Aspirations to statehood. Also coming up, he could be russias longestserving leader since stalin. Vladimir putin says he will seek reelection in russias march elections. He has been in power for 18 years. We are in moscow tonight to gauge how popular he is today. And californias raging wildfires spread to los angeles. That, as firefighters battle blazes across the south of the state with thousands fleeing their homes. Brent im brent goff. Its good to have you with us. Tonight, u. S. President donald trump has broken with a decadesold pillar of u. S. Policy in the middle east. Today he announced the u. S. Will recognize jerusalem as the capital of israel, making the United States the first and only country in the world to do so. The move has unleashed a firestorm of criticism from the palestinians, who say the u. S. Is no longer a credible broker of peace in the region. We will go to ramallah, jerusalem and washington for more reaction in just a moment. First, the words of the u. S. President that have shaken the middle east. I have determined that it is time to officially recognize jerusalem as the capital of israel. While previous president s have made this a Major Campaign promise, they failed to deliver. Today, i am delivering. This is nothing more or less than a recognition of reality. It is also the right thing to do. Its something that has to be done. That is why, consistent with the Jerusalem Embassy act, im also directing the state department to begin preparation to move the American Embassy from tel aviv to jerusalem. This decision is not intended in any way to reflect a departure from our strong commitment to facilitate a lasting peace agreement. We want an agreement that is a great deal for the israelis, and a great deal for the palestinians. We are not taking a position of any final status issues, including the specific boundaries of the israeli sovereignty in jerusalem, or the resolution of contested borders. Those questions are up to the parties involved. Brent that was u. S. President donald trump speaking. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas says the u. S. Has abdicated its role as a peace negotiator in the middle east. Abbas, reacting to trumps decision to recognize the contested city of jerusalem as the capital of israel. He says the city is the quote, eternal capital of palestine, and calls the move deplorable and unacceptable. He says that it would undermine peace efforts. Trumps move was also condemned by the Palestinian Authoritys top negotiator. Here is what he said. Prejudging, dictating, closing doors for negotiations. I think President Trump tonight disqualify the u. S. To play any role in any peace process. The palestinian leadership will call for an emergency session for the Palestinian Council to study his speech and go over all available options concerning many issues. At the same time, i would say crossing these lines for President Trump speaking about moderation, speaking about nonviolence i think tonight he is strengthening the forces of extremists in this region as no one has done before. This is an act, a statement that is totally uncalled for, totally unacceptable. Jerusalem is jerusalem. No country on earth has recognized israel as an extension of jerusalem except for President Trump tonight. Hes in total violation of International Law and human rights. Thats a very dangerous situation. Brent very visibly emotional tonight. We want to talk about what has happened today in the middle east. Today im joined in the studio by gil murciano. A middle east expert from the think tank here in berlin. And to his left, shani rozanes, a dw mideast analyst. And in jerusalem tonight, tania kramer and carsten von nahmen. In washington. To all of you, good evening. Tania, let me start with you. The palestinians say that this is a game changer. What will happen next if they no longer see the u. S. As a legitimate broker of peace . Tania i think thats an important question, but what will be done next and what will follow all of this . I am not sure we have the answers yet. We understand the palestinian leadership will meet in the coming days, including also hamas and the islamic jihad. They are trying to reunite the palestinians under one roof and to discuss what the next steps will be. We heard Mahmoud Abbas giving a speech tonight to reassure his people about this issue, especially speaking to the east jerusalemites, telling them that even know the u. S. Changed their position, internationally it is still an occupied territory, which is east jerusalem. For them it is a game changer because also in the speech we did not hear any hints for relations from the palestinians to the city. I think people are really frustrated about this. It is unclear who will step in if the u. S. Is not the broker anymore, as the palestinians have said. We still have to see how they deal with this. Brent carsten, the u. S. President , he hammered the point in his speech that nothing is really changing, except the address of the u. S. Embassy. Was this the speech that the world was expecting to hear today . Carsten the white house had been advertising this speech for the last 48 hours, so it didnt come as a big surprise, really. The line that was communicated was this was about acknowledging the facts that are already on the ground, this is what donald trump had promised during his election campaign, so we should not be surprised. Also, this is about implementing the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy act, which already said back then that