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Tensions Rising As 17-year-Old Palestinian Kidnapped, Murdered; Belgium Edges USA In Extra Time; African Start-up: Camouflage Media; Leading Women: Maryam al Mansoori

Aired July 02, 2014 - 11:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

FIONNUALA SWEENEY, HOST: This hour, clashes erupt on the streets of Jerusalem as Israeli police try to figure out if a Palestinian boy was

killed in an act of revenge.

Also ahead...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Saddam is good, maybe come some guys like Saddam to Iraq.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SWEENEY: Why some Iraqis want their country to go back to the way it was.

Hello, and welcome to Connect the World.

Police in Israel investigating a possible revenge attack for the murders of three Israeli teenagers. The body of a Palestinian boy was

found in a wooded area in west Jerusalem hours after the funeral service for the Israeli boys. And the discovery is only adding to heightened

tensions in the region. Witnesses say dozens of people were injured during clashes in one Jerusalem neighborhood.

The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the murder in Jerusalem. He has vowed to track down those responsible.

Ben Wedeman is following the latest developments for us there from Jerusalem. Ben, what is happening right now as the end of the day draws

near?

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, at this point these clashes, which are at the moment relatively light have been going on

since early morning, about 11 hour at this point. We just spoke to somebody from the Palestinian medical relief society who told us so far

today at least 70 people have been injured by stun grenades, rubber bullets and tear gas as well.

Now this was all sparked by the discovery early this morning of a body in a west of Jerusalem forest. It's been identified as the body of 16-

year-old Mohammad Abu Khedair who according to his family at about 4:00 in the morning was abducted in front of this mosque behind me.

Now we've heard words of condemnation from both Palestinian and Israeli officials. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning

people not to take the law into their hands.

At this point, we understand that the body of Khedair still in the hospital in the morgue. It's being inspected for cause of death.

We understand that the father went there and was unable to identify the body because of severe burns. It's only after DNA tests were conducted

that he was positively identified.

Now the mood obviously in Jerusalem is very grim, very dark at the moment. Last night I was on Jaffa Road (ph) in West Jerusalem where I saw

more than 100 Israeli youth marching down the road chanting death to the Arabs.

I spoke with one man from that crowd who told me as soon as the sun goes down, they will attack -- Fionnuala.

SWEENEY: Yeah, and it's after 6:00.

Let me ask you, does this kind of development hinder or delay the Israeli government's intention to take revenge for the killing of the three

teenagers?

WEDEMAN: Well, what's interesting is that we understand that this evening, the Israeli security cabinet will hold its third meeting in three

days. These meetings have been going on very long. And there's very little information leaking out of them.

Now before they met last night, Prime Minister Netanyahu did say that they will follow three channels, three tracks regarding Israel's response

to the discovery day before yesterday of the bodies of those three kidnapped and killed Israeli teenagers, that they're going to spare no

effort to find the perpetrators of their killing. They will crack down on the infrastructure of Hamas in the West Bank. And finally he said they

will operate against Hamas in Gaza.

But at this point, for instance whereas night before last, according to the Israeli military, there were 34 air strikes on Gaza, last night

there were no air strikes. So until apparently the security cabinet decides on a course of action, it doesn't appear that they will be making any moves

any time soon, perhaps -- Fionnuala.

SWEENEY: All right. All right, Ben Wedeman, thanks very much indeed there. Joining us from Jerusalem where obviously you can hear in the

background that there are some incidences continuing.

Well, coming up this hour, we'll examine how the latest developments will likely strike the divisions amid efforts to restart the Middle East

peace process. The lack of headway in that process has had a domino effect across the region for years. We'll take you through the long history of

stops and starts as successive U.S. governments have tried in vain to make a breakthrough.

We'll also get expert analysis on where the situation can possibly go from here.

But going from here at CNN Center, it is to Becky Anderson, the regular host, of course, of Connect the World.

Hi to you there in Abu Dhabi, Becky.

BECKY ANDERSON, HOST: Thank you very much indeed.

And you join us partway through the first week of what is a month long journey through this, the Middle East region.

Let's turn our attention this hour to Iraq. And the prime minister there reaching out to all Iraqi tribes fighting government forces with an

offer of amnesty. Nuri al-Maliki said the amnesty does not extend to those who have killed Iraqi forces. The prime minister also said he hoped

members of the parliament would come together to choose new leaders, including a prime minister.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NURI AL-MALIKI, IRAQI PRIME MINISTER (through translator): We hope that the nomination for the speaker of the parliament to go on and for the

prime minister through the political process and through the democratic mechanism and we did not succeed in that.

