Return to Transcripts main page
Connect the World
Muslim Leaders Meet After Trump's Decision; Leaders Of Islamic Nations To Recognize Palestinian State; Alabama Democrat Defeats Republican In Stunning Upset; Exhibit Portrays Russian Leader As Super Putin. Aired at 10-11p ET
Aired December 13, 2017 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:00:10] BECKY ANDERSON, CONNECT THE WORLD, CNN: It is the world forgotten war, devastation, disruption and diseased, all festering gaping
wound ripping a country a people apart. On this edition of Connect the World, CNN Clarissa Ward reports from inside Yemen.
It is 7:00 in Abu Dhabi, hello and welcome this is Connect the World all of I think Becky Anderson. With our exclusive reporting from inside Yemen in
just the first I want to tell you about the major election upset in Alabama in the state these Republican state to help send Donald Trump to the White
House turned it back on the commander in chief. On Tuesday both of elected Democrats Doug Jones over Republican Roy Moore more than deeply floor
candidate who been accused of sexual abuse, but the president insisted voters casted ballots for him anyway. (Inaudible) clearly didn't work out
and get back to the shock results in Alabama later this hour, more analysis on the significance. Now that we are getting scripts for today's story
that we return to over and over again on the shogunate world. Well one that unfortunately seems to get grimmer with every month that passes, but
unlike Syria. There is little to no international outcry for Yemen victims and it seemed little to no hope of an ending sites.
People in Yemen have been existing in a sort of living nightmare for the last 2 and half years. Civil War Saudi led airstrikes that left lives and
cities devastation the population ravaged by disease and by hunger. In the last 24 hours alone at least 52 people were killed and dozens injured when
seven airstrikes hit a building housing hundreds of prisoners in the capital of (inaudible). Cn managed to get very rare access to Yemen, CNN
Clarissa Wards, abilities have just returned from the coalition controlled south of the country. This is what they found.
(BEGIN VIDEO)
CLARISSA WARD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yemen is unravelling. In the north airstrike pound Iran back rebels stronghold, among their recent targets,
the presidential palace in the capital Sanaa. In the South streets are run by militias. It is unclear who is actually in control. Some are loyal to
their sponsors in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf, others to extremist groups all vying for control of a court and precious oil resources. Life here is
dangerous and chaotic but surprisingly it is not the bomb and the bullet that are killing the most people. It is the humanitarian crisis that is
growing by the day as Yemen edges closer to becoming a failed state. Outside the Seneca hospital, medical always festers in the hot noon sun.
Al Qaeda graffiti still dollops the walls inside the situation is hardly better, the hospital is in desperate need of everything from ventilators to
basic antibiotics.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This one serious condition.
WARD: Dr. Harishi started working here 24 years ago. Because of the war?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Because of the war, yes. We are trying, but this is our facilities, this is what is in our hand.
WARD: Three-year-old Hazar has been sick with a serious lung infection for weeks.
When did you come to the hospital?
His mother Jamal only all brought into the hospital three days ago, she says the journey from her village was too far and too expensive. Life is
hard since the war, disease has spread she tells me, she is my only child. Chicago pediatrician John Taylor is here to try to help, a rare visitor
from the outside world. On this day he's visiting the neonatal war. There is no soap, just bottled water.
[10:05:08] UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They will get photo therapy.
WARD: The newborn have to share incubators. Increasing their risk of infection. Doctors and nurses are also in short supply. Others to step in
and lend a hand.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At this point in time even if WARD: we got more beds here to fill the number of patient, we don't have the staff.
WARD: Will you look at doctors like Dr. (inaudible) who could be overseeing are you in class?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am not just impressed, I am inspired by them. This is a passion. The doctors that stay in hospitals are the real heroes.
WARD: Heroes armed with little more than determination and resilience.
What goes through your mind when you see a child die, because you don't have the right equipment to care for that child?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I am a mother, I have three kids, this is in our hands, and this is our facilities. We are speaking but no one help us.
WARD: A cry for help, but for Hazar it is too late. He dies the day after our visit another death that could have been prevented Yemen's forgotten
war.
