[Whitfield:] All right, we'll have more on the big winter storm in a moment. But now another big story we're following, Japan is mourning the apparent killing of a second Japanese citizen by ISIS. A video released Saturday appeared to show the beheading of journalist Kenji Goto. Prime minister Shinzo Abe promises never to forgive or yield to intimidation. One Japanese official is now offering to expands support for any refugees displaced by ISIS. Meanwhile, the fate of the Jordanian pilot held by the terror group is unknown. Jordan's government vows to keep working for Moaz al- Kasasbeh's release. But its proof of life request has gone unanswered. ISIS is demanding that Jordan release a convicted female terrorist in exchange for sparing the pilot's life. Kenji Goto's apparent beheading, the uncertain fate of the Jordanian pilot and ISIS'assault of the oil rich city of Kirkuk are all disturbing development in the global fight against terrorism. So for now, I'm joined by CNN global affairs analyst Kimberly Dozier. All right, so Kimberly, you know, does it seem that ISIS continues to have the upper hand here? It doesn't appear to be there are any signs of defeating this organization?
[Kimberly Dozier, Cnn Global Affairs Analyst:] Well the amazing thing is we have been so focused on the spectacle of the tragedy of the hostages apparently being killed that we have not paid any attention to the news media, the lost of Kobani for ISIS. ISIS actually admitted on its own news media that it has to pull out of Kobani which is that strategic town visible from the Turkish border just inside Syria. And they're not, instead, they are getting to capitalize on images of the hostages as a recruiting tool and also to make it seem like they have the coalition on the back foot.
[Whitfield:] OK. So competing messages here. You're saying by Kobani by ISIS losing its grip on Kobani, shows that it has weakened, yet the very public image is yet another beheading by the hands of ISIS makes it appear it is emboldened, it is growing. So which message do we believe?
[Dozier:] Well, it actually said about that the border barrage and the barrage from the coalition airstrikes was too intense and it's going to try to go after that city for another day. But overall, what is does is focus on the hostages that if you're a journalist or aid worker considering going into Syria you'll reconsider your plans. That means more and more pockets of Syrians inside the country are going to be cut off from international aid. They're stories aren't going to be told. Initially that will be good for ISIS. They will be able to use that as part of their recruiting tool that they are more in charge. But in the long run, you this happens years ago in Iraq when the Al-Qaeda there started to kidnapping more and more people. They had to start taking care of the territory that they controlled. And in the long run, they have to worry about getting supplies to people, good governance. It is hard to do. What happened there is they started dealing with unrest with local population and cracking down harshly. The local population in the end started chaffing under that. So that is what the coalition is hoping for in the long run. But in the short term you can imagine that there are more people saying I want to be part of that fight which is bad for anyone trying to help Syrian people on the ground.
[Whitfield:] Interesting. Alright, Kimberly Dozier, thank you so much. Appreciate it. It's a very complex situation. But it sounds to me that you're saying that maybe the Intel community or at least members of the coalition, maybe Saudi Arabia and an air force or U.S. air force need to somewhat comforted that their mission of airstrikes at least in Kobani seem to be working. I hope we can get a chance to talk more on this. All right, thanks so much, Kimberly. Appreciate it. All right, still ahead, back in the states here, lots of people very excited about this day Super bowl Sunday. The kickoff from Glendale, Arizona just three hours or so away. Rachel Nichols is there in the nix.
[Rachel Nichols, Cnn Host, Unguarded:] It is absolutely beautiful here. Everyone is ready for a football game. And there's one very important player who has told me he is going to make it. I'll have all the details after this.