Hopefully in the next session we will bypass this and we will try to be more realistic.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Try to be more realistic, he says.

Meanwhile, Iraq's fight against Islamic insurgents goes on. Police officials say at least 17 people were killed and nine others were wounded

when Iraqi war planes struck a town in Salaheddin Province in northern Iraq.

Well, let's get the very latest. Nima Elbagir joining us now from Baghdad.

Let's start with the politics. The prime minister talking about efforts to be more realistic as the government tries to reconvene and get

together in a united manner gong forward next week. Realistic on the ground effectively?

NIMA ELBAGIR, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDNET: Well, given how quickly things are moving on the ground, Becky, it seems like the Iraqi

politicians are the only ones who don't really get a sense of the urgency of the situation, even by the most optimistic time frames. That means that

it will be a week before parliament reconvenes, it'll be a week before they pick a speaker and begin the process of creating a legitimate government

and given how much hinges on this, the presence of a legitimate, credible government that will allow allies such as the U.S. to step up their

support, we've been hearing time and time again from U.S. officials that they are unprepared, unless it's really, really crucial, i.e. militants on

the front gates of Baghdad, they're unprepared to be seen to be militarily propping up a government that is not yet an elected government. And that's

what we need parliament to convene to be able to do.

And we're also seeing that the issues that are beginning to arise from the Iraqi government's preponderance upon air strikes, those 17 civilian

dead, hat will only in many ways that will only increase people's resentment of al-Maliki's government in some of these Sunni territories

where ISIS has been operating.

And even this amnesty, Becky, it's not exactly an olive branch, is it? We will grand an amnesty to those who have not fought alongside the ISIS

forces. It's not a blanket amnesty, it's much more of a warning, in fact, and a deterrent to those who might be thinking of joining ISIS, Becky.

ANDERSON: When you talk to people on he streets in Baghdad, what do they tell you?

ELBAGIR: Well, there doesn't seem to be much surprise amongst Iraqis that their politicians have failed to meet the challenge in front of them,

that there is a real sense that this was what could be expected, that even in this most crucial of times with the catastrophe -- one Iraqi said to me

with the absolute breakdown of Iraq facing us, that politicians could still not unite. And that has been the blight of Iraqi politics for almost the

last decade. And clearly it continues to be the blight of Iraqi politics.

And this is all happening, Becky, of course as U.S. officials are warning that the ISIS militants are reinforcing around Baghdad, that they

believe that the threat on the capital is more credible than ever. And in fact they're new deployment that's coming in, it's going to be distributed

along the major highways. And it's going to be distributed around Baghdad airport. So they clearly see the urgency if the Iraqi politicians don't,

Becky.

ANDERSON: Nima Elbagir is in Baghdad for you.

And some news just coming in to CNN, we're hearing from the Iraqi defense minister, the five additional Russian made jet fighters have been

delivered to Iraq, that makes a total of 10 SU-25s delivered to Iraq under a contract between Moscow and Baghdad. The more we get on that, of course,

we will bring it to you.

We are live for you from the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi. Behind me, the Sheikh Zazyed grand mosque is here the call to prayer is

anticipated in the fast, once again, over as we move through Ramadan here the holy months.

Still to come tonight, a deadline to reach a nuclear deal between Iran and western powers draws near. I'm going to talk to Iranians on the

streets of Tehran for their take on a possible deal.

And at a time when Israeli and Palestinian leaders won't even talk the talk, what possible hope is there for peace across the region? We're going

analyze the standoff and its growing impact on the Middle East and elsewhere up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: This is CNN and Connect the World with me, Becky Anderson out of the UAE. Welcome back.

The latest escalation in tensions between Israel and its Palestinian neighbors playing into the wider series of conflicts rocking this region.

Palestinian cause is frequently held up as a motivation for Islamic militants throughout the Middle East. And Syria was a key source of refuge

for Palestinians before civil war caused Syrians themselves to flee to neighboring countries.

Well, Israel has a vested interest in curbing the Islamist insurgency on its eastern flank.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for independence for the Iraqi autonomous region of Kurdistan to safeguard its assets and its

values.

Well, that puts him at odds with Washington, and not for the first time.

Well, for the wider region to have any hope, progress in the Israeli- Palestinian talks is imperative. There has been arguably no meaningful progress, negligible hope in those talks for decades. And the two side

currently seem as far apart as ever.

Here to analyze this for us is a regular guest on this show, Fawaz Geres, from the Middle East Center at the London School of Economics.

Thank you for joining us.

As I said, none of what is going on in the Mideast can be seen in isolation, Fawaz, that is clear. But just how significant is the failure

to find a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian crisis in all of this?