(END VIDEO)
ANDERSON: Forgotten or ignored, it is a matter of semantics for victims like Hazar, an illustration there, of what difficult story to cover this is
for many, many reasons, but Clarissa Ward doing so as you just seen. She is back in London and joins me now you were reporting from an area normally
controls by the Saudi led coalition were aid is meant to be at getting to those who need it most. How bad is it and why?
WARD: It was actually much worse I have to say than I had expected because the assumption is that because the southern part of the country is under
the control of the coalition that the situation might be a little bit better there than it is in the north, but what we quickly realized on the
ground is that no one is really in control in the south of the country. You have these different various factions some of them aligned to extremist
groups, some of them align in the United Arab Emirates others aligned to Saudi Arabia. They each control their little patches and that means for
aid workers for doctors, for medicine supplies, fuel that is needed to power the generators for all of those desperately needed components to get
to where they need to go.
They need to pass through many different layers of territory controlled by many different factions and so simply put Becky none of those things
whether it's aid whether it's food whether it's medicine whether it's fuel are getting to the hardest hit areas, so it is a desperate situation.
ANDERSON: Clarissa is that part of the problem here that it seems that there is little appetite that this stakeholders for a solution and this are
the people who are quite friendly are excludible for these human suffering.
WARD: We have seen this playing out so many times in the Middle East as you well now Becky where you have wars that because start a civil war is in
and become proxy wars this is as much about a dispute between Saudi Arabia and Iran as it is playing on internal division within Yemen. Yemen does
not have a history of sectarianism though of course it used to be two separate countries northern Yemen and the south, but the problem that you
have now which is why the world cannot continue to ignore this war is that you are talking about massive outbreaks of disease, cholera, the worst
outbreak of cholera in recorded history nearly 1 million cases. They have managed to bring down the numbers, that's on the decline that now are
seeing a resurgence of diphtheria which is another disease that many people had assumed was consigned to the history books, that is now making a
comeback, so on top of the very real possibility of Yemen becoming a failed state with all the security repercussions and ramifications that would have
globally you're also talking about a massive outbreak of disease.
ANDERSON: Clarissa Ward is in London just back from Yemen, terrific reporting, thank you. The belts around Yemen's hospital panel get any type
has Clarissa mentioned the disease in Syria, not seen there in decades has already killed 28 people and 300 other cases on how suspected this is on
top of the world's largest cholera outbreak the student aid blockade by the Saudi led coalition and severe malnutrition affecting hundreds of
thousands.
[10:10:12] Jamie McGoldrick U.N. humanitarian coordinator joining me now on the phone and I hate to say it, but a regular guest on the show and I wish,
I wish he was Jamie, but it is important that you are as we continue to report on the stories your response in the first instance to Clarissa's
reporting if you will.
JAMIE MCGOLDRICK, HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR YEMEN: I think it is tragic here in this day in age that type of thing happen. I think it is, all the
more ironic when it happens in the southern part becomes to be area controlled by the coalition and clearly the problem that existed in the
south, existed in the north as well. The north have their bigger problems also, we have the same hospital system don't work to the same people dying
unnecessarily and electricity not available and water not available. And the blockade which is squeezing the people in a series of catastrophic
situation.
ANDERSON: Jamie, one of Saudi Arabia's closest allies in the United States added his voice to those calling for Patty to open at least pull this after
the U.S. announced another $130 million in emergency food aid to Yemen bringing the total up to $786 million since October 2016 that is U.S. aid,
just how helpful are these funds and he said USA calling for what they consider a complete blockade on its port. Something you would said, so
what is the situation once again if you will clarify for us. What is the situation at these ports, where this supplies are incoming.
MCGOLDRICK: The diagrams only to ship that came in the last month and the call that had been made by the highest level of the U.S. and U.K. and
elsewhere and most recently by U.S. aide, to be honest with you, this are not backed up by pressure on the coalition for the access and the blockade
actually I love the beach communities, we are up onto funding, our big worry is with the ports close and this means ports closed we have to use
force and we used up much needed money for logistics, for transport, instead of feeding people with some medicines or should be spending money
on transport, because we can't use the key ports that we have to use.
