And because we are on air on cspan we should get moving. Ill be giving some opening remarks. I think well get started on some of our opening remarks and then very swiftly alex will be a real start a moderated discussion. But first of all issa, welcome to the middle east institute. Thank you ever so much for joining us to this extremely important event. Someone who is worked on syria and particularly on idlib nonstop for the last nine years, i can safely say that events like this couldnt come at a more important time. Im also not aware of any other events like this one happening in washington these days, so im extremely glad its taken place. The american crisis that is developed in northwestern syria in recent months is entirely unprecedented. Not just after nine years of war in syria, but in this whole world modern history. And yet despite the sheer enormity of the crisis, the world has really get to do more than issue public statements of concern. Im going to keep my opening remarks p
Midnight in Northern Iraq where mosul is celebrating its first christmas at the city was taken by islamic militants in 2014. Is persecuted and drove out christians, whilst many who stayed were brutally repressed. More than 10,000 civilians are thought to have been killed in the battle to retake mosul according to a recent investigation by the associated press. They gathered in mosuls cathedral, marking a christmas they will never forget, the first christmas after the war. Under the rule of the Islamic State militants this would have been impossible. There could be no christian worship in public. The community was persecuted and many fled. This was a coming together, not just of christians, muslims helped prepare the church for this service. And they were here too as the worship unfolded. Mosul was the scene of months of ferocious street fighting. Iraqi forces and their western allies battled to drive out the militants. Thousands of civilians were killed and much damage was done. Now th
Businesses that i closed down to help flatten the curve in the United States. But for us to continue to do that while they lose everything, quite honestly there are a lot of civil repercussions of that. Mental Health Issues and we are seeing more patients in our Trauma Centers and our state because people are just, they are tired of it. Its a tough balance. Sandra john roberts live at the white house with the latest stimulus measure. But we begin with Jonathan Serrie. The governors executive order which allows businesses such as tattoo parlors, hair salons and bowling alleys to reopen as early as friday. It supersedes any local action shutting down businesses. And thats untold case numbers numbers go down further. They base their decisions on science. The data they utilize to base decisions and the date of the mirror should use in each of the communitys. Because it will have to be on the community by community opening. Those communities are in different places, even in georgia. States
Meantime parents of some of the survivors at the Florida State capitol calling for action on gun control. We are here for the kids. Not about politics anymore. I dont care if there is democrat or republican, i dont care if you arent a mother or father. I dont care. But we need to get together as a country. Phil keating joins us live in parkland with the latest. Happening now in tallahassee meeting with the mayor and meeting with parents of student who attend the high school. The focus of these talks and the reasonable the parents went up there is about school safety. The next court date dealing with the suspect nikolas cruz comes on thursday. 19yearold nikolas cruz charged with 17 counts of first degree murder. They are getting the judge denied a motion for a new judge. Cruzs legal team says she showed bias. Sheriffs deputies were called to their home more than the sheriff disclosed. He cited 23 calls to that house. Dispatch records weve obtained show there were at least 45 calls to th