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Isa Soares Tonight

President Trump Says He's No Longer Bound To Think Purely Of Peace; Vladimir Putin And Benjamin Netanyahu Invited To Join Gaza's Board Of Peace; Legendary Italian Designer Valentino Garavani Dies At Age 93; European Allies Unite Amid Trump's New Tariff Threats; Denmark Deploying "Substantial Increase" In Troops In Greenland; Iran's Internet Ban; Supreme Leader: Trump Responsible For "Casualties And Damage"; Kurdish Rebel Group Anticipates Fall Of Iranian Regime. Aired 2-3p ET

Aired January 19, 2026 - 14:00   ET

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

[14:00:00]

MAX FOSTER, HOST, ISA SOARES TONIGHT: A very warm welcome to the show, everyone, I'm Max Foster in for ISA SOARES TONIGHT. President Trump saying

he's no longer bound to think purely of peace, tying his ambitions to take over Greenland to his failure to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

We're live in Washington and Greenland with the latest. Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu invited to join Gaza's Board of Peace as President Trump

reveals a $1 billion price tag to stay on that committee. We'll have the details. A legendary Italian designer, Valentino Garavani has died at the

age of 93.

We'll look back at the life of the man behind some of the most glamorous looks in fashion. Well, the longtime alliance between the United States and

Europe is showing cracks that are threatening to sever a bond once believed to be unbreakable.

European leaders are now weighing their options, including using something known as the trade bazooka. As U.S. President Donald Trump ramps up his

pressure campaign to take over Greenland. In an "NBC News" interview, President Trump refused to rule out military action to accomplish that

goal.

He's also linking his failure to win the Nobel Peace Prize with the aggressive push to buy Greenland from Denmark. In a stunning text to

Norway's Prime Minister, the President wrote in part, "considering your country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped

eight wars, plus, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of peace."

Although, it will always be dominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America. He went on to question

Denmark's ownership of the island, writing, "there are no written documents. It's only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago."

Mr. Trump is vowing to hit European allies with new tariffs until the U.S. is allowed to purchase Greenland. During his response from the -- drawing

this response, rather, from the British Prime Minister.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KEIR STARMER, PRIME MINISTER, UNITED KINGDOM: And so, any decision about the future status of Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland and the

Kingdom of Denmark alone. That right is fundamental and we support it. The use of tariffs against allies is completely wrong. It is not the right way

to resolve differences within an alliance.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: We're joined by our Nic Robertson in Greenland's capital. Also, CNN politics senior reporter Stephen Collinson in Washington, wondering how

this is going down there, Nic, because there was a -- there was a different tone to Donald Trump's language today, and people are now genuinely

concerned that he may be looking towards a military option

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yes, and we have seen the Danish deploy a significant increase to their military presence here,

about 200 miles north of where we are in the capital, Nuuk, 300 kilometers above the Arctic circle.

Not only deployed those additional forces, but also sent Denmark's top military commander. I think you read into that what you will. This is at

the moment, Denmark showing along with NATO allies that they can increase the security presence that NATO can provide security in the Arctic.

And that was part of the message from Mark Rutte; the Secretary-General of NATO, today after he met with the Danish and Greenlandic Foreign Ministers.

But in terms of what people here are thinking and feeling, perhaps reflected by what the Prime Minister said today here and what he said at

the protests here over the weekend.

The protests, of course, saying Greenland not for sale, and very clear message to the United States and President Trump that they are not and

don't want to become Americans. That's very clear. But his message today is, look, we've spoken with the Prime Minister's message here that we've

spoken with a united and dignified voice, that that's important.

And we can see that the support that we're getting from Europe, and that's important as well. So, I think, you know, there's a sense while the

people's destiny in Greenland is sort of being discussed at a level way above anything they could have ever imagined, and they're sort of, you

know, perhaps not as much sort of involved or as directly able to shape the outcome as they would like, and very concerned about the outcome.

[14:05:00]

There's a sense they're doing it in a dignified way. The Danish Foreign Minister talking about the -- you know, there are red lines, Greenland and

the ownership of it are very -- is a red line for the United States that they must work within international law.

So, there's a coming together of sentiment, but a real sort of sense of hunkering down for things that are happening beyond their reach and control

at the moment.

FOSTER: OK, Nic, thank you. Stephen, this -- the way we've seen the -- you know, the European nations unite like this has been pretty extraordinary,

hasn't it? They're going to figure out response. They are -- they clearly decided, though, to stand up to Donald Trump. They haven't done that like

this before. Where do you think it's going to go?