ANDERSON: Saudi Arabia seems to be going alone, many from the U.S. and elsewhere urging it over and over again as you say to let aid food and even
commercial goods in U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said this on Friday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REX TILLERSON, SECRETARY OF STATE: I think with respect to Saudi Arabia's engagement with Qatar, how they are handling the Yemen war that they are
engage them in the Lebanon situation I think we would encourage them to be a bit more measured and a bit more thoughtful in those actions to fully
consider the consequences.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Diplomatic language perhaps but criticism from the U.S. Secretary of State, Jamie the question really is this, what will take for
the Saudi Arabia heed America and others call at this point?
MCGOLDRICK: I think there has to be a clear understanding that is normal solution after almost a year, military activity and airstrike, no progress
has being made in the last time. And what we have now is a series of politics, and an exacerbated situation, because of war of the humanitarian
situation. Knowing the people on this country to see no end in sight each day to try and make their life a little bit better with the humanitarian
assistance, there is no way in Myanmar. And so for me, for those calls by the highest in the international community, somebody has to tell that the
authorities on the coalition to tell all the people involved in this, care for your people, stop this fighting, get in a table and start the political
process again, because otherwise we will be back here next year with the price tag bigger, millions of people dead, and salvation and cholera,
ravaging this land.
ANDERSON: Jamie McGoldrick on the phone for you from Sanaa. Our reporting from Clarissa Ward and her team just back. You can always head to the
UNICEF website viewers, to know more about what you can do to alleviate the situation there and that is the support.UNICEF.org. We will have a lot
more with Clarissa Ward reporting on our show tomorrow. Look at the standing of the country with 2 million kids acutely malnourished.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[10:15:09] WARD: Hamas, so they have some bread, butter, some onions, no meat.
(END VIDEO)
ANDERSON: You can watch Clarissa's report on Yemen's humanitarian crisis, the same time tomorrow 7:00 p.m. here in Abu Dhabi, 3:00 p.m. London that
is if you are watching in Hong Kong for example 11:00 at night only on CNN.
We will return to U.S. politics next on the Republicans devastating lost in a state the President won handily in 2016 what Roy Moore's defeat means for
the White House and the policy will go live to Montgomery Alabama for you for the very latest, that is up next, don't go away, you are watching CNN,
I am Becky Anderson for you.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: This is CNN. This is Connect the World, I am Becky Anderson it is 18 minutes past 7 in the evening this is our Middle East broadcasting
from where we are coming to you in UAE want to turn out to the typical U.S. President Donald Trump has the swallow today after the Republican Alabama
Senate candidate he eventually endorsed lost. It is the first time in 25 years that an Alabama Democrat heads to the U.S. Senate. Result with
Kaylee Hartung with this report.
(BEGIN VIDEO)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DOUG JONES, (D) ALABAMA SENATE CANDIDATE: I think that I have been waiting all my life and now I just don't know what to say.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYLEE HARTUNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Democrats Doug Jones becoming the first Democrats in decades joining a seat in Alabama. Stunning the country by
defeating and battled Republican Roy Moore in the deep red state.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JONES: As Dr. King like to quote tomorrow our universe is long, but it had bent towards justice.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARTUNG: The Moore campaign refusing to concede.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROY MOORE, (R) ALABAMA: When the vote is this close, is not over. All we got to do is wait on God and let this process play out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARTUNG: Doug Jones campaign telling CNN Moore did not call Jones to congratulate him that the Alabama Republican Party declaring the race over.
