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Isa Soares Tonight

Andy Burnham Pledges To Bring Back Hope After Becoming The Seventh U.K. Prime Minister In 10 Years; President Trump Vows Strong Retaliation Against Iran After A Deadly Weekend For American Service Members; Elation On The Streets Of Madrid As Spain Is Crowned World Cup Champions; Mexican Drug Lord "El Mayo" Gets Life In Prison In U.S.; Spanish Football Team Gets Victory Parade; Trump: Iran "Will Pay Many Times Over" For Killing U.S. Troops; India's "Cockroach" Protests Gain Momentum In Capital. Aired 2-3p ET

Aired July 20, 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]

ISA SOARES, CNN INTERNATIONAL HOST: A very warm welcome to the show, everyone, I'm Isa Soares. Tonight, Starmer out, Burnham in. The U.K. sees

its seventh Prime Minister in ten years. Take to the helm of your life to Downing Street. For you, for the very latest.

Then a ninth consecutive night of trading strikes. U.S. President Donald Trump vows strong retaliation against Iran after a deadly weekend for

American service members. I'll speak with an expert in the Gulf region. And then elation on the streets of Madrid as Spain are crowned World Cup

champions.

Their parade about to kick off any moment -- any moment, these are live pictures. But first, tonight, ten years, seven leaders and one man vowing

to deliver the change the country needs. We begin right here in the U.K. this evening where the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, is wasting no time

in setting out his vision for Britain.

He becomes the seventh Prime Minister in just about a decade, replacing Keir Starmer after a leadership battle in the ruling Labor Party. Burnham

is promising to make politics, quote, "work better" as he begins life at Number 10. He says he will outline measures to tackle the cost-of-living

crisis on Tuesday, before laying out what he said was a ten-year plan later in the year. Max Foster has more on a hugely eventful day for British

politics.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MAX FOSTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Britain's new Prime Minister, the seventh in just over a decade of political turmoil, arriving at Downing

Street on Monday with a promise of change.

ANDY BURNHAM, PRIME MINISTER, UNITED KINGDOM: I know people at home are fed up with politics. I hear you, and I want to be honest with you, we have not

been good enough, and we need to be better. We will be. We will make this moment a circuit breaker for Britain, bringing forward the biggest changes

in the last 40 years.

FOSTER: Doing away with the traditional Downing Street speech lectern, Burnham pledged to restore faith in government, bring down the cost of

living and end rough sleeping.

BURNHAM: I will put the care of people at the heart of everything I do.

(LAUGHTER)

BURNHAM: It came after a warm goodbye to the former leader, Keir Starmer, earlier on Monday.

KEIR STARMER, FORMER U.K. PRIME MINISTER: My work is done.

FOSTER: His resignation making him the shortest-serving Labor Prime Minister in history.

STARMER: I go with good grace. I go with a smile, and I go proud of everything that we have achieved.

FOSTER: It was less than two years ago that Starmer led his party to its biggest majority in parliament this century, but the British public soon

soured on him. And ultimately it was pressure from within his own party amid lagging poll ratings that led to his exit. And this moment.

STARMER: As I now pass the baton to Andy Burnham, I wish him every success. He has my full support.

FOSTER: After leaving Downing Street, Starmer traveled the short journey to formally offer his resignation to King Charles at Buckingham Palace.

Burnham then seamlessly stepped into his place, as he was invited to form a government by the monarch.

For Andy Burnham, this is actually a return to Westminster. He was a member of parliament here for 16 years. He was a member of the cabinet as well

before going on to Greater Manchester, where he became mayor and one of the most popular politicians in the country.

Now, he's urging everyone, his supporters and the general public to get behind him as he takes on his biggest job yet, the biggest job in the

country.

BURNHAM: I will give this my all, and I ask you all to pull with me. Let's build a new national sense of unity, of common purpose and positivity. Let

us make this the moment when Britain starts to believe again. The moment we bring back hope.

[14:05:00]

FOSTER: But as the man dubbed the king of the north takes office behind the shiny black door in Westminster, the difficult decisions both at home and

abroad begin.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: And Max Foster joins me now from 10 Downing Street, just outside 10 Downing Street. And Max, the Prime Minister there, and we heard him say

there, numerous times, says he's going to be doing things differently, painting himself in many ways as a change maker.

Is that starting to be visible, Max, from where you are, with the coming and going. Just talk to us about Burnham's top team so far.

FOSTER: Well, what's interesting is that, you know, the number two job is the Chancellor Exchequer in Number 11 Downing Street, that is the Finance

Minister. Lots of senior figures around Burnham have been jockeying for that position, briefing that they were, you know, wanting to go for that.