STEPHEN COLLINSON, CNN POLITICS SENIOR REPORTER: Yes, that's true. Remember in the big trade war dispute, Europe accepted a deal that was far less

beneficial than the one Trump got for the United States, partly because Europe understands that it's still very reliant on the United States for

its defense.

The problem here, I think, though, is that when the Danish government says things like this is a red line, we're talking about international law here.

When Keir Starmer talks about the right way to run an alliance, they're almost arguing things that Trump doesn't really care about anymore.

It's not clear that he cares that much about NATO. He sees it as a protection racket. In his actions in Venezuela and elsewhere, he's shown

that he doesn't care about international law. You know, NATO is all for one and one for all. Trump is about the one for all.

And he's shown in his second term that his foreign policy is based on using American strength to go after purely American priorities. So, short of

punishing the United States, perhaps with those economic sanctions, perhaps by affecting the markets in the United States, which Trump looks very

carefully at.

It's hard to see how they're going to make him climb down, and he's just going to change his mind and go on to something else if that is the plan.

The only country that has actually made Trump think again so far is China. And that was because of its dominance over rare earth materials that it

used as leverage in the trade war. I think without Europe showing leverage, it's hard to see how the equation changes in the short term.

FOSTER: OK, Steve and Nic, thank you both very much. Coming up in about 20 minutes, I'll be joined by a French Foreign Ministry spokesperson to

discuss the deepening divide between the U.S. and its European allies. Now, a billion dollars according to a U.S. official, that's how much it costs to

be a permanent member on President Trump's Gaza Border Peace.

The official also says all of the money raised will go towards rebuilding Gaza. The Trump chaired board is set to oversee reconstruction of the

enclave, which has been devastated after two years of war between Israel and Hamas. Leaders from several nations have been asked to join.

They include the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, according to an Israeli official. The Kremlin also confirms the U.S. has invited the

Russian President Vladimir Putin, to join. While they're not required, members who choose not to make a $1 billion payment will have a three-year

term.

It's worth noting the board has no representative of the Palestinian Authority. Let's discuss this with Jeremy Diamond live from Tel Aviv. It's

an extraordinary model, isn't it? But I guess you wouldn't expect anything less from Donald Trump, who does like to do things very differently. I

mean, what did you make of, who is part of this committee, how it's set up and whether or not it's going to be effective?

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: Well, it certainly seems like the President is casting a wide net in terms of which world leaders he is

inviting to join this Board of Peace.

I mean, you've got at least a dozen countries so far that have publicly confirmed that they've been invited to join everyone, from Argentina to

Egypt, Canada, Jordan, Hungary and indeed, the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, also receiving an invitation with the Kremlin saying that they are

hoping to get more details from the United States before deciding whether or not to join.

The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, also invited to join both of those choices, very controversial. Putin, of course, primarily among

European leaders, given Putin's role in carrying out this war of aggression against Ukraine for Netanyahu. I mean, he is the man who oversaw this war

in Gaza over two years that has left more than 70,000 Palestinians dead.

Now being invited to join a board that would oversee the governance and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. But really, the bigger question now, Max,

is about what is this Board of Peace? Beyond its role in overseeing the Gaza peace plan, there's been some suggestion, including from the President

himself, that this Board of Peace would be about resolving conflicts around the globe as they emerge.

So, not just Gaza, but perhaps more broadly, and so, there's been some concern from western diplomats in particular, that President Trump is

seeking to undermine the United Nations by erecting this Board of Peace.

[14:10:00]

And that seems to be where so many of these European countries that have been invited have said, listen, we're interested in the President's idea

here. We want to help this Gaza ceasefire along. But we do have questions about exactly what the mandate of this Board of Peace actually will be

going forward.

And so, it seems like there are a lot of discussions happening on that before the President and other world leaders head to Davos, where the

President had been expected to kind of unveil the -- this Board of Peace for the -- for the first official time. Max.

FOSTER: Jeremy, thank you. Let's look a bit more into this extraordinary moment. Let's bring in CNN's global affairs analyst, Kim Dozier. I have to

say, I mean, it's the first thing that struck me, the wider this board got.

KIMBERLY DOZIER, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS ANALYST: Yes --

FOSTER: You know, I started asking, is it just about Gaza? I mean, what do you think it's about?

DOZIER: Yes, to build on some of what Jeremy was saying, we have so many questions. It also lists Donald Trump as the head of the board, not the

President of the United States. So, it seems that this would leave him as the head of this body in perpetuity.