JAKE TAPPER, AMERICAN JOURNALIST CARTOONIST: Do you expect anything other than Mr. Jones being the next senator from the state of Alabama.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would find it highly unlikely.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[10:20:05] HARTUNG: A source close to the White House describing Moore's defeat as an earthquake telling CNN that the results are devastating for
President Trump, who gave Moore a full throated endorsement in the final stretch of the campaign.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Get out and vote for Roy Moore.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARTUNG: The president sending an uncharacteristically subdued tweet after the race was called, but before Moore refuse to concede congratulating
Jones on a hard-fought victory saying the write-in votes makes a very big factor, but a win is a win. The people of Alabama are great and the
Republicans will have another shot of the seat in a very short period of time. the GOP official close to the White House tells CNN, Moore's lost
should be a wake-up call for Mr. Trump, who was advised by many to stay out of the race, but instead follow the advice of his former chief strategist
Steve Bannon to back the accused child molester.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEVE BANNON, CHIEF STRATEGIST TO THE WHITE HOUSE: If they can destroy Roy Moore, they can destroy you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARTUNG: The conservative leadership fund super PAC which refused to back Moore even after the RNC renewed their support blaming Bannon for the loss,
saying in a statement not only did Steve Bannon cause us a critical financing one of the most Republican state in the country but he also drag
the president of the United States into his fiasco. Fingers also being pointed at the President's political director Bill. The source close to
the White House calling on Bill to resign despite the fact that he urged the president not to back Moore. Criticizing his inability to influence
Mr. Trump the president ultimately fighting with Bannon who was sourced says warned Mr. Trump that a Moore lost could embolden Democrats to go
after Mr. Trump over the sexual harassment allegations he's facing, allegations that Mr. Trump has vehemently denied.
(END VIDEO)
ANDERSON: Chuck Schumer the top Democrat U.S. Senate reacted to the result of short time ago, have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHUCK SCHUMER, SENATE MINORITY LEADER: Roy Moore was terrible candidate, but it would be a big mistake for Republican to dismiss his loss only as a
result of his Moore's personal past. The Republican brand even in deep red Alabama is positively toxic the president's approval in a state he won by
nearly 30 points a year ago was that even according to the exit polls the president keeps talking like he's helping the middle class, but a policy
after policy helps the wealthy and the powerful and hurts the middle class.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: That is Chuck Schumer, Kaylee Hartung who filed that report just earlier joins us now from Montgomery Alabama. The Republican brand is
positively toxic says Chuck Schumer even in a deeply red Republican states like Alabama, just how big a loss is not for Roy Moore and we know is the
monumental wimp the Democrat and will be out, but for Donald Trump at this point?
HARTUNG: Becky, a source close to the White House described Moore's defeat as an earthquake telling CNN that is devastating to President Trump. We
heard over the course of the past week and probably days, the final stretch of this campaign, we heard Donald Trump for the full weight of the
president behind Roy Moore and this is where it was enough, his support even in a state that he won by 28 point simply wasn't enough for a man he
thought he had a very powerful conservative and Christian base, backing him and Moore was a flawed candidate were aware of the allegations of a sexual
assault against him and the fight you can separate the role that Donald Trump played in this race he along with Steve Bannon, the former White
House chief strategist. The two of them are spearheading a certain anti- establishment moving within the GOP there were times that Moore rallies where, I think they spent more time attacking the establishment in
Washington on their own party like Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell and more time attacking opponent Doug Jones so Senator Schumer has the
perspective of that to say there's a problem right now in the Republican Party in American politics.
ANDERSON: Kaylee Hartung joining us from Alabama, thank you for that, we been bringing you the very latest on this special election in Alabama this
has so many dimensions that we haven't yet touched, right, for example 96 percent of African Americans voters back the Democrats Doug jones now of
course a senator elect. All that at CNN.com do use that digital site is full of really, really good stop. Analysis across the board, you tune in
to "Connect the World" and for your delighted dilatation up next, to solve the Islamic nations send a very strong message on Jerusalem. We are all
live in Istanbul after what was emergency meeting following President Trump controversial decision.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:29:00] ANDERSON: For those who are just joining us, a very warm welcome, it just before half past seven in the UAE, I am Becky Anderson,
you are watching "Connect the World." On CNN leaders of Islamic nation say they will recognize a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem at the capital
that's coming from the organization of Islamic cooperation, leaders of member states gathered today for an emergency summit is in assembled the
topic, President Trump decision to recognize Jerusalem at the capital of Israel. Arwa Damon is in Istanbul, she joins me now with the very latest
this hour.
ARWA DAMON, SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT, CNN: Hi Becky, that decision and you will all remember is one that incents Palestinian,
Muslims, but also others across the entire globe what we saw at the summit was really a coming together a rare coming together and a rare proclamation
and a unified voice. Especially when you look at all the underlying issues that exist in this region we heard from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
saying that this is one of the most successful summit that they have ever had.
