Up First from NPR U.S. Strikes ISIS In Nigeria, The Year In Congress, Holiday Spending
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Dec 26, 2025 
Emmanuel Ekenwatu, NPR's Africa correspondent, shares insights on U.S. strikes against ISIS militants in Nigeria, discussing local security dynamics and implications for regional Christians. Claudia Grisales, NPR's congressional correspondent, highlights Congress's challenges, explaining how it ceded power to the president and its struggle with legislative productivity. The conversation also dives into record-breaking holiday spending amidst economic pessimism, showcasing surprising trends in consumer behavior despite gloomy sentiments.
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U.S. Military Escalation In Nigeria
- The U.S. launched strikes on ISIS militants in northwest Nigeria, marking a significant escalation in military involvement.
- Emmanuel Ekenwatu notes the move raises questions about motivations and effectiveness of airstrikes against entrenched groups.
ISIS Role And Limits Of Air Power
- IS Sahel (Lukarawa) has expanded south and governs some rural areas, but experts say they're not the primary killers of Christians.
- Emmanuel Ekenwatu warns airstrikes may not degrade deeply entrenched armed groups in rural Nigeria.
Nigeria's Framing And Political Sensitivities
- Nigeria framed the operation as joint and approved, but the U.S. announcement led with President Trump's post before Nigerian statements.
- That sequencing fuels domestic concerns about a new U.S. military front and Nigeria's ability to influence U.S. aims.