It says that for everyone who pays a billion dollars in, the billion dollars would go towards the rebuilding in Gaza. But is this a federal

body? So, would the Office of Management and Budget oversee it and provide transparency on the spending, et cetera.

So many questions just about how the structure would work. And it definitely does seem like it's a competing U.N. Security Council populated

by all of these strong men, including Vladimir Putin, people who the rest of the world considers dictators, and not to mention the fact that Putin is

an indicted war criminal.

FOSTER: I'm questioning whether or not Putin would even want to be on a board chaired by anyone else. I'm not saying it's personal against Donald

Trump --

DOZIER: No --

FOSTER: But surely, he's not going to want to have that optic.

DOZIER: Well, for the reputation rehabilitation and just the sort of thumb in the eye to European leaders, because we're not seeing a bunch of

European leaders invited to join this. At least, they haven't made public their various invitations at this time, especially with the tensions over

Greenland.

But you've got, you know, Turkey's leader -- leader of Hungary, the leader of -- you've got Lukashenko from Belarusia. People who are considered not

as proponents of democracy, but as people who -- as leaders who crack down on their own people.

I can see adding Russia, in that Russia hosted the leaders of Hamas recently. It's supposed to host the Palestinian Authority leader, Abbas,

later this week according to "TASS". So, there are -- there are logical reasons to, well, at least, include Russia in the conversation. But I just

don't know why you'd give them such a prestigious post.

FOSTER: As you say, it's Donald Trump's name at the top of the table, not the President of the United States. Which raises --

DOZIER: Yes --

FOSTER: The question about what happens when he leaves office because he, in theory, could remain chair of this group, which feels almost like a

club, doesn't it? With a subscription membership.

DOZIER: It does. Look, I think most of the people who are invited, especially those who are not on the quote, unquote, "western democracy"

side of the house, will say yes to being on it. I don't know if they'll ante-up the billion dollars, but they will do this just to humor Donald

Trump and be part of his club, because at least for Russia, it will surely offset threats to crack down on the Russian ghost fleet or have more

sanctions against Russia over Ukraine.

But will it last beyond this term? Even if we have a Republican voted in next, say it's a Marco Rubio or a J.D. Vance, would they want a former

president with this body that seems to be competing for control of U.S. foreign policy? I don't think so.

FOSTER: Which is why we need to see how it's set up. I mean, he describes - -

DOZIER: Yes --

FOSTER: It as the greatest board that's ever been created. If it's set up like a commercial board, he probably could carry on with it, couldn't he? I

mean --

DOZIER: That's -- you know, I haven't seen enough of the legal --

FOSTER: Right --

DOZIER: Underpinnings, but that is -- from on the face of it, it looks like he's creating a vehicle so that he can be commander of peace talks in

perpetuity.

FOSTER: How he meant to make sense, Kim, with what happened over the weekend and today, because we heard Donald Trump talking about security in

Greenland, saying Russia is a threat, we need to push them back. At the same time, he's inviting Vladimir Putin to appear on a peace panel. How do

we make sense of that?

DOZIER: Yes, it is absolutely schizophrenic. In one case, he is saying the U.S. must control the territory of Greenland, which belongs to Denmark.

[14:15:00]

Its' a semi-autonomous territory because of the threat of Russian revanchism. And yet, he is giving Putin this great honor of inviting him in

to peace talks deliberations about the Middle East and maybe other places. You know, the U.S. has been at odds with Russia in many parts of the Middle

East, including Iran right now.

The Russian government does a lot of business with Iran and holds it up, takes its oil. It just on so many levels, it makes me wonder the comments

out of the White House that we're anti-Russian, maybe they were coming from the Rubio side of the House. But this board shows us where Trump's heart

really is. He likes strongmen, and he wants to be the head of all of them.

FOSTER: Do you think he somehow separates Putin from Russia because he talks about Russia on one level, and then he's got this --

DOZIER: Yes --

FOSTER: You know, he's so incredibly keen to work with Putin all the time.

DOZIER: Or if you go back to the lure of Trump really liking Mafioso movies and the mafia behavior in New York, maybe this is a -- you know, I'm a

strong man. He's a strong man. This is -- Putin understands I've got to be tough in areas like Greenland because that's what strong men do. I --

that's the only guess I have.

FOSTER: OK, Kim, we're often left guessing at the moment, aren't we? But thank you so much --

DOZIER: Yes --

FOSTER: For your brilliant analysis.