He, too, reiterating that point that the U.S. is no longer an honest broker of peace. But perhaps, the statement that many are latching onto right now
is that that was part of this declaration that was put out.
That went on to say as you mentioned there, they are declaring that East Jerusalem is the capital of the state of Palestine and they are inviting
all countries to recognize the state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its occupies capital.
We also heard some fairly strong rhetoric coming out from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan where he warned that Trump's statement about the
status of Jerusalem would again be serving the purpose of extremist and fanatics.
And along the point of the fact that the U.S. is no longer really considered to be an honest broker of the peace talks, saying that they
would be going to the United Nations to help them try and identify which other countries could step in -- which other impartial countries could step
in and take on that role of trying to mediate.
There was also strong statement of support for the Palestinians. It's rhetoric that Palestinians should not feel that they are alone the stage
that everyone who was at the summit will be doing everything within their power, both on a political and a social level to try to advance this from
being just a declaration to something that is more concrete.
And there was also this sense that it wasn't just a Palestinian or a Muslim cause, that was the point that President Erdogan was trying to make but
they went beyond that.
That Christians, too, were standing alongside the Palestinian in solidarity, when it came to especially trying to determine the status of
Jerusalem, something that was meant to be determined as part of a peace process negotiation.
Now all that being said and done, Becky. It's also important to point out that the two state solution is still the solution that everyone was calling
for.
Of course what's going to be critical right now is whether or not this declaration remains, yet another statement on paper confined to the library
of many condemnations and declarations, or if yet, those nation that were present are going to put actual real muscle behind this rhetoric.
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Christians at the Arab street is asking perhaps as much as anybody else, a sense of deceit for so many and a sense
a vacuum of leadership even though of course we are hearing this kind of commitment to this condemnation from leaders around this region.
Look, let's get some more analysis on this, another regional issue. I want to bring in the editor-in-chief of The National here in the UAE, Mina Al-
Oraibi. She is live with me now in the studio.
The Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas says this is one of the most successful meetings he's having so far pretty low. It has to be set in the
past. But this is in Turkey, posted by the Turkish president, invites by the Jordanians of course, the Turkish president, a very vocal Muslim
leader.
An Islam nation said that will recognize a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as the capital. Explain the significance of that announcement.
MINA AL-ORAIBI, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, THE NATIONAL: Becky, first of all, it's 57 countries. Of course Turkey's strength is also a member of NATO, it's
important politically, economically and so forth.
But also to have 57 countries come together, unfortunately, often they are quite divided and agree to the Turkish proposal to recognize East Jerusalem
as the capital of a Palestinian state.
Now this is something that Muslim nations, Arab nations believe in but have never taken that step because it was always agreed. No unilateral
decisions on the final status issues and of course Jerusalem was at the heart of that. And this goes back 70 years.
(CROSSTALK)
AL-ORAIBI: Yes, and U.S. treaty resolutions are very clear that Jerusalem is occupies and has to be agreed on later. So it is momentous in the past
that they have actually come together.
And this is their response to Trump, 57 countries are responding to -- what? The United States, to saying we will recognize East Jerusalem.
ANDERSON: Mina, Iran's foreign minister has tweeted a response. He writes, inspired by very high level participation at extraordinary OIC
summit, despite handful of telling exceptions.
The entire Muslim world stands in solidarity with Palestinians and rejects Trump's gifting of what he does not own to those who have no right to it.
His words, Mina, seeing pointed at Saudi Arabia.
AL-ORAIBI: Well, this is an example of why the Palestinians have suffered so long. so the moment when you have the OIC, is an agreement about this
and the pressure should all be on Israel and the United States in terms of have the Jerusalem where doing this barbed, you know, tweets, not even
statement anymore, right?
[10:35:00] And saying there are these exceptions and, yes, well, he's not saying that he's probably referring to exaggerate it, even exaggerate has
to be very vocal, and has said what his position is on this -- on Jerusalem.
ANDERSON: With more so, with high level delegation...
(CROSSTALK)
AL-ORAIBI: Right, in some countries, then others, too. You know, (Inaudible) that have their presence there. Other Muslim majority
countries intend to go.