Ed Miliband was one of the key people behind that. But Ed Miliband did not get that job and neither did Shabana Mahmood, who was yet the frontrunner.

And it really says a lot about how tight Andy Burnham's group is, that it didn't leak, because in the end, it was John Healey.

You'll remember, Isa, was the Defense Secretary who walked out of Keir Starmer's government because he felt that the Defense Department wasn't

getting enough money. He also has been complaining about how the Treasury is run and how it's not efficient. Doesn't help the work of government.

So, to put him into the Treasury is an interesting move, and we can probably deduce from that, that the Defense Department will be getting a

lot more money off the back of that -- off the back of that. In fact, Shabana Mahmood is going to remain as Home Secretary.

She's from the right of the party, and we're just looking to see who is going in and out to see who might be getting jobs. Ed Miliband will be

foreign secretary. So, still a big job for him, a bit of a consolation prize, but he's going to be the face of the U.K. around the world, Isa.

SOARES: And we heard Burnham, we know he's made calls, Max, time for calls today with world leaders. One of those was President Donald Trump and

Burnham. I'm just going to quote what we've been told by Downing Street, that he underlined his commitment to defense and security is what they told

us.

And said, "ensuring the security of the U.K. and its allies was top of the agenda." How do you expect these two leaders to get on, Max, given, of

course, the friction that we saw at the end of Starmer's premiership.

FOSTER: Well, I think, you know, one thing, increasing defense spending is going to be something that President Trump wants to hear. He's long

complained --

SOARES: Yes --

FOSTER: About U.K.'s lack of contribution to NATO. I think there is talk that one of the reasons Ed Miliband didn't get the top job at Number 11 was

because he isn't pro northeast oil, North Sea oil drilling. So, Andy Burnham does appear to want to not necessarily create more centers of

drilling in the North Sea, but to increase the -- you know, get more out of the licenses currently there.

And President Trump has already spoken about how he thinks that's a good move because he's been pushing that for a long time. So, there's a couple

of things that President Trump can look for. President Trump has described Andy Burnham as a liberal.

I think that's a fair judgment. He almost made it sound like an insult, though. So, we'll wait to see how he goes with that. But I can -- I think

on a personal level, Andy Burnham is very personable. He does get on with people. He's very charming, and Donald Trump has described him the same way

when people meet him face-to-face usually as well.

So, I think they can find some common ground, a bit like the mayor of New York has managed to do despite coming from the left, he's managed to find

common ground with the President. I think Andy Burnham has got the potential to do that, but he also can't be seen to kowtow to the President.

Because one thing Keir Starmer was praised for was the way he pushed back against President Trump on the war in Iran.

SOARES: What did you take away, Max, from his speech today? You know, I was quite surprised. I was out walking my dog when I was listening to his

speech, but I was quite taken aback by the fact, there were no handwritten notes. You didn't have the lectern, of course, the famous lectern. How was

that received? And then speaking very much like one of us, right?

FOSTER: Yes, I mean, no script, no policy, that's kind of one of the judgments --

SOARES: Yes --

FOSTER: You could make on it. He speaks so well, and he ad-libbed the whole thing, and just showing that he had the confidence to do that on his maiden

speech was pretty incredible. It shows his confidence. And he does speak to the people.

He talks about -- talked about politics being broken, people fed up with politics. He was keenly aware of all of these Prime Ministers that have

churned through Downing Street recently. But until we actually see some policy, it's very difficult to judge, you know, the style over the

substance.

SOARES: Yes, indeed. And we shall get a sense of that, I believe, by tomorrow. Max Foster, thanks very much, Max, I'll speak to you in the next

hour. Let's stay with this. I do want to focus, in fact, on Keir Starmer's legacy with a man who knows him like few others.

[14:10:00]

Peter Hyman is a former senior adviser to Starmer. He's also the author of the sub-stack, "Changing the Story". He's here with me on what Starmer

achieved and the challenges that remain for Andy Burnham as we heard there, Max talking about in terms of we don't have a clear sense yet of the

policies.

Peter, welcome to the program. Let me start, if I may, with Keir Starmer. You work closely with him. You know him well. Today, as he was leaving

office, I heard his speech. He said he was leaving with good grace and a smile.

Just reflect for a moment for our viewers around the world on his leadership. How do you -- how do you think history will judge him as Prime

Minister?

