U.S. Stock Futures Flat; Taliban Gaining Ground in Afghanistan.
BERMAN: New gains this morning for the Taliban in Afghanistan. The militant group moving ever closer to reclaiming Helmand Province. That's the largest region in the country and a strategic location along the border with Pakistan. An area heavily fought over now for years including by U.S. troops, many of whom died there. Let's go to CNN's senior international correspondent Nick Paton Walsh in Kabul with some CNN exclusive reporting this morning. Nick, what are you learning?</s>NICK PATON WALSH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, John, you know, so many assurances from U.S. and NATO officials that the Afghan will be able to hold ground once U.S. troops and a majority left here. But that isn't the case in Helmand. A vital province, so much money potentially available there for the Taliban if they get their hands on the opium trade and they're losing territory fast here, the Afghan Army, partially because of defections. We spoke to two Afghan soldiers who had in fact changed sides, saying they weren't getting the resources and assistance they needed and their commanders to keep fighting for the Afghan Army and joined the Taliban instead. But I say, too, the Afghan officials very clearly say they don't think that a key city in Helmand will fall, Lashkar Gah. In fact the Defense minister offered to resign if it did. Here's what he said.</s>MOHAMMAD MASOOM STANEKZAI, ACTING DEFENSE MINISTER OF AFGHANISTAN: Will not fall.</s>WALSH: At all?</s>STANEKZAI: At all.</s>WALSH: If it does, would you resign, or if it did?</s>STANEKZAI: It will not fall. If it fall, there is no doubt I will resign, but sure, it will not fall.</s>WALSH: A pretty stark admission, frankly, that is something so key that if it did fall in Taliban hands, he'd have to reconsider his position. U.S. officials feel similarly confident but I have to say talking to police in Helmand, they say that city along with much with Helmand heavily pressured by the Taliban, they're on the advance here. Many concerned it could be worse in the months ahead, John.</s>BERMAN: All right. Nick Paton Walsh for us in Kabul this morning. Thanks so much, Nick.</s>KOSINSKI: And Donald Trump is angry. Maybe we should put a breaking news banner on that. The billionaire scrambling to keep up with Ted Cruz calling this weekend's contest in Colorado unfair. That's next.