So now, I think what's really important, this is making the point that for too long, Palestine ends up being the political football. The people try
to knock others by using Palestinians.
And the biggest loser out of this is Palestine because actually what you do need is the united front. And so the OIC to come out with a statement that
all country signed up to, including Saudi Arabia, only to have rhetoric like this come out. So we are now discussing Muslim unity.
ANDERSON: Good point. And part of this probably makes interesting (Inaudible) of course to say the least. We have seen the emerging choice
towards Iran, Turkey and Qatar. Now we have Israel's minister of intelligence coming out today.
Saying that Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman should visit Israel presumably to push for a peace plan, what do you make of that?
AL-ORAIBI: Well, first of all, it's not going to happen and this is playing on previous rumors and lies that said that Saudi Arabia's crowned
prince had gone to Israel, which was not true, and was by all accounts deny but also proven wrong.
And so again, this is one of those moments that the Palestinian's strength comes from when they have united Muslim world coming up very strongly on
this. And therefore, let's throw that span in the work.
And you know, the smokes and mirrors deflecting from the fact that there is an occupation and the fact that the U.N. doesn't recognize Trump's move,
and the fact that at the end of the day, the Palestinians have a right to East Jerusalem. It's not all of Jerusalem.
ANDERSON: A big day then for Arab and Muslim leaders when it comes to Palestine. But as we say so often, the Palestinians uses this as a
political football.
I've been speaking to a lot youngsters -- young Palestinians who say, this is the end of the resistance. This is the end of the struggle, as we know
it.
We are completely defeated by what is going and we're not even sure they're going to be listening to what is coming out of Turkey today. You and I
were discussing this.
AL-ORAIBI: Yes.
ANDERSON: But are they right?
(CROSSTALK)
AL-ORAIBI: Right, so there are two issues here. And the way everyone was asking, is the end of the two state solution. And the thing for many young
Palestinians, yes, there is the dream and the right to their own state.
But also the idea of being treated as citizens. And so therefore, it's the one state solution and everybody starts to say, well, if you can't
negotiate a two state solution, let's start negotiating a one state solution where you don't have second class citizens, if not worse of what
the Palestinians suffer.
On the other hand, for young Palestinians, there is the question of well, we keep hearing about also accords. We keep hearing about a peace process
that doesn't exist. So what other options do we have? And that is the fear.
Of course, the vast majority of the Palestinians rejected the violence. And don't want to live a life of violence. But then, they of course get
high-jacked by those who betray to them.
Well, look at those traitors, look at those who actually sat down and try to negotiate peace of Israel believe that the U.S. can be an honest broker.
They can...
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: And they talk about the U.S.' role in this. Mahmoud Abbas says that U.S. simply cannot now play a role in any peace process going forward,
and we know that for example, Riyadh and Washington have been talking about a solution to peace.
AL-ORAIBI: Right.
ANDERSON: We also know that at the same time, we have an awful lot on its foreign plate not lease the conflict in Yemen which we opened the show with
and saw that we -- that we report on again and again, and again.
Things look worse, not better there going forward. Not least to be done, we know on the ground it seems there is a lack of appetite by the
stakeholders, this has become a proxy war, a lack of -- a lack of appetite for any solution. In the meantime, we are seeing the emergence of deep
fear on top of that of cholera.
AL-ORAIBI: Yes. And NSF has been doing an incredible job actually in Yemen. And one, trying to raise awareness bill for saving lives.
And I think with the Yemen war, is one of those where -- as you said, you've got (Inaudible) that want to find and desperately trying to find a
solution but in the main political parties on the ground refused to or armed groups on the ground.
What was been most troubling is that there are reports that the Housthis are not even engaging the U.N. employee anymore. So it's been 10 months of
not even taking even his calls of having an engagement.
Oman is trying to play a role. It was very significant that Oman has actually attended the latest meeting of foreign ministers to try to come to
a conclusion on Yemen.
At the end of the day, unfortunately it's big powers that you know, come to the conclusion or come to the decisions that affects millions of people's
lives. In the end, this only comes through a political solution.