PETER HYMAN, FORMER SENIOR ADVISER TO KEIR STARMER: Hi, there. Well, they will judge him to start with as the man who saved the Labor Party under

Jeremy Corbyn's leadership, it had the worst defeat since the 1930s, and people said Labor wouldn't get back into power for at least a decade, if

not longer.

But he turned it round in the space of four years, and won one of the biggest majorities ever for the Labor Party. So, that secures his place in

history to begin with. Then, in the two years after that, the two years he's had as Prime Minister, I think fair-minded people would say he did

well on the international stage with Ukraine on the one hand, dealing with Trump, who is, as we all know, quite tricky to deal with and projecting

Britain's greater confidence on the world stage.

So, I think there is quite a lot of legacy he can be proud of, even as your reporter has said, he didn't connect with the British people in a way that

was long-term sustainable.

SOARES: So, Peter, do you think -- I mean, this is something that we often get asked by international audience where our reporting just -- you know,

from our bureau or indeed from Downing Street, whether changing the Prime Minister actually solves Labor's problems, given how many Prime Ministers

the country has seen in the last ten years.

I mean, in your view, does Andy Burnham mean -- need to build on Starmer's strategy, and refine it, or does he need to draw a clear line under it and

set out a fundamentally new direction.

HYMAN: It's a very good question. And when you come in and you're right, seven leaders in ten years is ridiculous in a way. But you have a big

judgment. Is it continuity or is it change? And the sort of answer really, I suppose, a sensible answer is you've got to decide which is which.

If he's started to set a direction that is now making the economy more stable, and Rachel Reeves was part of it, were beginning to grow. Well,

then that needs a rocket boost. If he's started to build new homes, and we need a million and a half, then that's got to have a rocket boost as well.

But there are other things where he will have a clear direction. He's come to Downing Street with a big argument, and in politics, big arguments

matter.

And his big argument is Britain is too centralized, it's too much based in Westminster and Whitehall, and we need to get power out to every community

in the country, particularly, and this will resonate, for example, with people listening from America in the de-industrialized parts which feel

left behind in the growing economy.

So, his idea of pushing power out of the center and giving people a sense of control and agency over their lives is a big idea. We've now got to see

him really make that happen.

SOARES: Let me ask you about Nigel Farage. Viewers will know around the world who is the Reform U.K. leader. He, as you would expect, he's already

seized on today's events, arguing that this new Labor government no longer has a mandate, and calling, as you would expect for a general election.

Do you expect those calls to grow louder to gain momentum, or is that more political positioning than a serious argument at this stage?

HYMAN: Yes, it's political positioning. He's obviously personally mired in scandal at the moment, but we have --

SOARES: Yes --

HYMAN: A system in Britain where the public is not presidential. So, you elect a party for the five years of a parliament, not a leader. And

therefore, changing the leader in our constitution doesn't mean you have to have an election.

Now, at some point in the next couple of years, Andy Burnham might think, well, I want my own mandate because the last mandate was for Keir Starmer,

but there's no obligation to do that. And I think the most important thing for him to do is to get on, show momentum and show he's got a real sense of

vitality in changing the country, which is what people want.

SOARES: Talking about change, let me give you a sense and viewers, a sense of what Max and I were just talking about in terms of Burnham's top teams

so far. We have John Healey, who was the former Defense Secretary now moving into Number 11, the top job as chancellor.

We've got Ed Miliband now taking over as Foreign Secretary, Shabana Mahmood. And I am seeing as you and I were just talking there that, Angela

Rayner has been seen arriving at Downing Street.

[14:15:00]

What do you make of those -- of those -- of those moves so far. No decision as of yet I might add on the former deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.

HYMAN: Yes, he's beginning to build his team until you see the whole team, you won't get the sort of balance of that. John Healey is a --

SOARES: Yes --

HYMAN: Who I know pretty well, is a very respected figure. He will be a very sound chancellor, I think. He will -- he will give a lot of people

confidence, particularly in business, that he's not going to do anything rash. The question then is, is he a reformer of the economy?

Andy Burnham has pledged to build a new economy. So, what will -- what we will want to see in the next few months and years is, can John Healey

really shape that in the budget? It's a difficult time for the British economy, and it needs real imagination to get it growing again. So, that's

the key appointment so far and we'll have to see how that works out.

SOARES: Peter Hyman, really appreciate, Peter, you taking the time to speak to us this evening. Thank you very much indeed. Now, we're going to leave

U.K. politics for just a moment and turn our eyes to the Gulf and to the Middle East, because we're seeing a rapidly widening war across Middle East

with both Iran and the U.S. signaling, they are ready to escalate.

