenge before the Constitutional Court. If theres a possibility that down could happen is nothing thats quite an unconstitutional, but theres a lot of lacking points in the law because the, the government needs to explain their ruling and also has to bring this into the parliament. And so far it just passed a bill and said, these are the rules that were going to do period, and that is not good enough. And then we have to be more precise in those laws. Could you tell me what is the one thing about this legislation . That needs to be changed. What would you change . Well, 1st of all i would, i would really change what has to be done in a different situation depending he starts off or you have to prevent an infection. And these are, of course, those rules that we know about this physical distancing wearing mask in the public, especially in Public Transportation or in buildings, buildings. Then the next step is when the endemic is quickly rising. This, the number of infections are increasingly very strongly then stronger measures have to be made. And this is, that is whats missing in this legislation that the connection between what is happening and what has to be done is not there just says if theres a pandemic situation, these are the things that we have to do. And that is not clear cut enough before we run out of time, dr. Allman, let me get your reaction to the news that pfizer and by on tech have successfully ended the late stage trials for their coronavirus vaccine. I mean, thats wonderful news, isnt it . Oh, this is really wonderful news today. The press release by b. On tech and pfizer is very promising. I was still skeptical a week ago when we werent so sure if the effect of that vaccine goes through all age groups. This was in the press release today that it goes through the age groups, the effectiveness of the vaccine of 95 percent. Now im awaiting the primary publication of that data. And secondly, i do hope its not only put into the f. D. A. Filing. Its also put in the name of filing here for europe, so that we might have a new vaccine by march of next year. Yeah, im going to ask you about that. Pfizer says that it plans to ask the f. D. A. In the u. S. For emergency approval as soon as this week, when do you expect the request for approval here in europe . When is that request going to come . Well, i hope as soon as possible, of course, because we are in a similar situation as in north america. And is a company here in germany, cooperation with pfizer in the us. And i do hope i asked the company today. I didnt get any information about from them so far, if theyre going to file student here in europe, because the filing situation is pretty much similar between the u. S. And in europe. Ok, dr. Andrew allman member of the German Parliament. Dr. Almost, we appreciate your time, your insights tonight. Thank you. Thank you for having me again. , well, in the u. S. , the food and Drug Administration has given mergence the approval to the 1st rapid coronavirus tests that can be done at home after a simple nasal swab. The result, positive or negative, appears in about 30 minutes. This test does require a doctors prescription, but it bypasses the lengthy process of waiting for results from a lab. But this is good news against a global backdrop of restrictions and lockdowns. Here in europe, there is a patchwork of National Responses to the corona virus. Now this map shows all of the countries that have imposed a partial or total nationwide lockdown as it stands tonight. There are 17 countries with a go from austria, which began a total lockdown on tuesday. Youve got germany, which is in the middle of a 4 week partial lockdown stores, schools are open, restaurants, bars and gyms are closed. The World Health Organization says that more than half of new infections reported worldwide last week came from europe. And the situation is worse in the United States. What we see here are the states that have issued a stay at home order, similar to european lockdowns. And as you see here, new mexico is the only state that does that. Theyre supposed to be color coded and new mexico is the only state that is telling people that they have to stay home. Other states are advising that they do that, which is california. You see there kentucky and then in the northeast we have the states of massachusetts and rhode island, where the days best news in the pandemic is a transatlantic story. The u. S. Pharmaceutical giant pfizer and germanys buy on tech have announced that they are corona virus vaccine has passed all safety tests and trials by on tags. C. E. O. Says regulators in europe and the u. S. Could approve the vaccine as early as december safety. And that its so far indicates that they feel its their thought of it, that could happen that we get not what it was they should until mid of these tend to have to provide 1st millions of those is an experienced to get in the pool. But on our own for more now, on the latest in the coded vaccine raise, im joined by a dog and hes a senior scholar and John Thompson center for public for health security. Its good to have you on the program, pfizer biotech vaccine. It has taken just 10 months to develop, which is a remarkably short time. How can we be sure that its safe . We can be sure that it is safe because weve seen animal data, weve seen phase one in phase 2 and now face 3 day. You have to remember that speed, its just