FAWAZ GERGES, LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS: It's very important, Becky. In fact, you cannot understand the killing of the Israeli teens and the

Palestinian teen, tragic and heartbreaking as it was, without understanding the breakdown of the peace talks, which were lead by secretary -- U.S.

Secretary John Kerry.

This particular breakdown has created the conditions not only for basically violence, but in fact all out confrontation, in particular the

situation spirals out of control.

Becky, you have the exist sense of hopelessness among Palestinians who see the Likud led government steal their land and creates facts on the

ground. And they cannot do anything about it.

In fact, I would not be surprised myself to see the emergence of extremist unilateral Palestinian groups who take action into their own

hands independently of Fatah and Hamas. In fact, the killing of Israeli teens has the hallmarks of independent radical groups, because neither

Hamas nor Fatah has any interest in committing such a horrible crime.

ANDERSON: And Fawaz, a claim of responsibility from one possible such small group that even the PLO when I put it to them yesterday whether they

knew anything about said they didn't. So any interesting point that you make.

Let me just step back for our viewers and get them a sense of what has happened over the past two decades, because the U.S. of course has been

involved in several key peace efforts between Israel and the Palestinians going back to the '93 Oslo Agreement. PLO leader Yasser Arafat of course

and the Israeli Prime Minister Yitzak Rabin shared their famous handshake at the White House. In 2000, then U.S. Bill Clinton brought both sides

together again at Camp David, but could not reach, of course, a final agreement between Arafat and Israel's then Prime Minister Ehud Barak.

Fast forward to 2003 and there was the so-called roadmap to peace drawn up by the U.S., Russia, the European Union and the United Nations,

but it was never successfully implemented of course.

And in 2007, President Bush helping launch a new round of peace talks in the U.S. city of Annapolis. Talks breaking down after Israeli Prime

Minister Ehud Olmert was forced out of office over corruption allegations.

Not sure that this graphic is necessarily working for you viewers, but President Obama tried to revive peace talks in late 2010. Negotiations

went nowhere after Olmert's success and Netanyahu refused to extend a partial ban on construction of Jewish settlements in the West Bank. And a

year ago, John Kerry trying to restart the talks, an effort that was ultimately unsuccessful.

Now Fawaz, in his book "Our Last Best Chance: The Pursuit of Peace in a Time of Peril," a very frustrated King Abdullah of Jordan writes, and I

quote, "Israel has a clear choice. Does it want to remain fortress Israel peering over the ramparts of increasingly hostile and aggressive

neighbors?" Is he right?

GERGES; He is very right. And he's not the only one to make such a case. In fact, President Barack Obama, his former secretary of state

Hillary Clinton and now U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry have made it very clear that the status quo, Becky, is not viable, that Israel cannot

occupy Palestinian lands and get away with it. Israel and cannot steal Palestinian land and get away with it.

The entire region, as you said, is in the grip of a revolutionary moment. The Palestinian tragedy resonates deeply, not just among the so-

called ISIS and al Qaeda, but among mainstream Arab social and political groups.

I think the Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Becky -- I'm being very blunt -- he is gambling on the fact that the region is basically broken,

that there are civil wars in Syria and Iraq, that al Qaeda is gaining momentum, that Israel can basically create facts on the ground and that the

United States would not be able to exert pressure on the Israeli government.

What we have seen in the last few days tells you a great deal about the Arab-Israeli conflict is very much linked not only to the largest

Palestinian region, but also the Arab-Israeli conflict.

In fact, what I'm trying to say I could easily see, I could easily seen an escalation that basically transcends the Palestinian-Israeli

theater to bring in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, because in particular because of the rise now of radical militant and extremist groups in the neighborhood.

ANDERSON: Fawaz, King Abdullah of Jordan, of course, just one of the key players in this region who has spent, what, a decade now, as long as he

has been the young king of that country, trying to do something about peace in the Middle East, taking on what his father was not able to achieve over

some 50 years.

And King Abdullah also relating in his book that he warned Obama in 2008 not to be railroaded by the new Israeli prime minister then Netanyahu

in talks on peace. He said Netanyahu's narrative, he warned Obama, would go something like this, the problem is Iran, Iran, Iran and we, by the way,

have no legitimate Palestinian leader to negotiate with.

You've talked to the issue of Netanyahu in all of this. The Israelis will oftimes say and continue to say that there is no legitimate

Palestinian leader to negotiate with, are they right to a certain extent? I'm wondering who you think is most to blame in all of this?

