Macron: Nothing Will Ever Separate U.S. And France; Two Israeli Police Officers Killed; U.S. Doctor To Examine Baby Charlie Gard.
VANIER: Welcome back. New questions today about that meeting between Donald Trump's inner circle and a Russia attorney last summer. CNN has now learned there were others in the room besides those previously reported. A Russian American lobbyist was among those present. He denies reports that he has ties to Russian intelligence. An attacker with a knife has killed two people and injured four others at a resort on the Red Sea in Egypt. Earlier, Egypt's Interior Ministry said the assailant had attacked six female tourists. The suspect is now in Egyptian custody. Israel is investigating the fatal shooting of two police officers in Jerusalem's old city. Authorities say this surveillance video shows the moment they were attacked. Police say the attackers were three Israeli- Arabs who were shot and killed. And two teenage boys were in custody after a series of horrendous acid attacks in London. Five men were attacked and police say one of the victims suffered life-changing facial injuries. The city's most senior police officer says she's concerned by the rise in acid attacks which she called completely barbaric. Let's turn back to President Donald Trump's -- let's return to President Donald Trump's brief trip to Paris. At a time when it seems like he has few friends in Europe. His growing closeness with Emmanuel Macron really does stand out. The U.S. president was French leader, Emmanuel Macron's guest of honor at the Bastille Day Parade. The two leaders seemed to have become the best of friends with Mr. Macron rolling out the red carpet for the president and his wife, Melania.</s>EMMANUEL MACRON, FRENCH PRESIDENT (through translator): The presence today of the president of the United States and his wife at my side is a sign of a friendship that goes through the ages. I want to thank them. Thank the United States of America for their choice made 100 years ago. We found reliable allies, friends who came to our rescue. The United States of America is one of them and that's why nothing will ever break us apart.</s>VANIER: Bertrand Badie, A French political scientist and international relations specialist joins me now. It's great to have you with us especially because for the perspective that you bring to this and the Franco-American friendship. You have seen so many duos, the French and American president and how they get along and how that shapes world affairs. I mean, you have seen, obviously you've looked at closely George Bush and Jacques Chirac, the freedom fries. We remember France refusing to go into the Iraq war. Then there was Hollande and Obama. That was a different dynamic. Based on this sort of short relationship that these two men have struck up, how would you define the Trump/Macron relationship?</s>BERTRAND BADIE, POLITICAL SCIENTIST AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS EXPERT: Well, I would say that there is a kind of change of goods between both of them because you know, Macron is a new president. His new coming in the international arena and to have a visibility, and I think it's a good trait for getting involved in the international arena and to have a voice. And maybe I think that President Trump needs also to have new partners as he got very isolated, especially in Europe. And probably, this kind of change of rules is a kind of strategy, no more than that, because you don't --</s>VANIER: Oh, so you don't believe in the personal closeness?</s>BADIE: No, I don't think so because contrary to what has been said, Macron and Trump are very different.</s>VANIER: Absolutely.</s>BADIE: Because Macron is no --</s>VANIER: Well, I think that was noted. That was said a lot.</s>BADIE: Yes, but some people say that there are some similarities between both them but that's true. Macron is supporting globalization and the globalization of the world and was pushing the European integration, while Trump appears as what I would call a neo-nationalist. And there is a strong difference. Macron is also a member of the French establishment, while Trump is a populist and was criticizing the American establishment. Remember, during the campaign --</s>VANIER: Yes.</s>BADIE: -- it was very, very clear. So two persons who are very different but two persons who are looking a position inside the international arena. The Trump campaign was very eager against all the other countries around the world and was promoting the American national interests, and now, you know how the relationship between Germany and U.S. is really bad. And even the relationship between Theresa May and Trump didn't really set off as we saw that he had -- Trump had to renounce to his trip to Great Britain. And this is a paradox as --</s>VANIER: So is Mr. Macron a person now that the U.S. President calls if he wants to speak to Europe or if he wants to put a message across?</s>BADIE: Exactly what he is probably looking for in the two parts, but I am not sure that this is really working.</s>VANIER: How?</s>BADIE: Well --</s>VANIER: You're a pessimist. You're a pessimist on this relationship?</s>BADIE: A pessimist for this reason that I mention, that they are promoting two different visions, really opposed vision, while kind of contentious was possible with Theresa May, kind of -- even a kind of agreement with Putin with Putin and Trump are two nationalists political actors. When Macron is -- don't forget that, Macron is calling for refoundation of Europe.</s>VANIER: Absolutely.</s>BADIE: How is it possible to refound Europe without promoting a common diplomacy and common ground in French policy?