a lot of influence on baghdad and seems to be growing. >> when i left in '09, may of '09 and the situation was relatively stable. we defeated the opposition. it was just maintaining things at this point. when i left, i thought to myself if we leave this, if we pull all the troops out, it will fall imagined, you know, where i was laying my head eventually would be occupied by assad. >> where was that? >> balad base. this is where strong -- i mean, the russian economy is basically the size of italy and said they are going to re-engage as a great power in the world. this should have huge implications for us because the russians are not doing this for humanitarian reasons but to rewrite the global rules. >> i'm sure you never thought iran or russia would have significant influence and isis would be in control and big city of mosul, second largest --