GERGES: You know, Becky, what I'm going to say might really come across as a bit direct. In fact, the Palestinians have no partner for

peace. It's not the Israelis who do not have a partner for peace. You cannot -- if I were Netanyahu, if I were an Israeli leader, I would have I

mean no better, no better partner than Mahmoud Abbas. The Israelis will never have a more pliant partner than Mahmoud Abbas. This is not my words,

it's the president Barack Obama who has made it very clear to the Israeli prime minister that this is the moment, the moment to seize the

opportunity.

Again, Becky, again this is not about scoring political points. Barack Obama in the first year of his administration tried very hard to

convince the Israeli prime minister Netanyahu to stop the building of settlements on occupied Palestinian lands for one year. He tried and

failed. John Kerry tried for one year.

Prime Minister Netanyahu is not interested in an independent Palestinian state, even though he says he is -- he accepts a Palestinian state. He's

trying to create facts on the ground. He's trying to devour Palestinian lands. He's trying, because he realizes that the American leadership is

not equipped and willing and has the will to exert pressure on Israel.

Even Barack Obama who knows better, even Barack Obama who is genuine about the peace process, could not basically exert pressure on Netanyahu

because for Netanyahu land, Palestinian land is more important than the peace process.

Finally on this final point, Becky, because you talked about the killing of the Israeli teens and the Palestinian teens, it's really, really

heartbreaking. But the reality is what Netanyahu is trying to do now it to demonize the Palestinians, to portray the Palestinians as killers and

thugs, to drive a wedge between Fatah and Hamas.

In fact, the only way out, the only way out for everyone is a two state solution whereby the Palestinians and the Israelis live side by side.

This is what it's required, everyone knows it. It's only Prime Minister Netanyahu who does not believe in this particular vision, Becky.

ANDERSON: Analysis tonight from Fawaz Gerges here on Connect the World. So Fawaz, thank you.

The events unfolding in the Middle East continue to top the news on CNN.com. There you can find a variety of perspectives from CNN

Contributors.

This article by Jonathan Russell examines what al Qaeda may do to try to stay relevant in the age of ISIS. You can read that and other

commentary at CNN.com/International, of course. You know that.

Live from Abu Dhabi, this is Connect the World with me, Becky Anderson. Coming up, as seen on screen, the company in Uganda that's

making its mark on marketing. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Get away from the Middle East for the time being. Time to take you to the global exchange where we introduce you to the people and

places paving the way forward in the world's emerging economies.

And tonight, one of the biggest challenges for any growing business is getting word out to potentially customers, of course. You'll know that if

you're running a company yourself.

A company in Uganda, though, is not only accomplishing that, but going one step further. And it is redefining the nature of advertising in the

country. Isha Sesay has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Camouflage Media is a digital signage provider in Uganda. We specialize in digital media.

The two branches that we're focused on currently are the retail platforms and our corporate signage partners.

ISHA SESAY, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The first of its kind in Uganda offering both the content development as well as IT systems to boot,

Camouflage Media says its efficacy lies in its ability to provide content as well as the software to reach consumers.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is where some of the screens are placed. There are currently there are three at the till area. Why we chose to put

them in the till area is because it's a convergent point. So after everyone is done shopping they all converge here. And as long as someone

is front of you there's nothing else to look at except those screens.

So it gives high visibility and ensures that all the brands that are advertised get visibility.

SESAY: This form of advertising offers an array of benefits for their clients.

MATTHEW KABONERO, HEAD OF MARKETING, CAMOUFLAGE MEDIA: Digital advertising, first of all, has its advantages. It's just a matter of

changing the content that you have and you distribute it online. So the expense of having to go through all this printing, I should say, is

minimized.

SESAY: Camouflage Media brought their ideas to corporations like telecom provider MTN. And it was their distinctive approach to marketing

that edged out other marketing companies like ComTel (ph) and Prime Media.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What sets us apart from our competitors in the market is that we also create content for them. So we've gone a step

further. We've created this platform as a unique communications platform.

SESAY: Having overcome many of the challenges start-ups face, such as sourcing capital, Camouflage Media is quickly becoming an established brand

in Uganda.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are all very young, average age of I would put it at about 25. And everyone comes on board and quickly buys into the

idea. It's exciting doing something that is new in the market.

KABONERO: As cliche as it may sound, we have to be very passionate about what you do otherwise it will just be another boring day in the

office.

SESAY: With regards to starting a business in Uganda, they believe there is a lot of opportunity.

KABONERO: Many markets out there are saturated. However, when you come to Uganda, you will find may businesses that do exist in other areas

don't exist in Uganda. So, we have to see what kind of idea you can transfer from, you know, more developed economies and I think that many of

those, which young people can take advantage of.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: You're watching Connect the World. These are the top stories as you see the Sheikh Zayed Mosque behind me.

