Pope. So what did the pontiff say . The east coast on high alert as Hurricane Joaquin with a surprise turn toward the u. S. A storm that is growing and unusually unpredictable. This is cnn breaking news. Hello, everyone, im john berman. And im kate bolduan. Happening right now, russia begins airstrikes in syria. And they come after a lastminute heads up and warning to the United States. The warning was keep american fighter jets out of the way. Now, the Russian Military says that they are targeting isis operations with these strikes. But a senior u. S. Official says those strikes near the western city of homz are not targeting isis. And in an incredibly peculiar sequence in diplomatic terms, the u. S. Embassy in baghdad was given just an hour notice from a russian general before the bombs fell inside syria. Earlier today, russian president Vladimir Putin was given unanimous approval from his parliament to use the air force in syria. The request for military happy was for against isis a
welcome back. we are following the the breaking news, and the first airstrikes that russia is now committing in syria. the russian military says that they were targeting isis equipment. other isis targets and the u.s. military quickly saying that isis does not have any strategic purpose, and isis is not in this western city of homs that the russians targeted. this is setting up a huge, huge conflict right now in how to take on isis and what are really russia s intentions in syria happening in realtime. setting up huge implications and not only diplomatically and militarily, but politically as well. we want to discuss with cnn commentator and former president obama adviser van jones and retired colonel of the army curt victor, and, van, we are hearing that inside of seyria as we
about guantanamo detention. we will also take your e-mails and phone calls. washington journal is next. host: good morning, new developments overnight. the christmas day bombing attempt in detroit, osama bin laden issued a new audio message planning a al qaeda responsibility for that. the white house said this morning that they are confident about the confirmation of ben bernanke for his second term. the newly appointed political adviser to the national committee democratic committee has an article today about the road ahead. the year of big obama is over. the goal of cutting the deficit in the bipartisan budget committee proceeds the state of the union address. it is in that venue that we would like to open the phones this morning. how would you describe the state of the union in the year ahead? if you are optimistic, to 0 2/7 202-737-0001. if you are pessimistic, 202- 737-0002. the president is reconstituting the themes that helped him to win the white house to h
party lines. there are some exceptions to that, but by and large the message was, we are going to do it ourselves and without you, and that led to the breakdown. it sure suggests there is no possibility. it seems we have got to this place where we are in a polarized position. i hope not, and i do not think so. all of us to run for reelection had better listen to what the voters are telling us. that is not what they want, and if we see something they do not like, they have the power to change it by electing someone different. i am an optimist by nature. i think if i did not see an opportunity to make things better, i would not want this job, but i do, and i am more hopeful that this will actually occur maybe not immediately. republicans are going to continue to be a disadvantage minorities through 2010, but the pendulum does swing, and hopefully, we will be able to have more of a balanced by partisan result. we will have more of a balanced approach as a result. host: wil