
Up First from NPR U.S. Strikes Inside Venezuela, Iran Protests, Flu Cases Surge
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Dec 31, 2025 Franco Ordóñez, NPR White House correspondent, discusses the implications of the U.S. strike inside Venezuela, highlighting congressional oversight issues and risks of civilian casualties. Jackie Northam, an international affairs correspondent, covers the widespread protests in Iran driven by inflation and regime crackdowns, pondering the potential threat to the government. Gabriela Emanuel, health reporter, explains the surge in flu cases linked to a new strain, emphasizing low vaccination rates and public health recommendations to combat the outbreak.
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Land Strike Marks Major Escalation
- Striking a dock in Venezuela marks a clear escalation from maritime to land operations by the U.S. CIA.
- Franco Ordóñez warns this raises greater risks of civilian casualties and geopolitical fallout.
Congressional Oversight Is Lagging
- The White House did not follow customary congressional briefings for this strike, raising oversight concerns.
- Franco Ordóñez notes Congress is slowly pushing for more oversight including war powers resolutions.
Strikes Used To Signal Pressure
- President Trump seeks public credit for strikes to pressure Nicolás Maduro and provoke regime instability.
- Franco Ordóñez says the administration aims to show it can reach Maduro anywhere to erode his hold.



