The NPR Politics Podcast Sources & Methods: Navy cartel strike, China's power flex
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Sep 6, 2025 Tom Bowman, NPR's Pentagon correspondent, and Anthony Kuhn, an international correspondent based in Seoul, delve into the Trump administration's military strategies against South American drug cartels. They discuss a recent Navy strike linked to drug trafficking, questioning its impact on U.S.-Venezuela relations. Kuhn shares insights on China's military showcase, revealing the broader geopolitical implications and advanced capabilities that challenge U.S. dominance, while addressing shifting power dynamics involving Russia and North Korea.
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Boat Strike As New Operational Pattern
- Tom Bowman recounts a U.S. strike that destroyed a small motorboat alleged to carry drugs without briefing Congress.
- He reports a U.S. official calling this tactic "a new way ahead" and compares it to strikes on the Houthis in Yemen.
Oversight And Legal Questions Raised
- Tom Bowman emphasizes that Congress and the public lack basic details about the strike, raising legal and oversight questions.
- He notes typical maritime interdiction uses Coast Guard procedures, not explosive strikes, so the action breaks precedent.
Possible Intelligence Basis For Strike
- Tom Bowman lists possible intelligence sources used to track the boat: satellites, human intelligence, and intercepts.
- He argues that if such intelligence exists, the administration should publicly release it and brief Congress.