Today's Situation Room:

Wolf Blitzer delivers the most important breaking news and political, international, and national security stories of the day. Tune to The Situation Room weekdays 5-7pm ET on CNN.

Wolf Blitzer delivers the most important breaking news and political, international, and national security stories of the day. Tune to The Situation Room weekdays 5-7pm ET on CNN.

December 17th, 2013
07:53 PM ET

Did U.S. troops die in crash or enemy fire?

News that broke in "The Situation Room": The Pentagon is investigating whether six U.S. forces who died Tuesday morning in Afghanistan were killed in a helicopter crash or by enemy fire. CNN's Barbara Starr reports on what we know so far.


Filed under: Afghanistan • Barbara Starr • Pentagon • Troops
December 17th, 2013
07:45 PM ET

Dennis Rodman on secret North Korea mission?

As one analysts says, "It's bizarre." Former NBA star Dennis Rodman is making his third trip to North Korea this week, where he will talk basketball and meet with Kim Jong-Un - just as the Korean dictator is shaking up his top leadership after executing his uncle. CNN's Brian Todd reports.


Filed under: Brian Todd • Dennis Rodman • Kenneth Bae • Kim Jong-Un • North Korea
December 17th, 2013
07:40 PM ET

Zimmerman painting soars on eBay

The auction site eBay confirms that George Zimmerman is selling his artwork on their site - with a bidding that now stands close to $100,000 for an original painting. CNN's Martin Savidge reports.


Filed under: Art • George Zimmerman • Martin Savidge
December 17th, 2013
07:36 PM ET

2013's $28 billion of government waste

Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Oklahoma, reveals his annual "Wastebook" - a laundry list of government projects that he classifies as waste. CNN's Tom Foreman looks into what made this year's list, including a $1 million bus stop and salaries during the government shutdown.


Filed under: government • Sen. Tom Coburn • Tom Foreman
December 17th, 2013
07:30 PM ET

NSA leaker offers deal to Brazil

The NSA leaker Edward Snowden, stuck in Russia where he has been granted temporary political asylum, has offered a deal to Brazil: In exchange for assistance in fighting NSA surveillance, give me political asylum. CNN's Jim Sciutto reports.


Filed under: Brazil • Edward Snowden • Jim Sciutto • NSA leaks