Absolute even if ordering a political rival assassinated. and the u.s. repels one of the larn hgest attacks yet in t red sea and as we get new information about the cancer fight of the defense secretary. this hour starts now. good morning. so glad usyou re with us. it is the final republican debate before the iowa caucuses. and it is tonight for the first time nikki haley and ron desantis will go head to head alone just the two of them on stage in des moines. and this is their last chance, probably the biggest chance to close a huge gap with donald trump and change the dynamics of this race with only five days left until iowa voters pick their nominee. hail sli going into the debate with a surge of momentum after she cut trump s big lead in new hampshire to single digits. and we start with eva mckend. what is on the line tonight for