exene was made, had to do with the fact that it was using a new technology, an m. R. I. Name, vaccine platform. And thats where we cut the speed down and wasnt that the safety was if there were corners cut in phase one or 2 trials, we will have to follow people once they are vaccinated, 3 years, like we do with all the axioms. But in the middle of a pandemic, were going to get an emergency use authorization based on the safety data that we have so far. And it does look good and you think we have to, to continue to follow as i said, to make sure nothing late longer term occurs. But i do think everything is it is pointing the right way when it comes to this vaccine amiss. Are you concerned that there are no long term observations with this vaccine . Im not concerned in the sense that any time we have a vaccine it gets approved and then we follow people out in what are called phase for trial. So when the h. P. V. Vaccine was that was approved, we didnt have 2 or 3 or 4 years of safety data, but we followed people even after it was approved. And it ended up being say, i dont have a major concern most the vaccines that make it this far dont usually have long term consequences. I think its important to study that. But to me, i dont think theres going to be a signal here. And i think that in the middle of a pandemic, you also have to weigh the risk in the benefit. And i do think that the vaccines, the way were seeing them now, are really, its the benefits outweigh any risk that, that we have with not having a long term data. Do you plan to get the vaccine . I do plan to get the vaccine. As soon as im in an eligible group, i am a Health Care Worker and take care of covert patients now. So i may be in the 1st priority group, so i will gladly get this vaccine. We know pfizer and biotech say that the vaccine is 95 percent effective and i know that they were static about that number. 95 percent. Why is that number so impressive . A number so impressive because we never thought that a 1st generation vaccine using a new technology would reach those types of that level of protection from symptomatic over that. We were looking at 5060 percent. Thats what we would have been happy with. But the see them really hit it out of the ballpark. 90 percent really made people take a step back and understand that this technology does have a lot of promise. Not just for cove it, but for future Infectious Disease vaccines as well. We know that vaccine denial is likely to be an issue of blood signs of the atlantic. There will definitely be some safety concerns among the public. How many people will need to be vaccinated to ensure herd immunity and to stop this pandemic . Its likely going to be maybe 7080 percent of the population. If you assume that everybody has the same risk of, of transmitting the infection in me. Also, the fact that were not 1st looking at herd immunity, youre looking to try and decrease the virulence of this infection. To be able to stop people from needing to be hospitalized. So we may be able to give our hospitals breathing room before we get near that herd immunity threshold. So its important to remember that this vaccine because it is so effective, is likely to really be able to take the pressure off of hospitals and take the pressure off i. C. U. Beds and ventilators. And thats really whats driving a lot of the Public Health concern about this virus thats whats lacking. The curve is about is about keeping it below hospital capacity. How do you think governments and Public Health officials should deal with this vaccine skepticism that we had that we see . We have to really be as transparent as possible about the process that led to the development of these vaccines. What the Clinical Trials show in terms of both the safety and the efficacy, try to be able to answer any question that may come up. Tell people what we know, what we dont know and really detail them on all of the benefits that this vaccine may provide. And help them make this risk benefit calculation. We have to be proactive. We cannot be reactive because the anti vaccine groups will already be going after this vaccine prior to its prior to its arrival. You know, and from expecting too little to expecting too much from these vaccines, are what you take a listen to what mark ryan said today hes with the World Health Organization. Take a listen. Some people think the vaccine will be in a sense the solution, the unicorn, weve all been chasing. Its not having vaccines, its going to give us a huge chance. But if we add vaccines and forget the other, things does not go to 0. A measure, are you concerned that once the 1st vaccine injection is given . Are you concerned that will see people do drop social distancing, stop wearing face masks, and let down their guard. Were already seeing people let down their guard, and i do think that there is that danger. You have to remember that the vaccine isnt going to be a magic bullet unless its coupled with a lot of other things in till we get across a herd immunity threshold. And its going to take a process of years to get the world vaccinated. So koven 1000. 