DOZIER: Thanks, Max.

FOSTER: Now, an investigation is underway after Spain's deadliest railway disaster in more than a decade. At least, 40 people are dead after two high

speed trains collided near Cordoba on Sunday. The crash happened when cars on one train derailed, were hit by the second train heading in the opposite

direction.

Spain's Prime Minister canceled his trip to the World Economic Forum to visit the site. Pedro Sanchez also announced three days of mourning. CNN's

Pau Mosquera joins us now from near the site of the collision in southern Spain. I mean, there are so many questions here, aren't there?

Not least how it happened, because this was a straight piece of renovated track and the train was quite new I understand as well.

PAU MOSQUERA, CNN SPAIN CORRESPONDENT: That's it, Max. And actually, the authorities have a lot of doubts about how this happened. And they are

actually a little bit surprised. They say that this is quite an unusual accident because, as you just said, it happened on a straight stretch of

track.

And also it is important that this part of the track was renovated over the last few months, and the government has spent over 700 million euros for

it. Also, the president of, Iryo; the company owner of the first train that derailed, he said that the train itself, it didn't even have three years.

They both did less than three years ago. So, there's still a lot of doubts that needs to be answered. And that is why right now, there are still

deployed in the crash site. Hundreds of Guardia Civil officers that are tirelessly working to try to figure out how this happened this Sunday

afternoon.

But if you want to have the whole information of what actually happened yesterday, this is a recap. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MOSQUERA (voice-over): A high speed train collision in southern Spain, the country's deadliest rail disaster in more than a decade. Dozens were killed

and many more injured when two trains collided at speed near the town of Ademuz.

Officials say a northbound high speed train operated by private rail company Iryo was traveling from Malaga to Madrid with 371 passengers on

board when its rear three carriages derailed and slammed into the front of an oncoming state operated train.

The impact violent. Both trains overturned, sending some carriages plunging down an embankment, according to news agency EFE. Video verified by CNN

shows passengers scrambling out through windows. Others climbing onto the roof to escape.

Rescue crews worked through the night in near-total darkness, cutting through twisted metal to reach those still trapped inside. Survivor,

Ana(ph), was pulled from the wreckage through a shattered window by fellow passengers who had already made it out.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): Some people were fine and others were really bad, and we had them in front of us, and you could see them

dying and you could do nothing.

MOSQUERA: Abdulrahman(ph) said, he rushed to the scene after learning of the crash, searching desperately for his sister-in-law, Amir(ph), who was

traveling on one of the trains.

[14:20:00]

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They say they don't know anything, and there are people who are missing and suffering. We went to the Civil Guard and they also

don't know anything. They are doing DNA tests to find out where she is, but they don't know anything about her. On top of that, we are here with the

little girl. We are tired and haven't slept.

MOSQUERA: Spain's Transport Minister says the cause of the crash remains unknown, noting the collision happened on a straight stretch of recently

renovated track.

OSCAR PUENTE SANTIAGO, MINISTER OF TRANSPORT, SPAIN: The accident is extremely strange. It happened on a straight stretch of track. All the

railway experts who have been here today at this center, and those we have been able to consult, are extremely surprised by the accident because, as I

say, it is strange, very strange.

MOSQUERA: Andalusian officials warned the death toll could rise. Forensic teams work to identify the victims as families anxiously wait, fearing the

worst.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MOSQUERA: So, right now, the main priority of the authorities are, first of all, to clarify the origin, the cause of this railway accident. But second

most important, to try to finish on finding all the remains, identifying all of them, but this is -- this is a task, they say, that may take a few

more days. Max.

FOSTER: OK, Pau, thank you so much for joining us from that horrendous scene. Still to come tonight, the Pentagon tells 1,500 troops to prepare

for possible deployment to Minnesota as the state's governor urges the U.S. President to turn the temperature down.

And later, CNN goes inside the training camp for the Kurds, who say they're ready to fight to oust Iran's religious rulers.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FOSTER: Turning now to tensions in Minnesota, 1,500 active duty soldiers are on standby for possible deployment to Minneapolis should President

Trump decide to invoke the Insurrection Act. The law allows the deployment of troops in the U.S. under limited circumstances.

It was last used in 1992, when President George H.W. Bush used it for the Los Angeles riots when the California governor asked for military aid.

Meanwhile, Minnesota's Democratic Governor Tim Walz has mobilized the state's National Guard to support local law enforcement.