An American official telling CNN, the U.S. is sending additional fighter jets and refueling tankers to the Middle East, that as Iran steps up

attacks on Arab states, Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan, all countries, by the way, with U.S. bases, while U.S. President Donald Trump continues to claim

Iran's military has been, if you remember, the word he keeps using is obliterated.

Well, the Pentagon has identified two U.S. soldiers killed in Jordan over the weekend. Another died in Iraq. They are the first U.S. troops killed in

the war since March. One service member is still missing. And despite all of this, both Washington and Tehran insist diplomacy remains an option,

albeit, it seems an increasingly unlikely one, at least at this stage.

Let me bring in our Nic Robertson, who joins us from Jerusalem. So, Nic, just lay out where we stand right now because I've just -- as I just

mentioned, we are seeing attacks across the Gulf. Give us a sense of how the region, first of all, has been responding to these attacks, and the

real fears of this escalating.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yes, I was just looking at my phone just now, because we've been hearing in the last few minutes

that sirens have gone off in Jordan. We're trying to figure out where they've gone off and what that might mean.

And that's become quite common in Jordan over the past five or six or seven days. Indeed, sirens, there were warnings of a possibility of an attack in

Aqaba yesterday, and indeed that attack did come. And the IDF, which has a sort of a joined-up air defense system with Jordan, was able from its side

of the border, a lot just across the border from Aqaba in the south of Jordan, was able to help bring those ballistic missiles that were coming

towards Aqaba down.

Now, we don't know where it's being targeted, just or if it's actually been targeted or if Jordan has actually been targeted. But certainly, the sirens

were going off there a little time ago as we heard in Kuwait. A few hours ago, the sirens went off there.

Bahrain earlier in the day. These three countries have really been bearing the brunt of Iran's attacks. Iran says that it's attacking U.S. military

assets, and it seems to be in Jordan at least, attacking air bases where it says there have been aircraft, either fighter aircraft in undercover or

helicopters they claim to have attacked.

We don't have those sorts of details or confirmation from the Pentagon, but we are seeing from the U.S. military, the announcements of those two

service members killed in Jordan, several others have been injured in a number of different locations over the past few days.

So, it does feel, at least, here, that the tempo is stepping up a bit, and with the United States announcing bringing in additional fighter aircraft

and the support refuel tankers, those KC-135. This is escalating. But I think it's worth saying that both Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the

Iranian Foreign Minister's spokesman today, both said that there's still a possibility for diplomacy.

So, that's still a possibility, I think that's what they're saying.

SOARES: Still a possibility, Nic. But it has other communications ongoing. We know from previous occasions; the Pakistanis were the ones leading these

comms. Is that -- is that still open? What are you hearing on the diplomatic front?

[14:20:00]

ROBERTSON: It's hard to know what's actually happening on the diplomatic front, because of course, it's what happens inside the meetings. But one of

Pakistan's key mediators, the Interior Minister, who's had a number of trips in the past to Tehran, is actually hosting Iran's Interior Minister

in Pakistan right now.

The Iran's Interior Minister right there a couple of hours ago. Now, what may come out of that meeting, we really don't know. There is a sense in the

Gulf here that obviously they don't want an escalation. If we go back to April time when the United States was sort of going towards the ceasefire.

There was a real concern when the United States looked like it was starting up some military operations. Again, it wasn't clear to the Gulf states what

the end game was for the United States at that point, what the strategy was, and I think there's a sense of that at the moment.

So, behind the scenes, you can be pretty sure there is pushes and efforts to make diplomacy happen. But again, we don't see the product of it. There

is -- there isn't a door, if you will, a diplomatic door for an off-ramp opening up.

Both sides agree that they're no longer following the Memorandum of Understanding or working towards it. There have been reports of another

ship hit, another commercial vessel hit just off the coast of Oman this evening. There was another one hit off the coast of the UAE earlier on

overnight.

So, Iran continues to project that force to keep the Strait of Hormuz -- to keep the management as it sees it, the Strait of Hormuz in their hands. And

that's the conundrum here for President Trump. If you go for diplomacy right now, Iran still has the military means to -- you know, to continue to

control the Strait of Hormuz, which is what he started up this current phase of the military campaign for.

SOARES: Yes, in the meantime, we are hearing, you know, many in the U.S. asking what like you said, Nic, what the end game is given. Of course, the

death toll servicemen that we are seeing increase in the region. Nic Robertson for us there in Jerusalem, good to see you, Nic.