00 is not going to go right to a sleazy roque. We will still need to think about what measures we need to do to keep ourselves safe, especially for those who arent able to get the vaccine or who are the vaccine doesnt work for a number, not everybodys going to be in a priority. So this is going to be important that we have to get through this process by a lot, by using a lot of the common sense things youve been doing from the beginning, wearing a mask social distancing washing your hands a lot. All of thats going to continue for some time, even when the vaccine is available. Let me ask you, before we run out of time, did the German Health minister says there could be vaccines will not be compulsory. Do you think thats insensible policy . Its going to be hard to make a vaccine compulsory when its only if im a available on an emergency use basis. I think once you see full license york and a much more robust safety profile, then i think you can see, youll see schools, for example, or employers making these vaccines a requirement as a condition of entry. But i think in the early rollout of this vaccine, its likely going to be just something is highly encouraged, but not something that we will have a basis for a mandate. Because of the, because of the lack of all of the long term safety data, which we wont have for a couple of years. And which will then will lead to the full licensure of the vaccine. A mission done at Johns Hopkins center for security missions. Good to have you on the show. We appreciate your time and your valuable insights tonight. Thank you. Thank you. Well, a city that has tested all of its residents that describes the northwest english city of liverpool. It has become the 1st city in the u. K. To carry out mass testing of the entire population around 100000 people have been screened for the virus in just the past 2 weeks. It is hoped that blanket testing will help to stop transmission of the virus, especially by carriers with no symptoms. You know, charlotte cells until report this is being billed as the u. K. s latest weapon in the fight against covert 19, with the city of liverpool on the front line. That piloting a city wide testing scheme. The 1st of its kind in the u. K. And a massive p. R. Campaigns underway to enlist the hoffa 1000000 People Living in liverpool, the move people get tested, the better we can protect that great city and drive the disease down that start the fight back against code. Lets get tested. Lets do it together. That story for liverpool, local authorities, a set up, dozens of testing sites across the city. And theyve brought in the army to help. The logistics considerations of this operation have been significant. We deployed 2000 troops to the city of liverpool within 3 days across 45. 00 sites. Liverpool volunteered to try the mass testing operation after recording one of the highest rates in europe with or it is hoped that by testing as much of the population as possible, theyll identify more asymptomatic cases and break the chains of transmission. The scheme has tested over 100000 people since it started a week and a half a day. But theres still a long way to go ahead of time. He, well, its good, its a good idea that ive had mine done. Both me and my husband were negative. I think to get the hope population tested to be able to identify who started, particularly those who have it and dont show any symptoms. Its imposter to get up. And thats really the last i hope it will actually takes off. Processing tests quickly is the key to a scheme like this asymptomatic volunteers myself included, are asked to do this, want them sounds you get the results on your phone within an hour. These are the lateral flow devices that are being used at testing 5. Like this one across liverpool. Now a lot like a pregnancy test, they can determine results in 20 to 30 minutes. And the benefit is the result can be processed right at the testing site. Instead, then a lab, and thats why these tests are the backbone of the ever pulls math test. And theres some dispute about how many positive cases are being missed. Critics also fear that getting a negative test could give people a false sense of security that results only valid until the moment you leave the building. And once again, at risk of being exposed by local councillor, paul brown says this scheme was never designed to be a silver bullet. We need to explain to the public that this is not a passport to misbehave. This is part of the jigsaw of wider public protection. It will be difficult to tell what direct effects this scheme house on causing infections. Its happening while england is in lockdown. The pull bryant says every asymptomatic case thats identified is a step in the right direction. As weve identified through that program, 527 people who we now know were positive, who had no symptoms, and were not previously have known. They were symptomatic and infectious. And they now can take steps to take himself out of circulation and protect themselves and their family and their friends. Originally planned to last 2 weeks, this pilots likely to be extended with increasing Public Engagement top of their priority list. But its a blueprint for the u. K. s testing strategy. And the governments already announced more mass testing schemes in dozens of caissons across the country. Thousands of people took to the streets of polands capital, warsaw all today to show their opposition to a Supreme Court ruling that almost totally bans abortions. Police forced protesters away from the parliament building, which the protesters wanted to blockade. The courts ruling bans abortions for your reversible congenital defects, including those for fatal illness. Todays