Clashes broke out in a Jerusalem neighborhood after the body of a Palestinian teenager was discovered earlier today. Israeli police say they

are trying to determine if he was killed in retaliation for the murders of three young Israelis.

Iraq's prime minister has declared amnesty for all tribes that have fought against the government. But the olive branch does not extend to

fighters involved in the killing of Iraqi troops. Meanwhile, a preliminary assessment from U.S. advisers says Iraqi forces around Baghdad will likely

stand and fight if ISIS militants attack the city.

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been placed under formal investigation. Investigators questioned him for 15 hours on Tuesday.

They're looking into whether he used his position to obtain confidential information on legal cases concerning him.

And according to Reuters, Iran's foreign minister says that Tehran will not, quote, kneel in submission before western powers during the

latest round of nuclear talks in Vienna. Tehran and six world powers have said their goal is to reach a permanent deal with July 20 before a

temporary accord that gave Tehran modest relief from sanctions expires. Iran's foreign minister had this to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAVAD ZARIF, IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: We still have time to exit this spiral of escalations, try mutual respect. It works. We are trying

to reach a deal, not a good deal or a bad deal, but a doable and lasting deal. And any deal by definition is the outcome of mutual understanding,

not imposition by one side or the other.

We are willing to take concrete measures to guarantee that our nuclear program will always remain peaceful.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: All right.

What do Iranians, then, think about reaching a deal with the west? Reza Sayah took to the streets of Tehran to find out.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

REZA SAYAH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: In the streets of downtown Tehran, CNN on a mission talking to dozens of Iranians to get

their views on the final round of the nuke talks between Iran and the world powers.

And every Iranian we spoke with told us they want a nuclear agreement with the world powers.

"We're truly tired of the sanctions," says this man. "What's best for Iranian people is for the agreement to happen. We don't want sanctions, or

war."

"It's best if we reach a compromise," says poet Mohammed Rostamy (ph), "it will help the economy and open things up to the rest of the world."

"We have to be hopeful for a deal," says graphic artist Behnaz (ph), "otherwise young people will keep leaving Iran."

A nuclear accord seemed unthinkable until the election last year of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani who promised better relations with the

west. Within weeks of taking office, Rouhani made history when he spoke by phone to U.S. President Barack Obama, the first time leaders of the two

rival nations had spoken since 1979.

Less than three months later, Iran signed an interim deal with world powers agreeing to freeze much of its nuclear program in return for limited

sanctions relief.

But reaching a final agreement won't be easy in large part because Iran and the world powers have very different visions of what a perfect

final deal should look like.

Iran wants the final deal to recognize its right to have a peaceful nuclear program. Iran has signaled it would accept tougher inspections and

limit production of enriched uranium. But in return Iran wants world power to lift crippling sanctions.

But world powers expect a final deal that adds further checks and limitations to Iran's nuclear program. They've even suggested demanding

Iran dismantle some nuclear facilities and cut down thousands of centrifuges. They may also wants some sanctions to stay in place.

MOHAMMAD MARANDI, POLITICAL ANALYST: I hope we have an agreement.

SAYAH: Tehran based political analyst Mohammad Marandi says a final accord will happen only if world powers recognize Iran's right based on

international law.

MARANDI: Because at the end of the day when President Rouhani says that Iran will not accept nuclear apartheid, that basically means that

Iran's right to enrichment for peaceful purposes is something that the Americans will have to recognize.

SAYAH: Analyst Mohammad Ali Shabani says now is the best time to reach an accord.

MOHAMMAD AL SHABANI, POLITICAL ANALYST; Time is not working anybody's favor. The longer you drag this our, the more exposed all sides are going

to become.

SAYAH: The deadline for the two sides to strike a deal is July 20, a day millions of Iranians will find out if an agreement that was once a pipe

dream becomes the reality they wish for.

Reza Sayah, CNN, Tehran.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: I want to get you back to the Iraq crisis now and the battles for control are of course being closely watched by Iraqis outside

the country. People in one Iraqi community in the U.S., for example, says as far as they are concerned life was better under Saddam Hussein.

Kyung Lah has more from California's Little Baghdad.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KYUNG LAH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: El Cahone (ph), California, 7,000 miles from Iraq, a growing community dubbed Little

Baghdad, Iraqi refugees have been coming here at a rate higher than anywhere in the U.S. They gather, work and worship here.

Life has changed dramatically for them in the 11 years since the U.S. led invasion of Iraq. And yet nothing, says Marconi Yousif, has changed at

all.