Thank you. And in about what? Fifteen minutes or so, I'll be speaking with the Middle East and historian of Kuwait about the threat of further

regional escalation. Really want to get the perspective from the region, stay in the Gulf regarding, of course, this escalation that we are now

seeing that Nic, was just laying out for you.

Well, brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate appeared in a Miami courtroom today, hoping to prevent the U.S. from sending back to the U.K., U.S. marshals

arrested the Tates on Saturday after British prosecutors requested their extradition.

They have been charged with dozens of offenses, including rape and sex trafficking. The Tates are online influencers and big supporters of U.S.

President Donald Trump. They became notorious for their deeply misogynistic content, but at the same time, they were racking up charges.

They faced accusations in Romania relating to sex trafficking and exploitation too. Their lawyer says they want to stay in the U.S. and will

fight extradition. And some news just coming in to us right here at CNN. British prosecutors say they have charged a 28-year-old man with the murder

of former lawmaker Ann Widdecombe, the 78-year-old former member of parliament was found dead in her home earlier this month.

She had sustained what police called serious injuries. We'll stay across any new developments coming out of the U.K. In new developments, a

potential setback for Paramount Skydance in its takeover of CNN's parent company, Warner Brothers Discovery.

A judge has granted a temporary restraining order to pause the merger. This while she considers legal challenge brought by a coalition of 12 states.

The order prevents the companies from completing the deal this month, but it's only in effect for a short period of time.

The states will now seek a preliminary injunction, which could freeze the merger for months. We'll have more on that in the next hour. And still to

come tonight, sentencing in New York for a notorious leader of a Mexican drug cartel, we'll explain what's next for El Mayo.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:25:00]

SOARES: I want to take you live to Madrid, these are live pictures, let's listen in. A jubilant, a jubilant Spain, jubilant Madrid there. It's almost

8:30 in the evening, World Cup winning football team is being given, quite rightly, a victory parade through the streets of Madrid after their

triumphant win against Argentina yesterday.

And what a match it was for La Roja, very well deserved. They're now going through the streets of Madrid there. That's the entire -- I could see the

team, they're on the bus as they celebrate their victory. And what a match it was really.

You know, we saw Fernando Torres' goal securing their second World Cup triumph, and what a moment for Spain and bad luck, unfortunately for

Argentina, as everyone takes it in the bus saying the kings of the world, a fantastic match to watch as it went, of course, to extra time.

We'll have more, of course, on their win, and what this means for Spain and Spanish football in just a moment. But for the moment, huge congratulations

to the team there of La Roja. I want to leave the winning and turn to the United States, because the leader of Mexico's notorious Sinaloa drug cartel

is being given life in prison.

Ismael El Mayo Zambada was sentenced today in New York after pleading guilty to federal charges last year. An assistant attorney general spoke

about El Mayo's life of crime after the sentencing. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TYSEN DUVA, ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL: This defendant perpetrated unspeakable crimes and unquantifiable carnage on this country and other

continents and many other countries for 50 years. Never held a legitimate job in his life. Never did anything worthwhile for any community. All he

did was spread evil, poison, kill and corrupt.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: El Mayo was arrested in the U.S. in 2024 when a plane he was on landed on an airstrip right across from the Mexican border. Also, on board

that day was Joaquin Guzman Lopez; the son of El Mayo's former partner in crime, El Chapo Guzman.

Lopez has pleaded -- has pled guilty to drug trafficking charges. CNN's Maria Santana joins us now from New York. So, Maria, I mean, we know we

mentioned that Zambada El Mayo had pleaded guilty in 2025. So, the sentence really is not in doubt. So, give us a sense of what we're likely to have --

to hear today.

MARIA SANTANA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, El Mayo Zambada had for many years lived in the shadows of his most -- of his other famous, more

famous partner, Joaquin El Chapo Guzman. And while El Chapo was very well known in the United States due to, you know, pop culture and these fabulous

escapes that he was known for, El Mayo, according to prosecutors, was really the one behind the scenes running the Sinaloa cartel and turning it

into one of the most powerful drug organizations in the world.

[14:30:01]

So, you know, he was brought here by Joaquin El Chapo Guzman's son, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, last year on a plane. El Mayo says he was kidnapped by El

Chapo's son. And El Chapo's son, when he pleaded guilty, actually gave details of that supposed kidnapping.

But here, El Mayo Zambada decided to plead guilty. He pled guilty last year, and he was sentenced today to life in prison. And really, the judge

said he really had no choice. That was the minimum sentence required by law for him to receive.