demonstration was the latest in a series of protests following last octobers court ruling d. W. Correspond to libya, court tosses in more salt, and i could even say you livia, if you could put todays demonstration in context for our viewers. I mean, this is not the 1st protest against the government that weve seen. Right . Exactly, thats correct. So its more than 3 weeks now, since the Constitutional Court has ruled that, of those abortions due to the fetal defects are unconstitutional. And since then we saw the process, whole process freezing of it. The course ruling is only legally binding, the moment its published and it has to be published according to the constitution. But its not been published in libya. Thats that see yet do we still do . We have our signal with the livia for it, weve, weve just for that right now may be gone. Polish women who decide to have an abortion will now be forced to travel abroad in even greater numbers than before. One destination is neighboring germany, where the abortion laws are more liberal. Barrington has worked for the Initiative Time to barbara and barbara for 5 years. She helps polish women have abortions in berlin, her phone, answer, constant companion, a woman who had an abortion here 2 weeks ago, is calling her right now. Were going to hear. She has some problems and would like to go to the doctor device. But of course, she doesnt know which doctor she should go to. Our question can or cannot say, or how she should act. Is this a doctor she can trust or not . Its estimated that up 2150000 polish women have abortions each year illegally and foreign clinics and very carefully. Thats why betty and wants to help. She has been receiving more than twice as many calls since polands abortion law became more restrictive. The woman she is meeting now is pregnant, but her baby is severely deformed. Is about the time that she was completely stressed out. She cried for 2 days because she didnt want to bear a sick child and she was suddenly forced to do so. Why not . Thats the way to avoid having the baby, the woman traveled hundreds of kilometers to berlin to protect her identity. We turn up the camera. So polands abortion law is the strictest in europe. A gynecologist who regularly performs abortions for women from poland tells us about her experiences is even conceived on and on. And we generally see women of all ages. We see teenagers who became pregnant through rape or through a moment of thoughtless behavior. Very, very young women between the ages of 14 and 17, but we also see women who are well into their fortys. Well, the days almost on the conversation continues online. Well see you tomorrow everybody. The footman completely cut in the crosshairs of Turkey Secret Service kurdish Austrian Green Party member, baron von bassline, doesnt go anywhere anymore without Police Protection must remain politician work to bring attention to Human Rights Violations in turkey. Now, her life is in danger. From going strong euro 90 minutes on d w i n o the moral can actually be personal for losing in those war to smolder loonies along the mostly slopes. No love for the wicked does a good scream, the more i cant sleep. Couldnt sleep. Heart leaps. Passion, drama, competition. Clive marketing numbers here by entertainment, money, millionaire fans, crime stats, and in fact only 2 calls on you tube and you hear me now . Yes. Yes, we can hear you and how the last 2 years gentlemen sound so that when you bring me what im going to mask off and you never have been surprised with what is possible to this magical freak, what moves and who talks to people who follow along the way i do my rounds and critics alike, as the worlds most powerful women shaking how they can see. Joining us from athens last stop. This is the w. News, live from berlin, here in the german capital with clash of people politics and the police over the Coronavirus Police used Water Cannons to push back thousands of demonstrators. Today they were protesting against a new law, extending government powers to impose coronavirus restrictions. Also coming up, u. S. President , orders u. S. Troops to come home from afghanistan. The move its drawing fire from americas nato allies, including germany. Office good to have you with us. We begin tonight with politics and the pandemic. Lawmakers here in berlin have voted to give the German Government new powers, allowing it to introduce restrictions to tackle the Coronavirus Crisis. German president from vulgar steinmeyer signed the bill into law earlier this evening. It takes effect tomorrow. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets today to protest as politicians debated the legislation thank water cannon and pepper spray deployed by police to disperse the demonstrators. Thousands gathered near the German Parliament building many in the crowd, not wearing masks, or maintaining social distancing. They were protesting against coronavirus restrictions, which they see as a violation of their civil rights. In my opinion, the restrictions are disproportionate. Surely it should have been possible to come up with other measures that dont cost so much suffering. You still believe i am here for my children and my grandchildren. I will not allow their freedom to be taken away. Yeah. Well Police Clashed with protesters outside lawmakers inside parliament who are largely in agreement and approve the new infection protections