But the problem is, those actors on the ground don't believe that a political solution is within their benefit. That they want to take
whatever power they can.
[10:40:00] ANDERSON: They know they can but they should get involve, but they don't think it's to their benefit. And that is really -- I think
really important point to point out. It's a pleasure having you on.
AL-ORAIBI: Thanks, Becky.
ANDERSON: Live from Abu Dhabi, you are watching Connect the World. I'm Becky Anderson. Coming up, a political coup or a fierce backlash against
President Trump whereas the Alabama vote for its first Democratic senator in more than a generation. We are there for you.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: All right, you are back with us. It's quarter to 8:00 here in Abu Dhabi. Turning back to what is the historic outcome of the U.S. Senate
race in Alabama. Republican Roy Moore road his horse to the polls yesterday but it was Democrat Doug Jones who rode away with a victory.
He is the first Democrats to win the Senate seat in Alabama in 25 years and the wind has repercussions for Congressional races in 2018 which mean all
of this has massive implication for the Trump administration, and what they can get down going for.
Let's get more from CNN senior political analyst Mark Preston. And Roy Moore is not the first candidate, Mark, that lost Trump's way behind them.
Remember in November when Trump backed losing candidate Ed Gillespie who run for Virginia Governor.
He lost to Democrat Ralph Northam of course in two months before that when he is stood behind Luther Strange who ironically lost to Roy Moore in
Alabama, the very same Roy Moore who lost not 24 hours ago. Is Donald Trump having a tough time turning words of endorsement into action?
MARK PRESTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: No question about that, Becky, and there really he has to do in part with the fact that he doesn't take advice from
the political professionals who can tell him how to get into a race, what to do in a race, what to say about specific candidates.
[10:45:00] He just goes off on his own and just goes to Twitter and put out statements and really draws lines in the sand which was interesting about
what we saw last night though here in the United States is that Donald Trump backing Roy Moore.
But there's a disconnect with Republicans on Capitol Hill -- Republicans who are in the majority. You saw some Republicans did not want Roy Moore
to win.
In fact, they would prefer in many ways. So quietly say this, for him to lose because they didn't want to have to answer for all the allegations and
accusations about Roy Moore, had he won.
ANDERSON: And so, the fall out around Donald Trump what assumes will come. He doesn't really have a chief political strategist these days, does he?
Since the departure of Mr. Steve Bannon who of course many people perceive to be front and center on this Alabama decision by Donald Trump which of
course was a bad one.
PRESTON: No question it was a bad one. But you know, Steve Bannon is still whispering in the president's ear. In fact, many people think that's
why the presidents in the end decided to come out after being hesitant and endorsing Roy Moore.
At the same time the President Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump was very critical of Roy Moore as was most of the Republican establishment.
But you are right, he doesn't have somebody in the White House other than the chief of staff right now, John Kelly who can tell him what to do and
guided him in the right way.
Very much we see from Donald Trump is that he is following his own instincts. Now only here, domestically but when it comes to foreign policy
issues.
ANDERSON: All right, let's have a look and then at the numbers, and I'll get these up for our viewers' sake and you can explain exactly what these
all means for potential Trump wins and/or loses going forward.
Imagine between the number of Republicans versus Democrats in the Senate has then become narrower because now there are 51 Republicans in the Senate
down by one after Doug Jones' win. They still make up the majority but (Inaudible).
Democrats now hold 47 seats, the numbers gone up buy one since the special election and they are still too independent and normally side with the
Democrats. So what are the consequences of this result?
PRESTON: Well, as people around the world have been watching Washington and seeing what has happened or what hasn't happened in the first you know,
11 or 12 months of the Trump administration.
What you are going to 2018 is gridlock is going to become even worse. Now that's not too surprising going into an election year but usually you have
about three or four months at the beginning of an election year where things can get done.
But as you said, 51-49 at this point and what just as important about that of the 51 Republicans, there are a handful that are considered switching
Republicans in the sense that they tend to be a little bit more sensuous, a little bit more moderate.
Do not necessarily told the party line that includes Maine's Susan Collins, Alaska's Lisa Murkowski, Arizona's John McCain, although not necessarily
squishy.