This follows weeks of protests after the massive deployment of ICE officers to Minnesota and the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old Renee Good by one of

those officers. Josh Campbell joins us now for more. Just describe the atmosphere, Josh, and what we're looking at.

[14:25:00]

JOSH CAMPBELL, CNN SENIOR CORRESPONDENT: Yes, these protests continue. Now, we've seen since the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent, there

have been protests throughout the day, often times at night, some of them actually get quite confrontational.

They continue through the weekend, and this is really caused a lot of consternation there, which is why we've seen the governor of Minnesota, as

you mentioned, you know, prepare members of the National Guard just to be there on standby in case there is any type of unrest.

We did get some interesting new details about the federal government's role here in looking into that incident. We're told that the FBI actually opened

an investigation initially into the agent who fired that fatal shot. This is not uncommon in this country.

If law enforcement uses force, sometimes the FBI will take a look just to make sure that everything was done according to procedure. But we're told

that the FBI quickly shifted the focus of that investigation to the actual shooting victim here, who was obviously Renee Good.

And so, that is notable because we've heard the Trump administration, senior officials come out and essentially exonerate -- essentially

exonerate that agent, saying that he did nothing wrong. Of course, that has fueled a lot of these protests as well.

This is all happening against the backdrop of thousands of federal agents that are now in Minneapolis conducting these at times controversial

immigration enforcement operations. So, things don't seem to be quelling any time soon. Again, there's a lot of heated rhetoric. We've also heard,

you know, local politicians sparring with the White House and the Trump administration very publicly over this.

But certainly, all eyes there on that city. And then, the final point I'll note, Max, as you mentioned, in addition to state National Guard members,

we're learning that the Department of Defense has now put on standby 1,500 active duty military troops.

That doesn't mean that they'll launch into Minneapolis, but we know that they are being prepared and readied and on standby. That is notable because

the President has mentioned that he is thinking about invoking the so- called Insurrection Act, which under U.S. law would give him greater authority to actually send in federal troops. So quite a -- quite a dicey

situation there still, Max.

FOSTER: Yes, definitely one to watch, Josh, thank you so much for that. Most Americans aren't happy with how the federal government is handling the

Jeffrey Epstein files. Meanwhile, a large majority says the Justice Department is intentionally withholding information.

That's according to a new CNN poll, which shows only 6 percent of U.S. public members are satisfied with the amount of information that's been

released so far. Under a new law, all of the files were required to be released nearly a month ago, but a DOJ estimate in early January, said less

than 1 percent has been made public so far.

Department officials told a court on Friday that they've enlisted about 80 more attorneys to review Epstein-related documents. Now, it's been more

than 80 years since President Franklin Roosevelt ordered the secret construction of a bunker below the White House East Wing.

Now in preparation for President Trump's new ballroom, the East Wing and the bunker lying below have been dismantled. The plans are a top secret,

but sources say the underground facility is likely being rebuilt with new technology to counter evolving threats we're told.

Still to come tonight, the U.S. and Europe clash over President Trump's latest tariff threats over Greenland. We'll hear from the French Foreign

Ministry to find out how the bloc could retaliate.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:31:28]

FOSTER: Returning to our top story now and the growing rift between transatlantic allies. The United States and Europe are facing off over

Donald Trump's ambitions to annex Greenland. A number of European countries are trying to figure out how best to respond to tariff threats from the

U.S. president who over the weekend vowed to slap new sanctions on any European countries that publicly oppose his proposed takeover of Greenland.

The U.K., France and others are weighing up the use of a trade bazooka which could block some of America's access to E.U. markets. Actually the

U.K. won't be involved in that, but those E.U. countries will. On Thursday a special European Council meeting has been convened to discuss those next

steps.

Meanwhile Greenland's prime minister is thankful for the support from E.U. allies and is standing firm against U.S. threats saying we don't let

ourselves be pressured. And on top of all of this, it now appears that Trump is tying his ambitions to annex the territory with his failure to win

a Nobel Peace Prize. In an extraordinary letter written by the U.S. president to Norway's Prime Minister, Trump said he no longer feels an

obligation to think purely of peace.

For more on all of this I want to bring in Pascal Confavreux, the French Foreign Ministry spokesperson. Thank you so much for joining us today. An

extraordinary day in European diplomacy. Just take us through the progress you've made today.

PASCAL CONFAVREUX, FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON: Well, from the very beginning we wanted to be very clear when our sovereignty is at stake.