MARCONI YOUSIF, IRAQI REFUGEE: Saddam is good. Maybe come some guys like Saddam to Iraq.

LAH: Does Iraq need another Saddam?

YOUSIF: Yeah. Need one like Saddam.

LAH: Back to the way it was, believes Yousif. Yousif says he was an Iraqi national guard, then became a driver for Saddam's party leaders,

shaking the hands of the dictator himself.

After Saddam's fall, Yousif worked for KBR, a Halliburton subsidiary. Democracy was never going to work, he believes, because it was installed,

never understood by the Iraqis.

He's now a grocery clerk, having fled Baghdad three years ago, he says, after insurgents targeted his Christian family and murdered his

sister.

Do you remember that day when Saddam went away?

"We were at least safe under Saddam," he says. "In a cage, perhaps, but safe."

So people who are educated like you, now you're working in a store.

YOUSIF: Yeah.

LAH: The only ones left in Iraq, says Jafar al-Salim (ph) are the ones who couldn't get out. What they're left with, he says, factions,

people divided by belief and religion. Try governing that, he says.

Do you think that today is even possible to think of a one Iraq?

"No. That's the problem."

What kind of a threat is ISIS to Iraq right now.

"They're very dangerous," says Salim (ph), "murderous, radical, but organized unlike the rest of Iraq."

Most of Little Baghdad's Iraqi nationals are Chaldean Christians where Muslims live peacefully here among them.

Peace comes from structure and stability, they say.

ORAS AL SAMARAIE, IRAQI REFUGEE: My mom is from Shia, my dad from Sunna, and we love each other.

LAH: Life was better back then.

SAMARAIE: Sunna and Shia is love each other before. Now it's Sunna and Shia kill each other.

LAH: Over dominoes and cards, debate rages over what to do. All agreed the U.S. can't walk away.

What needs to be done now?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They have to clean the mess. It's very simple. Just the way you mess it up, you clean it.

LAH: Of those who still call Iraq home say easier said than done.

So what's going to happen to Iraq?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's gone.

LAH: Gone.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it's gone. As a country, I think it's gone.

LAH: Kyung Lah, CNN, El Cahone (ph), California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Well, you're live from Abu Dhabi with me, Becky Anderson and Connect the World. Coming up, the sky is no limit for Maryam al

Mansoori. I'm going to speak with the UAE's first female fighter pilot about her rise to the top. Our Leading Woman up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: And dates, of course, the food of choice as people break their fast here in the UAE around this time. Some facts about (inaudible)

home country as we continue our special month of coverage throughout the Middle East starting here in the UAE. You're back with us at our live

position just with the mosque here behind me.

Well, all this month we're going to be meeting some of the most exceptional people in the places that we visit, I hope. And one woman who

is really breaking the mold here in the UAE is Maryam al Mansoori. She is the first female fighter pilot in the Emirati Air Force. And earlier, the

major told me about her career and how it took off.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Maryam, this is your office. Quite remarkable stuff. You are the first female Emirati air force pilot. When did you decide you

wanted to fly?

MAJOR MARYAM AL MANSOORI, UAE AIR FORCE: Actually, directly after I finished my high school. I put up my mind to be a fighter pilot, but that

time the doors are not open for females to be pilots. So I had to wait almost 10 years.

ANDERSON: Was that frustrating?

MANSOORI: Yeah. Yeah. Of course. But this isn't to be taken. And as soon as the door were open I volunteered.

ANDERSON: Let's be quite honest, just how challenging was it amongst your male colleagues here in the air force?

MANSOORI: Initially, the higher authorities they were very supportive, but to complement the idea there was some hesitation in how to

do deal with us, which is normal in every culture whenever a woman enters a new male dominated field they find the same hesitation, the same prejudice,

the same stereotype thinking. And I had to prove myself by just being really determined and having the skill and the knowledge enough to prove

that I can perform as skillful as the men in this field.

ANDERSON: You said you had to prove that you were equally as skillful. Did you have to prove you were better than them?

MANSOORI: Yes, most of the time, because the spotlight is on me, especially since we are the first group.

ANDERSON: Yeah. Sure. Do you remember the first time you got in one of these? Just walk me back.

MANSOORI: Yes. The first time it was really amazing. So -- with an IP (ph) in my backseat. But shortly after four missions, they send me

solo, which increased my confidence that...

ANDERSON: How did that feel?

MANSOORI: Yeah, that felt really awesome, especially that -- they give you this confidence that you can take this very expensive and valuable

jet that is used to defend the country and fly it solo.

