[Baldwin:] We're getting some breaking details now about the ambush in Niger that left those four American soldiers killed and how the U.S. team actually ended up separated into two separate groups. Let's go to chief national security correspondent, Jim Sciutto, with some of the details here. How did they separate?
[Jim Sciutto, Cnn Chief National Security Correspondent:] Well, Brooke, we are learning that this fire fight was more complex than we knew initially. This one U.S. team splitting into two groups in the midst of the fire fight. One vehicle had been disabled. So, one of these groups continued on foot as this fire fight, this ambush was under way. And this group was attempting a counter attack. They were attempting to outflank the attackers. And in the midst of this they did manage did manage to kill some 20 ISIS fighters. But we are also learning during the two groups at one point they lost communications between one group and another. And that group that had those four American KIA. That helps explain some of the confusion as they were trying to sort out as this fire fight was ending who was killed, who was missing. In fact, you may remember that the first reports back to the White House were of multiple U.S. forces missing, four missing. Though that was quickly updated to be three killed and one missing. So, the key here, this was a complex fire fight, and in the midst of it these U.S. forces were trying to fight back. They split up into two groups. One though they had lost their vehicle, they continued on foot. They tried to out flank their attackers. In the midst of this they managed to take out their attackers, some 20 it is estimated. But again, adding as I said to that they lost communication in the midst of this as well.
[Baldwin:] So, we don't know why they lost communication, that's still unclear.
[Sciutto:] It's not clear yet. But keep in mind in a fire fight there is a lot of ways that could happen. One vehicle was disabled. Could be that the radio in the vehicle was destroyed. Also, possible they were carrying their communications equipment that is destroyed on their person, a bullet, a grenade, et cetera. That's not clear at this point, how it was lost. But the fact that it was lost adding to go the confusion here as one group tried to keep track of the other group of Americans involved in this ambush.
[Baldwin:] Jim Sciutto with the scoop here on this just tragic story out of Niger. Thanks, you so much, Jim. We appreciate that.
[Sciutto:] Thank you.
[Baldwin:] U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, she is wrapping up a three-nation tour. She is in Africa. Traveling with her is CNN global affairs correspondent Elise Labott, who just had some moments specifically with the ambassador. And so, Elise is with us live there in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Tell us what Ambassador Haley shared with you.
[Elise Labott, Cnn Global Affairs Correspondent:] Well, Brooke, it's been an incredible week here with Nikki Haley. We've traveled to some parts of Africa that we really haven't traveled before. Ambassador Haley went to Ethiopia to South Sudan to really get a look at the refugee crisis and the conflict there. And then we've been throughout Democratic Republic of Congo. Yesterday visiting displaced people who are stuck in a camp, can't leave because there's violence surrounding them. And Nikki Haley said she came here to Africa to get a firsthand look at how these nations of conflict, with instability, with humanitarian disaster, can become a breeding ground, if you will, for terrorist groups. And in fact, she's trying to come here to prevent the next situation where we found in Niger where U.S. serviceman was killed in a country like that is threatening the United States. Take a listen to secretary excuse me to Ambassador Nikki Haley.
[Labott:] You know, you said you made the argument that why Africa is important to Americans. But you have to solve these problems before they erupt. Because we could be looking at the next conflict zone that is going to turn into a safe haven for terrorists. And we have seen that happen in other places like Syria and Somalia.
[Nikki Haley, U.s. Ambassador To The United Nations:] You know, it's so important that everybody not just talk about the Middle East and how we have to be careful of the Middle East. You know, you see the actions that the administration is taking in the Middle East is all because we want to deal with the situation there. So, we don't have to deal with it in the United States. It is the same thing for Africa. We have to deal with the situation here on the ground so that we are not dealing with it in the United States. What you have to look at is these African countries and all countries, if they take care of their people, if they respect the voices of their people, then you get true democracy. If they don't listen to the voices of their people, conflict will erupt. Extremism will happen. And the United States will have to deal with it. This is all about making sure we don't get to that point.
[Labott:] And Nikki Haley said that if the U.S. doesn't do more to help solve these conflicts, these kids, hundreds of thousands affected by the conflict will grow into adults with no future resenting the U.S. for not doing more. That's the very kind of person that ISIS and other extremists are looking to recruit Brooke.
[Baldwin:] So, you mention all these countries and how substantive this trip is for her, and I know you slipped, she's not the secretary, but, Elise, there has been speculation that perhaps this
[Labott:] Not yet.
[Baldwin:] this could be an audition for Nikki Haley to become the next Secretary of State. What are your thoughts on that? What are you hearing?
[Labott:] Well, look, I mean, look, she's really doing the kind of work that is the provident of the Secretary of State. Sitting down, head to head with world leaders, with African dictators, and giving them the kind of lay down the law of the United States. But if you remember back when we met with Nikki Haley in July, she told us that the President Trump offered her the job and she said no, I don't think I have enough foreign policy experience. I said, look, there is a lot of rumors that Secretary Tillerson is not happy in the job. Would you take it if offered now? And she said I don't want it. I don't want to move to Washington. I don't like the drama. And I'm very happy doing what I'm doing in New York. And I have to say, Brooke, it's a good gig for her, because she gets to act as one of the top diplomats for the U.S. But isn't kind of under the thumb of the president in Washington where cabinet members are subject to a lot of drama, a lot of distraction. And you know, the presidential very eagle eye.
[Baldwin:] Glad you asked her. It's an important question. It's on the minds of so many. Elise Labott, excellent, excellent reporting there out of Africa. We can't wait to see your full interview with Ambassador Nikki Haley on "THE SITUATION ROOM" with Wolf Blitzer, tonight here on CNN. Thank you so much for the preview. Coming up next here the release of the secrets of JFK files. Touching on everything from Marilyn Monroe, to the question about whether Lee Harvey Oswald was a CIA agent. Stay with me.