Dennis Rodman Organizes American B-Ball Game For North Korean Leader Now to a sports story of an entirely different variety, the friendship between ex-nba star dennis rodman and north korean dictator kim jong-un. He's taking a team of former players for a game to celebrate kim jong-un's birthday. Reporter: A team of americans he's bringing along to play in an exhibition game for kim jong-un's birthday. On north korean senior basketball team will take on the american side that includes kenny anderson, cliff robinson and vin baker. Along with hodges, christie and charles smith. It's all about basketball, entertainment. Reporter: In a statement overnight, former new york knick charles smith said that he's excited to participate in the game. Kim and rodman met last february when rodman took the harlem globetrotters to north korea for a documentary series. He went back in december to help train the north korean team. Rodman has been criticized for his new friendship with the leaders of one of the most oppressive countries in the world. Lot of people in america don't approve of what I have been doing. But that's not my problem. Reporter: Rodman responded to the backlash in an interview with george stephanopoulos. Are you aware of his threats to destroy the united states? I understand what he's doing. I don't condone that. I hate the fact that he's doing that, the fact is, you know what, that's a human being, he's been a friend to me. The u.S. And north korea game is set to tip on wednesday. Unclear whether rodman is suiting up. Dan and bianna. Alex, thank you. Let's bring in george stephanopoulos who will be hosting "this week." You had that exclusive with dennis rodman. The u.S. Has learned a lot more about kim jong-un that he's a father. This is not going to make a big change in the u.S./North korean relationship. Not the kind of ping-pong DIPLOMACY WE SAW IN THE '70s Between the united states and china. George, meanwhile a more pressing crisis facing the obama administration this morning, after spending billions of dollars and losing thousands of americans lives in the war of iraq, now two major cities in that country have been taking over militia associated with al qaeda. Secretary of state john kerry has spoken about this morning, what if anything can the administration do? The secretary of state kerry said they're not going to send troops back into iraq. That's completely off the table. No way president obama after bringing out of iraq is going to send them back there. You see al qaeda on the march in syria, as the united states trying to get troops out of afghanistan. There's no question one thing will not happen. No troops in the middle east. George, great to have you back. George will be talking about iraq and much, much more on his story as the powerhouse roundtable looks ahead to the biggest political stories in 2004.