And now he spoke. El Mayo spoke here during the sentencing. He gave a statement. He accepted full responsibility for his crimes, saying he knows

that what he did caused much harm to many families, many individuals and communities, and said that he wasn't pleading guilty to try to hide his

crimes, but to ask for forgiveness. And he even urged other young people not to follow his life of crime. He said it only leads to jail or to death.

But the judge, you know, he said that he wants to decide and wants to recommend to the Bureau of Prisons where he will spend the rest of his

days, because according to his lawyer, he's a 76-year-old old man with cognitive failure, with progressive illnesses. And so, he needs to be in a

place where he can be treated for that. The prosecution obviously said his history of violence should be considered. He'll get treatment wherever he

is.

But, you know, they fear that he would be helped in prison by other associates. But the judge said he did save the U.S. resources and time by

pleading guilty and not going through an extensive trial. Isa.

SOARES: Maria Santana there for us. Thanks very much, Maria. Appreciate it.

And still to come tonight, President Trump is promising to avenge the deaths the American service members killed over the weekend. I'll speak

with Middle East expert about the possibility of an all-out regional war. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:35:00]

SOARES: And I want to take you to the streets of Madrid where, as you can see, the World Cup winning team, football team, is being given a victory

parade through the streets of Madrid this hour. People, of course, not only a party going on, people taking -- looking from verandas, from rooftops to

see their heroes.

They are, quite rightly, receiving a hero's welcome. Welcome in Madrid after beating Argentina 1-nil at extra time. Argentina going down to 10 men

after receiving -- of course, one of their players receiving a red card. Denying, of course, considered one of the greatest ever, Lionel Messi,

back-to-back titles on what will likely -- most likely will be his final World Cup appearance.

But you are seeing there in Madrid colors yellow and red as they celebrate La Roja. We'll have much more on their celebration a bit later in the show.

Very well deserved indeed.

I do want to leave the World Cup and Spain for just a moment and turn our attention to the Gulf. Because the conflict between the U.S. and Iran is

moving closer to exploding into an all-out regional war. U.S. President Donald Trump threatened retaliation for the deaths of three American

service members killed over the weekend. And this is what he posted, every time Iran kills an American soldier, they will pay for that killing many

times over.

Now, the two sides exchanged yet another round of fresh strikes with Tehran attacking Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait. On the heels of an Iranian attack on

Saturday, the Kuwaiti military is said to have intercepted hostile targets twice today.

Bader Al-Saif is a Professor of History at Kuwait University. He is also Associate Fellow at Chatham House, a well-known face on the show. Bader,

great to have you back on the show.

Look, we have seen, as we were just outlining in there, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, among the regional countries being targeted in this latest round of

Iranian retaliation. Just speak to this moment, first of all, and what is being felt across the region. Because in the last few hours we have heard

from the U.S. President saying they plan to send additional F-16s and F-35 fighter jets and aerial refueling tankers to the Middle East. What does

this signal to you?

BADER AL-SAIF, PROFESSOR OF HISTORY, KUWAIT UNIVERSITY AND ASSOCIATE FELLOW, CHATHAM HOUSE: Isa, daily attacks for the past week on various Gulf

states from Iran and continuous jabs between Iran and the U.S. The escalation is felt gradually on the ground. Only today, actually we had a

third attack a few hours ago on top of the earlier two that you reported on.

And what happened today and yesterday is slightly different from previous attacks because it came in the daytime. And that speaks to the vastness of

this conflict and the different ways in which they can go ahead and escalate as they move forward.

Now, it's tempting to say that we're back to the height of conflict, the 40 days of war that we had prior to the supposed ceasefire. But let me tell

you, the daily averages, the missiles, the drone attacks have increased in scope on Kuwait, on Bahrain and on Jordan as much as they have also from

the other side towards Iran.

So, I think we need to consider all of this together. I know that the mediators in other countries are now actively working behind the scenes to

get the two countries together or to at least pause so that we can have some breathing space to move on to a more of a negotiated settlement. But

everything is up in the air. We've yet to see how that unfolds.

SOARES: Yes. And I can only imagine, Bader, just the nervousness and the anxiety that this is causing. I remember the last time you and I spoke, I

think it was before the Memorandum of Understanding, which doesn't seem to be longer existing, was written.

You said -- and correct me if I'm wrong if you remember this, you said the Gulf countries ought to be leading their own diplomacy. As the conflict

potentially continues to expand here, are you seeing individual countries reaching out? Are you seeing diplomacy on that side or are they waiting for

United States to lead a diplomatic front with Pakistan as mediators?