We don't want to be escalatory at all, but we want to defend our interests. So, that's where we are.

When we got to learn during the weekend that there could be some tariffs against seven or eight states that were standing in solidarity with

Denmark, the president, Macron, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noel Barbeau, took the initiative to coordinate a lot with their counterparts,

with the U.K., with the European Union, to see how we could react among these.

First, there's the thing that we stand on our principle that Greenland is for Greenlanders and that we have to be in solidarity with them. And

second, to see all the instruments that we can put on the table.

FOSTER: So, the British prime minister appears not to be considering counter-terrorism. He says a trade war wouldn't help anyone. What's the

E.U. view on that?

CONFAVREUX: We don't want any escalation. We totally agree with that. But we have to prepare for it. Among the different instruments, there is the

anti-corruption instrument, which means that on the proposition of the Commission, if the Council of the European Union agrees to it, the

majority, it's not unanimity, it's a majority, we can have a vast range of instruments when we have a clear situation collision (ph). It can be very

high tariffs. It can be the blockade of foreign companies to invest in the European Union market. It can be on intellectual property. It can be on

foreign, also, direct investments.

FOSTER: So, you're saying that's a majority vote, it wouldn't necessarily need unanimity amongst the members, because that's always the challenge in

a lot of these E.U. matters, isn't it? You need all the members to sign up. But what you're saying is you wouldn't need that, actually, on this

occasion.

CONFAVREUX: That's how it works. We -- so, this instrument, it was crafted in 2023, after the European Union presidency by France previous year, in

2022.

[14:35:00]

It has never been used, and actually, its role, it's kind of really last resort. It's really a deterrence instrument. We don't want to use it, but

we have to be prepared to do it.

FOSTER: I believe it was set up for potential threats from other countries, though, wasn't it? Like China, most notably. What do you make of the fact

you're actually at the point now where you're considering using it against a key ally?

CONFAVREUX: Yes, I don't want to comment on that. I mean, our thing is that we really defend the sovereignty. We defend the sovereignty of Greenlanders

and Denmark, which are members of the European Union. So, we have to be here for them. And these threats have to stop. Greenland is neither to

sell. If you want to sell it, you need a seller. It is definitely not a seller, and neither to sell nor to take.

FOSTER: There's been some talk today that Donald Trump may consider military action if this effort to buy Greenland doesn't work. What

discussions are you having with Germany and the U.K., for example, who have the biggest forces about how you might respond to that? Because you're

going to have to scenario plan, aren't you?

CONFAVREUX: We totally agree that we need more investments in the security of the Arctic, not only Greenland, but the Arctic, because there is a big

game of rivalry between powers happening over there. So, we totally agree on that, and we want to invest more. That's why, at the request of the

Danish government, our forces are taking part into an exercise, a military exercise, which is called Arctic Endurance at present in Greenland. We did

that last year. We are doing it this year as well. And so, it shows that we, as NATO members, as E.U. members, we want to reinforce, because we see

all the states that are happening over there.

FOSTER: But in reality, there's no way Europe can put together a force whilst Ukraine's happening, that France is sending troops to Ukraine.

There's no way Europe can put up a force in Greenland that could defend against the U.S.

CONFAVREUX: It's a political signal what we're doing. We are sending -- we're taking part of this military exercise once again, as we did last

year, as we do again this year, as another political signal, but also a strong signal that we are opening a general consulate in Nuuk next month,

beginning of next month.

FOSTER: One last question, if I could ask you about this Board of Peace that Donald Trump is putting together. You know, the idea was to oversee

the Gaza reconstruction. People are now seeing it as a much broader project. Some people say it could be a threat to the United Nations even.

Has president Macron received an invite? What's his view on that?

CONFAVREUX: President Macron has indeed received an invite, as others. We've taken the decision not to take part in it so far. It raises a very

important question, I'd say, in two fields. Number one is that it doesn't, as when you read the charter, it doesn't only apply to Gaza, whereas the

resolution that we had voted, you know, a few weeks ago, the 2803, as the Security Council of the United Nations was really targeting Gaza and the

Middle East, point one.

Point two is that it raises very important concern regarding the operationality with the charter of the United Nations, that we are very,

you know, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, very, I mean, attached to it. And so, these are the two reasons why we're

not taking part in it so far.

FOSTER: Pascal Confavreux, really appreciate your time tonight. Thank you for joining us.

CONFAVREUX: Thank you.