But somebody who doesn't always hold the line. So this is going to be a lot of work to do for Republicans to try to get anything done in the next
12 or so months.
ANDERSON: John McCain and squishing don't really go together, do they? And the description in USA and American national newspaper came out with a
scaling editorial against President Trump, fluming him for his seemingly sexist attack on one Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in title, will trumps lows
ever hit rock bottom.
The editorial board with his latest tweet clearly implying that the United States senator would trade sexual favors for campaign cash, President Trump
has shown he is not fit for office.
Rock bottom is no impediment for a president who can always find room for a new low. USA Today not known for such strongly worded editorial visit.
PRESTON: And not known as a newspaper in the United States that is very controversial. You know, wherever you hear, the Trump administration
attacking somebody, it usually ask, Becky, to meet our fellow colleagues to see, and that is the Washington Post and New York Times here in the U.S.
But what this shows is that the erosion of Donald Trump's support not only from his supporters but the willingness by the media and others to give him
some breathing space even though he continues to trip over himself.
But this was a very demanding editorial and I think what he is going to do is open the door for more as we head into his second year of his
presidency.
ANDERSON: Mr. Preston, you are a pleasure, put of Washington at 10 to 11:00 in the morning. It as been a very long night for my colleagues, I
know at CNN. We appreciate it, sir, we will be back viewers right after this.
[10:50:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Whereas Russia tries to manage its image on the world stage, some have accused President Vladimir Putin of over stepping boundaries in
the Middle East and elsewhere.
Something Mr. Putin himself denies but at home it is a little easier for Putin to push his image as a powerful man, so much so that some in the
country envision their leader with superpowers. CNN's Clare Sebastian delves into that for what is your Parting Shots this season.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Half man, half superhero, this is apparently how Russians see their president. At the new exhibition in
Moscow of course super Putin, artist took who commissioned to depict him in various guises, a strong man.
Museum owner Alexander Donskoy is a former provincial mayor and known for eccentric of an anti-Kremlin stunts including an unsuccessful attempt to
run for president in 2008.
ALEXANDER DONSKOY, OWNER, MOSCOW MUSEUM (through a translator): We are representing the view of the majority of people who vote for Putin. They
truly believe that he is a superhero and without him, Russia will grow apart. America or Ukraine with attack us and nothing will be left of the
country.
SEBASTIAN: Russian actually said they used to seeing a muscular Vladimir Putin but this goes further than that. These three burst in the colors of
the Russian flag. They must see here is that Putin is Russia and Russia is Putin. And that is likely to be the case for another six years.
Putin has just announced he's running for a fourth term as Russia's president and the fact says journalist (Inaudible) that will cement his
place as Russia's soul sovereign.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This campaign specifically about that. It fixes Putin's standing as totally unaccountable Russian pharaoh, someone half
duality, half -- half human.
SEBASTIAN: The exhibition, we find (Inaudible), at 20 years old they can't remember life without Putin.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through a translator): Without him, it would be like being without hands. I can't imagine anyone else in his place.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Of course he is some kind of superhero because I think he inspires our generation.
SEBASTIAN: Despite the prospects of new sanctions or winter Olympic ban, and economy that's barely growing, two Russian polling agency sets Putin's
approval rating wasn't 80 percent, a president whose true superpower is at public image. Clare Sebastian, CNN, Moscow.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Meanwhile, it is that time of year again. Mr. Putin's 2018 calendar in on sale.
[10:55:00] It features images and quotes reportedly from the Russian president in February. We are told he has finally mastered hockey. In
July see him dancing in celebration of a traditional holiday. And in October, Mr. Putin checks the color of a tiger.
And the first thing to mark on your very own Putin calendar, while checking out Facebook.com/CNNconnect of course from the latest on powerful flexing
his muscles, not just in Russia but all the way to the world to be breaking a sweat out on the football pitch with Al Jazira who are playing Real
Madrid tonight.
And we do wish them the best of luck. You will find it all there on the Connect the World Facebook page. I'm Becky Anderson. That was Connect the
World. From the team working with me and they worked really hard, so I thank them, and for that, and those working with us around the world, thank
you and CNN continues after this.
END