</s>VANIER: But it looks like they've found one area of very concrete agreement on which they want to act rapidly and that's Syria. And it looks, that as far as Syria is concerned, it looks like really the planets had aligned, you know. France, Russia, the United States, want the same things.</s>BADIE: Yes. First, I think American foreign policy in Middle East and Syria is very clear. Second, I would say the same for France.</s>VANIER: Well, there is that ceasefire in southwestern Syria.</s>BADIE: Yes, quite particularly, that is quite clear. And the agreement between Russia and the U.S. on the ceasefire in the south of Syria is really working well. But this is a concrete approach to the conflict.</s>VANIER: Yes.</s>BADIE: If now we look at the Franco-American partnership, I don't see which kind of concrete initiative can be taken. And, you know, there is something which is now an issue at stake. Are Western powers really able to solve anything in the Middle East? The idea of Barack Obama --</s>VANIER: Well, that's the big question, yes.</s>BADIE: -- the leadership from behind and promote the role of regional powers for trying to solve the conflict was much more efficient. Now, we can observe that when Western powers are getting involved in conflict in Africa or in Middle East, generally, it doesn't reach the end that is really looked at.</s>VANIER: Well, we'll see. We'll see what impact that has on Syria, especially in the short-term, medium-term, whether the alignment of those big powers, the U.S. and Russia in particular, for Syria has an impact. But, Bertrand Badie, I want to thank you for coming on this show. It's been a pleasure to see you again.</s>BADIE: My pleasure. My pleasure.</s>VANIER: Thank you very much. And the White House says the U.S. and France stand taller and more united than ever following President Trump's trip to Paris. Mr. Trump and French President, Emmanuel Macron, were witness to an elaborate military display -- we've been showing you that on CNN -- as thousands of French soldiers were joined by their U.S. counterparts. It wasn't the only event Mr. Macron attended, and the other one was much more somber.</s>VANIER: This was Nice, the scene of a horrific terror attack one year ago today. Eighty-six people were killed. The President had some stirring words for the victims and the French public after the attack. Listen to this.</s>EMMANUEL MACRON, PRESIDENT OF FRANCE (through translator): The whole of France was tested by this very serious trial. You're energy, you're refusal to be daunted by violence and fear, you have allowed this nation to raise its head again. And for that, today, I should like to thank you.</s>VANIER: Now, let's bring in someone who was part of that Bastille Day Parade. Army First Lieutenant of the First Infantry Division Jillian Collins joins me now. It's such a pleasure to have you with us. And this morning, you were marching -- in fact, you were one of those almost 200 U.S. troops that were kicking off the military parade right here on the Champs Elysees. The whole -- by the way, all of France was watching you. How did that feel?</s>FIRST LIEUTENANT JILLIAN COLLINS, UNITED STATES ARMY FIRST INFANTRY DIVISION: Sir, it was awesome or it is great. There is a sense of pride - -</s>VANIER: Awesome's good. We like awesome.</s>COLLINS: There is a sense of pride that comes over you as you stand in position on the avenue and you watch the flyovers come over as you're marching down the avenue towards the presidents. And --</s>VANIER: I would note that there were two U.S. stealth bombers that the French public, I think, did not -- were not familiar with that were screeching down the Champs Elysees at that time. Look, I want to bring the viewers a little bit into your personal history. This was personal for you because you have told us that your great grandfather was among those who participated in World War I. He was one of the 2 million-plus U.S. troops that were sent to Europe and went to war on the side of France and the allies. And you've brought us some of the letters of your great grandfather. I want to read some of the -- just some parts of it. I think the great thing is it just helps bridge the gap between 1917 and a hundred years later where we are now, 2017. Dear Aunt Jeannie, I am writing this on the edge of my departure from Paris for the front. You can scarcely imagine what the ruined parts of norther France look like. I still retain my early impression of France and its people. They are a great nation and one which we may well study. This is personal for you.</s>COLLINS: Yes. So for me, it means a lot to me too because a hundred years ago, he was a war commissioned lieutenant here in France. And the next officer that we've had for the Army and a hundred years later, I have the honor and the privilege to be hear as a lieutenant in France commemorating his sacrifice and service during World War</s>I. VANIER: I don't think your great grandfather could have predicted that a hundred years later, his letters would be read out, but thanks for sharing them. And I think it really drives home the point that, also, the U.S. President was making about how old and how long-standing this alliance is between France and the</s>U.S. COLLINS: Yes. So in one of the letters, he does explain that he believed, back then, that we need to study France more. And he strongly believed that the alliance we have here is worth keeping.</s>VANIER: Have you spoken with your family about what you did today, about the meaning of it in terms of generations?