jerusalem is the capital of israel and that the u. S. Embassy should move there. Also, that donald trump remains committed to the middle east peace process. So, this was all expected. And of course, practically not much will change for the next few years, except that preparations are underway to make that move. Otherwise, things will stay as they are, theoretically. But of course politically and diplomatically, this is a game changer. Brent it is a game changer. If trump is saying, and carsten is right, the u. S. President wants us to believe that the status quo will be maintained. But why did the palestinians not hear that in his words . Shani because i think trump, being the businessman he is, is stomping all over conventions of old, rules of the game, and is ignoring a very important part of the dynamics of the middle east, and that is symbolism. That has a lot of meaning in this region. And for the palestinians, especially when it comes to jerusalem, the heart of all the conflict, it is really important for them. Its also a lot about diplomacy, and trump is not much of a diplomat. It is about what is not being said. What americans and the International Community has been tiptoeing around for so long for a reason. Trump is now saying, i dont care what you have done. Trust me, i know better. Also being that particular messenger, that is hard for the palestinians to hear. Brent trump is also not the one who will have to go into the middle east to deal with this. We know the u. S. Vice president is being sent in. We know that jared kushner, the u. S. Foreignpolicy team must to go in and present an ultimate peace plan next year. What is going to happen when a knock on the door of the palestinians . Gil a lot has been said of the two state solution and the influence tonight on the two state solution but we also have to talk about the fundamental change involving the mediator. We are not just talking about any mediation but one of the core issues of future negotiation. With this pacific bias the america specific bias the americans have shown today to the palestinian perception, there is little hope for the future of the american perception being perceived as an honest broker in the future. A lot is going to be connected to what we see this friday. Its a sensitive if were going point. To talk about specific public rage brent three days of rage, right . Gil yes, of course. In this specific moment afterwards we can examine the echo system. The question about readjusting american plans for the next couple of months and weeks regarding negotiations is definitely on the table. Brent so you are convinced the United States is going to have to readjust . It is not going to be business as usual . Gil until now, we have had to differentiate between public statements and actual commitment of the relevant actors, not just the palestinians. We heard him discussing the end of the american role as a mediator. But we also have to understand there is a difference between policy and commitments and longterm relations and public policy. But when we talk about the palestinian street, you mentioned the symbolism in jerusalem, symbolism and Practical Implications go handinhand. If we see momentum that leads to a different echo system regarding the palestinian public, which also might influence the higher echelon, then we have new rules of the game. Brent i want to pull in a soundbite from israeli Prime Minister. We have reaction from netanyahu to what the president said. Lets take a listen. Todays pronouncement by President Trump is such an occasion. We are profoundly grateful for the president for his courageous and just decision to recognize jerusalem as the capital of israel and to prepare for the opening of the u. S. Embassy here. This decision reflects the president s commitment to an ancient but enduring truth to fulfilling his promises, and to advancing peace. The president s decision is an important step towards peace, for there is no peace that does not include jerusalem as the capital of the state of israel. I call on all countries that seek peace to join the United States in recognizing jerusalem as israels capital, and to move their embassies here. I share President Trumps commitment to advancing peace between israel and all of our neighbors, including the palestinians. Brent tania, netanyahu and trump obviously on the same here, obviously completely tone deaf to what the palestinians are saying. Three days of rage are now in the cards. Is israel bracing for violence . Tania yes, definitely. This has been talked about in the past couple days. It is expected there might be violence. There could be demonstrations. As you said, friday would be something to look at. Maybe not just here in jerusalem, also in the occupied west bank, also in gaza, also in neighboring countries like jordan. Also there might be attacks like what we saw two years ago. But it is very hard to predict what will happen, really. Really we need to wait and see how the next days play out here and if it leads to all that violence. Brent carsten, briefly before we have to go, the u. S. State department is also warning of violence at its embassies in the middle east, right . Carsten absolutely. Security at embassies in the region has already been stepped up. U. S. Murray marines have been flown in to support their comrades already stationed there. And u. S. Citizens have been advised to avoid crowds, especially in israel and the palestinian territories. Brent our correspondent carsten von nahmen in washington, tonya kramer in