ANDERSON: Do you feel like you've broken a glass ceiling?

MANSOORI: Let's say yeah, because it was like a dream or something impossible that came true. So I think yes.

ANDERSON: Do you feel a great responsibility on our shoulders?

MANSOORI: For sure from day one that we started flying in 2006 I felt this responsibility. And I felt that I have to be up to this

responsibility. And through that I can be -- that I can be a great fighter pilot like any other male in this field.

ANDERSON: Are you a great fighter pilot?

MANSOORI: I hope so. It's a continuous process of learning.

ANDERSON: The leadership here has made a lot of noise about where it wants to see its Emerati women going forward, involved in the workplace,

involved in industry, ambassadors for the country. But do you see that happening on the ground, or will you be the exception that proves the rule

do you think?

MANSOORI: No, I can see it in every field in the UAE. I can see woman working in different fields that were not used to. And they are

being very successful. And they prove their proficiency in every field.

ANDERSON: Is it more important today than ever to be involved in defending your country, do you think?

MANSOORI: Yes, for sure. We are in a hot area. So that -- we have to prepare every citizen in this country to be ready to defend UAE. So female

or male, it does not matter as long as we are defending our country.

ANDERSON: Do you enjoy what you do?

MANSOORI; For sure.

ANDERSON: Do you love it?

MANSOORI: Yes. I'm in love with it, yes.

ANDERSON: You should go to work. I'm going to let you go to work.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: What an inspirational character.

Throughout our journey across the Middle East, we'll be talking to Leading Women across the region, women like Maryam al Mansoori. Next week

in Cairo we'll speak with novelist and political commentator Araf Suez (ph).

And in Beirut we'll sit down with the award winning Lebanese film director Nadin Labacki (ph).

And finally in Istanbul, we'll meet the Turkish author Elef Sharak (ph).

So what do you want to hear from one of these amazing women? Tell us on Facebook. Facebook.com/CNNconnect. You can always tweet me @BeckyCNN

with the hashtag #CTWlive is what we want you to use. Put your questions to me and I'll put your questions to me. That's hashtag #CTWLivefrom.

Coming up on Connect the World, Belgium and the USA, well they clashed and a dramatic finish to the round of 16. We're going to have the

highlights for you from Brazil up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Well, a surprise exit from Wimbledon for the defending champion Andy Murray. Bulgaria's Grigor Dmitrov defeated the Scot in three

straight sets, ending Murray's hopes of winning back to back titles. This was the first time Dmitrov had appeared at the quarterfinals at the All

England Club. The Bulgarian now face either Novak Djokovic or Croatia's Marin Cilic in the semifinals.

Well, Belgium heading to the World Cup quarterfinals in Brazil after an epic showdown with Team USA. Neither side managed to score for 90

minutes until Belgium actually broke through with two goals in extra time. The U.S. quickly cut that lead in half and nearly got an equalizer with

just minutes left. That shot was denied by Belgium's goalkeeper.

Well, the United States' World Cup dreams may have come to an end, but the Team USA's goalkeeper Tim Howard is a national hero. He managed to

hold Belgium at bay for 90 minutes and set a World Cup record with 16 save.

Tim Howard spoke to CNN earlier about the team's roller coaster last match.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TIM HOWARD, U.S. GOALKEEPER: The margins are so fine, you know, when you play in the big games against top teams. And Belgium is a scary team.

They're so talented. You know, a little bit of quality at the end. When you play against top players, sometimes you can play your utmost and you

still get beat, you know, but at the end of the game we created two incredible opportunities and we were right there. We were right in it.

And we could be talking about a whole different scenario this morning. But it wasn't to be.

CUOMO: I agree. I've been saying, hey, don't make it sound like the U.S. was lucky to be there. They should be hanging their heads. They had

opportunities.

But the reason you stayed in the match was because of you, whether you like to have it on your shoulders or not. Did you feel that you were having a

special game?

HOWARD: You know what? I think sometimes as a goalkeeper you just feel in rhythm, and that was -- that was -- I felt like that for most of this

season and certainly in the last couple of weeks, I've felt good. The game slowed down for me, and I'm seeing things much earlier.

My reaction have been quick, so, yes, it felt like that but I'm almost very weary in those moments knowing when the big bad wolf is knocking at

the door and at any time could enter. So, I was worried the levy could break and so, trying to organize as much as I could, which is why my voice

is gone and make the saves that I was capable of making.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Well, sounds like he's been doing a little shouting after the match.

It's been a thrilling World Cup so far hasn't it? Let's take a look at what's next for the tournament with James Piercy. He's the editor of

Sport 360, a regular guest on this show.