long. The law is meant to put the governments response of the coronavirus on a stronger legal footing. Previous legislation only listed broad general provisions and didnt foresee the severity of the pandemic, or the specific restrictions needed to rein it in. This led to local courts overturning some of the measures. The new law defines more concretely which restrictions can be introduced, including mandatory face masks, limited social contacts, and restaurant closures. Health minister young spawn, defended the measures and criticize those protesting against them. Loads, im to be allowed to be against it or even to deny the obvious oh, that is possible and must be possible in a free and open country. But those who are allowed are far from being right. And certainly not in the majority or this did not deter the demonstrators outside. Despite polls showing they are in a minority. A recent survey found 56 percent of germ believe the restrictions are justified. And some actually want even stricter measures. For more now were going to get our political correspondent, simon young. Hes on the story force here in berlin. Good evening to you saw him in so we know that were talking about a minority here in germany, but a very loud minority. What kind of people were at todays protest, yet different kinds of people, brant, many of them very angry, as we saw all the ass, some of them throwing bottles soul stuns at police, who responded with water cannon, a different sorts of groups. Youve got some anti vacs is youve got corona skeptics, youve got some conspiracy theorists and people with connections to the far right. But many other people just saying that really theyre worried about what they see as an erosion of civil liberties. But they only know it was a pretty noisy and agitated and at times aggressive, often in central. And is that their main objection here with this new legislation that personal freedoms are being eroded . Well, i had the impression that a lot of the protesters on the streets werent particularly focused on the legislation being discussed a short distance away in parliament. What theyre mainly protesting about is the corona measures. In general, they oppose the distancing rules. The rules on wearing mosques and the lot downs and they say that those are, you know, that the government is taking away their freedoms. But i think its worth saying that some of those ideas were certainly echoed in the parliamentary debate. You had opposition parties and not just the far right a. F. P. By the way, saying things like the government was giving itself Carte Blanche to impose unlimited measures or indeed accusing the government of, you know, imposing unprecedented curbs on peoples freedoms. So there is some sort of crossover from this mood in the street to the way they say shes being talked about a political level as well. And somebody, we know what the governments next step is in fighting this virus. What we know that there will be another top level meeting with the charts that and Regional State lead is next week. And the big question there will be will the current lockdown around germany be extended . Will it be toughened up . We know that the infection numbers have improved in the last couple of weeks since lockdown began, but maybe they havent improved quite enough yet. And some of the measures agreed in this new legislation today. Point towards, for instance, compensation that can be provided to people whove been affected by lock downs into 2121, going through to march and beyond. So that gives you some sense. The government is ready if they decide they need to extend the restrictions that are currently in place. All rights to the use political correspondent, simon young, on the story for us in berlin tonight. So i mean, thank you. Lets take a look now at some of the other developments in this pandemic, the United States has reported its highest daily coronavirus related death toll since may. The u. S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the 1st coated 1000 home testing kit. It provides results within 30 minutes. South australia has imposed a 6 day lockdown after a sudden outbreak end of a long period with no new infections. And japan has seen its biggest rise in new delhi cases as preparations begin for next summers Olympic Games are, lets take a look now at some of the stories that are making headlines around the world. Thousands have been marching through central warsaw, protesting moves to tighten polands abortion law. Its the latest in a series of demonstrations. Last month, the court handed down a ruling that would impose a near total ban on abortion. That ruling has yet to go into effect. Thousands of antigovernment protesters gathered in the thai capital bangkok as lawmakers rejected their demands for sweeping changes to the constitution. Demonstrators want the Prime Minister to step down and they want curbs on the power of the monarchy. Chaotic protests just a day earlier, left, more than 50 people injured. U. S. Secretary of state my pump a. O. Is holding talks in jerusalem. Hes meeting with the israeli Prime Minister benjamin netanyahu. And bahrains ford minister, abdellatif yani. The 2 countries have agreed to normalize their relations under, a u. S. Backed deal with just 2 months left in office. U. S. , President Donald Trump, has called international a low arm by ordering a sharp reduction in american troop