FOSTER: Now, is Tehran ready to lift its internet ban? The latest on those nationwide protests and the government's response to them when we come

back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:40:00]

FOSTER: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is admitting that thousands of Iranians have been killed since a new wave of unrest started

last month. He blamed U.S. president Donald Trump for supporting these anti-government protests and promising military support. President Trump

has called for new leadership in Iran. Iran shut down communications, including the internet, earlier this month in an effort to quash the

movement. That's pushing -- you know, this movement is pushing for economic change and a new government.

Ben Wedeman has been tracking events in Iran from across the border in Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan. It does appear to have quietened down, but tell

us.

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It has calmed down, Max, but it certainly doesn't seem to be over. The Iranian government seems

to be doing everything it can to repress the protests. For one thing, the internet blackout continues. State TV says that they're carrying out waves

of arrests across the country. And, of course, the Iranian government is always worried about its opponents abroad. And I'm not talking necessarily

about Israel and the United States.

But Iranian groups, for instance, that have been operating for decades. Yesterday, we were able to go to a camp run by the Kurdish Democratic Party

of Iran, which has been in operation since 1945. First, they opposed the Shah. Then they opposed the Islamic regime. And they do believe that the

day is soon coming when they will be able to be part of the effort to bring down the Islamic Republic.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WEDEMAN (voice-over): The instructor puts fresh recruits through the paces of how to handle their AK-47 assault rifles. The men and women in this unit

call themselves Peshmerga, Kurdish for those who face death. Fighters with the KDPI, the Kurdish Democratic Party Iran in Iran. With the bloody

nationwide protests that began late last month, 42-year-old Heyman (ph) says the end of the reign of the ayatollahs is approaching.

The government has economic resources and military power, he says. But now we can see they're slowly losing power and popular support.

The KDPI is the largest and oldest Iranian Kurdish rebel group. For 80 years, they've fought for Kurdish rights in a country where they make up

about 10 percent of the population. These rugged mountains in northern Iraq have long served as a safe haven for the Kurds and a launching pad for

their fight, first against the Shah. And for the past 47 years, the theocratic rulers in Tehran.

WEDEMAN: This is just one of a variety of groups which has been preparing for decades for the day when the regime in Tehran falls.

[14:45:00]

WEDEMAN (voice-over): Party leader Mustafa Hijri shows me where he was born in Iran, but he hasn't been back in decades. Ultimately, he believes, it's

up to the Iranians alone to change their leaders. Help from the U.S. and Europe for the Iranian people is heartwarming, he tells me. But the people

won't put their hopes in the decisions and actions of Mr. Trump or any other international leader.

19-year-old Farina (ph) fled her home in Iran to become a Peshmerga. She's training to be a sniper. In Iran, she says, we have no rights, especially

as women. That's why I became a Peshmerga, to defend my rights as a Kurd and as a woman. Another generation is treading a well-worn path of struggle

against their oppressors.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WEDEMAN (on camera): And of course, the people in that camp, as well as many people in Iran, are trying to find out what's going on across the

country. The blackout of the internet, however, is now in its 12th day. And even though some members of the government are saying perhaps it might be

lifted after approval by the security services, there's no clear picture of when that might happen. Max.

FOSTER: Ben Wedeman in Erbil, thank you so much for joining us. Still to come tonight, the fashion world has lost a legend. We'll look back on the

remarkable life of Valentino Garavani when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FOSTER: Turning now to a major coastal cleanup operation here in the U.K., but it might not be what you're expecting. This was the site earlier along

beaches in West Sussex. Can you see what it is yet? It's not sand. Those are uncooked French fries and onions. Two container ships, precisely. They

went overboard in major storms earlier this month, spilling cargo across the coastline. Environmental groups are urging more volunteers to join the

cleanup to avoid any threat to marine life. They don't need to bring lunch.

Prince Harry's privacy trial is playing out in London's High Court. The British Royal and six others, including Elton John, the actress Elizabeth

Hurley, are suing the publisher of the Daily Mail. They allege Associated Newspapers Ltd. used unlawful means to gather information about them. The

newspaper group denies any wrongdoing, though. Salma Abdelaziz reports now from that courthouse.

[14:50:00]

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A major legal showdown has begun here in London. In the courts just behind me on one side of the battle line is

Prince Harry and six of this country's most famous celebrities. And they are suing the publishers of one of Britain's most popular newspapers, the

Daily Mail. We saw Prince Harry arrive at the court today.