AL-SAIF: Look, yes and no. We certainly urgently need a new game plan to safeguard our countries in the Gulf. And we definitely shouldn't count on

the U.S. to do our bidding. We should go and talk directly to Iran. Some of the Gulf countries have been doing that already. And it seems that this has

been sparing them the worst of the conflict so far.

[14:40:00]

And I think this is important because, look, the claims and the counterclaims that are coming through as they are attacking Kuwait and

Bahrain, for example, and Jordan is that there are attacks coming from our alliance towards them. Those are claims that we have denied or that the

governments of the region have denied vehemently. So, I think both sides need to lay out their cards and they need to talk to Iran to understand how

we can deal with the region moving forward.

I think the other issue that's been holding up the talks between Kuwait and Iran in particular is that the Iranians have sent across IRGC operatives

last month. What the Kuwaiti authorities have spoken about as IRGC operatives, the other side claims otherwise. But I think holding them has

been bringing the ire of Iran towards Kuwait. So, those are certainly bargaining chips that could be used in our coming discussions with Iran.

Look, at the end of the day we're interconnected. Geography has its limits. In this case the curse of geography is very evident. We're very next to

each other. Kuwait is only 50 miles away by sea from Iran and we're flat spaces so it's very easy to come about and attack the country. We're also

surrounded by Iraq which unfortunately is home to various networks and militias that are supportive of Iran's war effort.

So, that only increases the stress points on Kuwait and that's why we need to have that holistic approach towards the Iran file, looking at the

various cards that we can bring to the table to discuss the matters with them directly.

SOARES: Very briefly, you mentioned Kuwait, we've seen talks about Iraq, but why Jordan? I mean, it's east of Israel, west of Iraq. Why target

Jordan? Because it's further to Iran than any targets in the Gulf. What do you make of that?

AL-SAIF: Look, I make two things. First, I'll extend the same claim that there are U.S. military assets attacking them from Jordan, so that's one.

But I think by Iran attacking Jordan as it is attacking Kuwait, it's sending signals to the neighbors. So, with the Kuwait attacks, it's sending

signals to the other Gulf states and it is foreshadowing what's to come in the day after. That they are here, they're there to stand and they will

stand for their rights no matter what and they will use all measures to do that.

In terms of Jordan, I think they're sending signals to Israel that don't think that you're off the hook. Jordan is next to you. We're attacking it.

You saw how the Aqaba attack today caused some alarms in Israel and I think it's also sending that message towards that part of the world and that

we're not only seeing attacks to nearby sites like the Gulf states, but that they can extend beyond that.

SCIUTTO: Foreshadowing what is to come. Badr, always great to get your analysis. Thank you very much indeed. Bader Al-Saif there from Kuwait City.

Thank you.

We're going to take a short break, but we will see you on the other side.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:45:00]

SOARES: Now, don't let the name fool you. India's cockroach movement is anything but small. Thousands of people are protesting on New Delhi streets

as anger over exam paper leaks and youth unemployment grows. Our Ivan Watson has more on what this rare mass protest means for the country.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Indian government has a cockroach problem. A youth protest movement that

calls itself the Cockroach Janta Party.

On Monday, thousands of these demonstrators descended on New Delhi. A rare mass protest in the heart of India's capital, defying a police ban. Police

firing tear gas to stop the protesters from marching to the Indian Parliament.

TANI SIDHU BHARGAVA, PROTESTER: I hope they listen to us because if not now then I don't know if it's a democracy or like dictatorship.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We've had bad governments but we've never had such an evil government because this government is only interested in power, fame

and money. They're genuinely non-biological. They don't have a shred of decency in them.

WATSON (voice-over): The Cockroach Party began barely two months ago with this social media post from Abhijeet Dipke, a graduate student from Boston

University. In response to a top judge who appeared to call India's unemployed youth cockroaches.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They are youngsters like cockroaches.

WATSON (voice-over): Dipke launched the Cockroach Party demanding reform of the country's scandal prone education system and the firing of the

education minister. That official has since called the Cockroach Party terrorists.

Last month, the Cockroach Party began a small sit-in protest in downtown Delhi. It was joined by activist and educator, Sonam Wangchuk, who went on

hunger strike. On Saturday, police forcibly removed Wangchuk from the protest, taking him to a hospital.

Since then, a movement that had existed mostly online suddenly burst onto the streets of Indian cities. On Monday, India's health minister met face

to face with Cockroach Party representatives asking them to end their sit- in. But they're still calling for the resignation of the education minister. A rare show of defiance that's put the government of Prime

Minister Narendra Modi on the defensive.

