that's going to be a tough one to put back together long term. >> reporter: now the pentagon may not able to stay quiet much longer. tomorrow general lloyd austin, head of central command, guy in charge of running this war scheduled to testify before the senate armed services committee. of course, republican-led. all about the progress in the war and about the russian involvement. one u.s. military official telling me, a short time ago, expect to see fireworks. john? >> barbara starr for us at the pentagon. thank you so much. joining me now, cnn national security commentator mike rogers, former republican chairman of the house intelligent committee. what's putin doing here? >> several things. there's a warm water port in syria he's long wanted to maintain and his lease is up in ten years. this is his way in keeping that warm water port. think about this.