jerusalem, and gil marciano and shani rozanes. To all of you, thank you very much. Here are some of the other stories now that are making headlines around the world. Polands ruling law and Justice Party may replace the Prime Minister in a government reshuffle next week. Thats after the Prime Minister tweeted what many interpreted as a farewell statement, saying quote, whatever happens, poland is the most important thing. The move is thought to be aimed at securing the partys future ahead of a string of elections starting next year. A man has appeared in court in london on suspicion of plotting to kill brian british Prime Minister theresa may. Prosecutors say the islamists plot involved an attack on her official residence. One other man was arrested in connection to the case. Officials believe it is the ninth thwarted islamist attack by British Police this year. A Maltese Court has charged three men with octobers car bomb murder of the journalist Daphne Caruana galizia. The 53yearold was known for her blog exposing government corruption. The three suspects, among a group of 10 arrested this week, have pleaded not guilty. The British Government says it has not yet formally assessed how leaving the eu will impact the countrys economy. Brexit minister david davis told parliament such an analysis was not needed until later in the divorce. The comments are likely to inflame criticism of the government. Negotiations with brussels has stalled in recent days over the status of the irish border. Russian president Vladimir Putin says he will run for reelection next year. He made the announcement while visiting car factory workers today. Opinion polls suggest that putin would comfortably win the election. He has maintained popularity among russians, despite economic hardships and rising tensions with the west. Putin is credited with prolonged instability in the country. He has effectively been in power since 2000 when he first became president. Lets listen to the moment when president putin announced his decision to run again. I couldnt find a better place and moment to announce this. Thank you for your support. I will be running as a candidate for the post of president of the russian federation. Brent Vladimir Putin, there. Some say, the eternal politician. Time magazine has named the silence breakers of the hashtag Metoo Movement against Sexual Assault and harassment as its person of the year. A few hours ago, the magazine released its famous annual cover featuring prominent women who spoke out about their harassment. Their stories and thousands more flooded social media under the metoo hastag as part of a global outcry against Sexual Assault and discrimination. All right, javier is here now. Jail time for some bigwigs at volkswagen, i understand. Javier thats right. We saw it coming definitely, and now apparently it is becoming a reality. Vw manager Oliver Schmidt has been detained in the u. S. For almost a year now and we are waiting for his sentence that is due to be announced any minute. Schmidt was in charge of the companys Environmental Division and Engineering Division in the u. S. And pled guilty to felony. Prosecutors are demanding seven years in prison and a fine of up to 400,000. Schmidt says he was following orders. Lets dig in a little bit deeper with our financial correspondent in new york, jens korte. Jens, what can we expect of this sentence . Some say that he could face up to 169 years in prison. Or that, that was at least planned. Jens that was originally this ridiculous threat from u. S. Prosecutors, but that was clearly a technical move to force Oliver Schmidt to plead guilty to what he eventually did and also give some more information and more names probably to u. S. Prosecutors. The attorney for Oliver Schmidt is arguing that he should not get more than at most 40 months of prison because he was not the mastermind behind the whole cheating scandal. Yes, he misled u. S. Prosecutors anauthities, but he was not at the beginning of thishole scandal when the who scandal broke. So at the moment, we will have to wait and see. As you mentioned, a seven year prison term is on the table for Oliver Schmidt. Javier it is true what you just mentioned, that most vw executives have not even lost their jobs. At least not here in germany. Could this set a precedent for other sentences to precisely other vw executives . Jens there are a couple of charges out for a good halfdozen of volkswagen managers, but all of them live in germany, so quite obviously they will not plan any u. S. Vacations anytime soon. So it will be hard for u. S. Prosecutors to go after the other managers. But volkswagen is the one story and we still have to wait and see if we get other more information from volkswagens other competitors who might have also cheated with their software. So, the whole case will not end here today. So, probably most car executives will shy away from traveling to the u. S. Anytime soon. Javier our correspondent jens korte in new york. Thank you very much. Onto another story, because as cannabis becomes a legalized drug in many countries, some people are hoping to make big bucks out of it, and expectations are, well, high. The niche market is worth an estimated 8 billion euros and market Analysts Expect it to grow to some 22 billion euros by 2021. Reporter coffee and marijuana those are the ingredients in this snack. Its a pickerupper with a different kind of punch. In the past, intoxicating space cakes were something enjoyed in secret. Today, you can buy them openly, like from this chocolate