numbers in afghanistan and iraq. By mid january numbers will be cut to 2 and a half 1000 u. S. Soldiers in each country. As trump looks to make good on his Campaign Promise to end what he calls americas endless wars. But he is facing opposition, especially from nato allies. Soon there will be fewer u. S. Soldiers on the streets of kabul, as the pentagon prepares to reduce its presence in afghanistan even further. American soldiers have been deployed here since 2001, helping stabilize the country after overthrowing taliban rule, but suffering over 2000 deaths. Over time, the numbers have waned now outgoing President Donald Trump wants to reduce them to a skeleton force thats raising fears among afghans over the future. Security of their country. In my opinion, the withdrawal of foreign troops from afghanistan will cause the taliban to escalate their violence across the country. And it will also cause women to suffer more than nothing. But when u. S. Forces withdraw from afghanistan, Creative Power vacuum and the taliban will escalate. The violence to see is more, political power in afghanistan. As u. S. , troop numbers have fallen. Extremists have gained in strength. Busy attack on Kabul University earlier this month killed 22 people. It was claimed by the socalled islamic state, which is emerged as a rival to the taliban. The taliban themselves have stepped up their attacks on Security Forces and civilians violating an agreement that foresaw the withdrawal of all u. S. Soldiers by may next year. Speaking in the afghan parliament, after the news of the drawdown broke, the acting Afghan Defense minister played down the most of what almost may. Now its time to avoid 1st of all. I dont have a sense that anyone is leaving could automate and like to be ups and downs and numbers. But we are not worried about it. We have ready to defend afghanistan independently, him, but that by him was stuck up on the stand. But many World Leaders are concerned. Nato chief u. N. Stoltenberg has warned of a potentially very high price for a premature pull out. And germanys foreign minister heiko mass cautioned against creating problems. For the peace talks with the taliban. Its specially important to us that the progress weve achieved so far isnt thrown into jeopardy by hasty actions. Thats why were particularly concerned about the u. S. Announcement could mean for the continuation of peace talks in afghanistan. In iraq, the u. S. Military presence was greatly reduced after the defeat of isis in 2017. This is increased this way if neighboring, iran and militia groups aligned with to han as u. S. Soldiers head home, they could risk leaving the field to americas enemies. All right, so what is the impact of this move on nato to talk about that, i want to bring in historian and former nato staffer. Mr. Klaus, that mr. Bittman is good to have you on the show. Let me ask you, why is nato so worried about a reduction in u. S. Troops in afghanistan . I mean, what will nato have to do if there are fewer u. S. Troops there . Let me stop by saying something basic. I think that these announcement by the still u. S. President , irresponsible, he seems to want to keep hot leaving, taught us behind him and promises to his bow ties without regards to losses. Hes just not acceptable nato. He, it was clear problem. The outset that we would go into afghanistan together and that we will leave together and in close consultation. And that is why our instance secretary expo was against it, but that their party was sent away and that puppets were installed in the m. O. D. E. To notice stuff to reduce costs. This astoundingly foolish, even the republican majority leader in the senate says its against american interests. And you quoted secretary in a stone in there. Thats right. Let me just ask you, was there next consultation . Was there no consultation between the United States and nato, about this decision to withdraw u. S. Troops . To my knowledge, to my knowledge, not at all. And there were sufficient longings seen in palmo, their discussions. And some of it you sent already. It will strengthen the taliban. And eventually also i and the i s. It movie, can be afghan and west on position in the peace talks that have begun. It will damage the fulfilment of the missions of the of the United States because they depend on us capabilities like support, helicopter trance, fought, and so on, and withdrawal and reduction without close consultation and joint planning. Something impossible. And i do not think that with this was at all consulted in nato like the announcement to draw us troops and installations from germany. Mr. It may be only reason most to punish germany for not paying enough for defense. Let me just ask you about 20 seconds. Do you think that president elect joe biden . Will he be able to repair any of this damage in the alliance . I hope so very much. I also hope in this afghanistan thing somebody will stop trump on the experts in the military will slow down the implementation of to his decisions so that damage can be limited. Its ok mr. Klaas, that we appreciate your time in your insights tonight. Thank you. Thank you. Watching the w. News live from berlin. Rob watch is up next with the Business News stick around. Well be right back. Every day for us and for our planet. Money team is on its way to bring you more conservation. How do we make cities scream or how can we protect our