</s>COLLINS: Yes, sir. For me, I shared photos earlier where the French news actually published this photo on the news to show him a hundred years ago in his World War I uniform. For us, it's kind of like family business every generation. We have people way back to the Civil War going through.</s>VANIER: The people that you march with -- I mean, I say the people. The U.S. troops, the service men -- the Air men, Navy, ground troops -- that you marched with, were they -- in preparing this over the last few days, were there a lot of questions about the history?</s>COLLINS: There were a lot of questions about why the United States was chosen for this parade and why the 16th Infantry Regiment Colors were in front of the fray. I'm a member of the 16th Infantry Regiment, so for me that was part of the surprise that came over, that I got the chance to honor my great grandfather here while marching behind my battalion colors down the avenue this morning.</s>VANIER: And you were also marching in front of a new U.S. President. I don't want to draw you into politics. I know that, you know, the military doesn't deal with politics, but how was that for you?</s>COLLINS: It was an honor to be in his presence. Looking forward on the parade route, you could see him in the distance holding his blue (ph) and pulling (ph) as we walked by. And that has been an honor to be able to march by him this morning.</s>VANIER: Listen, it's been such a pleasure talking to you and I appreciate you taking the time. I know these things are hard to organize and coordinate, so I appreciate you coming to speak to us here on the show for this perspective, you know, from generation to generation to generation. Thanks a lot.</s>COLLINS: Thank you.</s>VANIER: Thanks for taking the time. And turning now to some news coming into CNN. The Pentagon says U.S. forces have killed Abu Sayed, the leader of ISIS Khorasan, the terror group's Afghanistan affiliate. A spokesperson says he was killed in a raid in Kunar Province. Let's find out more. Let's go live to CNN's Ryan Browne. He's at the Pentagon. Ryan, what can you tell us?</s>RYAN BROWNE, CNN PENTAGON REPORTER: Well, we're learning a little bit more about this strike that killed Abu Sayed, the recently elected leader of ISIS in Afghanistan. We're now told it was a drone strike and not a raid that killed him there in Kunar Province. And, again, he was recently chosen because his predecessor was killed in a ground raid against an ISIS target in Nangarhar -- in neighboring Nangarhar Province just in April. In fact, this is the third ISIS in Afghanistan leader that the U.S. forces had killed in the last year. Secretary Mattis just speaking to reporters just now calling it a victory. He said that would set the group back there in Afghanistan. Again, the U.S., unlike some of its other missions in Afghanistan which are focused on training and advising local Afghan troops, U.S. forces have actually performed offensive counter terrorism operations against ISIS in Afghanistan. Out there in the eastern part of the country which, you know, bordering Pakistan, very remote part of the country, they've conducted a series of airstrikes and ground raids. This latest strike, they're now -- the Pentagon is saying it can now confirm that it believes it has killed the ISIS leader Abu Sayed there in Afghanistan. So, again, a success as far as the Secretary of Defense James Mattis is concerned in the U.S. counter terrorism measure there.</s>VANIER: Yes. Ryan, I think it's important to remind our viewers, even as all eyes are trained on Iraq and Syria and the fight against ISIS there, that there are still thousands of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, and that they continue to conduct a terror -- counter terrorism mission, which has now expanded to, as you explained to us, fighting ISIS Khorasan, the Afghan affiliate. Look, what do we know and what can you tell us about the state of ISIS in Afghanistan right now?</s>BROWNE: Well, the ISIS in Afghanistan is something that the U.S. has made a particular focus on. The Commanding General there in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson has made statements in the past where he said that the U.S. and its Afghan partners there could potentially eliminate ISIS in Afghanistan by the end of 2017. That's ambitious target. ISIS has lost a lot of its territory in eastern Afghanistan. It was in multiple provinces. Now, it's down to only about two. It's lost some of its fighters down -- it used to have thousands of fighters. They believe - - the U.S. and its local allies believe they've reduced that by some. We remember that very large bomb that was dropped in the Achin District, the mother of all bombs, several other operations against groups. So they're really focused. It's very different from, you know, the bulk of the U.S. troops in Afghanistan, the 8,400 troops that are there. Most of them are in training, advising roles, more of a supporting function. But this mission, much more kinetic, much more combat intensive. In fact, the majority of U.S. casualties in Afghanistan have come fighting ISIS, not fighting the Taliban, so -- in that eastern part of the country. So, again, this has kind of been a focused point of effort. And the U.S. believes it -- and Afghan government believe they've made some serious gains against the terror group in recent months.</s>VANIER: And, Ryan Browne, thank you very much for updating us there from the Pentagon. Appreciate it.</s>BROWNE: You bet.</s>VANIER: This is THE WORLD RIGHT NOW. Still ahead on the show, a force to be reckoned with. Roger Federer sails into the Wimbledon final. We'll have the latest on that in just a moment. Stay with us.