His appearances in this country are rare, of course. We also saw the actress Elizabeth Hurley arriving with her son inside the courtroom. It was

packed with lawyers, with celebrities, with press. And the lawyer for Prince Harry and this group of celebrity plaintiffs, which includes Elton

John and his husband, the actress Sadie Frost, among others, are arguing that Associated Newspapers Ltd. engaged in criminal activity to illegally

obtain information about them. They are accusing the publisher of hiring private investigators to follow them, of tapping their phones, of planting

listening devices, of hacking their phone calls, of even impersonating individuals to obtain medical records and private bank details.

Now, the publisher, ANL, has denied these accusations outright. It calls the claims lurid and preposterous. But for Prince Harry, this is about

principle. He has had a longstanding beef with the tabloids. This is actually his third case against British tabloids just in recent years. And

it's going to culminate in him giving evidence on Thursday right behind me here.

Salma Abdelaziz, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: Finally, tonight, he dressed the stars and became a fashion legend. The iconic Valentino Garavani has died at the age of 93. Valentino came to

fame in the 1960s designing dresses worn by Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy. His evening gowns and couture helped shape the

fashion industry for more than four decades until he retired in 2008. Even after his retirement, his finest dresses were still worn by celebrities as

they walked the red carpet for many years after that.

Joining us now, CNN's senior style reporter, Rachel Tashjian. Thanks for joining us. I mean, I don't know why I gave his surname because his name

was ubiquitous, wasn't it? I think you could go anywhere in the world and say the name Valentino and people would immediately know it was about

fashion. It's an extraordinary achievement.

RACHEL TASHJIAN, CNN SENIOR STYLE REPORTER: Absolutely. I mean, he was known, of course, throughout the world of fashion and beyond as Mr.

Valentino, as well as the sheik of chic and the last emperor. He really had this sense of dressing celebrities, dressing royals, dressing political

figures that made him made him himself a celebrity in a way that few designers are today.

FOSTER: That longevity as well. What was his secret? What do you think? I mean, you know, fashion designers do come and go, but he was at the top of

his game, literally the top of his game for decades.

TASHJIAN: Yes. Well, I think he really created this idea of a global sense of refinement. I mean, if you look at his clothing, you almost can't tell

which decade it's from because it is so classic and so refined. And I think that's what made his designs compelling year after year.

I mean, if you look at, for example, the dress that he designed for Julia Roberts when she won her best actress Oscar in, I believe it was 2001. That

dress was actually not a new dress. It was an older dress. And yet it spoke perfectly to that moment of lightness and celebration.

FOSTER: He eventually sold his business, didn't he? He went into retirement. But, you know, people still wanted more of him.

TASHJIAN: Of course. I mean, he was really also someone who emblematized the idea, I would say, of a fashion designer having an aspirational

lifestyle. You know, he may have been dressing royals and celebrities, but he was also sort of a peer of the people he dressed. You know, he traveled

frequently by private jet and by yacht. He had five or six pugs at any given time, and the pugs often took their own sort of limo to the airport.

So, he was someone who became a kind of a significant character, I would say, in fashion. And he upheld the idea of what it meant to be an Italian

couturier and even just a couturier, a face of refinement and glamour internationally in the world of fashion.

FOSTER: He did harp back to that glamorous era, didn't he? You know, early the last century, I don't know, 1930s, 1940s, where you had that incredible

high level of refinement, as you describe it, in Hollywood. And that was timeless, wasn't it, which is probably he caught his moment there.

[14:55:00]

TASHJIAN: Certainly. I mean, what I often think of as well is, you know, there is a kind of throwback, a glitz, a sense of the past in a lot of his

work. But he also, of course, is coming of age in the moment when travel by plane becomes incredibly popular. And the idea of hopping on a jet and

going from one place to another becomes aspirational and compelling. And his clothes really had a sense of lightness and even a sense of global

travel.

I mean, he was pulling from different cultures and different parts of the world. And, you know, you kind of got a sense, you know, looking at

something like Jackie Kennedy's wedding dress or some of the things that he designed for Elizabeth Taylor. They were heavily embellished, but they

didn't necessarily look heavy. He really spoke to this moment where moving around the world and doing so in a way that was expedient was, you know,

again, aspirational unto itself. And his clothing really embodied that.

FOSTER: Looking at those images, they really could be from any era, couldn't they?

TASHJIAN: Yes.

FOSTER: CNN senior style reporter Rachel Tashjian, appreciate that tribute to Valentino. Thank you for watching tonight. Stay with CNN. I'll have

"What We Know" coming up next hour.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:00:00]

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