Ivan Watson, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: We're going to take a short break. We'll see you on the other side.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:50:00]

SOARES: I'm going to take you back to the streets of Madrid in Spain where it looks like hundreds of thousands of people have been gathering to

welcome home the men's World Cup winners. They have been on a homecoming parade on the bus as we've seen many of them celebrating. They've got one

of those open-top buses through the streets on their way to Cibeles Square we've been told to celebrate. Obviously, unfortunately you're not seeing a

similar picture in Buenos Aires.

No such joy in Argentina where hopes for back-to-back World Cup titles were dashed. Argentina's president said the country will still celebrate the

team's campaign with a national holiday. He's leaving it up to the team to pick the date.

Well, we're covering the sporting side of this and the celebration. Let's bring in CNN's World Sports' Coy Wyre and Paul Mosquera in Madrid. Coy, let

me start with you. And what a match it was, my friend. I was hooked.

COY WIRE, CNN WORLD SPORT: It was incredible. The whole tournament, right? But this was Spain's moment. They've now won it all, reigning World,

Olympic and European champs. First nation ever to hold the men's and women's World Cups at the same time.

It was Leo Messi and the grit and gravitas of the defending champs. Argentina against heir apparent, Lamine Yamal, and the tactical precision

of Spain. They had nearly 70 percent possession in this one, 20 shots on goal. And after Enzo Fernandez was sent off with a wild challenge, it was

Ferran Torres coming off of the bench to net the game winner an extra time.

1-nil was the final. It was an unprecedented seven shutouts for Spain in a World Cup. And with no single standout performer throughout the entire

tournament, this was just one team, one heartbeat. Spain are the kings of football for just the second time in World Cup history.

So, what's next for Leo Messi and his future in an Argentina kit? The 39- year-old captain who cemented his place as the GOAT, the greatest of all time at this tournament, had tears running down his face after the final

whistle. More than 200 appearances for his country to his name. He's yet to give any indication if there will be another.

Now, if you needed any confirmation of the pain of defeat in a World Cup final. Look at Messi's Argentina boss, Lionel Scaloni, at this post-match

press conference. You can see here the 48-year-old unable to talk about what happens next. He eventually, in tears, stands up. He apologizes before

leaving the room.

So, after an unprecedented 48-team World Cup, Isa, Spain are hoisting their hardware at the trophy presentation. Look at FIFA president Gianni

Infantino rushing to U.S. President Donald Trump off the stage there, allowing those players to take center stage and own their moment.

And from the high of becoming a World Cup winner for the first time, you wonder if Spain defender, Marc Cucurella, might have some regrets today,

realizing that he might have to get a tattoo of his coach, Luis De La Fuente. He said before the tournament, that's what he'd do if Spain lifted

the trophy. And, Isa, De La Fuente ramped up the pressure last night, saying he knows his team are men of their word. And he added, I'm not that

ugly. So, maybe we'll see some fresh ink on Cucurella.

SOARES: And he was -- Cucurella was asked where that tattoo was going. He said he hadn't decided yet. So, there you go. Thanks very much, Coy.

Appreciate it.

Let me take it to the streets of Madrid. Pau Mosquera. Pau, enhorabuena. Congratulations to you. What incredible scenes for La Roja today?

PAU MOSQUERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. What an incredible day. Celebrations are still continuing from yesterday night. You can see here

around me how thousands and thousands of La Roja fans are flooding downtown Madrid. This is Alcala Street, the one that connects with Cibeles Square,

which is just a few hundred meters from where we are.

[14:50:00]

And you can see there on your screens is the square that is at the end of this very street. And you can see already how the crowd are parking this

very centric point.

And the reason why everybody is going there, Isa, is because the Victory Parade that is still touring downtown Madrid will have its last stop there.

Authorities have set a giant stage over there so the players can take to it and can proudly show off the trophy that they have taken on the airplane

that has taken them from Newark to Madrid earlier this morning.

So, today is going to be the continuation from yesterday. We saw how people were celebrating in the streets until early hours of the morning. And many

were telling me, Isa, that even they had to go to the office. They didn't care about getting no sleep because situations like this thing nowadays,

like winning again a second World Cup doesn't happen every day. So, this is the reason why most surely the situation is going to repeat again tonight,

Isa.

SOARES: Yes. I'm sure bosses will understand if you do not show up for work the next day given, of course, that Spain has won a World Cup.

Congratulations to them. Pau, good to see you. Thank you very much. Do stay right here. We'll be back after this short break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:00:00]

END