Before we do that, come on in for me, before we do that we've got to talk about the beat that is Tim Howard. What he said just there when, you

know, when the bears were baying at the door, as it were, he was able to keep them at bay.

I mean, what a performance.

JAMES PIERCY, SPORT 360: Yeah, I mean, it was very much so. You know, there's been some great goalkeepers through World Cup history, but

you'd have to say Tim Howard's performance was very much up there with the best. I mean, 16, 17 saves depending on where you get your statistics

from. It was a record. And perhaps most impressive is the fact that each save was getting better. Every time you thought the Belgians were going to

break through he pulled another one out of the bag.

ANDERSON: I thought it was fascinating. He said the games slowed down for him. He can see it. He can see what's going on. His reactions

are faster now than they ever were.

PIERCY: Yeah, I mean, it was coming off all different parts of his body and from the Belgian's point of view, they were obviously thinking,

you know, are we going to score? Are we going to have to play all night?

But, you know, credit to them as well. They got the breakthrough. I mean, 37 shots at goal, that's ridiculous for a match really. And it just

sort summed up the fantastic entertainment that match had everybody.

ANDERSON: Let's go through what's going to happen next, because we are into that kind of last period. I mean, this is going to be exciting

stuff. It's quarterfinals. Brazil-Colombia.

PIERCY: I mean, if you're going on form, you'd have to say the way the Colombians are playing that they should be winning this game. I mean,

the factor that comes in is Brazil being at home. The hosts always seem to raise their game. And you get the feeling that Brazil perhaps have a big

performance in them. It's whether or not they can deliver it in time. And if they manage to sort another through Colombia's threats.

ANDERSON: Only European tie-up, France-Germany.

PIERCY: Well, there's a lot of history with this tie. '82, '86 West Germany knocked France out of both tournaments. Can the French, you know,

get a bit of revenge? They're playing well, they're attacking well. I'm not 100 percent sure their defense has been tested well enough.

ANDERSON: Are you sure the German's is?

PIERCY: Well, the thing is the Germans -- like I mention with Brazil, you get the feeling they have got more in them, there's more to come from

the Germany side.

If Joachim Low can sort his tactics out, can get his right -- because he doesn't seem to know his best 11. If he can get his best 11 on the on

the field I fancy Germany for that one.

ANDERSON: Netherlands-Costa Rica. I like Costa Rica. They've been an absolute joy to watch, haven't they?

PIERCY: Oh, absolutely. I mean, they've earned their right to be in the quarterfinals. They came through an incredibly tough group. They've

got a very organized, you know, great system. They know the game. They have a fantastic goalkeeper in Cavill Navas (ph). Unfortunately they have

got a Dutch who are probably one of the best attacking teams in the tournament so far. And you just get the feeling it might be -- you know,

one step too far.

ANDERSON: Yeah, I wonder if it's the Dutch's year after 2010.

PIERCY: Yeah. I mean, I'm not sure they're going to win it necessarily, but I think they should...

ANDERSON: They ought to go all the way, shouldn't they?

Last one, Argentina and the Belgians from last night?

PIERCY: Well, essentially we're talking Lionel Messi against Belgium who have got the best scorer in the tournament you'd have to say. They

have had different goal scorers in their games. They've shown the strength of their bench. If they play as well as they did against the states, I

think they can beat Argentina. It's all dependent on if they can stop Messi, which at the moment not many can do.

I'm sort of leaning toward the Belgians in this one, just because I was impressed with them last night. You know, if Tim Howard hadn't played

so well, we would have been looking at 5, 6, 7-0 game. And we'd be talking up the Belgians. So, I think they've got a real chance against Argentina.

ANDERSON: I picked them right at the beginning of this tournament. I don't know why. I just looked -- and that squad is -- and I know I spoke

to Kompany before the tournament. He said they've all known each other since they were 15, 16 years old and they've all been looking to 2014 for

the last decade-and-a-half. This isn't -- you know, this is stuff they really want, isn't it. And they ought t be ready.

PIERCY: Yeah, talking to Argentina as well. When you look at the Argentina team, that's the best 11 they've got. There's no options.

Belgium, they can mix it about. If he starts a different front three, they've got Lukaku came off the bench last night and made the difference.

They've got -- he's got so many options.

ANDERSON: Always a pleasure. Thank you.

That's your World Cup thoughts from us at least for this evening. I'm Becky Anderson. That was Connect the World. Thank you for watching. We

will leave you as ever this week with the grand Sheikh Zayed Mosque behind me. We wish you a very good evening.

I'll see you next week in Cairo.

END