maker. But some customers are still getting used to the new normal. Cnabis is still one of those taboos. Having that conversation with my mom, who is not only asian but also very catholic and grew up in a generation where cannabis was considered just as bad as any other drug, she actually was really open to the idea. And she actually eats the product on a regular basis. Reporter an elderly catholic laity may learn to accept the idea of hash chocolates but perhaps not some of the other goods on offer here. The store owner probably displays his wares. In just a few months, he has managed to raise 10 million in venture capital. A windfall he says that will help as the marijuana market expands worldwide. This will likely be the only time in my life that i see such a largescale market move from the black market into the legal market. Consumers are already consuming cannabis. Here is this incredible moment where all around the world, the cannabis revolution will happen within the next 10 years. Reporter many in the u. S. Want to see marijuana legalized. 54 of americans say the support said they supported legalization and the smoking of it in public spaces. And they are doing their part to pave the way for the popular recreational drug to become big business. Javier we will see if that revolution takes place. Back to brent now. And the u. S. West coast is back in flames. Brent yes, wildfires to report. A wildfire has broken out in los angeles as firefighters struggle to contain blazes across southern california. Authorities have declared a state of emergency and ordered 200,000 people to evacuate. As these pictures show, fleeing the flames is no easy matter. Local media say one person has died trying to do that. Others have been forced to watch as the blazes engulf their homes. Take a look. Reporter any hope to save this house, now gone up in flames. One of hundreds of homes destroyed by a wildfire. At this point, all the firefighters can do is stand and watch. The biggest fire burning right now in california is here in ventura county, northwest of los angeles. Some neighborhoods have been spared. Others, now just smoking piles of ash and debris. Authorities warn residents to get out while they still can. We want to be really clear with folks we have lost structures, we have not lost lives. Do not wait. Leave your homes. Reporter hot, dry winds have whipped the flames across more than 80 kilometers, nearly to the pacific ocean. 2017 has been one of the worst years on record for wildfires in california. The state fire chief blames Climate Change for spawning more and bigger blazes, and warns that this wildfire could continue on its path of destruction for several more days. Brent in iceland, an increase in seismic activity around the countrys most dangerous volcano has led authorities to raise the safety alert tonight to yellow, with concerns it could erupt. Scientists are worried about the devastating potential of the volcano. One of its explosons centuries ago was stronger than that which destroyed italys pompeii. Experts are trying to gather as much information as possible to better understand what could or could not happen. Reporter it is this icy, serene atmosphere which draws visitors to the remote parts of iceland. But it is those traveling out there, unfamiliar with the area, that have authorities especially concerned if the countrys most dangerous volcano were to erupt. Our greatest challenge is the tourism. The amount of people that are coming here, they dont know the area, theyre coming here for the first time. There may be getting evacuation messages for the first time. Will they know what to do . Reporter local inhabitants have arrived and received evacuation plan briefings and know how quickly they would have to act. Some farmers have only 20 minutes. Reporter at the summit, a small depression in the snow could be a warning sign. Part of what makes the volcano so dangerous is the lack of data to help volcanologists predict its behavior. When it erupted in april of 2010, they had to close airspace for days, fearing the ash could damage jet engines. To gather new data, scientists in and around the volcano which has been dormant for centuries. The worstcase scenario is a possible eruption 20 years or a century. The best case is the volcano goes quiet again. But scientists cannot be too careful. Brent lets hope she stays quiet. Here in berlin, the citys subway system has played host to some very special guests. Bono and the edge from the rock band u2 got a ride on the u2 underground line. More than 100 fans joined the musicians for selfies and autographs and were treated to a performance on the platform. Thats a cheap concert ticket. U2s record label organized the event to promote the bands new album, coming out right now. If i could i would make it all right [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] yc . . G . y soft music [narrator] once known for economic and political turmoil, the majority of nations in latin america are now constitutional democracies. Shifting away from revolutionary leftist economic policies, Latin Americans are combining left leaning social agendas with more pragmatic governments. Many also want to forge new relationships with the us and china. Latin america, next on great decisions. jubilant orchestra music [announcer] great decisions is produced by the Foreign Policy association in association with thomson reuters. Funding for great decisions is provided by pricewaterhousecoopers llp. soft music [narrator] the 1960s in latin america